Day 1 in Jersusalem

Despite the weather we had a great day!

We woke up early and headed to Jerusalem to beat the snow. Lucky for us as we are writing this and it hasn't yet snowed, only rained, but sadly Israel is a lot like NYC of a few weeks ago. They are freaking out about snow that hasn't yet come. It's supposed to snow tonight, so let's hope it doesn't accumulate. 

When we arrived, we went strait to the Kotel (the western wall). Students wrote notes and placed them into the cracks. Then they spent time praying or saying whatever words were in their hearts. Many said the experience was powerful.  

Afterwards, we walked around the other parts of the wall. Robinson's Arch which is an excavation nearby, the Ezrat Yisrael (the egalitarian prayer space that is a political compromise between the government and the Reform movement in Israel), and the southern wall steps. We spent a bit of time in a nearby museum looking at maps and learning the history then headed to lunch.

After students had lunch on their own we went to an old Jewish home that was destroyed during Roman times called the burnt house and saw a movie about its history. Students learned the history but more than anything enjoyed the bad acting and dubbing.

Then we walked around the Cardo, the heart of the ancient city 2000 years ago, learned about a mosaic and visited David's Tomb (which happens to be the basement of the location of the Last Supper - we went there too). 

We got on the bus, and went back to the hotel for a bit. After a few people left for family visits we went out together for dinner at Burgers Bar (Rabbi Marc's favorite Jerusalem spot) and gave them a bit of free time at Ben Yehudah St. Sadly because of the "snow", only two stores were open, so expect a lot of gifts from the Jerusalem Army / Navy store. 

Tomorrow's plan is a bit up in the air because of the weather but unfortunately we already know Yad V'shem is closed until we leave (wimps). We will organize a trip to the DC Holocaust Museam if there is interest to make up for this. 

Here are some pictures from today: