This morning we went to yod hoshem-- the holocaust museum in Jerusalem. The holocaust museum was a 3 hour guided tour. I have been to the museum in DC and in chicago, but this one was a different experience. I learned so much more about the sequence of events and personal stories that I had a whole bunch of emotions going on inside. Our entire group was very emotional, there were a lot of feelings happening and it was amazing to have the support of each other through the experience. It was difficult for me because as an optimistic person going through the museum I think it hit me that there is no good way to look at what happened. It is incredible that 60 million Jews were wiped out for absolutely no reason. The inhumane actions of the nazi party were disgusting and it was very difficult to see some of the images and hear the stories of how my people were treated. Israel exists because of the holocaust and maybe if there was an Israel before the holocaust, the holocaust wouldn't have happened. This event is the reason Israel will never stop fighting to defend its people.
We then got lunch- falafel of course- but the bus ride to lunch and lunch were very somber. Nobody talked. We were all in a state of emptiness.
After lunch we went to the Herzl memorial and cemetery. While Asher our tour guide told us a lot of stories there I was not really paying attention because I was still processing a lot that I learned in the museum. We walked around the cemetery where IDF soldiers are buried and it was so crazy and sad to look at the ages of everyone: 19, 20, 21, 22, 23. It was those numbers over and over again. Because they serve right after high school, that's why they are so young to die. There were a few memorials for Americans who have decided to join the IDF after coming on their birthright trip which were very sad but inspiring stories.
We then hopped back on the bus to our hotel and had dinner and our closing programming. I didn't talk much about dinner through my blog but as one of the guys in my group put it- all the hotels had the same exact food but at different qualities. I usually had a salad and maybe some chicken or stuffed peppers. There is an amazing sweet potato salad that was one of my fave dishes!
We had our closing programming which consisted of talking about how our trip went, if we want to come back to Israel there are different programs to go on, and discussing our favorite memories. I really loved my group - which was not just a group but a family. We had tshirts made and have lots of hugs before filling our glasses up and drinking together for the last night.
It is crazy to think that 10 days ago I didn't know these people and that today I cried on their shoulders. We have a bond stronger than Judaism, it's an amazing feeling to have made these strong connections with these beautiful people.
Sending smiles from Jerusalem,
Rebecca
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