Pace is frenetically busy on this trip.
Wednesday: Up and on a bus at 8:30AM to return to the Mt. of Olives once again. Jerusalem offers a beautiful portrait of herself as the sun strikes it from the east.
By 10:00, on to the bus to West Jeruslaem (the modern area in the distance) to visit the Hartman Institute, a modern-day Jewish religious and political think-tank. The organization sponsors, classes, programs, and publishes materials for scholars and individuals around the world. The founder of the Insitute, Rabbi David Hartman, spent an hour-and-a-half giving us an overview of Jewish history and philosophy in a totally engaging presentation. Quite like sitting at the feet of a sage and being entertained with a story that comes alive and you never want to end.
The institue and Rabbi Hartman are well-known throughout Israel, and have a website for anyone that would like to see what they are all about.
Next, off to the offices of the "Jerusalem Post" for a several hour meeting with editors of the paper as they presented perspectives on the current war in Gaza, the status and political thinking behind the conflict. Informative and complex. Then, back for a return visit to the Western Wall near dinnertime, followed by a specially arranged tour under and along the tunnel that runs along the entire western side of the wall, something rarely seen by many visitors. Fascinating history and meaning, but for those of you who likely have less interest and might not appreciate it, just know it is like walking in a long cave for an hour at a very famous location filled with history.
I took a picture with our guide, Mi'hail, at the end.
Finally, dinner at the hotel at 8:00 at the end of a long and exhuasitng day.
Hello Tim,
ReplyDeleteSounds like you got to hear alot of good history and stuff about Israel and the people who live in it. If you were here at home in 20 below weather you would get to learn alot about Jack Bauer and
24. They are about the same, aren't they?
Debbie