The Content Jedi Blog

To commemorate the one year anniversary of October 7, I am releasing a series of blogs throughout the month that capture my April Jewish National Fund volunteer mission to 
Israel.

There are still over 100 hostages in Gaza, and it's day 410 that they are in captivity. 

These first appeared on social media. This concludes this collection.

April 18

Jerusalem 

It's been 25 years since my forehead and palms touched the smooth limestone of the Kotel (Wailing Wall) in Jerusalem.

It's a sensation and moment that never leaves you, and, in addition to hugging IDF soldiers, reconnecting with the Kotel is what I was most looking forward to.

Before my last visit here in December of 1999, I told a Christian co-worker about the tradition of leaving prayers and notes in the cracks and seams of the Kotel. His eyes lit up, and he asked that if he wrote a prayer, would I take it with me. I told him of course I would, and he went to work right then and there at his desk. When he handed the hard, folded piece of paper to me, I guarded it with my life. I knew I was in possession of something so sacred, and his trust in me was an honor of the highest order. I actually put both of our prayers in the same slot. I left that job shortly after returning from Israel. Though I haven't seen my former coworker since, and pardon me if this sounds hokey, I've always felt connected to him.

This time, I brought prayers from three other people I didn't know back then: my wife and two sons. When I was explaining this rite to my boys, my 11-year-old asked, "I can pray for anything?"

“Yes,” I told him.

"I'm going to pray that the Miami Heat win the NBA title."

“That’s fine,” I said. “That would be nice.” (The Heat ended up losing in the first round in five games to Boston.)

Here again, I protected the precious cargo I was traveling with, triple-checking everyday that the notes were still with me along with my passport. We got lucky with weather. Sunny, few clouds, and no rain. I noticed it the most in Jerusalem. You have to walk through a narrow security checkpoint to enter the Kotel, and everything just opens up on the other side.

The sky was as brilliant a blue as I’ve ever seen, Jerusalem inviting me in. I soaked it up, focusing on my breathing to stay present. I remember The Wall being much more crowded the last two times I was here, but today it was my oyster. I found my spot; I’d like to think this is exactly where I was in 1991 and 1999. Who knows? It doesn’t matter. What matters is that this wall is the epicenter of Israel and Judaism, rebuilt in 19 BC after it was destroyed by the Babylonian Empire. The Holy Roman Empire had at it in 70 AD, but this wall survived.

If ever there was a metaphor for the resilience of Jews and Israel, it’s this wall that I touched once again with my forehead and palms, this time with unabashed tears.

About the Author, David Telisman

I am a Writer and Content Creator, and I work with businesses to inspire their customers to buy from them. I believe that my clients deserve to feel proud of how their content marketing looks and what it says, and I deliver by providing expert copywriting and marketing solutions.

Subscribe to our blog and YouTube channel, and follow us on Facebook and LinkedIn.