By Jay Basin
Bright and early we woke up with a quick breakfast. Soon enough the bus was packed and we were on the move once again. As quick as we had left the hotel, we soon arrived at Yad Vashem, A famous Holocaust Museum.
Everyone knows the story of the Holocaust but hearing a number is completely different from seeing it. We started the day off by watching the story of a Holocaust survivor. I couldn’t help but feel that at least through all the pain and suffering of the holocaust, at least some found love, as seen in his story, meeting his future wife while at Auschwitz.
The entire museum was astonishing and very humbling, especially knowing that we are all the product of the victory of the Jews in the Holocaust. We saw the shoes taken from the Jews at the concentration camps and couldn’t help but feel the essence of each individual that stood in them. At the end of the tour, we entered a circular room with shelves of books and a well in it. The books contained the names of all that perished in the Holocaust but in the well was a reflection of ourselves because we all carry Judaism into the future. Yad Vashem means “A Memorial and a Name” and it truly was.
After, we past through the memorial for the children lost in the Holocaust. I couldn’t help but feel grateful to know that I’m alive and have the ability to grow as a human being each and everyday.
Before traveling into the Mount Herzl Military Cemetery, we enjoyed some delicious falafel. While visiting their graves, we heard the stories of the fallen soldiers and I couldn’t help but feel fortunate to know that all Israeli soldiers put their lives on the line to protect Jews around the whole world. After getting to know the Israeli Soldiers on our trip it astounds me because they had some much in common with all of us, that it is amazing that people, not unlike ourselves, fight for our freedom and rights.
We then traveled south to experience some real Bedouin Hospitality. Huge metal plates of food with chicken, laffa, rice, olives, hummus and a lot more immediately greeted us. We then enjoyed some delicious, fresh, sweet tea and baklava for dessert.
Learning about the Bedouin culture, we heard some live Bedouin music and enjoyed some fresh coffee. Soon after, we took a short walk to star gaze. This gave me time to reflect on how those lost in the Holocaust and those buried at Mount Herzl Military Cemetery gave up their lives so we could be happy, healthy and enjoy the land of Israel.
Our night ended beside a bon fire in which we reflected on our trip, huddled for warmth, and bonded over our past experiences.
Bright and early we woke up with a quick breakfast. Soon enough the bus was packed and we were on the move once again. As quick as we had left the hotel, we soon arrived at Yad Vashem, A famous Holocaust Museum.
Everyone knows the story of the Holocaust but hearing a number is completely different from seeing it. We started the day off by watching the story of a Holocaust survivor. I couldn’t help but feel that at least through all the pain and suffering of the holocaust, at least some found love, as seen in his story, meeting his future wife while at Auschwitz.
The entire museum was astonishing and very humbling, especially knowing that we are all the product of the victory of the Jews in the Holocaust. We saw the shoes taken from the Jews at the concentration camps and couldn’t help but feel the essence of each individual that stood in them. At the end of the tour, we entered a circular room with shelves of books and a well in it. The books contained the names of all that perished in the Holocaust but in the well was a reflection of ourselves because we all carry Judaism into the future. Yad Vashem means “A Memorial and a Name” and it truly was.
After, we past through the memorial for the children lost in the Holocaust. I couldn’t help but feel grateful to know that I’m alive and have the ability to grow as a human being each and everyday.
Before traveling into the Mount Herzl Military Cemetery, we enjoyed some delicious falafel. While visiting their graves, we heard the stories of the fallen soldiers and I couldn’t help but feel fortunate to know that all Israeli soldiers put their lives on the line to protect Jews around the whole world. After getting to know the Israeli Soldiers on our trip it astounds me because they had some much in common with all of us, that it is amazing that people, not unlike ourselves, fight for our freedom and rights.
We then traveled south to experience some real Bedouin Hospitality. Huge metal plates of food with chicken, laffa, rice, olives, hummus and a lot more immediately greeted us. We then enjoyed some delicious, fresh, sweet tea and baklava for dessert.
Learning about the Bedouin culture, we heard some live Bedouin music and enjoyed some fresh coffee. Soon after, we took a short walk to star gaze. This gave me time to reflect on how those lost in the Holocaust and those buried at Mount Herzl Military Cemetery gave up their lives so we could be happy, healthy and enjoy the land of Israel.
Our night ended beside a bon fire in which we reflected on our trip, huddled for warmth, and bonded over our past experiences.
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