For the 2006-2007 year, Danny Kalman, Ben David, Jamie Zebrak, and Troy Grudin made it to Israel to study abroad. We have created this blog to share Israel with friends everywhere, and especially with the community back in Oregon. Check our profiles to a more in depth explanation!

Thursday, October 05, 2006

Yom Kippur

On the evening before the evening of Yom Kippur I ended of walking to the Kotel with my Israeli roommate. We walked from downtown at just after midnight. I could not understand why on earth we would walk there at such an hour. It seemed odd that we were surrounded by numerous large groups also walking to the Kotel.

We arrived, and I understood why. The entire square, from the Wall backed up all the way to every exit and the stairs leading up to the exit in the back, was packed shoulder to shoulder with people. There were thousands upon thousands. Everybody faced the wall and followed the service lead by a PA system.

I was fascinated by the different demographics around different parts of the square. Up at the front were mostly Orthodox Jews. The further back, the more secular the people became. The twice a year Jew is not just an American phenomenon! As I walked up the stairs to exit I peered out onto the sea of bobbling kippot on peoples’ heads. It was quite a spectacle.

The event illustrated for me nicely why there is so much conflict over this little area in the Old City of Jerusalem. This is the month of Ramadan for Muslims. There are thousands of Muslims just on the other side of that wall, at the Dome of the Rock and Al Aksa Mosque praying as well. This little area has such great importance to so many people, except that half value it for one reason and half for another.

Today is Thursday and I am leaving in one hour for an excursion to Egypt with a group of six, including Jamie and Ben. We are going to see the pyramids and have quite an adventure along the way. The trip begins with a pleasant 15 hours bus ride through the desert. And yes – we will keep our heads up and travel very cautiously : )

Danny

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