Travelling Gwen: Slichot and Yom Kippur

The last few weeks, Israel has been observing the High Holidays, Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, and I've had a wonderful time watching and participating in the activities surrounding these holidays. Rosh Hashanah, or the head of the year, marks the beginning of new year according to the Jewish calendar.
Between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, many religious Jews come to Jerusalem to seek forgiveness for a year's worth of transgressions in an activity called Slichot, or forgiveness. Our program bussed us to Jerusalem last Tuesday night to observe this ritual-- or at least to observe those observing the ritual.

As we walked through the Old City, toward the Western Wall, we encountered a myriad of organizations asking for Tzedakah (charity), throngs of people making their way to the wall, and groups, like this one, dancing and singing in the streets.

As we approached the Wall, we could see a huge mob stretching from the security entrance to the Wall itself.

The Wall is directly ahead. The men's side is to the left of the big, black speaker and the women's side is to the right.

Standing on the railing all the way at the back. The men's side of the Wall is in the right corner.

Prayers and songs were broadcast over loudspeakers. Several groups formed and recited their own service on the fringes of the crowd, singing, praying, and observing the wall from a distance.

A few members of the group managed to push their way through the mob, all the way to touch the Wall. This was no small fete considering that our guide estimated that 10,000 people were present.

We left the wall around one in the morning and got stuck in a huge bottle neck in the narrow pathways of the Old City. In the picture to the left, we're pushing our way through a market place. Ballagan!

Sunset on Friday night marked the beginning of Yom Kippur, or the Day of Atonement. On this day, religious Jews fast and attend synagogue. Since only official vehicles drive and all businesses close on Yom Kippur, the streets in Netanya were drained of the onslaught of honking, shouting, and blaring music. Instead, we found a stream of white-clad people walking to synagogue, children riding bikes, and pedestrians ambling down the middle of the street, absorbing a momentary respite from chaos.