For as long as I can remember, the Western Wall has always been synonymous with Israel. Placed on every Hebrew school poster, hung on the walls of every synagogue, and engraved in every tzedakah box.  But it wasn’t until I actually stood there - just two days after the war I realized the true beauty of the place we call home.  

I had the opportunity to spend the last two and a half months studying at Alexander Muss High School in Israel and for almost a third of that time we had been stuck on campus due to the war. During this time I got to see another side of Israel beyond the landmarks and trips. I felt the fear of having only a few minutes to safely find a shelter, the stress of watching plans fall apart almost daily, but most importantly I saw the resilience and community that keeps people going.  Throughout the war I knew I could count not only on my friends but also on total strangers to help me when I needed it.

At the Kotel this is especially apparent. As you walk in the atmosphere immediately changes.  You see people from all backgrounds  of life each lost in their own private prayers, standing in their own quiet corners.  Even with reopening day since the war crowds, there is a natural, unspoken rhythm to it: everyone works together, taking turns to reach the stones and gently helping one another navigate the space.