We arrived this afternoon, like Pilgrims on a journey. Moments after leaving our plane we gathered for a prayer of thanks - realizing that this journey is like no other. This is not a tour, it is a pilgrimage. We walk in the steps our ancestors could only dream of.
After all the normal passport control and baggage claim - we meet our wonderful and charming guide, Renee Goutmann. We traveled the up the winding road to Jerusalem, stoping to see the burnt out trucks which in 1948 attempted to bring much needed relief supplies to the sieged Jerusalem. It was "Yom Hazikaron" when we arrived - the day of remembering Israel's fallen soldiers. The rusted frames of these trucks were covered with Israeli flags, a sight I had never seen.
We entered Jerusalem by stopping for an overlook at the Haas Promenade - the "Tayellet." There we had stunning views of the Old City of Jerusalem and it's surroundings as we said the Sheechiyanu prayer, thanking G-d for allowing us to see this sight.
After a short time in our hotel, we all gathered for a celebratory dinner at Olive & Fish (wonderful!). Our group was fully united, as some had made other travel plans. Now we were one "k'vutza" a unit, and began to get to know each other.
A nice surprise was that Steve (Rosy) Rosenberg met us after dinner and led some of us through the unbelievable Yom Haatzmaut (Israel Independence Day) celebrations. Today is Israel's 65 Anniversary and it felt like the entire country (particularly the young people) were out on the streets celebrating. There was music, there was dancing, there were fireworks!
A most joyful welcome. Happy 65th Birthday!
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