The Kotel

On Friday Night we went to the Kotel. It was a much anticipated visit for me, since I have been hearing about the wall my entire life. It was incredible- I was in shock by the beauty how surreal it all felt. Even though I was surrounded by people I didn't know, I felt at home, and like I belonged. We went to a spot on the opposite side of the wall where we could pray all together. We were still able to hear the men and (some) woman chanting on the other side. It was freezing outside, but I felt warm from being not just with my EIE Aviv 16 family, but from feeling like I was apart of something bigger than just myself. Even before entering the Kotel, we had to split up by genders, I know Israel is not as progressive as some countries, but I was displeased by how much gender inequality there was between men and woman at one of the most holy places in Jerusalem. The woman's side was half the size of the mens, and was also just a lot less fun. The men were having a party, and I was sad I couldn't join in. I tried to look in on the fun through the wholes in the separation bars, but I just felt like I was on the outside looking in. Nonetheless, I still felt apart of a Kehillah K'dusha.

On the woman's side of the wall, I saw 3 young girls (around 6-10) praying. It was inspiring to see such young girls take praying so seriously. On top of it all, they looked like they were having so much fun. This made me see that praying is what we make of it. I can choose to have fun and enjoy myself and make the most out of the experience just as those little girls did. At the end of it all, they walked away from the wall while still facing it, it was so cute! Me and my friends joined in and walked backwards too, although we bumped into some chairs, it felt life changing. The wall was definitely different than I expected, but I found it amazing nonetheless.

New Beginnings

I am in Israel. This is a sentence I did not think I would get to say during high school, let alone be in Israel for a semester abroad. I feel so incredibly blessed and lucky to be given this opportunity and cannot for the adventures to come. I expected Israel to be different from California, but I was in shock by the culture change and way of life that lies in Israel. Being from Los Angeles, there for sure is culture, but it is more diverse and spread out than in Israel. Here, everywhere I go I see a community, someone I can relate to, someone that is Jewish. I feel so happy and safe not only on Tzuba, but just in Israel. I cannot wait to go off and on adventures and fall even more in love with this country. 

Tomorrow we are going off the Kibbutz for the first time and into the old city, we are going to the western wall and the kotel. I am super pumped! I have learned and heard stories about the wall my entire life and I cannot wait to experience it first hand and have my own stories to tell about it. Although Israel is very different than the culture I am used to, I am starting to feel at peace with myself in this new country (and less jet lagged!). I cannot wait for the wall!