More

Blog

Finding My Way In Israel

Tags: Memory, Land and Nature, Am Yisrael, History, Jerusalem

By Rhonda Blender



I would have to say my favorite memories (I can't provide just one) are:

The start of Shabbat in Jerusalem. I took a walk down the street from my hotel and encountered a small park with a bench facing the street. On the opposite side of the street there was another hotel. There were two tall flag poles. On one was the flag of the State of Israel and on the other was the flag of the City of Jerusalem. I sat down on the bench and looked up at the flags blowing in the breeze - there was a spotlight on them. I couldn't believe what I was seeing. It was truly overwhelming: there's the flag of the State of Israel. I was mesmerized, completely overwhelmed that I was in Israel and that I was seeing this. People walked by, all sorts of people.

On Shabbat, finding my way to the Kotel. I can't describe how I got there, just that I came through some passageways, found myself on a large stone pathway and stone stairs which opened up so that I could look across the plaza and see it. It was startling. I stopped. There it was. I kept starting to walk and stopping because it was such a big deal to me that I didn't want to rush it. I wanted to take each moment inside myself, register it emotionally, spiritually, mentally. Very powerful.

All dialogues with members of the IDF.

Last but the most important are several circumstances:

I could go on and on, but I'll stop.


Recommended for you:



SUPPORT LONE SOLDIERS ON THE FRONT LINES

Learn more Today!

About the Author

Rhonda Blender
Rhonda booked her first trip to Israel, traveling by herself, determined to initiate conversations with Israelis in cafes and shops for a fuller portrait of the country than that provided by news outlets in the States. She left Israel knowing that, “it’s more complex here than anyone in the Diaspora can grasp from their living rooms” and that she was in love with the country and the people. She is trying to make a career change into a role where she can work full time on behalf of the State of Israel and the Jewish people.

➥ Back to TheBlog@IsraelForever ➥

Tags: Memory, Land and Nature, Am Yisrael, History, Jerusalem