First Thoughts/Arrival in Israel

Shorashim Bus 150 arrived to Jerusalem yesterday afternoon, and since then, it's been incredibly overwhelming for those of us (most of us) who have never been to Israel before. First of all, it's incredible to see a Jewish state; tons of different types of Jews live their lives, secular and religious, rich and poor, married and single, young and old, constantly aware of the uniqueness of their country. Those of us who have only studied it in a classrom can hardly believe that Hebrew is, in fact, the primary language in this country.
Yesterday, we sat on the Haas Promenade, overlooking all of Jerusalem; we saw the city limits, and could see both Old and New Jerusalem. It was only today, however, that we found out that New Jerusalem can be up to 150 years old. Coming from Boston, one of America's oldest cities, where change is slow to come and the old is rigorously preserved, it was comprehensible how something a century and a half old might still be "new." Old Jerusalem, however, was unbelievable.
With a four thousand year history, Jerusalem has been conquered 83 times and has been controlled by Jews, Muslims, and Christians. On this day in the Jewish year 5772, however, our experience of this ancient city was distinctively Jewish. Besides the sights, sounds, and smells of Jews going about their business and preparing for Shabbat, we had the opportunity to visit the Kotel -- the Western Wall, the only remaining part of the Temple, destroyed by the Romans in 79 CE. Given time alone to pray or think as we chose, every student had a unique spiritual experience.
After this, we had the opporunity to visit the shuk, where we enjoyed seeing more of the city's residents as well as enjoying some excellent felafel, shwarma, and rugelach. Certainly, there is more of this city and this country to see -- hopefully, we will do so. Until then, Shabbat shalom.