I went to Israel and I went to the wall by Susannah Sagan

I went to Israel and I went to the wall
I got up very early and put on a dress. I felt the wall would
appreciate the gesture
I took a cab to meet a friend
I sat and waited
people watching
Sharona profiling – all the people who definitely weren’t Sharona
Finally, she shows up – breathless from walking
She goes to the Wall once a month for political reasons.
She watched women pray in America for two years – went home and said
this must change.
Winding our way through the ancient streets we come down into the wall
– 2/3rds divided
The women are there, ready, dressed in illegal prayer shawls, handing
out prayer books.
I stand with them declining the book
I stand with them and suddenly realize I’m outside
I stand with them and hear the prayers – some I know some are like
everything else – some I don’t know
I meet a woman from Ohio
I see my friend Yaffa – she’s there because prayer is part of her soul
she brings her own prayer book worn, small, fits in her hand.
As a teacher, she points out the page numbers and keeps me on track
The women start to dance – my hand is held – I feel so shy.
I don’t know why I went to the Wall
I don’t know why I love the Women of the Wall
I don’t know how I feel about God
What I do know is that if women can’t pray together at the wall how can
a woman whose had breast cancer ever feel safe.