The Kotel

May 24, 2008

Yesterday was my last time at the Kotel (western wall). I had to go to the old city to order a special ring. The ring I ordered has a quote engraved on the inside, “Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because it happened.” This quote by Dr. Seuss sums up exactly what my mindset has to be for the next month or so. As much as going home will be absolutely amazing, it will be hard to let go of this year, or even harder, to find a way to bring this year back to America with me. I can continue doing community service, I can continue to tell my friends stories, but there is no way I can actually continue what I had this year back in America.

After I ordered my ring I decided to make a quick trip to the Kotel because I was right around the corner. Even though I don’t feel a huge Jewish connection to The Wall itself, I feel a connection to the extensive history of my culture that this wall represents. I also feel a connection to all the Jews who travel miles and miles just to see this sole remaining outer wall of the second temple. So many people in the world think of the Kotel as a holy spot. For the past nine months I have had the privilege of being able to visit it whenever I want and I have taken that for granted. It’s weird to me that in a week I will not be able to go to the Old City.




As I walked backwards away from the wall, not turning my back to it, my eyes filled with tears. What will it be like being Jewish back home again? I cant even remember. Although obviously I have done it before, it is going to be challenging living as a Jew in a non-Jewish country. America doesn’t shut down on Shabbat, so back home I will really have to force myself to be different and recognize Shabbat in some way. I want Shabbat dinner and I want minimal electronic usage. I want to be able to tell the grocery store clerk “Shabbat shalom” on Friday morning. I want it to be easy, but I know it wont be. I have to remember:

“All things change; nothing perishes.” – Ovid, the roman poet