Calvin Alumni Association: Calvin Alumni Visit Israel

As we drove to Jerusalem from Galilee on Sunday, we referred to that as our "transition" day--moving from excavation sites in many remote areas to the bustling city of Jerusalem. Today felt like the true transition day as our routine was very different from the past 6 days. We all agreed that the change suited us well. We enjoyed not only an extra hour of sleep, but also activities that were a little less physically rigorous and a pace that was more "thoughtful" in nature.

The Israel Museum

Our first stop for the day was to the Israel Museum where we viewed a remarkable replication of the city of Jerusalem as it was in 70 AD at the time of Jesus' crucifixion. Wandering around this large model, we were able to gain an appreciation for the glory of the Temple Mount constructed by Herod the Great.

The Shrine of the Book

On the same property as the Israel Museum, we learned about the remarkable discovery of Dead Sea Scrolls and Qumran--the residence of the monastic Essenes. The Essenes were probably best known for their meticulous handwritten copies of the Scripture which are thought to be the Dead Sea Scrolls found in the caves located in close proximity to their community.

Yad Vashem

While the Holocaust story is know to all of us, spending time in this official site in Israel, moved us all to the core. The unspeakable atrocities that occurred during this time in our history left us nearly speechless because there simply are no words to express the horror we felt. Reflecting together in an area called the "Trees of Righteousness"--a place dedicated to those who helped Jewish people during the rule of the Nazis-- many from our group shared personal experiences of family members who fought in the war or were part of the Resistance Movement. This experience will weigh in all of our hearts for a long time to come.

Free Time in the Souk

Because it was Election Day in Israel, our guides, Kahlil and driver Na'el, needed to go back to Nazareth to vote, giving us a few free hours to explore the famous market in Old City Jerusalem known as the Souk. Some of us "walked the wall," some shopped, some lingered over a good strong cup of coffee and baklava and enjoyed people watching. For some, it felt necessary to take time to ponder the things we have seen and heard over the past few days in a quiet place. The Notre Dame Guest House, where we are staying, provides beautiful spaces for contemplation. Upon coming back together before dinner, we told stories of conversations with shopkeepers and families, of purchases made and lost and of the ongoing sense for the complexity of the Israeli political situation.

Yet another full day during which we truly engaged all of our senses in an appreciation for this colorful and historic city.