Our time in Israel has been incredibly special so far. After completing our four-day Yam L’Yam (Sea-to-Sea) hike and our Tikkun project in the north, we traveled to the holy city of Jerusalem. We were fortunate to spend Shabbat there, celebrating at the Kotel (Western Wall), an experience none of us will soon forget.
Eisner camper Ben P shared what the experience meant to him:
“Going to the Western Wall with the other kids on this trip proved to be very meaningful for my connection to both others and my Jewish heritage. Celebrating Shabbat in front of the Kotel as a community was unforgettable. Everyone singing and praying together showed the unity between us. Following T’fillah, we moved to actually touch the wall. Seeing hundreds of other Jews praying gave a sense of pride for my heritage. There, I got to wrap myself in tefillin, connecting me closer to God. Finally, placing my message to God in the cracks of the Western Wall, surrounded by friends, helped me connect to God.”
Ben’s words capture what so many of us felt. The experience was deeply meaningful for everyone. We were able to honor our Reform Jewish values by welcoming Shabbat together with Kabbalat Shabbat in the egalitarian section, while also visiting the traditional prayer areas of the Kotel. Those who wished had the opportunity to wrap tefillin at one of Judaism’s holiest sites.
Before approaching the Wall, every camper was given a piece of paper and encouraged to write a personal note to place between its stones. Every single camper chose to do so. Watching each person take a quiet moment to reflect, pray, and leave their message made for an incredibly powerful experience.
Our evening at the Kotel was one of those moments that will stay with us long after this journey ends. It was a beautiful reminder of our shared history, our individual faith, and the connections we’ve built together throughout our time in Israel.
