Day 8 - Israel - Danielle & Tali
When we think of IST our thoughts automatically divert to the parts of Israel closest to our hearts. The endless shoko beh sakit, aroma iced coffees, hummus, falafel & the family we usually only see through facetime calls.
The experience of Poland inevitably enabled the lens we see, and learn of the horrors of the Holocaust through, to no longer be a textbook, but our very own eyes. Each location that we visited, whilst collectively they all conveyed the true hardships and difficulties faced by the Jewish people, each prompted unique feelings and thoughts as they were so diverse and rich with history and information. Most of the information proved very hard to comprehend and fathom but we know that challenge just stems from the inhumane and heinous actions conducted by people. So why would we want to believe it all? Another interesting aspect of Poland was when we also learned about the enriched Jewish European culture from the pre-war time.
We awoke early in the morning for our last morning in Poland, the sky still dark outside, the morning air chilling. But no weather was going to dishearten us as we prepared ourselves for the big day ahead. At breakfast the sounds of blasting Israeli music got everyone excited to finally go to Israel.
After going through intense security questions, checking in and border control we finally made our way to the gate with major anticipation for the journey that we were all about to embark upon - a trip that will be unforgettable. We felt privileged that unlike many of the Jews in the holocaust, we were able to leave Poland safely and fly to a Jewish homeland with all our friends.
The plane was filled with constant chatter and anticipation as we were on our way, yet all were consumed by mixed emotions towards arriving in Israel, the Holy Land, which completely juxtaposes itself from the country we had just departed. Although we may have had a fun and joyful plane ride, we felt really bad for the 6 people on the plane that weren’t part of Moriah... Towards the end of the flight, everyone was singing with such excitement and passion, overflowing with eagerness for the next 5 weeks. The singing and dancing continued from the airport, to the busses, and onto our first destination in Israel.
We blindfolded our friends who have not yet been to Israel, and lead them through the Old City whilst singing and dancing along the way accompanied by a group of men playing Israeli music.
As we stood one by one unveiling each blindfold, singing our year group’s favourite song and being in front of the Western Wall , we thought of how the Western Wall has witnessed the Jewish people for many years and is the epitome of being Jewish. Yet we felt a new sense of gratitude, thinking of all the Jews of Eastern Europe who never had the privilege of seeing it.
The feeling of our year, gathered with many past Sherutis and Moriah students in the chet shape, then singing the Israel anthem, we finally made it. Although everyone wanted to carry on the ruach for longer, it wasn’t possible due to the incredible dinner that was given to us and our mouths were far too full for singing. It was a long awaited dinner.
Although this wasn’t either of our first time in Israel, this time was significantly more special as we have never experienced being in Israel with our entire year. We have never come after spending a week in Poland and seeing first hand the horrors of the Shoah, and truly feeling what a blessing Israel is for us.
