Within my heart I shall treasure,
Your song and sight."
Shabbat in Jerusalem. Walking to the Kotel. Dancing circles of American teens. Religious men rushing by. Weeping women by the wall. Laughing children. Babies in strollers. Soldiers having a ceremony. Tour guides speaking to groups. People gathering for conversation. Prayers. Songs. Peace.
Our GEM group went to the home of Rabbi Efim Svirsky for a wonderful dinner. He is the Education director of the Russian Program at Aish Ha Torah and also the Director of the Institute of Jewish Spiritual Therapy. His wife teaches classes to young women ready for marriage. Delicious food infused with words of Torah and questions about family life in Jerusalem. Then we went to the home of the Cohen's who welcome guests every Friday evening to their home.
On Saturday we were invited to the Chernin's for a delicious meal. Renee has a website www.thekosherchannel.com where she has recipes mixed with torah insights. Her wonderful guests shared their stories of moving to Jerusalem and life in Israel.
Back at Necha Golda's we continued to learn how to elevate the mundane into the spiritual realms, got a lesson in burning wicks in olive oil (very valuable!!) had our third meal, more fascinating study, and bid farewell to Shabbat with the blessings over sweet-smelling spices, candles, and wine for Havdalah.
Then our wonderful Esther took us to Ben Yehuda Street to see the happiness of 'motzi shabbat'...the after Shabbat joy of shopping on the best street in Jerusalem!
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