”Jerusalem at dusk, when the brusque sundown pulls at your heart and then soothes it,” This Jerusalem said Wiesel, ”miraculously transforms any man into a pilgrim. No one can visit it and leave again unchanged.” (Elie Wiesel)
Ein Gedi – park reserve with a beautiful fresh water spring and the opportunity to see the gorgeous flora, fauna and creatures of Israel:
Masada (read Brooke’s blog about Masada):
Walking through Old Jerusalem from the Jaffa Gate to the Lion’s Gate along the Via Dolorosa. We stopped at the Church of Condemnation on our way to the Holy Sepulchre Church:
Holy Sepulchre Church:
High above Jerusalem (in the pouring rain):
Southern Wall excavation:
Writing our prayers,then praying at the Western Wall (Wailing Wall):
Walking along the ramparts above Old Jerusalem:
The room (possibly?) of the Last Supper:
Basilica of the Agony and Garden of Gethsamane:
Israeli Museum:
Dinner with our friends, Betzalel Cohen, his wife, their children and grandchildren and our dear friend, Daniel Cohen’s Mother, Sarale. We had a wonderful night with a beautiful, warm family.
Brad and Brayden’s early morning to visit the Temple Mount:
Hezekiah’s Tunnel, located in the City of David, is filled with water up to your thighs, the openings are 2-3 feet wide, where Brad would have to turn sideways to fit at times, and the height of the tunnel was between 4-6 feet, so we all had to bend over to fit beneath the ceiling. And this was for almost 40 minutes!!:
Great photos! Viewing them warmed my soul. I’ve been to most of the places pictured, but your photos remind me that I need to make it to the Temple Mount.
I hope that the prayers your family left in the Wall are answered. I vividly recall the first time I saw the Wall. I was 21, traveling with a tour group of people aged 18-25, on a 40-day trip through Israel (Ha!, you must say, a measly 40-day trip!!!). I was descending some stairs, and as I turned a corner, the Wall came into view. I knew we were heading towards it; that was our plan, But I wasn’t prepared for the how powerfully emotional that moment would be. I was filled with awe, pride, joy, excitement, but also a somber reverence. It wasn’t only my emotions that were revving. My mind was racing, moving through Jewish history: I thought of the glory of the Temple; the destruction and exile; the nearly 2,000 years that each and every day Jews (including all my blood ancestors) faced towards that spot in prayer; the years that Jews were not permitted to visit; how my grandfather, of blessed memory, made it there in his 80s, accompanied by my dad, of blessed memory; and how blessed I was to live at a time when I could not only visit it, but do so in the State of Israel, It was definitely a “Zap!!!!!” moment.
I just took a stroll down memory lane, as I went through your pictures of Israel. As you know I lived in this amazing country and have been there many times. The sense of history is simply unparalleled in any other place in the world. I’m so glad that you got the chance to see this tiny country where people of all religions and nationalities do come together in peace. I will say that I have rarely worn more than a light jacket while there, so seeing you in “winter gear” was a bit strange. I am going to go back through the rest of your blog in the next few days. Miss you!
So fun that you were on the blog and checking out Israel. Brooke sang “happy birthday” to her tutor in Hebrew that you had taught her…too cute. You are with all of us on the journey as we know how much you love to travel. Brayden and Brookie send a big hug to you. Miss you! The entire Stroh Family