Different Experiences at the Western Wall

Thursday morning, we packed our bags in preparation to leave Shomrat Kibbutz guest house in the Galilee area.

This is my first time in Israel, so I knew I would form attachments to new people, places, and things, as I would with any new situation. My memories of the Shomrat Kibbutz will be filled with Sonia - my self proclaimed kibbutz puppy - as well as sweat from our hikes in the North, the air conditioned dining hall, loud laughter, and so much new found love.

After driving 2 hours to Jerusalem, we arrived at Mount Scopus. The location of Mount Scopus provides visitors a panoramic view of Jerusalem in it's entirety. Yossi, our tour guide, discussed major issues within Jerusalem, and Israel as a whole, from the past and present. It was fascinating. 

Little did I know, this was just the beginning of a handful of mixed emotions and perspectives like I've never experienced before.

We set off to have a quick lunch in Emek Refaim. I asked Dan, 1 of the 7 Israeli participants we have the honor of traveling with, where he thought I should have lunch. He told me that he was going to have falafel; at this point, I realized I had had an unreasonable amount of falafel. I opted for Aroma coffee, "the best iced coffee in Israel" according to our Israeli friends. Coffee and a sandwich from this Israel staple was an excellent lunch choice for me! :)

We hopped on the bus again to take us to our walk through the Old City of Jerusalem--the Jewish Quarter.

Immediately exiting the bus we, the women, were told to cover up our shoulders and knees for religious purposes. With my scarf covering my shoulders and my skirt covering my knees, I felt my body trying to fight off the heat. It really is hot in Israel in the summer!

Jerusalem has the same heat we've experienced before on this trip, but with heavy air and a moist dryness which would only make sense if you were standing next to me while I wrote this.

Yossi briefed us on the history of the walls surrounding the Jewish Quarter, and we continued on to reach the Western Wall. On this walk, we stopped once to share our past experiences at the wall, if we had any. In preparation for seeing the wall for the first time, I began to lower my expectations for this large event in order to be pleasantly surprised.

Entering the area of the kotel, one of the holiest sites in Judaism, I realized a) how much I had been sweating and b) how unimportant my sweat was compared to what our ancestors who built the incredible structure standing before me must have experienced.

I walked up to the women's section of the wall (as it is sectioned off for men and women to pray separately). I felt nervous, a bit anxious, and a little guilty. I felt blessed to have the life that I live and grateful for being there at that very moment. 

I decided to walk with Ellie, one of our group leaders, Lily, and Shir, 1 of 7 Israeli's on our trip to the newly installed portion of the wall where men and women can pray together. This portion of the wall was even further away and much smaller than expected. More sweat.

I went up to touch this portion of the wall; I stepped back to watch Ellie and Lily place their wishes and say their prayers. Us four, as well as Jody (our other group leader) on the deck above us, were the only other people in the section, which made for a more intimate setting.

We walked away to meet the rest of the group, everyone leaving with different experiences at the wall.

The rest of the evening we spent celebrating Shabbat in the most authentic form. Praying, eating, and later playing games or taking part in an oneg.

This is a once in a lifetime experience and I wouldn't want to have it with anyone else but you, bus 460. It's been five days and you already mean the world to me.

Photo Credits: Image 1-@k_weintraub, Image 2-@cbtobin, Image 3 & Image 4-@skolshotzphotography, Image 5-@nsandler