Leah Cardona: Blog 2

 This past Sunday in Mendelsson’s class, we took a field trip to Tel Aviv. We toured the historical Tel Aviv to learn the history behind one of Israel’s major cities. Through hevruta and a cup of coffee, we read “Wrecking and Building” by Berdichevsky to understand the Zionist opinion on creating a new city. We walked through the Hatachana, Tel Aviv’s old railroad station, to get to the downtown. The downtown was like any other major city with skyscrapers, shops, lots of people and many honking cars. Mendelsson stopped to show us a beautiful mosaic depicting the story of the land from the biblical times and all the work done to create the modern city. More modern history was told by seeing Independence Hall, Rabin’s Square and Rabin’s Memorial next to the spot he was assassinated.

Through our tour of Tel Aviv Mendelsson asked us to use two words to compare Jerusalem to Tel Aviv. Many examples were given but these three stuck out the most to me: religious vs. secular, historical vs. modern, and right vs. left. It’s amazing to see within such a small radius you can be in two completely different worlds but both beautiful in their own way. The walls of the old city have layers upon layers of history to tell, the city completely shuts down for Shabbat, and the locals have such a strong faith in their religions that it can be seen through prayer, attire and their love for Jerusalem. Tel Aviv reminds me of any touristy beach city. The feel of being in Tel Aviv is very different than Jerusalem. I feel most people to go Tel Aviv to have the modern city life by spending the day at the beach, walking around the many shops and eating at all the restaurants. Tel Aviv has its own history to tell, but it’s not as old as Jerusalem’s.

I’ve always felt a deeper connection to Jerusalem from the moment I walked through its limestone streets at the age of five. I knew then that it would be my favorite place in the whole world and till this day I get so excited to walk through the old city. It’s funny growing up in a big city my entire life and living the urban life; I find it would be hard to live in Tel Aviv. I love visiting Tel Aviv and spending a few days there, but if I were ever to make Aliyah I know Jerusalem would be the place I would want to live. It was nice visiting Tel Aviv for the day with Mendelsson, but I was very happy to come back to Jerusalem at the end of the day. I feel so lucky to have the kotel so close and I can visit it whenever I want. I will definitely miss staying in the Student Village when I go back home.