Sunday July 18

It’s official: the PJC has arrived in Israel! Our pilgrimage tour began tonight with a memorable evening. After the group had flown into Ben Gurion airport by a nine-hour flight, we went on the tour bus and met up with members who already arrived or took different flights. Once together, we drove to Mount Scopus to have dinner over the vast expanse of Jerusalem. The group opened our visit on a sweet note by saying the Shechianu and Kiddush over challah, grape juice, and passion fruit. Through the guidance of the Rabbi and our tour guides Jared and Shirly, the group learned about the importance of a united visit to Jerusalem by the Jewish people every year during Pesach, Sukkot, and Shavuot as instructed by G-d. The experience was amplified by the breathtaking panorama of Jerusalem, including the Temple Mount, which could be seen from every direction. As the sun set, the group felt that their experience paralleled those of the Jewish people that had made the pilgrimage to Jerusalem centuries ago.

- Maddie Leonard