Journey to Jerusalem

There is so much to say about my own recent experience of first visiting the holy city. More on this will come. 

Quoting from a summary of a recent talk by Rabbi Jackie Tabick to a branch of the Council of Christians and Jews: 

Rabbi Jackie skilfully wove reflections about the heavenly Jerusalem, the city of peace, with those about the reality of a city situated in the real world, whose streets have often been invaded by violence and hatred. For Jews, religion and politics, the heavenly and the earthly city, are inextricable, she explained: "Jewish dreams about Jerusalem are attached to the very soil and rocks “

http://www.ccj.org.uk/Articles/356808/Council_of_Christians/Branches/Staines/A_Journey_to.aspx

My own local chapter of the CCJ met earlier this week to explore members' experiences of visiting Eretz Yisrael. We discussed our impressions and memories in pairs.  Such varied and contrasting expressions about the same place!  

Some spoke about the place by  talking about their families. 

One person commented that it IS 'the film of the book.' 

One member described having a huge heart connection to the place and the Bible stories, while feeling a disconnection with the mythologised place. 

"A place of many meetings and layers."

"It is like Northern Ireland, with palm trees."

"As a Jew, it's a place where you can afford to be secular."

"Diaspora Jews brought a very rich mix of languages and cultures."

"I'm aware of how dry the place it, the fierceness of the sun. The Bible refers to light and shade very often because of the need to reckon with, and retreat from, the heat."