shabbat sha-home

man, what a day. after dinner, our group bussed it to the cotel for shabbat. there were SOOOOOO many people there. it was insane. not only that, but the men's side of the wall was COMPLETELY filled with singing, dancing, percussing gentlemen. it was raucus! anyway, we started the night with a little circle service for our group, then went our own ways until it was time to go. i of course, went to the women's side, which was much quieter and sort of took in the scene. one thing that wort of bothered me was the fact that the wall is separated by sex, and not only that, the men are so rowdy and having a great loud time, while little girls stand on chairs on the women's side watching the spectacle, wishing they could be there with their fathers and brothers. at least that's what it seems like. i mean, i think the cultural phenomenon of the separation is very interesting and symbolism intriguing. but as a women who consiers gender equality very very very important in this modern world, it's a little disconcerting to say the least. i want these jewish women to be empowered, not discouraged from anything they want to be. but i digress... anyway, it was much more impactful being there at night with so many other jewish women of all ages, just totally enthralled with this moment of spirituality. now, i'm not religious, but for some reason i got a little choked up seeing all these women standing in the same place praying. i didn't even know why. i think it also reminded me that i was so far away from home and my family, but all these jews were still sort of like family to me. i don't feel like israel is home necessarily, but there is a definite bond with the people here even if there are cultural and emotional walls up just like everwhere else. after i savored that moment and feeling, i walked backwards away from the cotel (you're not supposed to turn your back to it) and went and sat alone on the ground to reflect in front of both sides of the wall from above. i spotted a group of girls dancing and singing with their arms around each other. i got very emotional seeing this because they were just as rowdy as the men and just having the time of their lives with each other singing in unison. it was beautiful.

but i'm back at the hotel now. we walked all the way back from the cotel since we can't drive: "i don't fucking roll on shomer fucking shabbas!!!" (took about an hour and a quarter). so i'm super tired. great day, and we get to sleep in tomorrow. i'm going to wake up late and swim in the gorgeous pool on the roof. goodnight.

love,

sally