In June of 1967, two college students were finishing their study abroad program in Jerusalem when most parents told their children to return home leading up to the imminent Six Day War. These two college students decided to stay in Jerusalem. After Jerusalem was unified days later, these two students witnessed a miracle; the Torah scrolls were marched to the Kotel for the holiday of Shavuot for the first time in almost 2000 years. They never left.
These students are my aunt and uncle, and they began our family’s relationship with the State of Israel in a deep and meaningful way. They had five children, over 20 grandchildren, and already several great-grandchildren.
Jerusalem became not only a metaphorical place to dream about, but a physical place to walk the pilgrimage routes of our ancestors.
Jerusalem is the place where Rabbi Guzik and I started dating, and Jerusalem is the place where we became engaged two years later.
Jerusalem is the place where one day soon, God willing, we will take our children to teach them about our dreams.
Every Friday night, we add Psalm 126:
“When God restored the captives of Zion, we thought we were dreaming. Then our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues sang for joy.”
In these times, we too may feel captive, yet we know the day will come when our mouths will once again fill with laughter.
Celebrate Jerusalem today. Remember its past, revel in its present, and pray for her future.
