Journey Home to Israel

Daily Journal for Monday, November 5, 2007

The Day's Itinerary: We took a spiritual journey today to Mount Zion to commemorate the Last Supper in the Upper Room and to see King David’s Tomb, followed by a visit to Church of St. Peter in Gallicantu, with a golden rooster ornament atop its dome, to recognize the location where it is believed Peter denied knowing Jesus three times. Yad Vashem, the outstanding memorial museum dedicated to the victims and survivors of the Holocaust, was the afternoon destination.

Speaking on Behalf of Israel: Dorit Shavit, Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs Deputy Director for Latin America and the Caribbean, told our Fellowship breakfast that she views the upcoming Mideast summit in Annapolis as "a cornerstone to re-start negotiations" with Palestine, but cautioned, "It won’t solve all our problems." The veteran of 30 years in international diplomatic service said the main topics at Annapolis will be borders, refugees, and Jerusalem. Following dinner, Jeff Kaye, a representative of the Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI), which partners with The Fellowship to facilitate aliyah and klitah, expressed thanks on behalf of JAFI for the generous support of The Fellowship’s Christian partners who support On Wings of Eagles. "We have one uniting factor love of each other and love for God," said Kaye, explaining, "We haven’t yet brought home [to Israel] all those Jews around the planet who want to come home." Stressing the need to continue to build bridges between Christians and Jews and Israel and other countries, the JAFI director-general said, "Pray that together our bridge becomes louder, wider, stronger." The Journey Home members also had the honor of meeting with recent olim (immigrants) whose return to Israel was made possible through The Fellowship.

Last Supper Commemoration: At Mount Zion, in a non-ornate room commemorating the Last Supper, we joined in heartfelt praise and lifted our voices singing "Hallelujah," "How Great Thou Art," "Amazing Grace," and "Praise God." Beneath red and turquoise stained glass windows, Rev. Jerry Clark, The Fellowship’s Journey Home Tour leader, said, "We've come home, Lord. We know one day we will be with You in the New Jerusalem forever and ever."

Sightings in Modern Jerusalem: During a day of perfect weather (temperatures in the 80s with a pleasant breeze) we were thankful to see Jerusalem's streets bumper-to-bumper with tour buses and sidewalks bustling with tour guides carrying colorful umbrellas or silk or chiffon scarves tied to canes or poles held aloft as identification and attention-getters for their groups. Along the narrow pathways around the Gates of Jerusalem were vendors selling monstrous oblong-shaped Jerusalem bagels spiced with hissup and confections combining almonds and cashews with honey. Traveling to Yad Vashem, we saw Jerusalem's largest mall and mammoth soccer (called "football" here) stadium.

Solemn Remembrance of The Holocaust: Yad Vashem, Israel's unmatchable museum remembering the Holocaust, which brought death to one-third of the Jewish population, brought tears to many as we heard gut-wrenching testimonies of survivors and viewed graphic photos and footage of the atrocities against Jews. "To Jews, Yad Vashem's message is 'Never again'; to the world, Yad Vashem's message is 'Don't let this happen again to anyone,'" prefaced tour guide Beryl Ratzer. Like many tour participants, Kathy and Travis Tabor said Yad Vashem's most poignant, unforgettable aspect is its Children Museum, with 1.5 million candles as a stark reminder of the 1.5 million Jewish children who perished in the Holocaust.

Itinerary for Nov. 6: While celebrating the birthdays of tour participants Jose Mancia and Al Garrett, we will head to the Spa of Ein Gedi to float in the buoyant Dead Sea, then climb or go in a cable car to the top of Masada and visit Qumran.