March of the Living 2009

After a couple of days with connectivity issues, the last photos have been posted.

Tzfat

Gamla

Gilabun

Mt Bentel
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Presents to Soldiers

Havdalah

Drums Session

We left Jerusalem in the early morning. Our day began on a trip to the ancient city of Caesarea. It was like walking into ancient Rome. You could literally feel the history when you first step foot into the ruins of the outdoor theatre. With the luck of bus 2, we avoided a four hour hike and had time to shop and relax. When we arrived in the kibbutz we knew that our stay here would be one of the best. We witnessed a very strange phenomenon. We saw three peacocks perched on a roof near a giant tree, flocks of birds swarmed to the tree in packs. The tree was shaking with the tumultuous amount of birds it was accommodating. That evening we were surprised with one of the best evening activities. We arrived to a small grassy area filled with “tarbouka” drums and learned how to play in a drum circle. The night was filled with ethnic music and dancing. Everyone had a great time and didn’t want the night to end.
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I didn’t think it was possible, but my second sojourn in Israel has proven to be better than the first, a sequel surpassing the original in almost every respect. We arrived in Israel Monday morning. I must admit that the landing was not nearly as climactic this time around. Firstly, Tel Aviv was covered in darkness, only the city lights shone like stars in the night sky. It could have been any other city, France or London perhaps, even Montreal. The whole thing screamed ordinary. I was excited, but not the way I should be, the way you feel when you’ve come home from a long journey. We descended from the plane into a long corridor. The reality of where I stood only hit me when I glimpsed at the first poster hanging from the insipid walls. The Hebrew characters immediately caught my attention. I looked at them the same way a traveler who’s wandered the desert for days on end might look at an oasis. I wondered if this image was perhaps a mirage, a trick of the weary mind. And then I knew It wasn’t because it satisfied a thirst I’d had for months, something an illusion could never accomplish. As I continued down the corridor I stared at the signs, not in awe, as I had the first time, but to seek comfort in their familiarity. I was home. Although the plane ride had been exhausting, I was anything but tired. As I waited to get my luggage, I could distinguish snippets of Hebrew conversation. It was a warming feeling, in stark contrast to anything I had felt in Poland. I was rekindling a lost love. These feelings hadn’t dwindled, but rather, had sought refuge in the depths of my soul, hiding behind a forest of emotions I had experienced over the past year. Poland had been a symbol of death. However, those who had preceded us, those who had lived through the most unimaginable atrocities, had managed to rise from this grave and enter into a better world, the Land of Milk and Honey, the Afterlife. And now I was taking that very same journey, following their tracks into the most amazing place on the face of the Earth. Little did I know that my experiences in the following days would only strengthen my intimate connection to the Holy Land…

WOW. That’s pretty much Israel summed up in one word. This is my first time visiting the country and I am so excited to be here. We arrived here early on Monday morning, groggy and jet-lagged from our flight. It was dark, and all most of us wanted to do was get on the bus and sleep. I was exhausted, partly from the gravol I had taken some hours earlier and partly because we had literally been up for over 24 hours. But I forced myself to stay awake on the short bus ride from the airport to Jafa. When we arrived and the sun began to rise and warm the air, it finally hit me. I was in Israel!!! I had been dreaming about this trip for so long and I had finally arrived in Eretz Israel. And what a change it was from Poland. These past few days have been absolutely incredible. Poland was quite interesting and moving, but very sad and heartbreaking, going from death camp to death camp and visiting small towns devoid of Jewish life, where, if not for the Holocaust, it would still have existed today. But to arrive in the country of the Jewish people, a place where we will never die was downright awesome. There have been so many celebrations and parties, my cheeks hurt from smiling and laughing so much. Tuesday night we went to Mini-Israel and had the ultimate Yom Ha’atzmaout party. We danced, sang and talked late into the night, partying our hearts out. I finally got to eat a proper supper (such a change from the food in Poland!!) and I met tons of new people, and I hope I will get to meet up with them again someday. My friends and I were devastated when Montreal March of the Living was called to board the buses. We were having so much fun. But no worries, there was to be another party the following night, a MEGA EVENT as our madrichs called it. OF course, we we’re not disappointed. Wednesday night’s event was fabulous. The show we saw was beyond words. Everyone was so excited to be there, and the performers were energetic and, if I may say so, very talented. And now today, we are off to yet another destination. I can’t wait to get there and see what adventures await!!!

After a meaningful and hard week in Poland, we finally arrived in Israel!!! Everyone was so excited for the next week of our trip Landing in the airport at 4 in the morning and touring right away was very hard on all of us. However, when we saw the breakfast that was waiting for us in Jaffa, we all woke up. The food was delicious; the best breakfast I have ever eaten. Trying not to fall asleep, we visited Independence Hall. After, we had a pizza lunch in the mountains near Jerusalem. At the hotel, everyone was really excited to finally have a nice bed. A nap was much needed before the Yom Hazikaron ceremony at night. The ceremony was emotional. The best part was when we were able to light candles and put flowers on the stage to remember all of the fallen soldiers.

The next day we went to the Kotel and the Old City of Jerusalem. It was an amazing experience to visit the Kotel with all of my friends. Some free time was much needed to buy souvenirs and of course shwarma and falafel. It was the best lunch I have had on this trip! The french fries were what really made it the best falafel! We went hiking next, a good way to burn off all the food we ate for lunch. At night, we went to Mini Israel to end Yom Hazikaron and start Yom Haatzmaut. The ceremony was very nice, with some of us even participating in it. After supper the party started. Dancing and singing with everyone (including other marchers from other countries) was so much fun!! We also had the chance to tour Mini Israel.

The next morning we had the opportunity to spend time with our Israeli family. It was so good to see my family after 2 years. We had a lot to catch up on. They loved my Hebrew and wished they could have seen the rest of the family too. They were also interested in hearing about my amazing experience in Poland. Later, we joined up with all the other buses and marched to the Kotel. It was unbelievable to be marching from outside the Old City to the Kotel after only one week ago we walked from Auschwitz to Birkenau. Everyone was singing and having such a great time!!! Am Israel Chai!!! We then made gift baskets for the soldiers who protect this amazing country. Each of us also got to write a letter to go along with our gift basket. We thanked the soldiers for all of their hard work that they do every day. We are driving right now to a military base in the North to deliver the gifts. Latrun (the tank museum) was our next stop. It was another emotional experience to find my cousin’s name on the wall. This wall has all the names of soldiers in the tank division who have died in wars since 1948. After supper, we went to watch an incredible show celebrating the March of the Living and Yom Haatzmaut. It was a great night and I cannot wait to see what awaits us in the North.

Tikun Olam

Parade

Jerusalem

Hike

Yom Haatzmaut  

Israel Arrival

Jaffa

Shechechiyanu

Erev yom Hazikaron

Gensia Cemetery

Lodz