A new beginning
While this is the last post for the trip labeled SH-23-162, this number does not mean much. It is the places, people, and experiences that we have experienced as individuals and as a group, a community, and a mishpacha, or family, that are significant and everlasting. We have grown as individuals. The way we think and perceive Israel and ourselves as members of the Jewish community has evolved, and this is why this post is also labeled as "The Beginning." We are in many ways reborn.
We continued our journey through Eretz Yisrael by visiting Har Herzl, Israel's military cemetary, and learning about how Israel remembers its heroes and copes with loss. We were fortunate enough to hear individual stories about various soldiers and learn what the honorable sacrifice is to defend and care for such a beautiful and important country. While tears were shed as we remembered and commemorated the fallen, with hands around each other, we supported each other through the tough time. We were brought together through the sadness and, just as the Jewish people have since the beginning of time, we were united even more; once again coming together as a community and becoming a stronger people. Continuing with the theme of strength, we also saw the graves of some of Israel's greatest leaders such as Golda Meir and Yitzhak Rabin, and finished our visit at the top of the mountain singing the Hatikvah together as we overlooked the land of Israel.
After our moving visit to Har Herzl, it was time to get ready for Shabbat and the New Year. We visited one of Israel's greatest shuks at Mahane Yehuda. It was unbelievable to see the hungry crowd of Jews getting prepared to cook delicious shnitzels, shwarmas, falafels, and salads, for their families. We, ourselves, got to buy some of the delicious fruits and vegetables from the land of Eretz Yisrael, and even continue our souvenir shopping. However, we were not just getting ready for Shabbat, we were also getting ready to bring in the new year!
We returned to our hotel to put on our get ready for Shabbat and put on our "Friday Best." It also happened that other Birthright trips were staying at the same hotel. Our Shabbat and new year was greeted with Jews from Canada, Australia, Argentina, Israel, and of course, America. It was like a meeting of the United Nations. We really were brought together from the "four corners of the earth." We rested, relaxed, and shared stories as we spent our last Shabbat together as the December 22nd, 2010 Shorashim Birthright trip.
Throughout the course of the last 10 days, we really have become achim. As we sat together reflecting on the trip we vowed to see each other again, promising to return to Israel just as the Israelis promised to visit us in America. We have already offered our houses and beds, so be ready parents, you may have some visitors coming soon! The time spent together has been unforgettable. The matana (gift) of Shorashim has been life-changing, and we are all better because of it. We have learned the values of community and its importance to Judaism and the value of the Land of Israel to which we are all connected. It is our second home where we will always be welcomed. From merely a group of 51 Jews who meandered the streets of Israel, we have become friends. Achim b'nefesh. Brothers of the Soul.
The Beginning. 10 days has seemed like both 10 seconds and 10 years.
b'Shalom (with peace),
Ari Kravetz
