MARCH 16, 2018 -- DAY 5

Upon leaving the Pastoral Kibbutz, we progressed to the Kinneret Cemetery. Before leaving Rabbi informed us of a special resident, Rachel (the Poetess).

The cemetery itself was beautiful, but where it lay was breathtaking.

It was below the Golan Heights and above the Sea of Galilee, the stories on stones, the  music (yes the music) that BG played left a haunting memory and tears in my eyes. Saying prayers for my departed family seemed only part of the emotions.

Later we ventured to the Jordan River near Jericho. What a fascinating place to behold. People of all nations were there in the water. We observed prayers being said, music chanted, and people disappeared under the water as part of their ritual of baptism.

All this before our ascent into Jerusalem which came right before spending time in the market before Shabbat: What a night!

(Lori Knipp)