The Kotel and Beyond: The Words Behind The Pictures

I made it. For a bit over a week, I was in Israel. I logged some good time on the bench opposite the Kotel. From there I prayed and wrote and smiled and sighed and wished I would stay forever.

This post includes some pictures from the experience. First is a moment of watching as one man among many approaches The Wall. Next is a boy who came the Kotel with his family to put on Tefillin for the first time. After their minyan ended the family stood where people walked through, told them of the simchah, and offered them soda, cake, and a lechayim.

Then there's a picture of me at the front left corner of the Kotel. It was my first time there in three years. If you look closely you can see that I tore kriyah. Three years ago I discovered a minyan run by a man whose name I was told is Efrayim Caspi. It takes place inside the cave and I recommend you get there at a bit before 7:30 and experience this holy service. Here's a picture of him walking away from the Kotel, still praying, the way he does every day.

Next is a picture of the old Aish HaTorah Beit Medrash. Then comes a picture of me pausing in front of a landmark on the way down to the Kotel. And then there's the Churva Synagogue. One of the most fascinating parts of the riveting film My Architect focused on the Churva Synagogue. Louis Kahn lost - he wanted something modern. The recreation of the ancient Shul is almost newly done.

Finally there's a photo of me on my perch opposite The Wall.