BUS 1058: SARAH DICKSTEIN
Today was such an incredible day, just like all of the other days of the trip! Today we got up at 6:30 like a normal day on bus 1058. We loaded up the bus and made our way into Jerusalem. We got some time to shop around Jerusalem and then we went on our way to the Western Wall or the Kotel. Seeing the Kotel for the first time was truly incredible. It was not as big as I expected it to be but I still took it in. When we got closer to the wall it felt more and more real. Personally I put on my long skirt, along with a few other people, and we made our way to the wall. For me, when I was able to touch the wall and put my personal note in the wall, it was probably the most connected I have ever felt to g-d. I have always dreamed of going to the Kotel growing up and learning about it in hebrew school but to actually be at the Kotel and be touching it with my bare hands felt absolutely incredible. I felt like a piece of the puzzle has been put in place. Everyone on the bus had their own special moment at the Kotel and it was very special for everyone. After we spent time at the Kotel we went off for a quick lunch break and headed over to Mt. Herzl, which is a cemetery for deceased soldiers. It was a very emotional experience for all of us and a great bonding experience to bring our bus closer than ever. We were told stories of various soldiers and how they died. The one that stuck out for me the most was the story of an American who decided to go to Israel to join the army and put his life at risk for the state of Israel. I had heard of him before and for the story to come up again was a very strong and emotional moment. When others in our group were upset by the stories, the other members of the group were there in an instant to comfort you. It was truly incredible at how understanding everyone was while we were there and respected each other. This day was a very emotional day in happy and sad ways but it was all very positive and I think that it really brought our bus closer together, which is a very powerful thing.
SARAH DICKSTEIN
Sarah Dickstein is a junior at the University of Delaware. Her major is Early Childhood Education and she also has a Disabilities Studies Minor. She is originally from Olney, Maryland. Sarah has served on the KOACH board for 2 and a half years now. She served as the Freshman representative, the communications chair, vice president and now currently serving as the President.
