Way up on top of this mountain in the middle of the desert where Herod built his winter palace and 1000 Jews committed suicide rather than surrender to the Romans is an ancient synagogue. It was built by the Zealots in the 1st century. In that synagogue is a room double locked and in that room is a safe with an ark cover over it. With the right keys I opened it and pulled out a Torah. Can I tell you what it's like traipsing across Masada with a Torah in my hands? The overwhelming feeling of somehow continuing a process? Of doing a bold new thing?

Rabbi Keith Stern

I can't describe it. It was too new, too intense, too over determined... Walking into the room where the Temple Beth Avodah group was waiting, and seeing their eyes as I entered with that scroll. It could've been a thousand years ago -- 2 thousand years ago. To see the excitement and the joy in their faces.

We made a ceremony honoring our most recent Bat Mitzvah, Monique and our next Bat Mitzvah, Halley. Standing on one side of the room were all those who already had a Bar/t Mitzvah. On the other, those kids and adults who never had one. I had all the Temple Beth Avodah post Bar Mitzvah celebrants line up and pass the Torah to Monique, who then gave it to Halley who held it as all the younger kids touched the Torah. Talk about symmetry and a perfect moment.

I then asked the non-Bar/t Mitzvah adults a question: Is anyone ready to declare that they are ready to commit to the next adult B'nei Mitzvah class? No pressure, really. Just 2 thousand years of history swirling through the air. Reesa, Suzanne, Deborah and Michele and John stepped up. How amazing was that?

These are the moments that reminds one that occasionally a group trip can change your life. Every day.