On February 28th, we had chance for a walk to Mea Shearim, one of the oldest neighbourhoods built outside the walls of the Old City of Jerusalem. It is about one hour from our village Ein Karem going with by public transportation to the City Center. We haven’t heard much about the history of this neighbourhood but we could feel somehow the different atmosphere of this area to the rest of the city. First we felt strange while we were walking as we recognized that people look at us strangely.

Most of the men and boys were in orthodox Jewish dress with a long black coat with the black round hat or some were with a kippah and formal black shoes. The women were in a modest dress, with skirt and most of them cover their head.

This was a good experience for us because it helps us to understand a little bit better the different groups of Judaism. Some announcement or newspaper are posted on the walls so that people who are passing by can read it.

We enjoyed our hot chocolate after about one and a half hours walk and then we ended our day having our Sunday mass, together with some of our NDS Brothers and Sisters, at the Kehillah the hebrew speaking catholic community, preceded by the Patriarch priest.

Maria Malau NDS, novice
Congregational Novitiate Ein Karem, Jerusalem