It started in November with an unforgettable Yachad High School Leadership Shabbaton, where I was convinced that I needed to do Yad B’Yad. The year continued with completing my first half marathon along with Team Yachad, and ended with YBY ‘13. People say going on YBY will be the best summer ever, but I don’t think this statement is 100% correct… because, not only was YBY the best summer ever, but it was also the best month of my life. I remember that first Shabbat in West Orange, being assigned my group 8 family, and that game of panoply. At the airport the next day, the groups bonded and I quickly realized I was put in the best group. We landed in Israel, and on the first night in Hispin, I watched the most amazing sunset ever. There was raft building, donkey riding, crazy dogs, and bro time. There was time for a nap on EVERY bus ride, even if it was only 5 minutes. Then we finally arrived in Yerushalayim shel zahav. After the Ramat Rachel dinner I was so full that I honestly thought I would never be able to eat again. When Yom Chanich came along, I truly felt like this is my YBY family that I will have forever. We had a scavenger hunt, a visit to Har Herzl with a lot of “kohen time” and a trip to Ben Yehuda. We davened a meaningful Kabalat Shabbat at the Kotel had a nice and short Yachad style hike back to the hotel, and had endless DMCs. We traveled south to Arad, started a never ending game of assassin, learned “ICE CREAM, AND CAKE,” and realized this was the best trip ever. We then visited the Dead Sea, Bedouin camps with the best tea ever, rode some more crazy donkey, had an army night in which I had to jump in the dirt, only to watch a meteor shower and make my name with glow stick art. We went to Eilat, went banana boating, tubing, went into the fireball, and stayed in a 100 degree hotel. We then finally arrived in Yerushalayim for the last time, had an outstanding Papagayos dinner, talent show, our final visit to Ben Yehudah, and ended off with a mission impossible themed banquet. At the airport, some tears were shed because we were ending one part of our lives, a mission that at first seemed impossible was completed. I have never had a more fun experience in my whole life. I want to thank everyone for the opportunity of a lifetime. -DY