A Real Jewish Experience - First Shabbat in Israel
"Thank Israeli Soldiers"
"Thank Israeli Soldiers"
August 28-29 (Friday and Saturday)
I have been to a religious Shabbat dinner but never one in Jerusalem, overlooking the Kotel, with 85 Israeli Soldiers. What I experienced Friday night was just that - A Shabbat experience in Jerusalem, overlooking the Kotel with 85 Israeli Soldiers my age. I had the honor of sharing my first Shabbat in Israel with Pamela Claman. Pamela is the "Queen of Jerusalem." She also runs an Organization called "Thank Israeli Soldiers." Within this organization she hosts army units for a Shabbat experience and I was lucky enough to join. I was surrounded by soldiers my age and we learned together. We first lit the candles while listening to Pamela explain the beauty and spirituality of light. Following the lighting of the candles all of us guests went down to the Kotel. Pamela dressed in a white and gold gown truly looked like a queen. We spent time down at the Kotel singing and dancing as well as praying and discussing the importance of Shabbat and the location that we were at - the history of the Western Wall. Afterwards we all went to her apartment fora phenomenal meal. The next day was spent discussing different topics of Judaism - relationships, orthodox vs. conservative, the land of Israel, values, culture. Noting was biased and everyone happily and freely shared their opinions. I found it most interesting listening to how for such a small country Israel is home to people of all different levels of religion. I truly enjoyed listening to everyones stories and how they see Judaism and Israel. Later that evening we continued with praying and signing different songs that ended the Shabbat. What an experience to spend my first Shabbat.
I have been to a religious Shabbat dinner but never one in Jerusalem, overlooking the Kotel, with 85 Israeli Soldiers. What I experienced Friday night was just that - A Shabbat experience in Jerusalem, overlooking the Kotel with 85 Israeli Soldiers my age. I had the honor of sharing my first Shabbat in Israel with Pamela Claman. Pamela is the "Queen of Jerusalem." She also runs an Organization called "Thank Israeli Soldiers." Within this organization she hosts army units for a Shabbat experience and I was lucky enough to join. I was surrounded by soldiers my age and we learned together. We first lit the candles while listening to Pamela explain the beauty and spirituality of light. Following the lighting of the candles all of us guests went down to the Kotel. Pamela dressed in a white and gold gown truly looked like a queen. We spent time down at the Kotel singing and dancing as well as praying and discussing the importance of Shabbat and the location that we were at - the history of the Western Wall. Afterwards we all went to her apartment fora phenomenal meal. The next day was spent discussing different topics of Judaism - relationships, orthodox vs. conservative, the land of Israel, values, culture. Noting was biased and everyone happily and freely shared their opinions. I found it most interesting listening to how for such a small country Israel is home to people of all different levels of religion. I truly enjoyed listening to everyones stories and how they see Judaism and Israel. Later that evening we continued with praying and signing different songs that ended the Shabbat. What an experience to spend my first Shabbat.