First we heard a talk about Jewish ethics and how they play out in Israeli society. Found out that Israel has the highest child poverty rate among developed countries mainly in the Ultra-orthodox communities and some of the rural areas. Not all Israelis are sharing in the wealth of the country. Spent the rest of the morning in the Old City including the Western Wall. Went up to the rooftop near the center for some neat views had a great middle eastern lunch in the Muslim quarter.i do not agree with the picture of the sign in the Jewish quarter. In the afternoon we sifted through rubble from the 2nd Temple period looking for important relics. Found some pottery shards and pieces of bone. In the early evening we met with an Israeli and a Palestinian both who have lost loved ones in the conflict. A number of them have formed a group called Parents Circle that is trying to promote understanding between Israelis and Palestinians. The Israeli, a man, lost a daughter aged 14 during a terrorist bombing. The Palestinian, a woman, lost her husband to Israeli police who thought he was a terrorist. It is so hard to think about all this, to try and understand why this is all happening.

looking out over Old City from rooftop, picture above and below