Yom Yerushalaim

     Sunday night, while we're trying to work out the details for today, it was brought up that we should try to be at the Kotel in time to davening "Naetz" (which means you try and time your prayers to do the Amidah at sunrise). Another concern was traffic into Jerusalem can rival any major city at rush hour, so our original plan of arriving at the Western Wall at 7:30am  (which seemed early to me when I made the plan back in LA) was exchanged for leaving Ramat Beit Shemesh at 5:30 am!
   Monday morning we left the house close to that time, got to Yerushalaim around 6:15. We didn't quite reach our goal of davening Naetz, but we were at the Kotel when it was quiet and peaceful. (And I could hardly stop the sound track refrain of "When the Sun Shines on the Kotel and the day is born a new" from my Country Yossi days from playing in my head on a loop)

 On the way into the city I remembered one little detail. I forgot to let our long time friends know we moved the time. Miraculously, right before it was time for Eli to read the Torah they showed up.

The men secured a bimah right next to the women's side. Then my brother in law went to get a Torah. Much to Eli's surprise he brought out a Sefardi Torah. The words are the same, the script is the same, but it is encased in a large rigid silver cover and it stands upright while it is read from instead of laying flat on the table. It was beautiful, just unexpected and different. Eli read the portion beautifully. This time we even remembered to bring candy to throw at him. We watch several other Bar Mitzvah procession make their way to the wall. They came with drums, trumpets, shofars, under a chupah, on people shoulders....you name it. Better watch out Mendel, your next!  For more Bar Mitzvah info check out www.thekotel.org

   We headed into the old city for breakfast. This time we kept it simple and went to a bakery for Danishes and drinks (no messed up orders this time). Once everyone was fed, we unloaded our coats and hats etc. into the car and headed back down the Old City steps to the Davidson Center.
   We were told to ask to see the 3D imaging movie about the area, but the ticket agent basically said, no we can't do it today, we had to have reserved! We entered any way and watched a very well done movie about the history of the site. www.archpark.org.il

We walked through the different exhibits and then made our way outdoors to the excavation. The area was larger than anticipated and full of rooms and stairways with gorgeous views. The history of the area was explained and brought to life even without the special 3D presentation, but if you can book it, that would probably be even better. Every one was shocked to find out that when we were finished with the center that it was a mear 10:30 am. 

     We picked up Eli's Kotel Bar Mitzvah certificate and headed once more back up the Old City steps. Our calf muscles were going to rebel tomorrow. We popped into the Machon HaMikdash Museum (aka Temple Institute) to see if we could catch a tour. The times weren't going to work for us, so off we went to our next activity.  www.templeinstitute.org We moved our cars to Mamilla Mall and caught the light rail train to Machne Yehuda, the famous shuk.


 Mostly we were just wandering around taking in the sights and sound and scents. The displays of fruits and vegetables were never ending, the spice barrels and roasted nuts were so fragrant, the tea stalls can't be beat. There were some odd things around to like any market. 
We wandered into the Iraqi area and saw dozens of older men sitting around smoking, drinking coffee and playing backgammon just like a story. We selected some fresh vegetables for tonight's dinner and stopped off for our next sugar rush of the day. Lunch consisting of borekas and Sefardi baked goods. The Berman crew was ready to head back, but we had a few more things to do. We hopped back on the light rail and got off near the pedestrian street Ben Yehuda. The boys decided they wanted to buy a funny new kippah srugah. I'm not sure what they are going to do with them because they wear velvet ones everyday, but they were really excited about them so I let it go. We headed 2 blocks over to the Time Elevator on 37 Hillel street. We were scheduled for 4 pm. It was 2 pm, but there was room in the show. I guess every once in a while reservations can be changed. The Time Elevator is a 2D movie that is done in a theater with motion seats that move quite a bit. Everyone hears the movie through headphones that allow 6 languages. The movie starts during the time of Dovid and Shlomo and finishes with the war in 1967.  To see more info go to www.time-elevator-jerusalem.co.il/en .

After the movie experience we were ready to head back. We walked to our car parked at Mamilla which was surprisingly nearby and navigated the afternoon Yerushalaim rush hour traffic back to RBS.

      Dinner with my sister's family rounded off the day. Everyone crashed out instantly after such a busy day. Good thing to, because tomorrow is going to be another big adventure!