Day 3 - Netzach - Tamlyn
Starting the morning off with a 6:30 wake up, bags were packed and moods were shifted. Today was a day of remembrance, education, and connection.
Being as it was Rosh Chodesh, a longer prayer service was held. Together, we prayed for our personal wants and wishes, as well as praying for the lost life of the innocent terrorist victim from the explosion in Jerusalem. Starting the day off with this solemn emotion at heart, Netzach were ready to face the hardships of Yad Vashem. No music was played on the bus, baby mascot Shevy stayed behind and our “whole new word” of the day was “זכור”, translating to “remember”.
Walking through the rocks of desiccated European cities, to the triangular architecture of the temperance museum, cold feelings were felt all around. As a group on a whole, we all began to feel a sense of discomfort. We felt peckish, thirsty, and drained. Standing for a total of 2 hours was our focused first world problem. Putting our emotions into perspective, I believe as a group we all faced a slap into reality. What we were feeling didn’t even make up a a tenth of what the Jewish victims faced at the time of the Holocaust. Our sense of gratitude doubled in the span of 2 hours.
Leaving the memorial to visit Har (mount) Herzl, we shifted our sights to the commemorations of the soldiers, prime ministers and victims of terror. Natan (Bus 4’s Israeli mad) walked us through the space, and gave us his personal, Israeli insight. We were made aware of the fact that too many Israeli’s either known by, or related to, someone, has passed in a terror attack, someone who has defended their homeland, and governors who each hold a significant value in the upbringing of the state of Israel. Some examples include Yitzchak Rabin’s simple yet effective grave, as well as the grave of Theodore Herzl which overlooked the city.
Concluding the dignifying energy of the cemetery, bus 4 walked outside and onto the bus, ready for Hadaya. 5pm finally came around the corner, and jewellery samples were scattered right out across the table. I personally adore jewellery, but know silver is not for me, therefore I made the hardest decision any 16 year old girl can make, and I left it. I, however, loved hearing all the quotes all the girls wrote on the inside of their rings, leading us to our 9:00pm program - Beatie Deutch.
Held at the luxurious Ramada Hotel, Olympic marathon runner Beatie Deutch introduced us to her tips and tricks on how to succeed in attaining one’s goals. She walked us through her marathon successes and achieving her personal goals. Just as the Hadaya rings left an inspirational quote within the interior, Beastie’s message of TRUSTING G-d’s decisions and pushing for the outcome you want, is forever imbedded within me - just like Har Herzl’s conclusions, and of course Yad Vashems remembrance stories.
Tamlyn
