Jerusalem (DAY 5)

Today we traveled to Jerulsalem.
From the overlook at the Hebrew University, we see the Temple Mount, and the walls of the city.

On the way from Tel Aviv, our guide tells us about the City's name.  In Hebrew, Yerushalyim, actually translates to mean 'Two Jerusalems' - because the name refers to the physical Jerusalem below, on the ground, and the spiritual Jerusalem above.

Nancy and Elaine

The city walls and Temple Mount
with a bit of hazy air

Linda and Ken, Hal looking on

You'll notice from our clothes the weather is a bit colder in Jerusalem.  But this is not unexpected.  What is unexpected is the clear skies...  No complaints from anyone.

What a group!

The Rabbi leads us in the Shehechayanu prayer,
and then Hatikvah (Oh yeah...)

We enter through the South Wall gate --

The name of this gate was called the "Dung Gate".  We'll leave that to your imagination.

This is the largest Mezzuzah I've ever seen - Just inside the gate.

And here is the most famous site probably for Jews around the world.  The Western Wall.

Just the inspiration for a Rabbi with the Presidents photo op!

The wall is currently classified as an Orthodox Synagogue, and as such, the men and women have separate sides of the wall.  Above is the activity going on the Women's side...

And this is the activity going on at the Men's side.  Its seems a little odd that the women's side seems to have more activity...  But the space allocated for the women's side is smaller.

It was a bit weird to be at the wall, but not be able to see it together with my wife.

I am at the right side of the photo with the white baseball cap,
and the Rabbi can be see in the forground walking over to where I am.

Terri is putting some of your donations into the Tzedukah box

Next we entered the Western Wall Rabinnical tunnels, which are off to the left of the Western Wall.  These tunnels are still being excavated and were really cool. 

They are an extension along the Western Wall in the direction of the Temple Mount and where the Holy of Holies used to reside.

Excavation going on

A model shows how the Solomon Temple used to look
and where the tunnels lead

Richard in the Tunnels

The excavated tunnels at the wall eventually become canal tunnels

Which lead to a water pool underneath the Temple Mount

We eventually make our way out of the tunnels and we are on the Via Dolorosa - one of the stations of the cross, in the Muslim quarter of the old city. 

The Muslim quarter has many shops, and we walk along toward the Jewish quarter.

The flavor of the Muslim quarter

Shops at the Cardo, in the Jewish quarter

Next we move toward our appointment at the Davidson Center.  This museum has a presentation which fully describes the layout of the old Temple, along with an interactive Virtual Computer simulation that allows the speaker to walk through the model.  Pretty Cool !
Before we arrived in Jerusalem, Sharon had left us to present a talk to a group of colleagues at the Chabbad Hospital.  Now she has rejoined us here at the Davidson Center.

Looking at the Western and Southern corner of the old city walls

The virtual model presentation

One last look before we head to the hotel.  See the Western Wall in the center right below the golden dome.  We took a rest at the Inbal hotel after checkin.

Later in the evening, we headed to the Fuchsberg Center for Conservative Judaism, where Hoshana Cohen presented material from a "Gender Studies" course she teaches.  This was truly one of the highlights of day.  An interesting topic, and a dynamic, knowledgeable, and delightful young instructor.  Everyone was impressed!!

Then back to the hotel to get sleep before another long day tomorrow...