Jerusalem - March 4, 2010

The Kotel - Western Wall

Dome of the Rock and the Kotel

The Jewish Quarter - Jerusalem

Shopkeeper in the Arab shuk

You can't be a visitor to Israel without spending time in Jerusalem. I decided to get an early start to begin my one-hour long drive to Jerusalem. The modern roads and signage makes it easy for anyone to drive "up" to Jerusalem. It literally is an uphill drive and upon approaching the Holy City you begin to see the familiar "Jerusalem stone" which is everywhere in the city. I decided to check into the Mount Zion Hotel with overlooks biblical landscapes and exudes an incomparable charm. The hotel is just a short walk from Jaffa Gate and the Kotel, the Mishkenot Sha'ananim artists' colony, and the nightlife of Emek Refaim Street. After checking in, I decided to take a walk into the Old City, a must for every visitor. Upon entering Jaffa Gate, I was transformed into the sounds and scents of the Old City. Walking through the Arab shuk and turning into the Jewish quarter, I heard many languages and witnessed groups of Jews, Muslims, Christians and other faiths meandering the narrow alleyways. Winding down the stairs into the Jewish quarter, I was able to peer down and see the gold Dome of the Rock as well as the Kotel (Wailing Wall). There are no words that can match the emotion of seeing and touching the stones of the wall --the most significant site in the world for Jews. The exposed section of the wall that we see is just a small part of the whole wall. It is customary for Jews to write notes to G-d on pieces of paper and place those notes into the tiny holes and crevices. The 2,000 year old stones of the Western Wall are living testimony to the strength and resilience of the Jewish nation. Visitors of all faiths come to the Wall to pay their respects to the history of the Jewish people. Jerusalem truly is a city for people of all faiths. It brings to mind the song entitled "Jerusalem Shel Zahav" or " Jerusalem of gold". This amazing, spiritual city with its buildings made of Jerusalem stone is a place that can transforms souls -- a place of spiritual birth and re-awakening. It is truly breathtaking.