Walking through a dark hall remembering the fallen children of Holocaust, we emerged from the other side to the land of hope that is Israel.
Walking through a dark hall remembering the fallen children of Holocaust, we emerged from the other side to the land of hope that is Israel.
I use the app "Waze" all the time; not sure if you all knew this, but it was created in Israel! Pretty crazy huh?!
Todah for everything Israel, for being out-of this world beautiful, and for being so welcoming and warm.
It was an amazing experience to hear directly from Israelis in the site that this historic event occured.
When Hatikvah flowed triumphantly from the speakers, the emotions were raw and powerful and we rose to our feet as one. Achdout – literally "unity" in Hebrew, but translating to a more powerful sentiment than our word conveys – is a contagion that has infected our whole group.
We were so lucky to have gotten to speak to someone whose life exemplified the struggles the Jews have faced and the impact these events had on the Israeli people.
"There’s so much to write about that it’s almost impossible to know where to start, or how to say it all."
We began our day Sunday at Yad Vashem in Jerusalem, one of the most prominent Holocaust museums in the world.
There, our guide led us on the tour that looked at the Holocaust through the victims' perspectives. It was incredibly powerful.
Afterwards, we made our way over to Tel Aviv, which felt totally different than Jerusalem.
First, we went to Independence Hall, where we learned about Israel's founding.
Next, we explored Yitzhak Rabin Square, asking locals what they remember about the former Prime Minister's assassination and his impact on their lives.
The 1-mile walk from Rabin Square to the Sarona Market gave us a good feel of the exciting and bustling city of Tel Aviv.
But, what kind of inspiration should I draw from such an important place as the Western Wall? For me, I was inspired because it is our most powerful connection to the biblical past of Judaism and the original Jewish state. It is a place where everyone can find their own meaning and purpose.