Learning at Brandeis
Experiential Learning
Israel Trip 2018
Shabbat of Art and Culture
Mira Peretz, Israel Trip Chaperone
After our morning breakfast, we embarked on a graffiti walk. On this tour we joined a street artist and saw all the hidden graffiti in Jerusalem. We ended the tour in the alleyway of Machane Yehuda Market. We learned about the three main categories of graffiti: tagging, art, and art as a political protest. We saw many examples of graffiti, especially of the artist Solomon. After the tour, we walked to the Israel Museum. During our walk to the museum we took in the beauty of the Knesset and the Menorah statue. The students were exhausted but we finally arrived at the Israel Museum, where they could sit down and eat lunch.
After our morning breakfast, we embarked on a graffiti walk. On this tour we joined a street artist and saw all the hidden graffiti in Jerusalem. We ended the tour in the alleyway of Machane Yehuda Market. We learned about the three main categories of graffiti: tagging, art, and art as a political protest. We saw many examples of graffiti, especially of the artist Solomon. After the tour, we walked to the Israel Museum. During our walk to the museum we took in the beauty of the Knesset and the Menorah statue. The students were exhausted but we finally arrived at the Israel Museum, where they could sit down and eat lunch.
The Israel Museum houses collections in 3 different wings: Archaeology, Jewish Art and Life, and Fine Arts. This museum also features the iconic Shrine of the Book, home to the ancient Dead Sea Scrolls. In 1947, the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered in the caves of the Judean Desert by the sectarians of Qumran, who placed the utmost importance on studying the scriptures and biblical exegesis, the interpretation of the laws and prayer. The students were also able to spend a good chunk of time exploring the 3 wings and the Shrine of the Book on their own in small groups. At the museum, the students checked in with their chaperone groups to reflect on our all of our adventures in Jerusalem. Max S. said: "On Saturday it is peaceful to walk through the abandoned streets, engaged in reverie, lost in silence and thoughts. Shabbat is something unique, and is remarkable here, and there is nothing like it." After that we walked to the hotel and packed in preparation for a long evening out at the Tower of David.
After dinner, we walked through a modern mall up to the walls of the Old City for Havdallah. We sang and sang blessings over the wine, besamim (spices), and the meorei haesh (fire), and wished each other a good week. Next up was the Night Spectacular at the Tower of David, where the walls of the Citadel are used for a beautiful visual of sound and light. After the show, we walked to Ben Yehudah Street and the students had free time to enjoy.
The students are now fast asleep but I know they are all looking for a meaningful two days at the Holocaust museum, Yad Vashem, the memorial ceremony at the school in Petach Tikvah, and the celebration for the Independence Day of Israel.
B'shalom,
Mira
Mira
