JCC Knesset!
We started the day bright and early but the weather didn’t cooperate-it wasn’t very bright outside and the rain was falling. We checked out of our hotel in Tiberias and headed toward Jerusalem. On the way out of Tiberias we stopped at the burial place of Maimonides and Rabbi Avi gave a talk his life and teachings.
Rabbi Avi teaching about Beit Alfa.
Due to the rain we had to cancel our cruise on the Sea of Galilee and we decided to explore Beit Alfa, a sixth century synagogue with beautiful mosaics. We then stopped at a pilgrimage site at the Jordan River near Jericho and saw a group of Koreans being baptized.
Ryszard and Elzbieta in the VIP section of the main hall of Knesset.
After catching a glimpse of the Dead Sea, which we’ll visit tomorrow, from the bus, we turned west and headed toward Jerusalem. Needless to say it was very emotional as we entered Israel’s capital, and we rushed to get to the Knesset on time.
We had a private tour of the Knesset, saw the Marc Chagall tapestry and then went and had a seat in the main hall of the Knesset. Elections are coming up next week and everyone was talking about politics.
Halina visiting Jerusalem for the first time.
Our next stop was interesting and delicious-we drove over to Machane Yehuda, Jerusalem’s incredible shuk where we ate falafel, bought all kinds of snacks and even found some strawberries, but to be honest, we all agreed that nothing tastes like Polish strawberries.
After the shuk we checked in to our hotel and had a great dinner.
Can’t wait for tomorrow-Massada and the Dead Sea and then Shabbat in Jerusalem!