It has been a whirlwind couple of days in Jerusalem. After arriving late Wednesday night, we checked into our hotel and then got together as a group and prepared for Yad Vashem.  People were moved by the personal connections some of us have to the Shoah and were incredibly open about their fears and anxieties about spending time learning about the atrocities committed during he holocaust. 

After a long day Thursday at Yad Vashem and Mt. Herzl, we came back and had our geopolitical seminar and got an update on the Iran situation as well as some information about the Palestinian peace talks.

Today was a more uplifting day, beginning with our trip to the Haas promenade on mount Scopus.

From there we took an amazing tour of the old city, and spent a lot of time at the kotel, where everyone was able to say a personal prayer, and take in the thousands of years of history.

From there we went has lunch and shopping time at mahane Yehuda, aka the shuk

We could barely move, it was so crowded!  Now we are back at the hotel and getting ready for shabbat.  Unfortunately, it is getting close to the end of our trip, but I’m sure well all make the most out of the last couple of days here.