Shabbat Shalom

Seven days in, we've really packed in a lot. It's hard to imagine that only 8 days ago we were still singing dayeinu at seders.

Friday was a day about war, peace, and spreading shekels. We started with time in Yafo, hearing about the Ottomans, Napoleon, and the War of Independence. We went from there to Independence Hall where Ben Gurion read the Declaration of Independence in the middle of that war. Something that stood out was when the guide talked about what was happening when Israel was born. The ceremony needed to start promptly because Shabbat was about to arrive. People were on time. What happened to that tradition?? Israel was born in a bomb shelter. They had to borrow a microphone from the recording studio which insisted on its logo being on it. The studio was called “Tzlil” which means that the first advertisement in Israel was for “noise.” Fitting.

Because we went from Independence Hall over to Shuk HaCarmel and Nachalat Binyamin. Those are some noisy places! I took Ethan around and knocked items off his shopping list, took him and the Calgary boys to shwarma, and the girls had a good time, too! We actually spent about 2 hours at the shuk. It’s really a place you can see the Alt and the Neu in this land, as the kiosk owners sell cinnamon and dried fruit as they have done for centuries right next to their buddies selling knock-off designer clothes and cell phone covers.

Next it was off to Rabin Square, the final stop before Shabbat. Michal explained how the Oslo Accords were totally radical and polarized society. How Rabin’s murder showed Israelis the depths of their division and what’s become of the national discussion. They interviewed strangers about their memories of Rabin and the era and reported how it really did affect Israelis in a very deep way.

Then we settled in for Shabbat. Edmonton was in charge and we sang some songs, talked about what it means to celebrate Shabbat in Israel on this trip and really stopped for the first time to reflect. What an overwhelming week. It’s like we landed and there was an onslaught of names, dates, and places; geology, ecology, history, politics, and sociology; shwarma, fellafel, and mango juice. Sitting in our little room in the hotel with nowhere to be was just what we needed. We had a minute to talk about what we’ve been through on the first leg of the trip and then just played some games and went to sleep.

Shabbat is slow! We were joined by Mickey and Noa for the trip to the beach and she subsequently took Sasha and Ethan back to her kibbutz. I’m thinkin’ to have a little shluff before we head out for more sun, and tomorrow begins our time in the Galil with the penpals. Much fun awaits! Have a relaxing Shabbat everyone :)