Gorgeous views atop mount Herzl welcomed us to Yad Vashem, the Holocaust museum in Jerusalem.
Gorgeous views atop mount Herzl welcomed us to Yad Vashem, the Holocaust museum in Jerusalem.
Waking up in Tel Aviv, it felt like almost any other day in a major city in the United States.
The view of the sunrise over the mountains and Dead Sea was gorgeous, and it was incredible knowing that we were seeing practically the same view that Jews on Masada had seen thousands of years ago.
Finally, we got to go to the Western Wall. Since this is my first time in Israel, I have been looking forward to coming to the Western Wall for the entire trip. While writing my prayer, I became emotional while thinking about the things that meant the most to me in my life. I realized how lucky I am to be able to come to Israel and pray at the Western Wall, and I hope that my children and their children have that same opportunity.
We could not be experiencing Israel more authentically. We have enjoyed the pinnacle of each city we have been in. We went from a night celebrating our youth, energy, and 2016 in Tel Aviv to observing Shabbat in the cradle of holiness, Jerusalem. The word that comes to mind correctly or not is "Bashert" or destiny.
We touched the same wall our ancestors had practiced their faith and where the Jewish people will still continue to exercise their religious freedom. Some felt a connection and some did not, but either way it will be one of the memorable experiences collected on the Birthright trip.
After touring the independence museum we left to go to a market in Tel Aviv. There was some impressive original art and interesting scents filled the air. I was able to buy a beautiful menorah for my parents (hi mom!) and had my first semi-successful experience trying to bargain for a fair price.From the market we left for a walking tour of the very historical Jaffa by our amazingly informed tour guide, Omer. Jaffa was a beautiful coastal port and had significance to many cultures and societies throughout history. To any one reading this blog planning on traveling to Jaffa, do yourself a favor and go to Dr. Shakshuka for lunch.
We visited the old city and saw many historical sites. We saw the orthodox praying and dancing in King David's Tomb and stuck notes in the Western Wall where some people also wrapped tefillin.
From the very beginning, we talked on how there is no difference between any of the graves and on how it symbolizes the 'togetherness' and the unique same role and effect that each soldier has.