From Alan Shor
Today was our first full day of activities in Jerusalem and it was a day full of emotion and excitement. Our entire group spent the morning reconnecting with our memories of the Holocaust. First listening to scholar Rachel Korazim and then touring Yad V’shem, the Jewish national memorial to the victims of the Holocaust. For all of us, it was quite an emotional and educational experience.
After a quick lunch, we continued our day by dividing into three groups and our group traveled the Beit Guvrin archeological dig and walk through the Manesha Cave Labyrinth. The fact there were on the same sacred grounds where David slew Goliath and walked the paths as old as the holiday of Chanukah was awe inspiring enough. But then the fun (and filth) rally began! We all entered the Beit Guvrin caves ready to use the entirety of our collective archeological experiences (which were none) to find the next great museum ready artifact. We filled many a bucket with dirt, rock and an occasional piece of pottery or bone, and we picked, shoveled and sifted through glimpses of how our people lived and worked in these caves 2200 years ago.
Once we completed our work (and yes it was work) we divided into two groups and took different tours of the Manesha Cave Labyrinth. We walked down as deep as eighty feet touring the many different parts of the cave and its diverse uses. We saw first hand how our people used the cave to live, work and hide when necessary. Certain areas were used to collect water, make olive oil and raise doves. We finished our long afternoon dirty and exhausted, and thrilled with an experience we will never forget.
Posted by LRobins on December 24, 2007 01:47 PM