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.

This day was one of my favorites of the trip so far!

Hearing the Hatikvah, Israel's national anthem, in the same room where David Ben Gurion announced the formation of the Jewish homeland, was very spiritual. 

We were able to listen to a pair of local musicians who play instruments that date back to the earliest times recorded in the era.  The three instruments resembled a guitar, a piano, and a UFO-shaped steel drum. They played a beautiful set of traditional and modern music.  

After learning from Bar (our Israeli tour guide) the history behind Rabin and his assassination, we were broken into groups to walk through the square, ask questions to Israelis about how they felt about the assassination and what it meant for the state of Israel. For me, this was an eye opening activity that was really beneficial to speak to Israelis in Tel Aviv to learn how they actually felt about how the assassination effected their lives and the future of Israel as a whole. Getting first handed accounts of how the people of Israel felt during this difficult time. 

It was my second time visiting Yad Vashem but it was just as moving as the first. I was looking forward to the stunning view of Jerusalem you are exposed to at the end when you walk outside. I had a good conversation with one of our Israeli participants after.

Then, we went to Tel Aviv. A walk around the Neve Tzedek neighborhood offered a great look at what it is like to be an Israeli in the city and Independence Hall was also very moving. We stood up and listened to HaTikva as if we were in that room 67 years ago.

"Hiking Mt. Arbel was one of the best expirences of my life. The views were unbelievable! I am so grateful for this opportunity."-Rachel Shaykin

We closed the ceremony by listening to David Ben Guiron's words at the Declaration ceremony. Our guide emphasized that the declaration established Israel as a home for the Jewish people, not as the "State of Israel." He emphasized that a home isn't necessarily where you live. I think I'm beginning to have a clearer understanding of how Israel fits in as the Homeland of the Jewish people.