After completing the traditional bicycle trip to Eilat (held each year as part of the bar-mitzvah year activities), seventh graders traveled to Safed for their bar-mitzvah mission to experience and study the local lifestyle and become acquainted with religious families.

They took in the local atmosphere, watching a klezmer performance that featured a clarinet and accordion player. Boys and girls were separated and danced to the music in different rooms. The youngsters visited a synagogue and were hosted at the homes of religious families for candle lighting, kiddush and dinner. For most families, the Friday night meal is a festive one. Arava students learned about the division of functions in the family: daughters help prepare dinner while sons attend synagogue. They were exposed to a different and unfamiliar lifestyle that has the advantage of family quality time, where there is no television at home and children amuse themselves by playing the “five stones” game, ball games and board games.