Jerusalem Time Elevator and Ir David

July 25, 2010

Finally, our first day of family bat-mitzvah touring has arrived. As we eagerly awaited Grandma, Grandpa, Stacy, Seth, Collin, and Uncle Jay's arrival in Jerusalem for our first tour, we decided to occupy ourselves with one more Kohn family activity.

Before meeting up with everyone at Ir David, we took the kids to the Jerusalem Time Elevator on Hillel Street right next to "town". The kids, and the adults, really enjoyed the show as it went through the entire history of the City of Jerusalem on a motion simulator ride (Benjamin and I enjoyed the stationary seats!)

At 3:30 we met everyone at the entrance to the Ir David tour. After changing the boys into bathing suits (you certainly could pick us out as Americans) we prepared to start our 3 hour tour. The kids loved the 3D movie all out the City of David. Then we proceeded to look out over the mountain at the Kidron Valley to gain some perspective about the placement and significance of the City of David.

After descending LOTS of steps and winding through several narrow tunnels it was time to go through Hezekiah's water tunnels. The kids had the BEST time. Benjamin asked if we could do it every day and Collin sang through the entire 500M walk. We were soaked and chilly but really enjoyed ourselves. I had never experienced anything like that before. The most amazing thing was that our guide used the Tanach as her guide book, reading the prophecies to teach us, guide us, and inspire us. Tanach truly came to life before our eyes.

As we ended the tour we were met by Uncle Jay and Grandpa and proceeded on to the Kotel for some prayers and family pictures.

Another highlight was that Rav Ovadia Yosef was at the Kotel tonight. Roy asked him if he would give Leora a bracha for her bat mitzvah...and he did! How cool, but it happened so fast that we didn't get a picture.

Then Savta and Roy graciously took the kids, fed them and put them to bed while Yehuda and I went out to "Papagayos" with old friends.

Josh, Davida, Ari, Chaviva, Dov and us --- Truly a flash from the past and living proof that some things never change. We had so much fun!

What a great day!