An Update in Israel!

Today was the most inspiring Shabbat I've ever experienced!  To start off the day, we woke up to a delicious authentic Israeli breakfast at our hotel.  Then we got divided into four group to go to all different types of services. One group went to Beit Kneset HaGadol. It was a LONG WALK! Another group went to Beit Kneset in Nach'laot neighborhood. There they had an amazing service and a kiddush. After the service one man from the synagogue volunteered to take our group to A WALKING TOUR though one of the most eclectic Jerusalem neighborhoods. Tonight, we davened and did havdalah and then went to Ben-Yehudah street for an excellent dinner and some shopping time.  Phew, I'm tired!

To begin this amazing day, I woke up and had an amazing breakfast. It was delicious. Then, we split up into four groups to go to different synagogues. My group got lost for 10 minutes trying to find the place. That was fun. After this, we all went to the park for almost three hours to play some games and hang out with our frineds. Finally we went to Ben Yehudah street to go shopping and have dinner. Today was really fun. '

3rd Day:

Rise and shine was how the day started... at 6:30. Oy vey. Besides the start, the day was one to remember. We ventured through the alleyways of the old city of Jerusalem, crept our ways though the narrow Hezekiah tunnel (which included a swim in sewage water afterwards), and we set off on our own to discover the city and to get lunch. Perhaps the most enjoyable experience of the day was interviewing other tourists and natives of the land. I spoke to a Lutheran man who was in Israel out of support for the state and to learn more about it, and a French born woman, who came to the joyous state because she was sent by G-d. Wow what an amazing land.

Day 4 (April 28):

Today was the most strenuous day so far. We started even earlier today, getting up at 6:15. After breakfast and davening, we drove to Yad Vashem, the Israeli holocaust museum and complex. We got guides and took a trip through the holocaust, from the highest highs to the lowest lows, and back again. It was extremely moving and powerful to be there on Yom Ha-Shoah,the Holocaust Memorial Day. After spending time in the museum, we walked up the path to Mount Herzl. It was almost like we were taking a path through time, from the destruction of the Holocaust to the rebirth that was the Jewish State. We walked around Mount Herzl, stopping at some of the gravesites, including that of Yitzchak Rabin.

               

After Mount Herzl, we drove and stopped at the Kenesset. Unfortunately, as it was a national Memorial Day, they were closed and we could only look from afar. Then, we walked into the old city and had a pizur dinner near the Kotel. To end the night, we walked through the Kotel tunnels and saw many ancient Roman pathways and arches. It was an incredible and inspirational day.