So our last events in Jerusalem included a trip to Yad V’shem- the Israeli Holocaust Museum. This museum is among the largest depicting the actions the Germans, the Poles, the Romanians, and the French, among others, effected to eradicate some 6 million Jews- a majority of the population of Jews residing in Europe prior to World War II. In addition to the depictions of life before and during the Holocaust, there is an extensive research system where folks can learn about families who perished in the war.
There also is a Hall of Remembrance, depicting the concentration camps where Jews were killed in Europe and a Children’s memorial, where lights and the names of the dead children echo as one traverses the hall.
And, then, it was Friday afternoon.
You probably don’t know this, but restaurants are closed on Saturday in Israel. So, if you want to eat, you need to stock up on food- and you also need to prepay for a Friday night dinner (since money won’t change hands after dark on Friday afternoon). So, I hightailed it to Machane Yehuda, one of the biggest “farmer’s markets” you’ll ever find.
There, I picked up a few kinds of cheeses, apples, pears, dates, tomatoes, blueberries, Jerusalem Sesame Bread, Challot.. enough for a wonderful feast on Saturday afternoon.
The Friday night dinner we had prepaid was pretty tasty. It was the first time in a long time I actually ate brisket. There also was salmon, fresh fruit, sweet potato, rice, barley, watermelon, and challa.
Shabat (Saturday) morning, I walked down to the Kotel to pray. I actually attended two different services, once was Ashkenazi and the other was Sefardi (Eastern European and Spanish customs). Walking back to the hotel required me to travel up a 45 degree slope for about 2/3 mile (remember, my leg is still compromised; on slopes like this I certainly use a cane) and the temperatures (even at 10:15 AM) had climbed to 90 F or so. Which meant I took a nice cold shower once I got back to my room. (And, then took a nap, since I started the day at 6 AM.)
Unfortunately my friends had developed some sort of stomach situation. So, they had no desire to feast on my Machane Yehuda purchases. Too bad for them. (I did manage to bring back to America some of the cheese, Jerusalem bread, and challa.)
And, then, that night, we took off to return to America. Where we arrived at 5 AM at Dulles.
A quick trip. A great mental readjustment.
It all sounds wonderful, Roy. Spiritually and intellectually stimulating with plenty of relaxing thrown it too. Thanks for sharing it!
Glad you enjoyed reading it, Victoria! Thanks for the visit and the comment.
Sounds like you had an amazing trip Roy. I’m sorry your leg is still not fully healed. The tours sound memory packed and the farmer’s market sounds delicious. Nice that you were able to bring some cheese and bread back home!
It was a superb lunch on Sunday, as well. Thanks for the visit and the comment, Martha.