Birthwriting: Jerusalem's Old City
Our first day in Jerusalem started with a trip to the Old City. Before we entered the ancient walls, we took a few minutes to review the history behind the walls - the centuries of changing rulers and regimes and the legacy left by each. Lior reminded us that for thousands of years, Jewish people were not allowed inside the walls and encouraged us to realize just how lucky we were that we’d be able to enter.
Soon we were inside and our first mission was to peel back the history of the small area. The Old City is no more than three square miles, yet has perhaps the most storied history of any plot of land in the world. We first saw the ruins of a Roman street where columns and storefronts were still visible and discussed the remnants of that culture. The next hour was a speed course in the history inside the walls, as covered thousands of years in about a half hour.
With the history covered, we moved on to the present day situation. We ascended to a rooftop and stood near the meeting place of the four corners of Jerusalem’s Old City (Jewish, Christian, Muslim, and Armenian). Lior spoke about coexistence and the hope of peace for the future.
From there, the group moved toward the Western Wall, a highlight, no doubt, for most participants of our trip. Before we descended to The Wall, we looked on from a viewpoint and took a moment to reflect on the seriousness of The Wall and the ancestors who struggled so much to preserve the stone and its meaning. Before The Wall, each person was given a piece of paper and we wrote our thoughts and prayers before sticking it into The Wall. The group took its time soaking in scene at The Wall - the men wrapped tefillin around and said the prayers and the women took to their side for prayer and meditation.
After the wall we boarded the bus and head into the bustling city to visit the central market - The Jerusalem Shouk. The market was abuzz with Jerusalem-ites preparing for Shabbat and the weekend. The group split up for lunch and shopping. The Shouk certainly excited each sense - with its crowd, its smell and its intensity. Battling through the cluster of people, our group came back with a multitude of smiles, gifts and ruggala.
We left the Shouk to head back to our hotel in preparation for Shabbat. It was a long first day in Jerusalem, but the holy city certainly did nothing to disappoint our spirits.
