Jerusalem of Gold
The of Old City Jerusalem provided our group with a rich experience filled with beautiful scenery and historic significance. From the narrow stone roads worn smooth by millions of visitors to the Western Wall, it was immediately clear that the Old City holds an importance that we were all able to appreciate on some level or another. At the same time, the life that is constantly pulsating through those narrow streets adds to the impact of the importance of the city. In one location we stopped to view the remnants of a section of wall that was thousands of years old, and surrounding this piece of history were apartments, shops and even a playground. The Old City of Jerusalem is a city that is very...well... old (the name sort of implies that, right?), but it still supports modern day life the same as any other city. To walk the streets of such an important city in the history of not only Judaism, but the world, and having modern day life bustle by was an experience that I believe none of us will forget.
For me, and I'm sure the majority of the group, the most significant part of our tour of the old city was the Western Wall and what it represents on so many levels. Lior, our fearless leader and guide, told us that we were going to "ascend and descend at the same time" when we walk up to the wall and experience the multitude of feelings that it stirs up. At first I was not sure I knew what he meant, but after placing my hand on the wall I immediately felt something well up inside me and understood. It is hard to explain, but I'm sure the group knows what I mean. Many of us put notes in the wall wishing or praying for things that we hold dear and desire out of life. Walking up to the wall among the many Orthodox Jews who pray daily at this site did exactly what Lior was trying to convey to us. Being at the location that we always face East to pray towards when in the United States was mind blowing. It was almost surreal to think that we were standing in the most holy place for Jews all over the world, and is hard to put into words the meaning that such an experience has. And to be able to share this experience with 46 people who are quickly becoming very close friends was a pleasure and only added to the significance of the Shorashim Taglit-Birthright trip.
From learning of the numerous battles the city has endured over thousands of years in a struggle to obtain such a holy site, to touching and leaving a prayer or wish within the cracks of the Western Wall, it was another day that impressed beyond belief.
By Zak Baron
