Birthright Day 6: The Sabbath ends, the Jerusalem party begins!

Today we broke up into groups to prepare for our Israeli soldiers tomorrow.  We knew very little about the soldiers, and were asked to draw and describe them. It was a way to talk about our stereotypes of Israelis in general, and especially about the famous Israeli Defense Force. And it totally worked. One group decided their soldier would be the Israeli version of Rambo. My group decided our soldier was a religious female Jew who went clubbing and loved Lil Wayne. Breaking down cultural stereotypes can be fun!

Besides for that, most of the day was fairly relaxed. Some of us woke up late with hangovers and rushed to religious services. After services there was an optional yoga session. There I met a couple girls from the other bus. This was maybe the third time I had talked to anyone on the second bus, which was odd. Because our trip had two buses full of students, yet each bus ran a bit independent of eachother. We hadn’t really interacted at all. Even some of our meals were scheduled at different times…

Anyhow, after Shabbat we jumped on the bus (of course) and went over to the Western Wall, to see the changes that had occurred in Jerusalem over the Shabbat. It was night time and many many many religious Jews were out praying. Like hundreds. It was mind boggling, and also dare I say, a bit spiritual. The wall definitely had a more commanding presence at nighttime. Most of us on the men’s side were distracted by the wonderful Hassidic garb that the men were wearing. Many of the kids from Virginia had never seen so many Jews dressed in such funny clothes. It was funny to see them reacting as if these people were aliens, not religious Jews.

They put lights up to make sure we didn't miss the wall. Or walk into it.

We then walked through the old city of Jerusalem in the twilight to Hebrew Union College for some more prayers. Yes, Jews pray a lot. I kinda preferred the city at night compared to the daytime. Because on Shabbat Jerusalem quiets down. There is a law against driving, and everybody for better or worse is forced to rest. So there was a stillness in the air, a stillness that we could feel was on the verge of collapsing into normal life. We could feel the city literally coming to life before our eyes.

We then hopped back into the bus and drove to Ben Yehuda street. Ben Yehuda street is Jerusalem’s most famous street for sin and temptation. We were free to wander for 2 hours on our own, but then had to meet up to ‘check in’ with our leaders. Not only that, but we had to stay within the parameters of a few street blocks. Many of us grumbled about this, including myself. It was our first night where we were given some freedom, but even then we had to check in as if we were children and birthright was our parent. Of course when the trip is free, there is only so much grumbling a group of Jews can do.

On Ben Yehuda street I met up with an old American friend of mine who I had known from the Jewish boy scouts. He had been on birthright a year ago, but had decided to stay on and work on a goat farm. He then found some girl and didn’t really want to leave Israel. I privately hoped that I wouldn’t get seduced like that. But wasn’t that what this trip was about?

After we ‘checked in’ (i.e. standing around for 20 minutes waiting for two people who had forgotten to look at their watches), we walked over to the clubs and hookah bars. Everyone from my group ran into the same hookah bar. Hookah being the most stereotypical thing one could do in Israel. I knew that I wouldn’t have the patience to wait for service there. I had run out of patience waiting in lines. I also began to feel a group mentality. As much as I enjoyed everyone’s company, I needed some time away from 40-odd people.

So I broke off from the group with my American friend, to catch up on life. We went to a different hookah bar, and the first question the man at the door asked us was ‘are you on Taglit Birthright?’ I muttered a quick yes. If I was going to get seduced by this trip, I wanted it to be in an Israeli bar, living a typical Israeli life. But I had a feeling that every Jew from the Mega Event would be on Ben Yehuda street. I was right.

I had a feeling that not only we were there just to keep the Israeli economy going, but that it was like the Xmas season for them.

While I was at the hookah bar, most of the group went to a really shitty dive club. The type of place where they charged 35 shekel for a bottle of beer (about $10). Where the music is crappy American club music. Been there, done that. I wanted me some crappy Israeli club music, in an Israeli club full of Israelis. Sadly this was not to be, and I left the club a little disappointed. However, I was not alone. Although most of the younger ones on the group were basking in their first legal dance club. I totally understood. Back in the day I went up with some friends to Montreal to do that. And while it was a lot of fun at the time, I wouldn’t do it again.

However, when I talked to some of the seniors in the group, they shared my sentiments. They had a good time, but would have either liked a better club, or would have liked to be out past midnight. Because nobody cool goes to clubs before midnight. But mom and dad said we had to go back, so we did. Most of us were too drunk to care anyway.

As we were leaving I just wish I had more time to really enjoy myself. Maybe an extra week in Jerusalem? Maybe two? This whirlwind of a trip was leaving me wanting so much more. Birthright was doing its job, getting me to think about returning one day.