By: Leah Solomon
Its always an awesome feeling to wake up in the Holy City of Jerusalem, and today was no exception. We started our day with a Holocaust preparation program at the hotel. The lights were dim as we entered the multipurpose room and there was soft music playing. After spending a few minutes circling the room looking at Holocaust photos, we all sat down and had a chance to share which photos resonated with us and why. Many people shared their thoughts, often focusing on the loss of life for young innocent children.
This program set the mood for the rest of the day, and upon completion we began our somber walk of Mount Hertzl Cemetery. Named after Theodor Hertzl, who is buried there. On Mount Hertzel we learned about some of the most important political and military leaders and heroes to the state of Israel. This list included Hertzl himself, Golda Mier, and Michael Levin. Michael Levin was an American IDF soldier who died in action when enemy fire found its way through a secured house while fighting in Lebanon. It was really amazing for us to hear about people who died so that we could have our state, and to get to put a stone on their grave as a sign of respect. We left the cemetery once again feeling somber after having noticed how young many of the men and women who served and died were. It was definitely an experience to remember.
After a brief walk to a near by Israeli Mall, many of our spirits were soon lifted as we enjoyed Chinese food lunch on Christmas day (one of my favorite Jewish traditions)!!!! After a bit if free time at the mall, we boarded back onto the bus and soon arrived at Yad Vashem, the Holocuast memorial museum.
At Yad Vashem, we had the privilege of having a local specialized tour guide to offer us further detail as we made our way through the memorial. We finished out Yad Vashem tour with the childrens' memorial, which tied back in with our thoughts on the mornings first Holocaust activity.
After lighting the Hanukkah Candles we were lucky enough to enjoy a beautiful dinner at our new hotel. We then headed out to Tel Aviv for a leasure night out!
Its always an awesome feeling to wake up in the Holy City of Jerusalem, and today was no exception. We started our day with a Holocaust preparation program at the hotel. The lights were dim as we entered the multipurpose room and there was soft music playing. After spending a few minutes circling the room looking at Holocaust photos, we all sat down and had a chance to share which photos resonated with us and why. Many people shared their thoughts, often focusing on the loss of life for young innocent children.
This program set the mood for the rest of the day, and upon completion we began our somber walk of Mount Hertzl Cemetery. Named after Theodor Hertzl, who is buried there. On Mount Hertzel we learned about some of the most important political and military leaders and heroes to the state of Israel. This list included Hertzl himself, Golda Mier, and Michael Levin. Michael Levin was an American IDF soldier who died in action when enemy fire found its way through a secured house while fighting in Lebanon. It was really amazing for us to hear about people who died so that we could have our state, and to get to put a stone on their grave as a sign of respect. We left the cemetery once again feeling somber after having noticed how young many of the men and women who served and died were. It was definitely an experience to remember.
After a brief walk to a near by Israeli Mall, many of our spirits were soon lifted as we enjoyed Chinese food lunch on Christmas day (one of my favorite Jewish traditions)!!!! After a bit if free time at the mall, we boarded back onto the bus and soon arrived at Yad Vashem, the Holocuast memorial museum.
At Yad Vashem, we had the privilege of having a local specialized tour guide to offer us further detail as we made our way through the memorial. We finished out Yad Vashem tour with the childrens' memorial, which tied back in with our thoughts on the mornings first Holocaust activity.
After lighting the Hanukkah Candles we were lucky enough to enjoy a beautiful dinner at our new hotel. We then headed out to Tel Aviv for a leasure night out!
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