Daily Journal for Friday, November 7, 2008
From Sandy Thorn Clark
Standing in the somber and stark Hall of Remembrance at Yad Vashem, Israel's compelling memorial to the 6 million Jews murdered in the Holocaust, participants in The Fellowship's 2008 Journey Home Tour Friday vowed that "never again - not on our watch" would such atrocities against humanity ever be repeated.
"The Jewish people live and shall live - and we will see to that," Fellowship supporters said in unison with Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein, founder/president of IFCJ.
Rabbi Eckstein said the Hall of Remembrance's burning fire represents life in the midst of darkness. "The fire will not be extinguished," he assured.
Journey Home visitors viewed Yad Vashem's displays of original artifacts, documentation, moving testimonies, film, poignant diaries and letters, and art work depicting real-life stories of Jews in Europe during the horrific years of the Holocaust.
Visitors also walked through Yad Vashem’s heart-wrenching Children’s Memorial, a tribute to the 1.5 million Jewish children who perished during the Holocaust. There, memorial candles (a Jewish tradition to remember the dead) are reflected infinitely in the dark, creating an impression of millions of stars shining in the firmament. Hauntingly, names of the murdered children, their ages, and the countries of their origin are continuously announced.
The memorial was built to convey the gratitude of Israel for non-Jews - including Christians from all denominations and people from all walks of life from 44 countries who risked their lives to save Jews during the Holocaust and who stood by Jews at a time of great persecution and great tragedy. "You have a right and a need to be with us here," Rabbi Eckstein told Fellowship supporters.
Dead Sea Scrolls Revisited:One day after visiting Qumran, near Jericho, where the 2,000-year-old Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered in 1947, the Journey Home Tour saw the complete papyrus scroll of Isaiah displayed in the Shrine of the Book museum in Jerusalem. Nearby was the Model of Jerusalem from the second temple period.
Remebering the Last Supper:Next on the itinerary was a stop at Mount Zion, believed to be the site of the Last Supper. It was in the upper room where Jesus washed the feet of His disciples and commanded them to love one another. And it was there Jesus said, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no man comes to the Father, but by me." There, while singing "Amazing Grace," the IFCJ group was joined in song by visitors from Italy.
Palace of Caiaphas:The tour's final stop for the day was the Church of St. Peter, built in 1931 to mark the traditional site of the Palace of Caiaphas, who was high priest in Jerusalem at the time of the arrest and crucifixion of Jesus. Under the church is a cave thought to be where Jesus was detained by the chief priests. It was outside this palace where Peter denied knowing Jesus three times.
Shabbat Teaching:Prior to dinner, Rabbi Eckstein explained the rituals involved with Shabbat, observed by Orthodox Jews from sundown Friday through sundown Saturday. During Shabbat, Orthodox Jews prioritize time with their families, do not turn on electricity, do not watch TV, do not use computers or cell phones, do not drive. "We are on an island," the rabbi explained.
Saturday's Hightlights:On Saturday, the tourists will walk the Via Dolorosa, the pathway of sorrow leading to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, marking the site where many Christians believe Jesus was crucified and died on the cross. Communion will be served at The Garden Tomb, where many believe Jesus was entombed and resurrected.
Sunday Final Day for Many:After visiting the Western Wall on Sunday, two plane loads of Journey Home participants will depart from Tel Aviv. On Monday morning, two more plane loads will depart for the United States, Canada and Germany. One additional plane load of Fellowship supporters will stay on in Jerusalem for an extended tour with three days of Rabbi Eckstein’s teachings; they will return to the U.S. on Thursday.
Read the next Journal page
|
Blue skies over Jerusalem
Blue skies over Jerusalem
Singing songs of praise and worship in the Upper Room
Singing songs of praise and worship in the Upper Room
Sunset on Mount Zion)
Sunset on Mount Zion
Sweet treats in the Old City of Jerusalem
Sweet treats in the Old City of Jerusalem
View of the Old City of Jerusalem on Mount Zion
View of the Old City of Jerusalem on Mount Zion
|
