#3 – Let My People Go

The phrase that comes to mind when reflecting on the events of today comes from Moses in an attempt to free his people from the tyranny of an oppressive regime: ”Let my people go.” The sentiments of this phrase ring true as we started off our day celebrating the Jewish peoples’ staff in the sand, Israel’s genesis as a country, Israel’s independence.

 

The first sign of a more laid back and celebratory day came with a later start (8:30 a.m.). From there we headed to the beach for free time. Students tore into the ocean—free from the constraints of a set tour schedule, free from the requirement of a hat, free to enjoy the luxury of the modern city of Tel Aviv. After exiting the ocean and experiencing the ferocity of the reinstatement of the hat rule, we settled down, sandwiches in hand to revel in the pomp and circumstance of the Israeli air force.

 

As the day unraveled, it felt as though we wound our way back in time. Our departure from Tel Aviv was sweaty and cramped as we slowly navigated narrow streets by foot and wheel, which made our exodus to the arid landscape in between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem that much more refreshing. We stopped for a hike to a natural spring and learned about the modern plant life and ancient agriculture along the way. Students tried mustard seeds and inspected the plant that inspired an Israeli inventor to create Velcro. We also learned about the scarcity of natural springs in Israel and the bounty that these springs brought those who were lucky enough to find one on their land. Students crawled through an ancient water pipeline, commented on how gross nature smells, and again we were on our way.

 

Entering Jerusalem, we could feel a tone shift. The air was crisper. The city streets older. And one student commented, “I think I’m going to like it here.” It felt as though we had escaped the jam-packed, fascinatingly exuberant city of Tel Aviv for a bit of a slower pace (reflected immediately in a break at the hotel in between structured events). However, our break didn’t last long. Off to David’s Citadel we went. We ended the night with a look at Jerusalem’s history through colorful animations on the Citadel walls.

 

As Moses said, “Let my people go,” and go we did. But not in the same way. We didn’t flee but made our way with intention to Jerusalem. To experience the ancient ties that this modern state was founded on. To rediscover the depth that the Jewish peoplehood share with this land.

 

Israel Trip Chaperone