Olive Pressing

Olive Juice after being pressed

On Monday we were able to work the Olive Press that we have here at the Jerusalem Center. Last week we picked all the olives. The top picture is a couple of us crushing the olives. We basically just walk in a circle as fast as we can and it was a lot harder than it looks. We have two tools to press the olives after they are crushed. One uses weights while the other is like a screw that you turn to press the crushed olives. The juice from the latter is pictured above. Once we have the juice, they take it somewhere where they have to let the oil separate from all the other stuff. So in case you are wondering, I tried one of the fresh olives. It was the most bitter taste ever! I had barely even bitten it and I couldn't stand it! But it really added to the symbolism of the Atonement. Overall, it was a really great experience and I can't wait to get my little vial of olive oil.
Also on Monday, a couple of us decided to try to go to the Knessed. However, we missed the English tour, so rather we went over the Whol Rose Garden. Too bad the roses are out of season... it was still really pretty though! We ended up finding the supreme court building though, so we got to go inside and sit in on a trial or hearing or something. I am not really sure what it was because they were speaking Hebrew, but it was fun to watch. All I could tell was that someone was trying to make a case or tell a story to three people sitting up on the stands. We then ended at the Israel Museum which was really cool and had way too much interesting things to see in two hours. Hopefully I will get to go back!