We set out bright and early for what was bound to be an emotional day. It began with Yad Vashem, Israel's national holocaust memorial. Our tour began with what was a surprise to many of us- rather than the traditional tour guide telling us about the righteous gentiles (Non-Jews who saved Jews during the Holocaust), Rebecca Bonder told us the story of her Grandfather who had been saved by one during the war. She told us that just a few years ago, her grandfather and the man that saved him were reunited and how special of a moment that was. It was an uplifting and emotional story to hear how in times of great despair, there were people who stood up for what is right. We then continued our journey through Yad Vashem, bearing witness to the horrors of the Holocaust and the bravery of those who fought back. Yet the museum ends with a touching sight. It leaves people with tears that are not only of sadness, but also of joy and pride over what we have accomplished. At the end of Yad Vashem, you find yourself looking out onto the city of Jerusalem, the ancient architecture surrounded by the newer modern buildings, with Israeli flags one can just make out. This sight captures the true essence of the Jewish journey through oppression and persecution to finally having a homeland that we can call our own and stand up and fight for...together.
After looking out to Jerusalem, and swelling with pride over our ability to overcome and prosper, we are confronted with the stark reality of the price of such accomplishments. Outside Yad Vashem, we began our ascent of Har Hertzel, the national military cemetery and burial place of Israels' greatest leaders. At the top of the hill lies Theodor hertzels grave, the father of modern Zionism. A little lower down rest Israel's greatest leaders from Yitzhak Rabin to Golda Meir. The rest of the cemetery holds soldiers who died in defense of the state of Israel. Along the way we stopped at Hannah Senesh's grave where we sang one of her poems, "Eili Eili- Oh Lord My God' who inspired us with her words of looking for the good in life and the beauty of the world around us no matter what. We also stopped at Michael Levin's grave, an American from Philadelphia who actually snuck into an army base multiple times, fighting to be allowed into the paratrooper unit in the army (who continuously fights to be allowed into one of the most intense army units in the army?!). Michael Levin was killed while fighting for Israel in the Second Lebanon war and his mother's words at his funeral said it all: "This is where he wants to be, this is who he is, no regrets". It really hit home that Israel is our country to see the grave of someone who grew up so close to our homes who was so committed to the preservation of the Jewish state.
Having taken a glance at the price we must pay for a Jewish state, we traveled to its foundation. We visited independence hall in Tel Aviv and listened to David Ben Gurion's voice declare the Jewish State of Israel while sitting in the very room it happened in. As the recording continued we began singing Ha'tikvah, and our voices joined with those of the people who had stood there 65 years before, tears barely held back, creating a single harmony.
Lastly, we did a scavenger hunt through Tel Aviv, one which forced us to navigate the city, talk to its people, and explore it from a century old cemetery to the thriving Dizengoff mall. This was a fun and exciting way to get to know Tel Aviv through its people and places.
Like every day before it, today was absolutely amazing, and I can't wait for the rest of the trip!
Hope everyone is doing well in North America!!
- Julian Biller
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