Jewish Roots (Shorashim)
Today was an intense and emotional day. After waking up very early after a night out in Tel Aviv, we made our way to Jerusalem. We first passed through Ein Kerem, which had particular significance for me because I have family in Ein Karem. I tried to spot their houses (it's right near the Russian Orthodox temple), but I couldn't quite pick it out.
We then arrived at Yad Vashem, the Israeli Holocaust Memorial and Museum. Yad Vashem is perched on a hill overlooking the sprawling, scenic hills of Ein Kerem and the rest of Jerusalem. The architecture of the museum is also quite breathtaking. It is designed as a long hallway in the interior of a long prism. As you walk along the hallway, you descend down a decline through the progressing history of the Holocaust and destruction of the Jewish livelihood in Europe. The hallway coincides with the extermination of the Jews and the concentration camps.
The hallway then turns upwards and commemorates the righteous among the nations: those who risked their lives to save Jews.
Yad Vashem elicits a lot of strong emotions. I first felt anger as I learned about the roots of Nazi institutionalized antisemitism as a scapegoat for Germany's problems after World War I. As we descended into the ghettos, the murders and ultimately the industrialized massacre of the Jews in the death camp, my anger turned to sadness, fear and despair. I thought about those who lost their lives and endured such exreme hardships; I thought about my own family, and what it would be like to lose them in such a tragedy.
I also felt a sense of hopelessness as I feel like the Holocaust could happen again. Maybe not now, maybe not with the Jews, but when we humans are put in extreme situations, we are capable of some truly terrible things.
Yad Vashem was intense, but after reflecting, we were able to move on to more fun and lighthearted activities.
After lunch, we made our way to the old city of Jerusalem. It is so magnificent and steeped in so much history. I was awestruck. We made our way to the last supper room, where Jesus supposedly had his last seder with the 12 apostles before being executed the next day. We also saw King David's Tomb right under the Last Supper Room, and tons of ancient roman ruins.
We ultimately made our way to the Western Wall. The The Western Wall is truly magnificent in size and beauty. I felt a sense of community in seeing so many Jews praying at the wall and sticking their wishes into the cracks.
After Yad Vashem I wished for safety and security for my growing family. Today was extremely eventful, and filled with a whirlwind of emotions. We are now venturing into the desert to ride camels and sleep in the bedouin tents. I look forward to continuing our trip of a lifetime through Israel!
Photo Credits: Header Image-@lindstagram114, Image 1-@alexa902, Image 2-@roseguttman, Image 3-@alexa902, Image 4-@tahis.h, Image 5-@nasirarah3
