~ unpacked Friday afternoon at the Prima Royale Hotel
~ walked over to Kehillat Har El (Israel's first Reform congregation) to enjoy lovely Kabbalat Shabbat services
~ partook of Shabbat dinner at our hotel
~ walked to Hebrew Union College after breakfast for 10AM services, where we were greeted by a few friends and colleagues
~ enjoyed a long Shabbes shluf
~ walked into the old city for Havdallah
Which brings us to the above picture! The light at the Kotel at Havdallah time is so unique and lovely. Naomi Shemer certainly captured this feeling beautifully in her iconic song Yerushalayim Shel Zahav. Many groups rushed to the Kotel plaza to make Havdallah and as the sun was setting the chanting to evening prayers could be heard from the minnerets near and far. We noted the green lights on all the minnerets (in photo behind my head left) to indicate prayer was "on". Never saw that before!
We still had some energy at Motzei Shabbat so we walked into the Ben Yehuda area where restaurants and bars were opened up again. Everything was buzzing with the Brazil -Chile World Cup match. We found a comfy couch at one such establishment and enjoyed dinner watching the game outside projected onto screens, which were everywhere. A note to beer lovers...I tried a Negev, a light summer beer with passionfruit overtones...very lovely and recommended!
Tomorrow, Sunday, we have no obligations and will enjoy a sleep in and some exploring.
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