Old city and Ein Gedi

Southern Wall

Southern Wall

Southern Wall and Al Aksa Mosque (grey dome)

Yesterday we went to the Old City and we did shacharit at Robinsons Arch as well as the Torah service since it was Monday.  There were so many Bar/Bat Mitzvahs going at the same time. While we were there we learnt all about the Southern Walls and Robinsons Arch. We learnt about the destruction of the second temple and Herods reign. 

After our ICC teacher taught as all the events that occurred in Jerusalem during the destruction of the second temple, we went into a museum to watch a movie about the turn of events. It was really great to be able to visualize that point in history. 

We had some free time after touring around with our class. I went for lunch at a Shawarma place in the Jewish quarter. It was delicious. Of course being from Toronto, I had to get a Toronto Maple Leafs and a Toronto Blue Jays shirt in Hebrew. 

For Mincha we went to the Kotel for the third time this week. I felt a different feeling then the two previous visits this week because there were so many soldiers from the IDF visiting the Kotel. Seeing so many of them representing Israel and protecting our country felt so amazing. I am so grateful for them, for standing up for our country. 

IDF at the Kotel

After mincha we made our way to the bus for the hour and a half bus ride to Ein Gedi, where we stayed for a night to climb Masada. 

Taken from the bus en route to Ein Gedi

The next post will be on Masada.