Monday, July 27, 2009

Busy Busy

As you can imagine from the lack of new posts as well as the title of this post, yes, I have been very busy! Here's a typical week for me:
Sunday: Ulpan 8:30-1:00, Mincha 1:30-2:00, Cantillation 2:00-3:15
Monday: Ulpan 8:30-1:00
Tuesday: T'fillah 8:15-9:15, Ulpan 9:30-1:30
Wednesday: Ulpan 8:30-1:00
Thursday: Biblical Archeology 8:30-12:30 (except on days where we are on trips),

So while it seems that I am done with class in the early afternoon, it's not so accurate. There are lots of programs that we have to keep us busy during the week. For example on Sunday, I was at school until 3:15 and then had to be back at school with the other Education students to meet with one of the professors from LA. It was a very nice evening as we learned about the core values of the Rhea Hirsch School and talked about how the values will apply to our studies here in Israel and beyond.

Today, we had class until 1 and then a program from 5-7 at the Tayellet with Yoshi and Gingy. We went to three different areas on the tayellet to look at different views and studied text from the Torah, Prophets and Psalms. And of course the evening ended with some wine and cheese.

Tomorrow we have a presentation on our community service project opportunities until 3:30. Wednesday evening is Tisha B'Av and there are services at school followed by a walk to the old city and text study. Thursday after our Biblical Archeology quiz we have Mincha, and in the evening a pot luck break the fast dinner. Our week ends with Kabbalat Shabat at Harel, the first progressive (Reform) synagogue in Jerusalem.

Between all of this, I'm trying to go to the gym as often as possible and keep up with all my homework and studying. So, yes, while I've been busy, it's all been so so great! But, I do appologize for my inability to keep in touch better as by the time I have a spare moment, I'm just too exhausted to even have a coherent conversation. I have to be honest, I'm not sure when things will settle down, but I have a feeling I will start to adjust to the hectic and intense life as a grad student.

As you might have guessed, the word of the day is...
לעסוק (la-ah-soak): to busyView of Jerusalem from the Tayellet
View of Jordan from the Tayellet

Here is a video from Havdallah two weeks ago.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Xxpa_4u8aI

Friday, July 24, 2009

Tel Aviv

It was a great treat to get out of Jerusalem for the day and head to Tel Aviv. The HUC interns organized and optional trip to Nachalat Binyamin, the beach, and Shabbat services in Tel Aviv. Nachalat Binyamin is a street art fair that takes place on Tuesdays and Fridays in Tel Aviv. We walked around there for a little bit and then headed to the beach. Luckily all the jelly-fish were gone so being in the water was very nice. Shabbat services were on the beach and may have been the best Shabbat service I have ever been to. The service was led by a band and there were a couple hundred people who attended. These services were really laid back as people wore whatever they had been wearing all day, were talking on their cell phones, and took pictures/videos throughout the service. Now normally, things like that would bother me, but it was totally awesome. People were also rockin' out (there was even a man in a speed salsa-ing in the back). One of my classmates, Dave, a Cantorial student, got to sing with the band. Here are some photos.Dave and Yoshi Before Dave sang

Dave singing at services



As far as the word of the day goes...Hebrew Ulpan is only Sunday-Wednesday. Thursday we have Biblical History instead. Wednesday evening and Thursday I wasn't feeling well, so I decided to get some rest instead of blog. I do promise to TRY (key word is TRY, Grandma) to write my word of the day, but sometimes get busy and run out of steam.

On that note, I'm back in Jerusalem and have to wake up again tomorrow early for Shabbat services.

Shabbat Shalom!

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

House Arrest

Okay, so the post is not going to be as exciting as the title, but I'm lazy and tired, so I decided that the word/phrase of the day is going to be the title of the post.

מעצר בית(Mah Ah tz are bah yeet)

So now you are probably wondering why we learned the word "house arrest" in Ulpan today. Every Tuesday we have "News" day where we discuss world news and read the Israeli Newspaper. I'm sure many of you have heard about the protests/riots because of the Haredi woman accused of starving her son. She is now on house arrest (hence the vocabulary word) so the protests have stoped.

Anyways...
highlights from the day:
-getting my own Mishkan Tefillah (the Reform prayer book) after services
-services
-dinner with HUC students and Lori Sagarin (old director of ed at NSCI, and current president of NATE-National Association of Temple Educators)
-oh and of course studying for Hebrew quiz tomorrow!!!

on that note...lilah tov!

Monday, July 20, 2009

Trope Lessons

Another day of ulpan and still going strong. After class, Ally and I went to the shuk to get fruit, vegetables, and other groceries. Then we headed off to The Old City for a tour of the Kotel tunnels. The tour was very interesting and a neat site to see.

We made chicken, salad, and sweet pototoes for dinner and then Allie gave Ally and me a quick trope lesson. Let me tell you, it was quite a scene considering Ally and I are new at this. We would "chant" the trope and then Allie would chant it corretly (however Ally and I could not hear the difference). Needless to say, Ally and I are so fortunate to have such a patient and skilled roommate.

After trope, Allie and I did our Hebrew homework and spent a while studying. I'm totally exhausted and need a break from Hebrew, but before I crash, here's the word of the day:
ללון (lah-loon)- to spend the night

on that note, Lilah Tov!

Sunday, July 19, 2009

Word of the Day

I'm going to continue a little tradition that I had with some friends last year while I was studying at Hebrew University called, "word of the day". Actually, one of my friends in my Ulpan at Hebrew U decided that in order to make sure that she was communicating with her friends at home, she would send them a word of the day (usually a new or interesting word from class). I like this tradition for a few reasons:
1. It ensures that I will update my blog every day during Ulpan, even if it is just to say the word of the day.
2. It helps me to reinforce a new word that I learned in class that day.
3. You can learn a little Hebrew too!

I'm in Kitah Bet (the levels are Alef, Bet, Gimmel, and Dalet). I love my teacher Osnat (pronounced Oh snot...ya, it's funny). She's so much fun and really wants to help us to learn. There are 13 other students in my class and we already had a lot of fun today, so I imagine it will continue to be a great class:-)

After class we had a really short Mincha service followed by Cantillation. Starting to learn (or actually relearn, as I took trope from Cantor Cohn 10 years ago) is a bit difficult and it doesn't help that I have a terrible skill. Hopefully by the end of the six week course, I'll have learned it all!

At the end of my long day at school (8:30-3:30) I headed over to the gym. I think I forgot to mention that I joined the gym at the David's Citadel Hotel right next to school with several other HUC students. It's super nice in there and just a great break to be in a luxurious hotel a few times a week.

Ally and Allie went to see Harry Potter with a bunch of other HUC classmates. I decided not to go since I've never read the books or seen any of the movies. It's been a relaxing evening. I went for a walk around town, grabbed some dinner, and came home to do some laundry, cleaning, oh ya, and a little homework!

So, for the word of the day...
קליפה (klee-pah)-peel

Saturday, July 18, 2009

Some Highlights of What I Love about Israel (and HUC)

I love that my internet is finally working well enough for me to post the promised pictures from the first night of Orientation
Tower of David

Me and Ally outside the walls of The Old City
On our walk from school to The Old City
HUC Year in Israel 2009-2010 (minus Matt:-( )
I love that when I walk into school in the morning, I greet others and am greeted with "Boker Tov" instead of the American "Hey" or "Whatsup?"

I love that on Thursday afternoon and all day Friday, everyone (especially salesmen) wishes each other a "Shabbat Shalom"

I love that on Friday evening in Jerusalem, the Shabbat siren is heard and there is no way to forget that Shabbat has come.

I love that around 4pm on Friday afternoon, the streets become quieter and that quiet lasts throughout Shabbat.

I love that after a Shabbat dinner at school, two of my HUC friends picked up guitars and led our HUC class in a Shabbat Shira.

I love that everyday during orientation I was inspired by Rabbis', teachers', and colleagues' words of wisdom, advice, and encouragement about this journey I have begun.

I love that the faculty at HUC truly cares about each and every one of the students in every way. (i.e. the director of the year in Israel program, knows every single HUC student's name and has made an effort to really get to know all of us)

I love that I have already made such great friends who I already have so much in common with (i.e. love to sing Jewish songs and Shabbat services as much as I do)

I love that I am starting 6 weeks of Ulpan (intense study of Hebrew) tomorrow.

I love that even though my voice sucks, I am still going to take cantillation (chanting Torah) class.

I love that I run into people I know on the streets-on Thursday I was about to cross the street by my apartment, and heard someone shout "Amanda" and saw Aimee Weiss. And then, later that evening I was walking to Rachel's apartment for dinner and saw Orly Goldschmidt (the shlicha from U of I) sitting at the fountain literally 10 steps from my apartment.

I love being that it is so easy to keep in touch with people from home (p.s. I love getting emails, ims, gchats, etc-but have been a bit slow in responding, sorry!)

I love that my Saturday night plans with my friends consist of meeting at park at 8:30 for Havdallah. Here's a glimpse of this evening's spectacular Havdallah:
There were roughly 10 of us with Lara and Andrew leading us with their guitars. We were sitting in a park facing The Old City. Lara and Andrew taught us Dan Nichols new song, "Sweet as Honey" (which we recorded and are sending it to Dan Nichols, I'll post the youtube link once its up) and then we went into our Havdallah service. Us HUC students are quite creative when it comes to lack of supplies. For example, tonight instead of grape juice (or wine) we used actual grapes. Not a problem, you might think, but, Ahhhh, what about when you have to put the candle out. Yoni and Rachel took care of that by squeezing a grape and a gasp of breath. Towards the end of Havdallah, we noticed a mass amount of people all different ages approaching (high schoolers-60 year old). Ally and Matt went to invite them to join but they were a bit shy. Lara and Andrew continued the song session as Havdallah ended and the group of people came to join in. They were from Holland and were on a family trip to Israel. We asked if they knew any songs and they said "Shalom Chaverim" and "Hava Nagila". We went with "Shalom Chaverim" (Goodbye my friend, goodbye my friend, until we meet again=the English words, typically a song sung in Jewish preschool). Lara and Andrew taught a few songs and then the group left us. At the end of our little song session, Dave had us all look around at the view of The Old City and take it all in. Again these pictures don't do the experience justice by any means. (my internet is being slow again, pictures won't upload, I'll do it later)

Lilah Tov:-)

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

What To Bring: Wine, Beer, Walking Shoes

Orientation: Day 1

We met at HUC at 4pm for some "getting to know you" mixer games with our interns. It was fun because everyone is so nice and its so interesting learning about each others backgrounds and why everyone came to HUC.

After the mixers, we had an introduction with the director of the year in Israel program, Yoshi. This is Yoshi's first year as the director of the program. He is a graduate of HUC's Rabbinic program as well as the Rhea Hirsch School. Yoshi welcome the 49 of us so warmly with his humor, kindness, and sincerity. One thing in particular that stuck out to me, was how Yoshi spoke about how wonderful this year in Israel is going to be for us all on a personal level, but that even beyond that, how ultimately, we are all here to help better the lives of others and to make a difference in the world. I know, I know, it probably sounds all cheesy but it wasn't. In fact it was quite touching, just as our first Israel program was.

But, before I get to that part, we had a nice BBQ dinner with some of the HUC faculty (that's where the wine and beer came in). I was sitting around with some of my new friends already talking about some of our ideas for new travel adventures during our breaks.

After the wine and beer, we were led by Gingy (the director of admissions of the Jerusalem campus, whom I actually worked with last year during my internship) to Mount Zion. There our HUC year in Israel welcome continued. At one point we were all sitting up against the walls of the Old City studying text. At the end of the very brief text study, we got in a circle (as Jews like to do) and passed around a Torah singing the words of "Ki Mitzion", followed by Shecheyanu, Sh'ma and my all time favorite prayer, Hashkiveinu. It was an unbelievable experience and cannot be desribed in words (I have a feeling that is how many of my experiences this year will be). Let me just say, that when it was over, we all looked at each other and asked "If this was the first night of our Year in Israel, what is our last night going to be like?"

I've really never been more certain about anything else in my life, I know this is where I am supposed to be. Looking forward to day 2.

Lilah Tov!

(I'll upload pictures later, my internet is being slow)

Saturday, July 11, 2009

Things That Make Me Happy

Shabbat in Jerusalem is something that just cannot be described in words, but I'll do my best to give you a glimpse of the past 24 hours+.

On Friday morning and early afternoon, everyone is busy preparing for Shabbat. It is difficult to move through the shuk (especially with our cart, which I must say is pretty awesome), but I still love the experience of everyone buying their favorite Challah, salads, veggies, fruit, and delicious Marzipan Rugelach if they are really smart. But we actually began our Friday with a nice little breakfast with Matt and Andrew (two Rabbinical students in our program).
Allie, Matt, Andrew, and Ally in our tiny kitchen

After breakfast, the 5 of us walked to Machane Yehuda, filled our cart, and headed back to our wonderfully air conditioned apartment, made salad for the potluck Shabbat dinner, relaxed, and got ready for our first Shabbat together in Jerusalem.

We brought our food to the Dubin's (the family where we had Shabbat dinner-Andy, is a Rabbinical student and came to Israel with his wife and four children) and headed over to Kol Hanishamah (one of two Reform, or Progressive as they call it in Israel, synagogues in Jerusalem) for Shabbat services. Ally and I were excited as we walked in and saw Rabbi Mason sitting in the congregation! Despite the fact that I could barely follow the service, I still enjoyed it very much. Afterwards, Ally and I saw Rabbi Mason for a few minutes and he reintroduced me to Sally Klein-Katz, who will be my Education Seminar teacher this year.

Ally, Allie, Dave (a cantorial student), the Dubin's, and I all headed back to the Dubin's apartment for a wonderful Shabbat dinner. After dinner, we headed to Matt and Andrew's to hang out with some other students for the evening.Shabbat Dinner at the Dubin's (Todd, me, Allie, Andy, Dave, Ally)

For those of you that don't know, Jerusalem pretty much shuts down on Shabbat which is a pretty awesome thing. Allie, Ally, and I all slept in for the first time since we arrived. We took it easy and didn't make any big plans.

This evening at HUC was a very special experience. Alumni of HUC and first year students were invited to a lecture given by Rabbi Marmer, "On Hope", followed by a reception, followed by the most magnificent Havdallah service I have ever experienced. All of the Alumni were so friendly and so excited for all of us new HUC students, offerring all of their advice and good words. Ally and I even met Rabbi Polish (Rabbi Greene's father in-law) and his wife and daughter! During Havdallah, Ally and I stood with Rabbi Mason on the Feinstein Lawn which overlooks the Old City (I swear it looks like a painting). It was quite a meaningful evening, standing with Ally, whom I have shared almost every single meaningful and important Jewish experience with, and Rabbi Mason, who in so many waysm, has influenced, mentored, and also been part of these life-changing Jewish experiences in my life. And now, standing there together tonight, felt in a way, like the beginning of this HUC journey and it all felt so right.
Ally and me with Rabbi Mason at the front entrance of HUC

Rabbi Mason took Ally and I out for a late dinner at Cafe Hillel, and then we headed up Ben Yehudah (with a small tour from Rabbi Mason of various shops that participated in "Shop Israel" and even showed us where he bought some Jewelry for Patty).

The night concluded with Allie taking out her guitar, and Matt, Ally, Allie, and I singing Jewish songs (which may be my most favorite thing to do). I seriously could not be going to sleep happier after this amazing Shabbat, Havdallah, and start of this new week.

Shavua Tov:-)

Thursday, July 9, 2009

A Quick Update

Just time for a quick update on the past two days:
-Spent an hour and half on the phone with NetVision (the internet company) trying to set up our wireless (most of that hour was on hold with terrible music)
-Went on a tour of the HUC Jerusalem area with our HUC intern Josh
-Had Falafel from Moshiko
-Bought wine to bring to dinner at a classmates apt
-Showered before dinner
-Ran late for dinner
-Arrived at their apt, only to realize we forgot the wine
-Ate dinner and hung out with classmates-Went on a tour of the Old City Ramparts
-Got really sweaty
-Showered
-took a nap
-worked on my Hebrew placement exam
-Made a delicious dinner with the roomies (chicken, corn, sweet potatoes, salad)
-And now we are headed out to celebrate Jeremy's (a Rabbinical student) Birthday

Looking forward to Shabbat!

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Do I really go to school here?

The past two days have been filled with the visits to school, shopping trips to the mall, more visits to school, more shopping, a first dinner at the apartment, and an evening out with fellow classmates.

Yesterday, Ally and I went to school in the morning to begin the registration and pre-ulpan paperwork. We met a few HUC faculty members, our summer HUC interns, and a few of our classmates as well. After school, we went to grab lunch with some classmates at Aroma right across from the David Citadel in the mall.

It was great to meet other HUC students ..everyone seems so nice! Afterwards, Ally and I were exhausted so we headed back to our apartment to rest for a little before realizing that we had not yet unpacked and still needed to go purchase bedding for our rooms. We shopped around for a little and then found the bedding we each wanted for the year (which happened to be matching!) Then we headed back home to unpack. We spent the evening anxiously awaiting Allie's arrival and when she got here, we all headed to Ben Yehudah for dinner/an evening snack. By the time we came home, we were all exhausted and called it a night as we knew we were going to wake up early today.
This morning we were at HUC at 10am for a tour of campus. I had actually been to HUC the other two times I was in Israel, but today felt different. I seriously go to school at the most beautiful campus in the entire world (sorry fellow U of I alumn), and if you don't believe, check out the pictures below.
This is where High Holiday Services will be.

I just cannot wait to actually begin classes and sit out in the couryards during my breaks, our as our HUC intern talked of his experience, wander around outside DURING class. We also learned from our HUC intern and tour guide that OSRUI is not just an overnight camp, but a floor of the HUC Jerusalem campus library!

After school we went to the famous Burger's Bar for lunch and then headed to Machne Yehudah (the Shuk) to buy food for our apartment. Since this was Allie and Ally's first time there, our first stop was, of course...MARZI PAN. For those of you who don't know what Marzipan bakery is in Jerusalem, you are just missing out! It is the most delicious, yummy, chocolate rugalach in the entire world. It is just so nice to live just a 10 minute walk from the shuk as oposed to the 25 minute bus ride from Hebrew University.
The food we bought from the Shuk

We came back from the shuk and rested before dinner. Rachel (another HUC Chicago student, and very good friend of ours already!) came over for dinner. We sat in our living room and each made a toast to our year in Israel and then said the Shecheyanu. I have never felt a Shecheyanu so meaningful as the one the four of us said tonight at dinner about to begin an amazing journey at HUC and in the Jewish community. It just felt so perfect.

Tonight we headed out to Zabotinsky's, a bar in Jerusalem with other HUC students. It was very layed back and nice to meet new people and to start getting to know each other.

There's not a whole lot on the schedule for tomorrow-we have to wait around midday for our internet to be set-up and then we might head over to the Old City.

It's getting late and it was another long day. Lilah Tov!

Sunday, July 5, 2009

Home Sweet Home

This past week was filled with a lot of "goodbyes" and a lot of excitement. A family gathering on Sunday, saying goodbye to school friends on Thursday, and a beautiful Shabbat send-off Friday night at NSCI are just among some of the things that filled my week.

A few friends and me at the Cubby Bear on Thursday.

Friday evening Ally and I received a special and heartfelt blessing from Rabbi Greene and Rabbi Geffen. It felt so right to be at Shabbat services at NSCI the night before beginning my year in Israel since so much of my decision to attend HUC all started at NSCI.
Ally, Allison, and Me after Shabbat services.

Blessing From Rabbi Geffen and Rabbi Greene:
Yhi Ratzon Milfanecha Adonai Elohainu v'Elohai Avoteinu v'lmoteinu:
May it be Your will, our God and God of our ancestors, that you lead Ally and AManda in peace to their destination in Eretz Yisrael.
May You bless the work of their minds and hands that they continue
to grow to their fullest potential.
May their eyes and hearts be open to the beauty of the land and its peop
le, to new friends and new experiences.
We pray that their deeds merit honor for themselves, our people, and You, our God.
Baruch Atah Adonai, Shomeir Yisrael, L'ad.
Blessed are you Adonai, Protector of Israel.

So, on July 4th, Ally and I arrived at the airport within 30 seconds of each other (talk about good timing). We said our goodbye's to our families and headed inside with 10 months work of luggage.
At O'hare with all of our luggage

I've never had such a pleasant traveling experience, especially one that is roughly 24 hours door to door. But Ally and I had a blast! On our flight to Philly, we saw that both exit rows behind us were empty and asked if we could take those seats. After being asked twice if you were 15 and confirming, that yes, we were old enough to sit in the exit row (and in fact on our way to start grad school), we layed back and enjoyed the ride.Ally in her exit row

Once we got to Philly we had a four hour lay over, so we grabbed some dinner and a glass of wine. Before we knew it, it was time to board the plane. I had a window seat (which I love), and Ally got the aisle (for our long legs) and our ride was very pleasant. Despite the fact that Ally and I learned on our flight to Philly from the drink napkins that US Airways only began flying to TLV on July 1st and that we were the second flight to TLV, all was smooth. We even got to see some fireworks from the runway and as we took off!

TLV on time!

When we arrived in TLV we got our bags and found a sherut (a shared taxi) that would take us to our new home in Rehavia. Walking out of the aiport I instantly got that amazing warm, homey feeling I get when I arrive back at the TLV airport. On the ride to our apartment, Ally and I were a bit nervous as to which one of us should wait downstairs of our apartment with the luggage and who should go upstairs to find out landlord, since neither one of us speaks fluent Hebrew. Luckily for us, Felix, our 87 year old landlord, was sitting on our balcony waiting for us. He showed us around our new apartment and even brought flowers for all of us. Our apartment is in a great location (way better than my last apartment in Israel) and is already starting to feel like home! By this time Ally and I were pretty hungry so we walked down the street to Ben Yehuda and headed to Moshiko (the BEST Falafel in Jerusalem!) Afterwards, we headed to the SuperSol to get some necessities (toilet paper, soap, etc) and then back home to our apartment.
We are just starting to settle in, but are also quite exhausted, so hopefully tomorrow we will be able to unpack and start turning this apartment into our own home (and Allie comes then too!) So I'll post some pictures of our apartment when all of our luggage isn't all over the place.
For now, I'm off to bed! Boy, does it feel good to be back! Lilah Tov!