Sunday, Jerusalem

Unfortunately, I have to be quick, as we are about to leave for a farewell dinner and then to the airport.
Back to Friday: There was a trip to Yad Vashem, the Holocaust memorial museum here, but I just couldn't handle any more, given that I had to be ready to sing and lead evening services later. I didn't want to deplete myself emotionally with more tears. The Poland leg was so Shoah-full; I didn't feel I could take any more of it right now. Hopefully one of the others can fill you in. I have been to Yad Vashem twice, but they have renovated the museum within the last five years.
I took some time instead at the pool--did some laps, which strongly indicated that I am no longer the swimmer I once was, but was still refreshing--and then went to have some excellent hummus and to do some shopping.
The evening services at the southern side of the wall were very special. It brought new meaning to "face Jerusalem when you pray..." how beautiful to be right there. Hazzan Bensoussan did a beautiful Kabbalat Shabbat, and I had a fine time with maariv (there were no trainwrecks, at any rate). I had about 8 colleagues to help me as my choir for Ahavat Olam, and I did a nice extended Hashkiveinu, and other than that it was more or less straightforward. I was pretty exhausted when I finished though. It took a lot out of me.
Shabbat morning was the polar opposite of last week--they called it a "contemporary service," with instruments throughout and musically, majority recently composed pieces, with plenty of nusach and improvisation thrown in, but more or less contemp. in feel. I loved the instruments all the way up to Adon Olam, and especially Eytz chayim hi was wonderful--a round that we often do on Tish'a B'Av. The instrumentation pulled theservice along and gave so much energy to it.
I spent Shabbat afternoon by the pool with the rest of the gang-- there is not much to do in Jerusalem on Shabbat was rest, so rest we did. Once Shabbat is over, Ben Yehuda St. turns into a huge street fair and shops are open until midnight!
Today I went to Masada and the Dead Sea for a nice mineral soak...aaaahhhh! It was about 100 degrees, which was definitely oppressive, but at least very dry, as opposed to the steambath of Tel Aviv.
OK, I must go--to be continued--please check in with the blog over this next week, as I'll finish this entry, fill in some of the rest, and the rest of our group will post impressions and reflections.

Thanks for "joining us" and see you soon at home!!!