Shabbat in Jerusalem is always such
a unique, meaningful experience, but being with each other made it even more
special. Starting off the day, we had to choose a synagogue we wanted to go to
for Shabbat morning services. Considering we were in Jerusalem, we knew
whichever one we went to would be a new, fun experience, but we were still
given four options. Friday night we had all gone to a Reform service for
Kabbalat Shabbat, so they were all either Conservative or Orthodox. At home, I
usually go to a Conservative or Modern Orthodox synagogue but wanted a
different experience, so my personal choice was to go to The Great Synagogue
which is Orthodox. I heard that they had a choir and was really excited to hear
that, but they turned out to not be there because of the nine days before Tisha
B’Av. Even though the service ended earlier than I expected it to and there was
no choir, it was really impactful to sit with just the women, hear all the
prayers in Jerusalem, and admire how beautiful the space is. I’m so glad that I
got to have this learning experience because it not only taught me things about
a typical Shabbat in Jerusalem, but also new things about myself and what kind
of Jewish life I’d like to live.
After the various services at our
chosen synagogues, we spent time outside at a beautiful park, toured the
historical neighborhoods in Nachlaot, rested, chanted havdalah and a song
session at the Kotel, and ended the day with an exciting rehearsal of our song
that some of our own Diller members wrote to introduce our group to the rest of
the North American (and South African) groups this week at Kennes. Overall, I
think this Shabbat was extremely meaningful because I was in the best city
ever, Jerusalem, with such an amazing cohort.
Eden Berke
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