Trip to Israel, Jerusalem Days

Jaffa Gate in the Old Town

View of plaza at the Western Wall

Church of the Sepulchre

Me at the Western Wall

Yael showing me the mosaic of the city

Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum

View of the Museum

Mosaic in the Childrens Garden

Lunch at the Kibbutz

Gorgeous salad of peppers and garlic

Look at this beautiful pita bread

Cole Slaw at Tzuba

Simply the best Hummus and Tahini

What an amazing, powerful, spiritual trip I had to the land of Milk and Honey.

I stayed in Tel Aviv and traveled to Jerusalem to see the amazing places I had heard of my whole life. With my guide, Yael, we went through the old city and saw the Arab, Christian and Jewish quarters.

We went to the Western Wall where I prayed for peace as I thought this was where I stood a good chance of being heard. Many others were praying there too, with the men on one side and the women on the other.

One of the highlights was going to the Tzuba Kibbutz. There are not many left so it was interesting for me to see how communal living still exists. As we strolled the grounds it was apparent that this lifestyle was still working. The lawns were perfectly groomed, the children in day care were beautiful, clean and dressed well, the public rest rooms were spotless with fresh flowers on the counter near the sink.

Without doubt, the dining room was the highlight of the Kibbutz. All meals are eaten there as the houses generally do not have kitchens.

I asked Yael if we could have lunch there and she said of course, so we did. The pictures will show just how beautiful the food is and how much attention is paid to the presentation. A resident family joined us for lunch and I asked them so many questions and they so kindly answered me. The father is a world class Hebrew scholar and lectures regularly around the world. At the Kibbutz, he is the driver who takes people where they want to go. Everyone has a job at the Kibbutz and those who do work outside give the money they earn to the Kibbutz.

Another day we went to Yad Vashem, the Holocaust museum in Jerusalem. It was an amazing experience, one I will never forget.