Jerusalem Day

The crowds were crazy tonight as MB and I, along with our fellow students John, Nate, and Matt made our way though the streets of the Old City. Our destination (along with everyone else in the city): the Western Wall and its plaza, filled and overflowing with singing, dancing, smiling Jews. Tomorrow (well, actually tonight since the Jews believe that evening begins the new day) is the celebration of Jerusalem Day--the 40 yr anniversary of the reunification of the city. In 1967 Jews reclaimed much of the city from where they had been ousted in 1948. The "unification" over the last 40 years has seen its times, for better and for worse. But tonight, everyone (well, the Jews) was happy. A large youth parade snaked its way from Jaffa gate to the Wall. Our group sided the procession passing circles of dancers as well as friends embracing everywhere. All the while the Star of David on white flags everywhere contrasted against the dark sky.


The only stressful part of the journey was actually reaching the Wall plaza. Hundreds and hundreds of people pushed their way up and down a relatively narrow staircase simultaneously. Feeling the need to experience this once in a lifetime celebration, the five of us jumped in line...taking about 15 minutes to reach the bottom, jostled and cramped, nearly falling the whole way. When our crowd reached the bottom, we desperately clutched each other’s sleeves and elbows making our way through the plaza. We came to a stopping point amidst the singing and shouting to snap pictures and try to find out from the locals what on earth was going on. We learned (through multiple attempts) that the party was to last for several hours with ritual prayers and songs.

You will never see anything like this in America. It was more energetic than any 4th of July celebration. These people take such pride in their nation. Also, the whole ordeal was surprisingly safe, just incredibly cramped. Sure there was security on the perimeter and throughout the crowd, but they just had a host of happy people to look out for. No drunken revelers, no violent intents...these people trust each other.

Two things I learned tonight...One, being in the middle of a big crowd where I don't have a blessed clue what's going on isn't really my thing. It was cool, but I'll save my thrills for elsewhere. Two, this city is incredible. This kind of crowd, people celebrating their nation, is just the kind of stuff you read about. The historic songs, the ancient prayers...all remembering who they are, where they've been, and what they will have to face. Jerusalem is a splintered city and always will be. But the joy like I saw tonight...who knows...maybe it's a glimpse of the joy we'll all have when Jerusalem is finally whole.

--Jenni