TL-45-327/92 Update 3

Hello!! It’s Ashley back again for an update after a beautiful few days in Jerusalem.

Yesterday we met the Israelis that are traveling with our group before heading out for the day. We took in the history of the Old City as we went on a walking tour with our guide, Irad. He took us up onto the rooftops, where we were able to see the Temple Mount, the Mount of Olives, the Dome of the Rock and other monumental sights. After a light lunch near Beit Yaakov synagogue, we went to go visit the Western Wall.

We started off at the Davidson Center, where we learned some more about the Wall and other archeological discoveries; and after some time to reflect and write out any messages we wanted to leave there, we finally approached the Wailing Wall. It was a moving experience for many of us to be able to see and touch a structure that is so imbued with history and meaning.

After our visit to the wall, we returned to our hotel to prepare for Shabbat. We celebrated with a small Kabbalat Shabbat Service followed by a Shabbat dinner together. We wrapped up the evening with some reflection on the day and some tasty local Israeli snacks.

This morning a handful of us walked to Shabbat Services at Kol Rina Synagogue where we were warmly greeted by the congregation. Then we rejoined the rest of the group for a neighborhood walking tour that ended at Wohl Rose Park where we spent a few fun hours in the sun.

We passed the time this afternoon with some relaxation, and this evening had a Havdallah ceremony together to ring in the new week. Finally, we had an amazingly informative and engaging presentation by Neil Lazarus contextualizing the politics in Israel and the surrounding areas. Tomorrow we head to the desert, but not before one last stop in Jerusalem at Yad Vashem and Mt Herzl.