Day 4: another brick in the wall

Everyone slept very well last night so we started the day well rested. We boarded the bus at 8:15 and started with an educational video in the Burnt House, an interesting archaologicsl dig dating back to the time of the second temple and the great revolt. It still amazes me to see pottery and other artifacts dating back 2000+ years. We then took place in a family scavenger hunt and an additional tour in the cardo (center of the city), featuring a fascinating mosaic map dating to the Byzantine era. Lunch in the Jewish quarter was highlighted by at least 6 bar mitzvah processions loudly making their way through the narrow streets with festive drums and singing (because it was Thursday, a big day for bar mitzvahs). After lunch Samantha and the boys went back to the hotel for some relaxation and I joined Rabbi Bloom and 7 others for an adventure to see the Temple Mount and the Dome of the Rock. Because most of the men were wearing shorts we had to buy some really cool looking sarongs to cover our legs. While we couldn't go into the Dome the experience was interesting and I was particularly struck by the massive space of land up there.

Later in the afternoon we all toured the Kotel tunnels, more amazing archaeology that explained the history Of the western wall and the History of the temple mount. Absolutely amazing to consider that each large slab in the wall weighed 570 tons and was moved into place by a system of oxen, pulleys, rollers, and tens of thousands of men at a time. We also visited the western wall, it was moving to be there with such a large group of friends along with our family and Rabbi. I peeked over Bens shoulder as he wrote his note for the wall- "thank you for letting us win the war"..some of the Israeli history is sinking in.

Back to the hotel wheee the boys shared a pizza with a babysitter and Samantha and I were lucky enough to go out to a very nice dinner at Joy, in the German colony. Great food, wine and fun with the Rotmans, Mendelsohns, and Ilfelds...we've all belonged to the same havura (small group of families) for 9 years, since our first chiLdren were infants..wonderful to share this evening together.