The moment I have been eagerly anticipated had finally came – Shabbat in Jerusalem.
The first time I saw this activity plan on the trip itinerary, I knew immediately that this was going to be something special.
As the sun began to fall, we all walked over to Old City to the Western Wall to recite the Shabbat Prayers.
As we were coming close to our destination, I began to feel a rush I have not felt in a long time. I knew that just in a few minutes, I would be arriving to the staple of my Jewish faith – the Kotel.
As we turned the corner, I took my first glance of the Wall and was immediately filled with emotions. There was an energy that I cannot put into words that made feel so proud to be a Jew.
I kept thinking that my grandparents would be so proud of me at this very moment. Here I was carrying the torch of Judaism by praying at the Kotel in the holy city of Jerusalem. On one side of me, was a soldier carrying a gun, and on the other side, was man dressed with a black hat, full beard, and Peyas.
Although we looked different on the outside, praying with these gentleman, I felt a unique and strong bond.
Turning the pages of my prayer book with the Kotel five feet in front of me, I realized it did not matter where we came from or what religious sect we were, but that we were all here, our “home”, as one Jew.
As a group, we then walked back to the synagogue where we were greeted with a beautiful Shabbat dinner. Just five days ago, I came on this trip with some strangers and friends, but after the week’s amazing experiences with each other, I sat down with these people for Shabbat Dinner like they were family.
The Shabbat dinner was filled with great challah, delicious chicken, and of course some…I mean many L’Chaims. It was truly a special time eating Shabbat dinner with the site of Jerusalem overlooking us through the window. I will remember this night forever.
- Ian Goldwasser
