Saturday morning, Shabbat, we had free time in the morning. I went to Shabbat services at Kol Hanishimah in the German Colony as I did last weekend. One other seminar participant, Laura from Denver, went with me. The rest went to various other Synagogues, or just relaxed at the hotel.
After lunch, we got together for a Torah study session lead by Jonotan. The parshah (portion of Torah) we study this Shabbat is Va-Yiggash, from Bereishit (Genesis) 44:18-47:27. This is the story of Joseph’s brothers who, some years after they sold him into slavery, come before Joseph in Egypt seeking relief from the famine, but they do not recognize him. Jonotan is a wonderful teacher of Torah with a great deal of insight and passion. He led the discussions and helped us see the story in a whole new light.
Then we took a walk up the hill from our hotel into one of the first neighborhoods in Jerusalem built outside the Old City walls. In this neighborhood lived Yehuda Amichai (1924-2000), Israel’s most famous writer and poet. We read a selection of some of his poems and discussed what his words were saying to us.
Later that evening, we came together again for Havdalah, said good-bye to Shabbat, and wished each other Shavuah Tov, a good week.
-Wayne
Thoughts and insights regarding my visit to Auschwitz and my two week study program in Israel with the Florence Melton Institute, 16 December 2006 to 06 January 2007.
