tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47153065993124465422024-02-20T11:31:57.946-08:00"Chai"lights From Israelmy adventures as a first year HUC Jewish Education/Jewish Communal Service studentAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02870702757407571220noreply@blogger.comBlogger57125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4715306599312446542.post-22817369005126825202010-05-30T18:26:00.000-07:002010-05-30T18:28:21.186-07:00Sisterhood ShabbatMay 28, 2010<br /><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><b><o:p></o:p></b></span> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style=""> </span>I have always been surrounded by women in my life.<span style=""> </span>For starters, I have three sisters.<span style=""> </span>In college, I was in a sorority and lived in a house with 50 other women.<span style=""> </span>In a sense, throughout my entire life, I have really come to understand what “sisterhood” is all about.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style=""> </span>But for me, sisterhood goes beyond my three biological sisters and thousands of sorority sisters.<span style=""> </span>It has become more about the relationships and communities I have formed with others, which have created deeper bonds of sisterhood. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style=""> </span>Even growing up here at NSCI, the friendships I formed in the Temple Youth Group created a feeling of community, one that I was, and am still proud to be a part of today.<span style=""> </span>It was no surprise then, that when I graduated from college I wanted to remain part of such a community that provided me with these relationships. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style=""> </span>Last July, I began my first year at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in Jerusalem. For those of you who might not know, HUC is the seminary where Reform Jews study to become Rabbis, Cantors, Jewish Educators, and other Jewish professionals.<span style=""> </span>All first year students spend the first year of their program at HUC’s Jerusalem campus before dispersing to the three stateside campuses in New York, Cincinnati, and Los Angeles.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style=""> </span>When I was accepted to the joint Masters in Jewish Education and Jewish Communal Service program last March, many people asked me why I had to go all the way to Israel for a year to study.<span style=""> </span>After all, couldn’t I just study history, Hebrew, Israel, Jewish texts, and Liturgical prayer stateside?<span style=""> </span>And on a personal level, I had already lived in Jerusalem during my junior year of college when I studied abroad for 5 months. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style=""> </span>To my surprise, my HUC Jerusalem experience was different.<span style=""> </span>I went to Israel this time with a deep love for the country.<span style=""> </span>A love that was not always easy to express.<span style=""> </span>In fact, it was not long before I discovered that I never fully understood Israel in it’s fullest.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style=""> </span>This time, I had my studies side-by-side my living experience.<span style=""> </span>I was learning Hebrew in the classroom and speaking it (or at least trying to speak it) outside of the classroom.<span style=""> </span>I was studying the history of the Zionist movement while enjoying Shabbat dinner at the home of a most brilliant Reform Zionist, Rabbi David Forman of blessed memory, who spoke at NSCI just a few months ago.<span style=""> </span>I was learning about Israel and the History of Israel while standing at ancient and not-so ancient borders, biblical sites and while lying on the sandy beaches of Tel Aviv.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style=""> </span>I was beginning to form a “sisterhood” connection with the State of Israel and in the process I learned that I could not be scared to discover what I might not agree with or like.<span style=""> </span>It was important for me to be honest and sincere, even if it meant being critical. <span style="color: red;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style=""> </span>One of the greatest challenges I faced living in Israel was being a woman.<span style=""> </span>As a Reform Jew and future Jewish leader, my opportunities as a woman in the Reform movement are utterly equal to those of men.<span style=""> </span>However, in the Jewish State of Israel, run by the extremist or ultra-Orthodox Chief Rabbinate, the status of women is not equal in every aspect to men.<span style=""> </span>I grew angry every time I looked at the Old City (which was quite often) remembering that the Western Wall was not a place where I could pray wearing a tallit or read Torah. But soon I realized that while confrontation might not be so easy, it had to be done.<span style=""> </span>On Rosh Chodesh Adar, I went to the Western Wall to pray with the group, “Women of the Wall”. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style=""> </span><span style=""> </span>Despite all of the stories I had heard from friends who had been previous times, nothing prepared me for the experience that morning. Almost everyone was wearing a tallit in the group.<span style=""> </span>On the male side, the ultra-orthodox were screaming and yelling at the women calling us offensive names and telling us that we were Christian. Some even went as far as to call us "Nazis". On the female side, the orthodox women said similar things.<span style=""> </span>I knew several of the men defending “women of the wall” on the male side and truly felt their support.<span style=""> </span>As much as I denied it beforehand, I was really bothered and hurt by the name-calling and lack of freedom I felt.<span style=""> </span>To be honest, it was probably the least prayerful t’fillah I have ever been part of.<span style=""> </span>I wasn’t so sure what I felt exactly after this experience, but I knew that I needed to go back.<span style=""> </span>On April 15<sup>th</sup> I decided to go to “women of the wall” again.<span style=""> </span>It was a much smaller group this time.<span style=""> </span>It was a much different experience as well.<span style=""> </span>I prayed.<span style=""> </span>Nobody really bothered me.<span style=""> </span>There was one man yelling derogatory remarks, but I was able to continue to pray.<span style=""> </span>Even though it took me several months to confront this issue, I’m glad I did.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style=""> </span>But I knew that it wasn’t just the dilemmas and curriculum that brought the HUC first year students to Israel for the year.<span style=""> </span>In fact there was an aspect to the year that I truly believe can only happen to its fullest living in Jerusalem. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style=""> </span>Unlike here in the US where our work-week begins on Monday, in Israel, the week begins on <i>Yom Rishon</i></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">, or as we call it Sunday.<span style=""> </span>Sunday is a work and a school day there, and although I may NEVER have gotten used to having class on Sunday, I was nevertheless living the Jewish week.<span style=""> </span>The weekends in Jerusalem are different too.<span style=""> </span>On Friday afternoon, the city is crowded with last minute shopping in preparation for Shabbat.<span style=""> </span>In the late afternoon all of the shops close as the city transitions into <i>Kabbalat Shabbat</i></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">.<span style=""> </span>The Shabbat atmosphere continues throughout the weekend ending on Saturday evening, or <i>Motzei Shabbat</i></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">, when the stores reopen and the streets become crowded again.<span style=""> </span>While the honking and traffic in Jerusalem is at times scary and incredibly disturbing, the peace and quiet experienced on Shabbat and being able to walk down the middle of the busiest streets on <i>Yom Kippur</i></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> is like nothing I’ve experienced in America.<span style=""> </span>Going grocery shopping at <i>Supersol</i></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">, Israel’s version of Jewel, might not be the most pleasant experience, dealing with the “lines” or “lack there of” and trying to figure out which white looking cheese is the cream cheese you need, might be frustrating, but the <i>Shabbat Shalom</i></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> said by the cashier on Thursday afternoon definitely makes up for it.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style=""> </span>Not only did I form a “sisterly-bond” with the state of Israel, but I also formed a bond with the people of Israel too.<span style=""> </span>I was fortunate enough to be part of a program called “Parallel Lives” where fifteen HUC students met eight times throughout the year with fifteen Israeli Soldiers.<span style=""> </span>We engaged in discussions and debates about their lives and ours.<span style=""> </span>They challenged us as Americans and Reform Jews and we challenged them with questions about serving in the Israeli Defense Force and living in Israel.<span style=""> </span>And at the end of the year, we came out of the program with great friendships and the desire to continue to strengthen the partnership between Jews in Israel and Jews in America.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style=""> </span>One of the things that I was looking forward to most during my year in Israel was making “Next Year in Jerusalem”, the phrase we say each year during the Passover Seder, come true.<span style=""> </span>However, this year, I had the opportunity to spend Passover with Jews in the Former Soviet Union in two small Jewish communities in Russia.<span style=""> </span>The most enjoyable aspect of the trip was getting to know the people in those communities.<span style=""> </span>Many of the teens reminded me of me in my days at NSCI in the TYG.<span style=""> </span>They were energetic and dedicated to creating a meaningful Passover experience for others.<span style=""> </span>For some of the adults, this was their very first Passover experience.<span style=""> </span>We shared some of our American Passover traditions and even taught them a few Passover songs.<span style=""> </span>Everyone was so grateful and appreciative that we had come to celebrate together.<span style=""> </span>I was finally beginning to understand what having Jewish brothers and sisters abroad meant.<span style=""> </span>A sense of Jewish peoplehood was truly felt. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style=""> </span>And of course, I strengthened my relationships with other American Jews studying at HUC.<span style=""> </span>This unique experience of the Cantorial, Education, and Rabbinical students all studying together was one that we tried not to take for granted.<span style=""> </span>We learned quickly that we were all away from our home “sisterhoods”, so for the year, we were going to need to be each other’s “sisterhoods”.<span style=""> </span>We celebrated birthdays, engagements, and other simchas together.<span style=""> </span>And we comforted and supported each other through the most difficult times too.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style=""> </span>Aside from our great friendships, we also began to form relationships as colleagues studying together both in and out of the classroom.<span style=""> </span>We began our semester on Mount Zion, <i>Har Tzion,</i></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> where we passed around a Torah Scroll and recited the words from Isaiah, “<i>Ki Mitzion tay-tzei torah,”<span style=""> </span></i></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">“from out of Zion the Torah will come forth”, reminding ourselves and each other that the Torah serves as the center to our future education, careers and our own Jewish lives.<span style=""> </span><span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style=""> </span>We took it upon ourselves to learn and explore outside of the classroom too.<span style=""> </span>Every Saturday evening as the sun set and Shabbat was ending, we gathered together in a little park overlooking the Old City to share in Havdallah.<span style=""> </span>We sang songs, shared our Shabbat highlights, and began the new week together.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style=""> </span><span style=""> </span>Over the course of the year I developed new “sisterhood” communities and relationships with State of Israel, the people of Israel, and with my classmates.<span style=""> </span>After forming these new sisterhood communities, transitioning back to the states is difficult.<span style=""> </span>In a sense, it feels as though I have just woken up from a really long dream, but with more knowledge, more experiences, and a greater understanding of Israel, Judaism and the Jewish people. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style=""> </span>Tonight on this sisterhood Shabbat, I want to take the opportunity to thank the NSCI sisterhood for their ongoing and generous support of HUC.<span style=""> </span>In just over a week, I will be moving to California to continue my education at HUC’s LA campus. While making this big transition, I look back to my NSCI sisterhood and my Israel sisterhood and look forward to the the new “sisterhoods” I will create. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Shabbat Shalom!<span style=""> </span><span style=""> </span> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <!--EndFragment-->Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02870702757407571220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4715306599312446542.post-69629622327808456932010-05-17T12:59:00.001-07:002010-05-18T04:07:04.294-07:00Laila Tov Jerusalem!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsEKCJ8WNBzclWT8R0m3TKAteKclpotg7acEVkd-rzoi85E1E6c81lNnujKjjqdowvHvfL3Psk-eMrjk6ki9hYCDSzIPP7gFDMIuQsij4hy_uMR-0hhtXoCfilkN0bah2ty2Y9NuJwrg/s1600/IMG_6122.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsEKCJ8WNBzclWT8R0m3TKAteKclpotg7acEVkd-rzoi85E1E6c81lNnujKjjqdowvHvfL3Psk-eMrjk6ki9hYCDSzIPP7gFDMIuQsij4hy_uMR-0hhtXoCfilkN0bah2ty2Y9NuJwrg/s320/IMG_6122.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472343517611407362" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyDVHqPWglSG_bNDLPuWPR7b-DiUjV1EQQ3H66X4lhnI_W0TNql5w2VbuDjwhGVbZo_XmHaUFd1nJ_geIIFa0Wn496c89lpRQSrnnLNopbfaeIUow5crtkU9C8RZB6iA9Btc5ZcADrmg/s1600/IMG_6118.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyDVHqPWglSG_bNDLPuWPR7b-DiUjV1EQQ3H66X4lhnI_W0TNql5w2VbuDjwhGVbZo_XmHaUFd1nJ_geIIFa0Wn496c89lpRQSrnnLNopbfaeIUow5crtkU9C8RZB6iA9Btc5ZcADrmg/s320/IMG_6118.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472343505625530882" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu2spBusrfUdrEXTdrgetsfd0UFNUlSxhh0_PMP6cs8NQIiGpl5AVWUeRb9tMZkahoQd7OsjXDU0izyw82rN-DD4XuEwzB22s-Fb5ks2PtzHwMXPh0ZHDHS9E99fnlsfC-f5S13_k-MQ/s1600/IMG_6115.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu2spBusrfUdrEXTdrgetsfd0UFNUlSxhh0_PMP6cs8NQIiGpl5AVWUeRb9tMZkahoQd7OsjXDU0izyw82rN-DD4XuEwzB22s-Fb5ks2PtzHwMXPh0ZHDHS9E99fnlsfC-f5S13_k-MQ/s320/IMG_6115.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472338711506958546" border="0" /></a>Hannah and Lara Packing Me<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYf4lpKf3qWTVtGyhR7cM1H3mtF4_Y2A69AOND8wqGdL84QiUVTHFuG1oJLRrbPP8oq53ZfASWdxo5yjOIVRyGfwo60_ayzVtanw5q7W1UuKQeDAYnrewLTYovMaClhZ7hXjlt2I66nw/s1600/IMG_6123.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYf4lpKf3qWTVtGyhR7cM1H3mtF4_Y2A69AOND8wqGdL84QiUVTHFuG1oJLRrbPP8oq53ZfASWdxo5yjOIVRyGfwo60_ayzVtanw5q7W1UuKQeDAYnrewLTYovMaClhZ7hXjlt2I66nw/s320/IMG_6123.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472343531803245458" border="0" /></a>Exhausted after all their hard work<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhigygElxVIfrTiIuCFNutAusbupJxW1dA6DJYLj3JA_1zfF3zB9y-iWUdjA3ogNBR911t8G9mP2iONkaifImcKUNYcC0XaQ4_HiVQG1NPwUjTUCpxNt81Vu8b_UjHZeoCCQJXiozeeaw/s1600/IMG_5562.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhigygElxVIfrTiIuCFNutAusbupJxW1dA6DJYLj3JA_1zfF3zB9y-iWUdjA3ogNBR911t8G9mP2iONkaifImcKUNYcC0XaQ4_HiVQG1NPwUjTUCpxNt81Vu8b_UjHZeoCCQJXiozeeaw/s320/IMG_5562.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472338702968254834" border="0" /></a>Roommates at Havdallah<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrHLzcMqo5cB7PD75swnulZ-zLpZuvAdSsCKq79PztQTQjEPV9S4W3EzQM2Z7_5xMPb88pRQ4p77eaiy9dQAe9g00K-X6hcbDF-XtFewSd5Kq5bM2HcSsLWFEmcerhv1q3Pvsty4sZ1g/s1600/IMG_5561.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrHLzcMqo5cB7PD75swnulZ-zLpZuvAdSsCKq79PztQTQjEPV9S4W3EzQM2Z7_5xMPb88pRQ4p77eaiy9dQAe9g00K-X6hcbDF-XtFewSd5Kq5bM2HcSsLWFEmcerhv1q3Pvsty4sZ1g/s320/IMG_5561.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472338696085555746" border="0" /></a>Allie and me with our fearless leaders Nancy and Yoshi<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNNrb8F95fMG5fVOfaqMkwBOBL5Shh6SOULA-XPDjiTpgphvAxQN1PaMOU0XptIy2SWzHaTaGS6IhFVIjDqbh4CfORblYH874jdSmxv9URSHlby9zmQK45BK-rekahD-oKyshQH5L38g/s1600/IMG_5560.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNNrb8F95fMG5fVOfaqMkwBOBL5Shh6SOULA-XPDjiTpgphvAxQN1PaMOU0XptIy2SWzHaTaGS6IhFVIjDqbh4CfORblYH874jdSmxv9URSHlby9zmQK45BK-rekahD-oKyshQH5L38g/s320/IMG_5560.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472338684065854114" border="0" /></a>Triple A with Yoshi<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwp32ePNEf9jKoL2-ekcw1oSOzEiKb_wj6QZRL_Whok2yfZ2LtpzalH_JoecBKt9KUJtGTmV3ngp5qB_PgeeONCsrHdfYn0q9Ru37E_sEfF5whi76rwdqYKDRUe9TURqyc8Ion9b0e5A/s1600/IMG_5557.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwp32ePNEf9jKoL2-ekcw1oSOzEiKb_wj6QZRL_Whok2yfZ2LtpzalH_JoecBKt9KUJtGTmV3ngp5qB_PgeeONCsrHdfYn0q9Ru37E_sEfF5whi76rwdqYKDRUe9TURqyc8Ion9b0e5A/s320/IMG_5557.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472338680793139970" border="0" /></a>Closing program at school<br /><br /></div>Today Ally and I woke up and headed to school to close things up and for some more final goodbyes. All keys have been turned in and all classes have been passed. 13 King David will be missed!<br /><br />After closing up shop at school we headed to the Old City for some last minute shopping. Got a few t-shirts, Ally got some scarves, and we shared a bagel along the way.<br /><br />We came back and packed and cleaned a little more, then Yoni helped me bring my boxes to ship to the post office.<br /><br />After a fun and exhausting afternoon with the Zweiback girls (Yoshi's daughters) we had a little time to rest.<br /><br />Ally and I met up with Lara and Yoni for one last Moshiko Falafel...the same meal we had on our first night in Jerusalem. We had a nice stroll down Ben Yehuda one last time and then met up with classmates for another birthday celebration at Aldo ice cream.<br /><br />It's quite surreal that I am writing on my last night in Jerusalem after these 10 1/2 months. I have to admit, I'm emotionally drained. I don't have the tears left in me anymore. Tomorrow should be a relaxing day-last minute packing and cleaning, and saying goodbye to the city I love most, Jerusalem.<br /><br />Laila Tov!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02870702757407571220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4715306599312446542.post-10590497350976367802010-05-15T07:21:00.000-07:002010-05-15T13:06:47.814-07:00All My Bags Are Packed, But I'm Not Ready To GoShabbat Shalom from Jerusalem for one last time. I'm really going to miss saying that...but, here it is, my very last Shabbat in Jerusalem after 10 1/2 months of amazing memories, and now I have to say goodbye.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbKOxP8_PRybiaw7tsqAAx2LhUrNOiSOwSk5yW34bGo3uwzPBm2KBdMgMEMloJcpwrxqhuQsMCZF3NII7pGeKs8HxQEXO4pvN_jsEKdCmm_hyphenhyphen5u0U7pXgv8k8_W9nk4UuGsHyRy0u8Hg/s1600/IMG_6047.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbKOxP8_PRybiaw7tsqAAx2LhUrNOiSOwSk5yW34bGo3uwzPBm2KBdMgMEMloJcpwrxqhuQsMCZF3NII7pGeKs8HxQEXO4pvN_jsEKdCmm_hyphenhyphen5u0U7pXgv8k8_W9nk4UuGsHyRy0u8Hg/s320/IMG_6047.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471509010258961954" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDepYtWbHnq3tyRBN9FA16LI7n43eA9PZsC9MixMxX0rgKLJiV3sGseTjMBL0yyxGq1Hr3i5ROYE7UxD-TO7llM7q6g_Ly-9RAmCe1CBnMZWa6JHBQKbd00KrY2ZHoMHCOg6HwHw42mA/s1600/IMG_6055.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDepYtWbHnq3tyRBN9FA16LI7n43eA9PZsC9MixMxX0rgKLJiV3sGseTjMBL0yyxGq1Hr3i5ROYE7UxD-TO7llM7q6g_Ly-9RAmCe1CBnMZWa6JHBQKbd00KrY2ZHoMHCOg6HwHw42mA/s320/IMG_6055.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471509020727804258" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg32H4u5a7gJU-8LfD9EEYF6cWd423GCisaAGH2IjWdSvQMbiS9Ng38PoU1rjSc4U5_z85IseVUJtre-IU3sjYSWjTV534qSXGtP14oQI9Gu48SqFoS8CyjqhZdNake1xbWgvdfpUqDuA/s1600/IMG_6054.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg32H4u5a7gJU-8LfD9EEYF6cWd423GCisaAGH2IjWdSvQMbiS9Ng38PoU1rjSc4U5_z85IseVUJtre-IU3sjYSWjTV534qSXGtP14oQI9Gu48SqFoS8CyjqhZdNake1xbWgvdfpUqDuA/s320/IMG_6054.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471509018091692226" border="0" /></a>Last night we had a beautiful Shabbat service at school followed by a class dinner with faculty at Beit Shmuel. The night concluded with singing in the courtyard, and then...more goodbyes.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgapwzJfxSC3nX3XyQ5331joZ3LyE7nIK7SvMaUilCiOPEEa20ERwhTQeHAHbWBm__A967rVjNUIn713NAM8PAnRdx4SNfeJsUMxkr04ptfEaxUJOOwx8wphB6XEKWui0sYuqD0d5X8_Q/s1600/IMG_6058.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgapwzJfxSC3nX3XyQ5331joZ3LyE7nIK7SvMaUilCiOPEEa20ERwhTQeHAHbWBm__A967rVjNUIn713NAM8PAnRdx4SNfeJsUMxkr04ptfEaxUJOOwx8wphB6XEKWui0sYuqD0d5X8_Q/s320/IMG_6058.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471509036692183554" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI65PncShk91u9XVswswiDWRE2lNPRQ4qIYQdlu4hUBsXzqXzQ7-phQTh5y8ubSg_RpTxu-QQ2rULdXIJNNdyMgEkMzOezqtYTfUzOqRf8dzYIYLfJJlKjT4wrpsaujRHOUZxVUgu-Yw/s1600/IMG_6059.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI65PncShk91u9XVswswiDWRE2lNPRQ4qIYQdlu4hUBsXzqXzQ7-phQTh5y8ubSg_RpTxu-QQ2rULdXIJNNdyMgEkMzOezqtYTfUzOqRf8dzYIYLfJJlKjT4wrpsaujRHOUZxVUgu-Yw/s320/IMG_6059.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471509039814591682" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcszuAOiD9bnsll4iIF34qVvzbpGfJz3A13CvKjClJMdJ7H6-M_1cUbzKVIbYPlL0JNRV6obm-ev4nTyZM8qjzuPDdx2i6xiFzb0n4fiVoZWWPK8ryLCGcLxvrnL94qBrQNEWE274jmA/s1600/IMG_6063.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcszuAOiD9bnsll4iIF34qVvzbpGfJz3A13CvKjClJMdJ7H6-M_1cUbzKVIbYPlL0JNRV6obm-ev4nTyZM8qjzuPDdx2i6xiFzb0n4fiVoZWWPK8ryLCGcLxvrnL94qBrQNEWE274jmA/s320/IMG_6063.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471518572812577826" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbZuLmduHPzQM_nPRVj3U_hAnol1e9oMsCWFepzujnbg_fblGoUTaPRKrp0GJSRH3mBhZSNvVXO7zDddQb1ZxvgDp9ZUO3y4I_n9XG_4hA1ScsN0iIXfD_BkB6n8_DRPh9kAR_L6GUbw/s1600/IMG_6076.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbZuLmduHPzQM_nPRVj3U_hAnol1e9oMsCWFepzujnbg_fblGoUTaPRKrp0GJSRH3mBhZSNvVXO7zDddQb1ZxvgDp9ZUO3y4I_n9XG_4hA1ScsN0iIXfD_BkB6n8_DRPh9kAR_L6GUbw/s320/IMG_6076.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471518602977599234" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgohze-05IZM6aHgCIsLEvqelDBFJjt3DiKDnoaXSOR9CLbKvPuXiu4wG4NlRwFsz4vYn-DAI7Gy7RLPXiQ8eRTBFtt0lxsgAe6zSAHBCmVpW-efFMlW0LefVFXU7r4xxh-A0MwF6oYSg/s1600/IMG_6071.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgohze-05IZM6aHgCIsLEvqelDBFJjt3DiKDnoaXSOR9CLbKvPuXiu4wG4NlRwFsz4vYn-DAI7Gy7RLPXiQ8eRTBFtt0lxsgAe6zSAHBCmVpW-efFMlW0LefVFXU7r4xxh-A0MwF6oYSg/s320/IMG_6071.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471518585224430930" border="0" /></a><br />We all went over to Rachel and Albert's last night to wait for the Sheirut to pick them up. They got on a flight this morning as did Andrew. Even though I will see Rachel and Albert next week, and Andrew in 2 1/2 months, the reality of our year in Israel together has come to an end. Lots of tears were shed last night.<br /><br />Today I went to lunch with some friends and then Lara and Hannah came over to help me pack-they are amazing! I tried to start yesterday and emotionally could not do it, and if you know me well, I am just a terrible packer and needed the physical help too. I'm lying in my bed right now starring at my TWO suitcases completely packed and my ONE box that I am shipping to LA...Wow, this is weird.<br /><br />Tonight the Year in Israel OFFICIALLY concludes with Havdallah back where we began our orientation in July. After tonight, people are leaving fairly quickly. I still have a few more days to shop, eat, and just enjoy Israel.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02870702757407571220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4715306599312446542.post-67058142407867663302010-05-14T04:58:00.000-07:002010-05-14T06:06:52.738-07:00End of the Year<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH-HzE4OTJTU22oo1HKSIp0F3pg-xoycYCT7MxZnrnqcI0XKVbOg_cgmmOjYczof9bt2EsJqwhDeTJC0sorLqQxYtSwYKI2CePF2DlMrs1gnM8BlMccCpc4_UydqrHtgMNR0h7hxT0Ew/s1600/IMG_5981.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH-HzE4OTJTU22oo1HKSIp0F3pg-xoycYCT7MxZnrnqcI0XKVbOg_cgmmOjYczof9bt2EsJqwhDeTJC0sorLqQxYtSwYKI2CePF2DlMrs1gnM8BlMccCpc4_UydqrHtgMNR0h7hxT0Ew/s320/IMG_5981.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471104258940874482" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrrIclLUj9BXjWCckPJ52of9BScsMtfZ0EEVu8JV6wiXaLgrh4eE3nPDXsj-DC1vrdR1b0Ocf1FHkENROejmdzW94ESQkKDOTlXZjb4TgWtCfthBjZxgY1FxLCOKs9KHJ_DvRNXT7sWQ/s1600/29093_504081436429_182800006_30100031_567761_s.jpg"><br /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhskVkL6SgA2eNteTcVmrxcZIBvgoluJwoQ_gpZeZ_YdOOqLQDKbzzPrLDNflwZRpNbTUvf1z30JTZJF1eGqpJzkpiowAuVFOoIpVRrru-mFWKspBQkVt_uJEMqPqkvS0RFmE7eNdzdvA/s1600/IMG_5976.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhskVkL6SgA2eNteTcVmrxcZIBvgoluJwoQ_gpZeZ_YdOOqLQDKbzzPrLDNflwZRpNbTUvf1z30JTZJF1eGqpJzkpiowAuVFOoIpVRrru-mFWKspBQkVt_uJEMqPqkvS0RFmE7eNdzdvA/s320/IMG_5976.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471104255354899186" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />I have officially completed year one of graduate school! Finals done, papers handed in, and celebrations happening. It's been a busy last few weeks trying to study and finish everything. Now I am just trying to soak up every last moment I have left in Israel.It's also been an emotional past few weeks. You know how Jews take forever to say goodbye, well Israelis are even worse-I guess that's why they say L'hitraot (see you again). We had a breakfast party with in Hebrew with Zohara.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitqBDYR-Z8hYNTwDCTkHxxbhW-3feYQ-l2f39LJSru7hzo5pgvDzardRqhbhW2YucjOlNgY_4K_iaqcdspgfQPYWUzXWON1I4DKByGjSYkN0Zfqh5362pnh_EAFBvgyG-B87aoOeW8uA/s1600/IMG_5964.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitqBDYR-Z8hYNTwDCTkHxxbhW-3feYQ-l2f39LJSru7hzo5pgvDzardRqhbhW2YucjOlNgY_4K_iaqcdspgfQPYWUzXWON1I4DKByGjSYkN0Zfqh5362pnh_EAFBvgyG-B87aoOeW8uA/s320/IMG_5964.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471104238095459906" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieW4AWVZP_T05fIntG0WMNe84s0oUYAOvqgqpxG-cYVeRPUbSuLskuE2AE2iriPKY5IQTvYZy2DxEiw_hv8T4DKeqCVaO1EBgoFUfwlVSkzjdF92PSZq3MEXYLtt3NN9nQvqkC24VwBA/s1600/IMG_5966.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieW4AWVZP_T05fIntG0WMNe84s0oUYAOvqgqpxG-cYVeRPUbSuLskuE2AE2iriPKY5IQTvYZy2DxEiw_hv8T4DKeqCVaO1EBgoFUfwlVSkzjdF92PSZq3MEXYLtt3NN9nQvqkC24VwBA/s320/IMG_5966.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471104246721170498" border="0" /></a>We decided to bring breakfast, but Zohara thought she was supposed to bring everything, so basically we had a LOT of food!<br /><br /><br />The fun continued in David Levine's Liturgy class when Jeremy brought his typewriter and herring for DLevine.<br /><br />After classes we went out to celebrate two birthdays and the end of school. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMp2SLS0sUhG-GcmbGv87hzvx32Ksw3gc4G_MIkEVQCapL3senbSLdYjUGD-A8kF3PlYR8KoKuGLNR7bsEtiEFvV6pVkRUetcY3J_1BjinCVv7yuRClJMHURO2S8q84EzhY0r5uYKQqQ/s1600/IMG_6013.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMp2SLS0sUhG-GcmbGv87hzvx32Ksw3gc4G_MIkEVQCapL3senbSLdYjUGD-A8kF3PlYR8KoKuGLNR7bsEtiEFvV6pVkRUetcY3J_1BjinCVv7yuRClJMHURO2S8q84EzhY0r5uYKQqQ/s320/IMG_6013.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471107460246075490" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp-j6fPRO1QiBJibOsQifBmxk8yKklvzrAeoPo-72jJRBsBHz9RE1WcNhVFcQGtUOu3N0Ot1CvBgHgrREwOWgvNSjpl0WMrTMTzhOQ14-G0glDMwxvSTjpvt8meidKaf914uCEuIwwFQ/s1600/IMG_6022.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp-j6fPRO1QiBJibOsQifBmxk8yKklvzrAeoPo-72jJRBsBHz9RE1WcNhVFcQGtUOu3N0Ot1CvBgHgrREwOWgvNSjpl0WMrTMTzhOQ14-G0glDMwxvSTjpvt8meidKaf914uCEuIwwFQ/s320/IMG_6022.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471107470567904242" border="0" /></a>Last Shabbat we had dinner at Lara and Yoni's apartment after a wonderful musical Shabbat in the courtyard at HUC.<br /><br />This week was pretty much filled with finals. Ally and I had the wonderful opportunity to get to know Rabbi David Forman this year. Rabbi Forman was a dear friend of Rabbi and Patty Mason and so when we arrived, he invited Ally and I (and our friend Ethan) for Shabbat dinner (I wrote about this back in a blog entry from October). Ally and I were so happy to "babysit" the NSCI teen trip on Ben Yehuda so that Patty and Rabbi Mason were able to go out for dinner with Rabbi Forman and his wife Judy. Rabbi Forman really welcomed us into his life and home and "watched over" us this year. In January, he took me to breakfast just to get me out of a rough patch I had at HUC. Then he invited us for Passover, which we were not able to attend because we were in the FSU. I received an email from Rabbi Forman a little while ago telling me that he wanted to have us over again for Shabbat dinner but that he was recovering from an operation and as soon as he was feeling better, he would be in touch.<br /><br />That was the last time I heard from Rabbi Forman. He got sick very quickly and unfortunately passed away waiting for a liver transplant last week. When I heard of Rabbi Forman's death I just felt so lucky to have known him. He was such a gentle and warm person.<br /><br />The day after he passed away, I was helping out with a program that the HUC students had with the Israeli students about Reform Zionism. Without hesitation we dedicated our day of study in honor of Rabbi Forman, a Reform Zionist himself.<br /><br />Ethan, Arielle (Ethan's girlfriend), Ally and I went to the Forman's on Sunday for Shiva. As we were leaving, Judy told us how we must have been the last HUC students that David knew and had into his home for Shabbat. We may have been some of the last, while Rabbi and Patty Mason some of the first.<br /><br />----<br /><br />After a long week of finals we had our final Beit Cafe. The night was filled with funny songs, skits, and awards. It was fun, funny, and even a little sad as the first HUC student departed back to the states.<br /><br />Today, I went with several friends to the Friday art fair and out for a wonderful Israeli breakfast. I got to pick up the ring that my friends bought me for my birthday. It was such a wonderful afternoon of relaxing strolling down the streets of Jerusalem.<br /><br />It's a hot day in Jerusalem and I have my window open and have heard the honking come to a stop, must mean Shabbat is approaching. I'm so gonna miss this.<br /><br />Tonight we have Shabbat services followed by dinner with students and faculty at school. Should be a nice evening.<br /><br />Off to finish the Friday routine-cleaning, watching some tv, and getting ready for Shabbas!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02870702757407571220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4715306599312446542.post-58606481538403083772010-05-01T01:15:00.001-07:002010-05-01T09:23:41.931-07:00The Miracles Return<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizFtlwTWoDNwjL7QBrQblU1Blb88Pv3gval_8XZ821M_sgI2-7CP6f9Zp3Jb3-EoT5Rh3zNzV278BwIr_zKujjaTPU3gpR9o70DX9Ww4HZqUDMopTzlpbQ4VUXgj3QhVy3G4XbTX1qiw/s1600/15710_10100129389060100_1907360_56243130_1034349_n.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizFtlwTWoDNwjL7QBrQblU1Blb88Pv3gval_8XZ821M_sgI2-7CP6f9Zp3Jb3-EoT5Rh3zNzV278BwIr_zKujjaTPU3gpR9o70DX9Ww4HZqUDMopTzlpbQ4VUXgj3QhVy3G4XbTX1qiw/s320/15710_10100129389060100_1907360_56243130_1034349_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466220952377739810" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">With the artist, Emanuel, of our new Challah Covers and Wall Hangings</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqLiui-WCGxwMOTa6vKXL2t1N3Wr8FLUDp_O8pYD6EnraGLNP5jQFSt7eDNonP-udyQ6IOtkHPwcJQW53the_BNgsmigAln5XtrcL5e1ancOzPhevWgfzRRAARyNHVepiteqNEC7J3Pg/s1600/31227_504050089249_182800006_30098779_5502069_n.jpg"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"></span></span></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMwap3HWuqls7rIRm-MOTv0iVHpYxsaRRLiKQrvP_Yk47l7uTt4VuYpV0h9qMrTKojXl-9jLektX54ixraqJHNTn5aD8tY6n3M1eA94bwflkLpGLzKynfCK6wUdG3-2z3x_YcmfzaDKQ/s1600/28633_504041421619_182800006_30098621_2315570_n.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMwap3HWuqls7rIRm-MOTv0iVHpYxsaRRLiKQrvP_Yk47l7uTt4VuYpV0h9qMrTKojXl-9jLektX54ixraqJHNTn5aD8tY6n3M1eA94bwflkLpGLzKynfCK6wUdG3-2z3x_YcmfzaDKQ/s320/28633_504041421619_182800006_30098621_2315570_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466220962549925202" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Lara and I on the swings at our favorite ice cream place<br /></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3LXKphoGXGpAsCeq6yCKxiglsTERai_n_-AiPNm9QAYAT_2gR_HqLY988W5KgVujlGvx7dzr3aealXuf_RrUelOMBmTxEHoLmQngDRjFHLpFSFvEtJ-iRg9dNQWW_z7zCuSOlG3Qx3A/s1600/28633_504041416629_182800006_30098620_1073696_n.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3LXKphoGXGpAsCeq6yCKxiglsTERai_n_-AiPNm9QAYAT_2gR_HqLY988W5KgVujlGvx7dzr3aealXuf_RrUelOMBmTxEHoLmQngDRjFHLpFSFvEtJ-iRg9dNQWW_z7zCuSOlG3Qx3A/s320/28633_504041416629_182800006_30098620_1073696_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466220955942456946" border="0" /></a><br />Last week I had the opportunity to "staff" the KESHER Shabbaton. This Shabbaton took place at Kibbutz Yahel (the first of two Reform Kibbutzim in Israel). The participants are American Reform Jews who are on various programs in Israel and are looking for a Reform connection while they are in Israel. Many of the participants are prospective HUC students. I happened to have attended this Shabbaton 2 years ago when I was studying abroad my Junior year at Hebrew U. Click <a href="http://www.huc.edu/newspubs/pressroom/article.php?pressroomid=1115">Here</a> to read more about the weekend.<br /><br />On the bus ride down to Kibbutz Yahel, one of the other HUC madrichim, Dave, was talking about how when we got to Israel, we appreciated every little thing. I remember our first orientation program passing around the Torah outside the Old City, it really felt like a miracle living in Israel and being in this graduate program. After a while though, we adjusted to our life in Jerusalem and everything was natural. Even our tiyulim felt like routine. Dave pointed out though, that as the year is coming to a close, we are starting to appreciate the miracles again. He's right.<br /><br />The night before the Shabbaton I happened to be "g-chatting" with the HUC student who staffed the Shabbaton I was on 2 years ago, Callie. Callie would be entering her 4th year of Rabbinical school, but has decided to add on the Education year, which means, this fall, we will be classmates! How cool is that?!<br />The Shabbaton was a wonderfully relaxing weekend. All of the participants so greatly appreciated everything. It was so much fun to see the energy and excitement of the weekend with services, songleading, and just asking questions. It really brought back all of my wonderful memories of last summer when we all arrived in Israel.<br />One of my favorite parts of this year has been Havdallah in the park overlooking the Old City, a tradition that we began last summer, and of course came to a halt with the weather. Two weeks, when Havdallah started up again, those same summer feelings of "wow! I'm really here! This is amazing!" returned.<br /><br />Last night I went to Kol Hanishamah for services for the last time (at least this trip). The first few weeks last summer, HUC students filled several rows in the synagogue. As the year went on, we tried out different communities and were busy with preparing for Shabbat that we didn't always go to services. Last night, rows were filled again with HUC students. The Rabbi wished us all luck and told us how much they appreciated having us as part of their community this year. At the end of services <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Bronfman">Charles Bronfman</a> came up to a few of my friends and I and shook our hands and wished us luck.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqLiui-WCGxwMOTa6vKXL2t1N3Wr8FLUDp_O8pYD6EnraGLNP5jQFSt7eDNonP-udyQ6IOtkHPwcJQW53the_BNgsmigAln5XtrcL5e1ancOzPhevWgfzRRAARyNHVepiteqNEC7J3Pg/s1600/31227_504050089249_182800006_30098779_5502069_n.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqLiui-WCGxwMOTa6vKXL2t1N3Wr8FLUDp_O8pYD6EnraGLNP5jQFSt7eDNonP-udyQ6IOtkHPwcJQW53the_BNgsmigAln5XtrcL5e1ancOzPhevWgfzRRAARyNHVepiteqNEC7J3Pg/s320/31227_504050089249_182800006_30098779_5502069_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466220978041774082" border="0" /></a><br />After services I went to Shabbat Dinner at Kelly and Andrew's. After Shabbat dinner my first week in Jerusalem, I went over to their place to hang out with what I assumed would be my "good friends" at HUC. Last night, their apartment was filled with 20 people sharing in Shabbat together. I am really going to miss the routine of Friday night always being Shabbat. I hope it is something that I continue back in the states.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGAKZ01K5ARKuwcgj_0Jmj6si6b0zmzvQQVzcgCM1UqSyIy6DbSYmBJbzvoffrjY3pB1JRKOhBrptGxpDNYqzBu1nx6m3Chqcd7DrluXef3Yb6kM3xKIgCqMsqyOxCJ1_25hNLA4y7PA/s1600/31227_504050084259_182800006_30098778_8206469_n.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGAKZ01K5ARKuwcgj_0Jmj6si6b0zmzvQQVzcgCM1UqSyIy6DbSYmBJbzvoffrjY3pB1JRKOhBrptGxpDNYqzBu1nx6m3Chqcd7DrluXef3Yb6kM3xKIgCqMsqyOxCJ1_25hNLA4y7PA/s320/31227_504050084259_182800006_30098778_8206469_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466220974746343378" border="0" /></a><br />And so, here I am on this sunny Shabbat afternoon realizing that in just three weeks I will in Chicago on a (hopefully) sunny Saturday afternoon. This miracle of Shabbat in Jerusalem will have been past. In a way, it will feel like this year was a magical dream.<br /><br />Everything is coming to a close. Tomorrow I began my last week of school in Israel. Next week is finals. And then I am heading back to Chicago. My first blog post was all about how much I love countdowns, for some reason, I can't seem to get myself into the spirit this time. I am just filled with so many mixed emotions. I am so excited to come "home" and see my friends and family and be back into my routine at home. I know that I will appreciate the miracles in America such as lines, customer service, and Chipotle of course. But, I will deeply miss the miracle of walking down the street on a Friday or Saturday and being greeted by complete strangers with "Shabbat Shalom" and the other daily miracles of Israel.<br /><br />Off to study Biblical Grammar (I haven't seemed to find the miracle in that yet)!<br /><br /><br />Oh, and I forgot to mention...I got my teaching placement for this fall. I will be teaching 4th grade at Temple Emanuel of Beverly Hills! I am so excited. This is a particularly wonderful experience as I will be working under Rabbi Sara Mason-Barkin (Rabbi Mason's daughter)! I know this is going to be a great learning experience.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02870702757407571220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4715306599312446542.post-90837884183684674332010-04-25T10:54:00.000-07:002010-04-25T12:02:19.744-07:0062 post-HAPPY 62nd Birthday Israel!!!<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ4ugn3hWLAnoRz_C4Slij74FNjGmoCNeVODHWrY7f78FfP16sbN0tI1JfBM2URbtoGw5fxkf6IX8ACaOIc2Zr4cn8iYzGl0ZGSMkYtHHWbPRZH4AOtaM7M0LoGkH1vOFGwVqqTwA9ig/s1600/25371_504017928699_182800006_30097587_5020222_n.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ4ugn3hWLAnoRz_C4Slij74FNjGmoCNeVODHWrY7f78FfP16sbN0tI1JfBM2URbtoGw5fxkf6IX8ACaOIc2Zr4cn8iYzGl0ZGSMkYtHHWbPRZH4AOtaM7M0LoGkH1vOFGwVqqTwA9ig/s320/25371_504017928699_182800006_30097587_5020222_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464151709148963314" border="0" /></a>So really, I was going to combine this post with the previous one, but when I signed onto my blog and realized that I had already written 60 posts, I figured that it was a pretty neat thing to write about Israel's 62nd birthday in my 62nd post. At 8pm on Monday evening, Yom HaZikaron came to a close and Yom Ha'Atzmaut, Israel's Independence Day, began. Sally Klein-Katz, my education professor, invited us over to her roof for a little celebration. Several HUC students attended and we had a great time and even got to see some fireworks. Afterwards, a few friends and I headed downtown to the center city. There were lots of street parties with bands playing music. Ally and I were tired, so at about midnight decided to head back home. On our walk back we stopped in the park to watch more fireworks that were right overhead-it was definitely one of those being in the right place at the right time moments.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqzxE2_9CQGnd2vHSOXs-BNB8Uj-PI4Pkj5gD4GGxWlZ0QsWKQlGT2txLg3fNi5wMvznkBysoVCD8pZK7OA6P8z-W6ckjmU2LruYGDYvg5WQwIMyHzMjrzix84mMx4JX2xsIETCwUjBg/s1600/IMG_5921.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqzxE2_9CQGnd2vHSOXs-BNB8Uj-PI4Pkj5gD4GGxWlZ0QsWKQlGT2txLg3fNi5wMvznkBysoVCD8pZK7OA6P8z-W6ckjmU2LruYGDYvg5WQwIMyHzMjrzix84mMx4JX2xsIETCwUjBg/s320/IMG_5921.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464144943180512178" border="0" /></a><br />Ed students with Sally!<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo3_MV-4lD49rNl-nKyrEeGK6U1X9PDA5egIWLEsJlF6fIWNSvjyWlyH_kckUO_8B-sQTno-dfDwup_jRvSjGBELmUKNa7XInUZz2TrZ5Qr0vHJj3ncLg3VIKJ0AWxPMSh7xncJjFu1A/s1600/IMG_5922.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo3_MV-4lD49rNl-nKyrEeGK6U1X9PDA5egIWLEsJlF6fIWNSvjyWlyH_kckUO_8B-sQTno-dfDwup_jRvSjGBELmUKNa7XInUZz2TrZ5Qr0vHJj3ncLg3VIKJ0AWxPMSh7xncJjFu1A/s320/IMG_5922.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464144951678913506" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLOHkHHxyixHHfny7JiFmOJV4BZE_9DMDSBL5gpiR34Jv7Z8Y74h8JUdm0Xe-5Q1vAbrxL8NTZJOAhOunNkh0gFCUDg1bTQMc8Zdtcv5ZB8gR3U5o31o1upqAXOwcdf4d0d5yn8NRkHw/s1600/IMG_5932.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLOHkHHxyixHHfny7JiFmOJV4BZE_9DMDSBL5gpiR34Jv7Z8Y74h8JUdm0Xe-5Q1vAbrxL8NTZJOAhOunNkh0gFCUDg1bTQMc8Zdtcv5ZB8gR3U5o31o1upqAXOwcdf4d0d5yn8NRkHw/s320/IMG_5932.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464144976682788098" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwwbt2YhHsw1DA-ntz7Ly3_BDBW6X9ykYdFKk5J3SG8VhLAAV5Xa8MRXg-iQ_jVhZ6PAvJGW69C1MV4o48E5AeGMkdek1O0TeLCqD7aGAhnStdUGXOX1z6zOeDRH7W_UjRm1YbOQGR4Q/s1600/IMG_5926.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwwbt2YhHsw1DA-ntz7Ly3_BDBW6X9ykYdFKk5J3SG8VhLAAV5Xa8MRXg-iQ_jVhZ6PAvJGW69C1MV4o48E5AeGMkdek1O0TeLCqD7aGAhnStdUGXOX1z6zOeDRH7W_UjRm1YbOQGR4Q/s320/IMG_5926.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464144961062537474" border="0" /></a><br /></div>On Tuesday, we decided to do what the Israelis do-BBQ! We headed to the park at 11am and stayed until 6 pm BBQ all day and just enjoying the day. Everyone was so friendly and happy. We needed some lighter fluid and so the people next to us, gave us theirs. It was just a wonderful and fun day!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipHyKyXKtbbGgsp4ZQi9pe6RHZaTGLpKgN_cMyg47zPLPwRAE6mPTYlQpo_Ao87DMOY2FDtDL26ty2JWmMeevJ0zYKbxUA3CKlx4tZqpDtrAuT-d5AZZEywu4qMgSex22MPeSQW-s2eA/s1600/25481_504028253009_182800006_30098060_3343612_n.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipHyKyXKtbbGgsp4ZQi9pe6RHZaTGLpKgN_cMyg47zPLPwRAE6mPTYlQpo_Ao87DMOY2FDtDL26ty2JWmMeevJ0zYKbxUA3CKlx4tZqpDtrAuT-d5AZZEywu4qMgSex22MPeSQW-s2eA/s320/25481_504028253009_182800006_30098060_3343612_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464151719470415442" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRnV7RU8HyyX2uTs-RJ09EKpwJ_zX3YYNuZx9D7avleF13IikwDBnfN335MwGXTppaXbjDf8YSkuc7IcPP3MAR3J8nRF3RI4dzO_BsS78-T-Ctvf2dIjWbeaY-YdFGhrt7NefTBUvkEQ/s1600/IMG_5942.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRnV7RU8HyyX2uTs-RJ09EKpwJ_zX3YYNuZx9D7avleF13IikwDBnfN335MwGXTppaXbjDf8YSkuc7IcPP3MAR3J8nRF3RI4dzO_BsS78-T-Ctvf2dIjWbeaY-YdFGhrt7NefTBUvkEQ/s320/IMG_5942.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464151729212580274" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik5rzYPWo0f1C-p3UG6ntdA6ZNiPnL_0T1nkQfrfUSbIpBdXMNkUTzZ-2Ng-D6KQT2CDw50LJY2vXFF-y6o1DgTjvUlNTX-YcSrbb2qjKW7pnQT94yv3x-P4lGNfhcR9uYbduC697HVQ/s1600/25481_504028238039_182800006_30098057_3432136_n.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik5rzYPWo0f1C-p3UG6ntdA6ZNiPnL_0T1nkQfrfUSbIpBdXMNkUTzZ-2Ng-D6KQT2CDw50LJY2vXFF-y6o1DgTjvUlNTX-YcSrbb2qjKW7pnQT94yv3x-P4lGNfhcR9uYbduC697HVQ/s320/25481_504028238039_182800006_30098057_3432136_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464151716534660610" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwspGLLFCqznuEn62q1LmYjEhtxXtXft2hHlc712LXl2HEOSeDpRdOA6BpeJF6PzhQDJEuC0IJVow9J3CynbeH2GOqZ8jUGpbJkB5jY_Sjk5e0o4Yp1DRuhTEyGh4Vya-joh8VVED6aA/s1600/IMG_5939.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwspGLLFCqznuEn62q1LmYjEhtxXtXft2hHlc712LXl2HEOSeDpRdOA6BpeJF6PzhQDJEuC0IJVow9J3CynbeH2GOqZ8jUGpbJkB5jY_Sjk5e0o4Yp1DRuhTEyGh4Vya-joh8VVED6aA/s320/IMG_5939.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464144984777228610" border="0" /></a><br />I forgot to write about one other thing from last Sunday. I had the wonderful opportunity to skype with the 9th graders (and Rabbi Mason) and tell them about my experiences with the FSU Pesach Project, and the Israeli/Jewish Holidays this past week. They also asked some questions about my life in Israel. I was fortunate enough to be able to speak to them from Israel and in the moment which is not always possible.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02870702757407571220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4715306599312446542.post-83726100466646325122010-04-25T10:44:00.000-07:002010-04-25T10:54:18.229-07:00Yom HaZikaron-Israel's Memorial DayLast Sunday-Monday was a gloomy day in Jerusalem. At 8pm on Sunday evening, a siren was heard throughout the city to begin what for most Israelis, one of the most difficult days of the year, Yom HaZikaron. This is a day of memorial for all of the fallen soldiers in the Israel Defense Force. My roommates and I stepped out onto our balcony for the siren and watched people get out of their cars, stop walking down the sidewalk, and just pause and stand for a moment of silence. Monday morning we had a Yom HaZikaron service at school led by the Parallel Lives coordinators, Rachel and Hannah. One of the Israeli rabbinical students told a personal story of his friend, Marla, who lost her life in the bombing at the Frank Sinatra Cafeteria at Hebrew University. It was a powerful and emotional story. After the service, our class walked to one of the local High Schools for their ceremony. Every school has a Yom HaZikaron ceremony and graduates of the school (including the current soldiers) all go to their own High School for the ceremony. I was fortunate enough to stand with a former student who was able to explain all of the parts of the ceremony and even told us a few personal stories about some of her classmates who had lost their lives. At this school, they recited all of the names of former students and faculty members in chronological order. In front of me were two Israeli soldiers and at the end of the list of names, one of the soldiers grew very emotional and the two men stood hugging and crying for several minutes. As sad and emotional it was to witness, I felt very much like an outsider. Fortunately, I do not have any personal connections to fallen soldiers. I've never fought in the IDF and felt that this was very much a holiday of unity for these soldiers. After the ceremony, I went about my day, and began preparing for the following day, Yom Ha'Atzmaut.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02870702757407571220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4715306599312446542.post-16444761270022302062010-04-17T05:02:00.000-07:002010-04-17T12:07:03.675-07:00An update between HolidaysGetting back into school after Passover break has been a little rough. I had my big year long Liturgy paper due and on my way to Shabbat lunch last week, manage to take a pretty bad fall down the stairs in my apartment. Luckily, no serious injuries, just bruises and lots of pain!<br />One of my education professors from LA was here this past week and I got to spend some time getting to know her. I'm getting very excited for LA!<br />As many of you know, last Sunday and Monday was Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Memorial Day). My friends and I were fortunate enough to have the opportunity to attend a very exclusive ceremony at Yad Vashem (Israel's Holocaust Museum) on Sunday evening. The president of Israel, Shimon Peres and Prime Minister of Israel Bibi Netanyahu both spoke during the ceremony. There were six torches lit by survivors who's stories were shown on a projector. Being at the ceremony was very moving, especially sitting amongst Israeli soldiers. Here are some pictures from the ceremony as well as a <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M5y6nMS-J8E">video clip</a> from the end of the ceremony of everyone singing Israel's National Anthem, HaTikva.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8yS4XCNSdVtgeltai4JSks-joocfJTG6yWt8DOGIA94fDlCSOqLJkz5Ovqf0LEFUmN7Dp6f3ML4PXNRUJnomnyv1PHMJKheCqxRk-pkxcVxDhxXczmqHuS0kvTCCKOA3LF_qbyr_oVQ/s1600/IMG_5842.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8yS4XCNSdVtgeltai4JSks-joocfJTG6yWt8DOGIA94fDlCSOqLJkz5Ovqf0LEFUmN7Dp6f3ML4PXNRUJnomnyv1PHMJKheCqxRk-pkxcVxDhxXczmqHuS0kvTCCKOA3LF_qbyr_oVQ/s320/IMG_5842.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461084212093617202" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzyTEkVJ3X_hE_kP_kUCluJlwiSa3xIZ1XfzrG_swNcxMDY35SoetalP8gPjmKTrdv3FVnXbs_PeUsVDggiyYcgV6Eo3N69zyEkNQMJYwUeRm8fScn0VJrnz54HlkOxuoTEGGr0SMZGA/s1600/IMG_5860.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzyTEkVJ3X_hE_kP_kUCluJlwiSa3xIZ1XfzrG_swNcxMDY35SoetalP8gPjmKTrdv3FVnXbs_PeUsVDggiyYcgV6Eo3N69zyEkNQMJYwUeRm8fScn0VJrnz54HlkOxuoTEGGr0SMZGA/s320/IMG_5860.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461089844258042514" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9atRSORosh-V0UMnJFAj-qrtY9Z468PN_qdK7neKi883fqJnCAqf3aS9XAnoyjjRGkqw0ULN0YYPxWpTSO9b5BXGWWdzE3pT9XS8G_h8kxcAq8i0ecFHRE85HT9K7Y-P82iByPAeaSA/s1600/IMG_5849.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9atRSORosh-V0UMnJFAj-qrtY9Z468PN_qdK7neKi883fqJnCAqf3aS9XAnoyjjRGkqw0ULN0YYPxWpTSO9b5BXGWWdzE3pT9XS8G_h8kxcAq8i0ecFHRE85HT9K7Y-P82iByPAeaSA/s320/IMG_5849.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461084237820706578" border="0" /></a>On Monday, we had a memorial service at school. At 10am, a siren was blasted throughout Israel for everyone to stand for a moment of silence to remember. The siren has <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJiNlAoXZD6nNTDZt0yqR2p6ATR-sDUqx4RX4Hst_TuNf5wsCNMbQi_g5_McQDhm6qHya00REzxBuE3ifyGDOv1Hy8SCWGT8oilxGQg5_Ldym2PvoC2Uem6L9nLI5vhdDyS2IlCZj-1g/s1600/IMG_5856.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJiNlAoXZD6nNTDZt0yqR2p6ATR-sDUqx4RX4Hst_TuNf5wsCNMbQi_g5_McQDhm6qHya00REzxBuE3ifyGDOv1Hy8SCWGT8oilxGQg5_Ldym2PvoC2Uem6L9nLI5vhdDyS2IlCZj-1g/s320/IMG_5856.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461089830043612370" border="0" /></a>become <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpBpc2lvq_v5Z6ZDzr1-zlwgq2_8mZ-nATu49sb8N6DAXdpdPjJFUJzTt2XQ9btnXaFZXUXqNwmF4sKH9Iyxl5Flm3SQymW9YzFN6yZPTOUyB1eP9RL1fyWBJ4Er4blZCfl4Qxh6X1gg/s1600/IMG_5852.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpBpc2lvq_v5Z6ZDzr1-zlwgq2_8mZ-nATu49sb8N6DAXdpdPjJFUJzTt2XQ9btnXaFZXUXqNwmF4sKH9Iyxl5Flm3SQymW9YzFN6yZPTOUyB1eP9RL1fyWBJ4Er4blZCfl4Qxh6X1gg/s320/IMG_5852.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461084246480858226" border="0" /></a>political and some people choose not stand. I went out to the street with some of my friends and at 10am, people stopped their cars in the middle of the street to get out and stand. It was one of those experiences that you have to be in Israel to fully get. Of course as soon as the siren stopped, cars were back to honking and people went about their day. There will be another siren on Yom HaZikaron (Israel's Memorial Day). After the memorial service, we continued at school with a day of study. I attended a discussion on "Suffering for Love" led by the director of the Year in Israel program, Yoshi Zweiback. One of our professors, Dave Mendelsson's (who will actually be coming to LA next year for the year) mother was in town and she spoke about her experience in the Holocaust. No matter how many times I hear survivors' stories, I cannot help but feel so grateful to be here today, practicing Judaism in such a free way.<br />Even though I am still here for five more weeks, things are really winding down, which ironically means, that school is extremely busy! I finished up my Liturgy paper and only have two papers left! Thursday morning I decided to go to Women of the Wall. I hadn't been since I last wrote about it. This was quite a different experience. I actually got to pray! With the exception of one man, it was quite a peaceful and prayerful experience. Nobody really bothered us.<br />Thursday evening we got tickets to go to the dress rehearsal for the Yom HaZikaron and Yom Ha'Atzmaut (Israel's Independence Day) ceremony. The ceremony took place at Har Herzl, actually right in front of his grave in the big plaza area. The transition between memorializing the fallen soldiers into Israel's Independence day was very much felt.<br />Friday, some of my friends and I decided to get out of Jerusalem and head to Tel Aviv for a day at the beach. We had a very relaxing and fun day!<br />It's Shabbat afternoon here in Jerusalem-one of my favorite times of the week. My window is open and it's fairly quiet outside. In a few hours I'll head to a park facing to Old City to share in Havdallah with several of my friends (a tradition we started in the summer).<br />It should be another interesting week of Holidays here in Jerusalem.<br /><br />For now, Shabbat Shalom!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02870702757407571220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4715306599312446542.post-67237262791432971672010-04-02T08:55:00.000-07:002010-04-06T10:29:19.737-07:00FSU Pesach Project-Russia 2010!I just returned from an amazing 4 days in Russia-traveling, learning, teaching, meeting new people, and having fun. <br /><br />Our journey began at 2am when we were picked up to head to the airport for our 6am flight to Moscow. We arrived in Moscow and we're greeted by a 19 year old youth worker who gave us a tour of Moscow. We saw Red Square, the Kremlin, the Kremlin Churches, GUM department store, and St. Basil's Cathedral. After a long exhausting day, we headed back to the airport to board our flight to Tyumen. At the airport, Ally and I experienced the difficulty of not knowing any Russian. We ordered our dinner by pointing to pictures. We're still not exactly sure what we ate. When we arrived in Tyumen at 4am we felt like we were in the middle of nowhere. We took a long bus ride from the plan to the "airport". The airport looked more like a luggage room. The leader of the community, Igor, was supposed to meet us with a sign, but instead a woman in a nice fur coat walked up to us and gave Ally a hug. It was Igor's wife-clearly we stuck out like the only Americans! Igor's wife drove us to the hotel where we were able to sleep for a little while.<br /><br />Our translator, Mahsah, met us a few hours later, and then Igor came to meet us in the hotel. hen we headed of to a Georgian lunch. Over lunch we talked about the plans for the Seder which was to take place that evening. Igor told us that the Seder that evening was going to be comprised of mainly young adults and a few little children. Most of the people would not know each other, and he seemed concerned about making sure that the Seder worked in a way to make people want to continue to come to the Synagogue. After lunch we walked over to the Synagogue and helped to set up for the Seder. Igor's wife along with other members of the community prepared the food for the Seder, while Igor, Ally, Masha, and I discussed the details from beginning to end. At around 6:45 people started to arrive. Igor gathered everyone in the sanctuary to say Kaddish for the lives lost in Moscow. At this time, we had no idea what was going on and were in Moscow for the entire day on Sunday. After the prayer for the victims of the terrorist attack we began the Seder. Everyone was fascinated by AMERICANS! Ally and I led in the songs, which is only funny because neither of us can sing! Everyone would clap after every time we led a part of the Seder. There were about 40 people at the Seder and about 30 of them had NEVER been to a Passover Seder before. A little boy about the age of 5 said the four questions (he repeated after his mom). At home, we always argue over who HAS to say the four questions, but this little boy stood up on his chair and repeated the Hebrew words after his mom, it was adorable! Ally and I helped to teach the basic elements of the Passover Seder, like the items on the Seder plate and their significance. We are so used to reading the Hagaddah year after year that this was a much different experience, especially since we did not even use a Hagaddah. Igor prepared slips of paper that different participants read throughout the Seder to tell the story of the Exodus. The meal was quite interesting. There was no Matzo ball soup or gefilte fish. The members of the community did not know about keeping Kosher for Passover, but boy, did these Russians enjoy the four cups!<br />Since we had a train to catch, we had to leave the Seder right as it ended. Everyone kept clapping and thanking us for coming. Several people insisted on taking us to the train station.<br />After a 6 hour train ride and 2 hour car ride, we arrived in Chelyabinsk! In the afternoon we met with the madrichim to plan the Seder at the community center. When we arrived, everything was already set up and looked so nice. The madrichim are 19-21 and work in the community to plan events as such. They attend conferences with madrichim from other cities to get their training. Igor was the head madrichim and was very organized with the Seder. He knew exactly where he needed our help. As we were planning we shared some of our snacks, they had never tried dried fruit! The madrichim were so energetic and fun-they reminded Ally and me of our youth group days! The seder was set up with a projector that had music and youtube Passover videos playing as the people walked in. The average age at this Seder was much younger, around 20. There were 15 or so middle age adults, but the majority of the people were 25 and younger (no little kids). There were about 50-60 people at this Seder. Ally, Igor, and I all led the Seder. This time, Igor did the singing as he plays the guitar. Ally and I said all of the blessings, and did a few activities throughout the Seder as well. This Seder was completely interactive and participatory. We even did "acting out the 10 plagues" which turned out to be so funny! Ally and I brought Israeli postcards as prizes. When the Seder ended, Ally and I were bombarded with young adults coming over to talk to us. The ones who knew English were all trying to talk at the same time out of excitement. The ones who didn't really know English, just starred and smiled as if they were fully engaged. We learned that in Russia, if you are Jewish you are Jewish (not Russian) and if you are not Jewish you are Russian. One girl was telling me that her dad is Russian and her mom is Jewish. She did not grow up with Jewish customs and celebrations because her mom was never able to freely practice Judaism. When I asked her how she got involved, she told me that when she was traveling back from Turkey with her mom they had a layover in Tel Aviv. She said that when she was in Israel, she just felt her Jewish roots. Her friend from University introduced her to this community. Many of these students want to move to Israel or America. They feel that after this age, there is not Jewish life in Russia.<br />Ally and I spent the next day with Eugene, the leader of the community, who does not get paid, but had voluntarily filled this role for 17 years! He took the entire day to show us around Chelyabinsk and tell us about the Jewish community. We saw the Chabad Synagogue, but it was closed because of Passover, so we couldn't go inside. When Ally and I asked what Eugene wanted us to get out of this experience and take back to America, his responses were saddening. He told us that he does not believe that Jewish life will ever be able to flourish in Russia and that everyone should move to America and Israel. He thinks that the core problem was that Russian Jews (especially the older ones) are used to getting and not giving (in terms of money). Eugene is not willing to give everything, he believes that these people need to want to connect and feel Jewish and make some effort as well. His first desire is to form partnerships with communities in America. He believes that it really is only the first generation of Russian Jews in America who are eager to assimilate. The people now who want to go, are eager to have the freedom to observe, celebrate, and embrace being Jewish.<br />Eugene grew up in a non religious home. His father fought in WWII and his family never talked about Judaism or Jewish traditions, but he always knew he was Jewish. As a child, he experience antisemitism from his neighbors. He worked as a teacher, and had the opportunity to be the headmaster of the school, but they would not allow him to be, because he was Jewish. In 1993, when people were able to be Jewish in Russia, he became the leader of the community.<br />He doesn't believe everything is bad. He told us that Chelyabinsk is one of the most well known Jewish communities in the FSU. There are always people around the building, they keep the offices open all day and there are always things going on. He even told us that sometimes, he thinks that the students forget about their studies. The community really reminded me of my youth growing up at North Shore Congregation Israel in terms of always being around and wanting to be involved. These youth have no role models of Jewish leaders in their communities. They see no hope in continuity to be Jewish and involved. To them, it all ends after University. They believe that the only way to remain Jewish is to leave. It was sad, but it doesn't have to be. We kept telling them about what we are doing and Igor, the madrichim, told us of his interest in being a cantor one day. By the end of the trip we realized the importance of Jewish leaders. There are only 6 Reform Rabbis in the entire FSU. The connections that we formed these past four days were huge! We hope to remain in contact with these communities and only wish for the best.<br />Thank you to all of those who helped make "This Year in Russia" possible. I hope you can see from the pictures, the effect this project makes. It's hard to put into words, especially after 42 hours of traveling in 5 days. Nonetheless, this is an experience that I will always remember. But even more than that, is now part of my thinking and mindset as a future leader of the Jewish Community in America.<br /><br />Enjoy the <a href="http://www.blogger.com/%3Cobject%20width=" 660="" height="405"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/v/uF3uRX_-OUQ&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0x006699&color2=0x54abd6&border=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/v/uF3uRX_-OUQ&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0x006699&color2=0x54abd6&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="405" width="660"></embed>">video</a> of pictures! Eugene gave Ally and me a CD of a Russian singer, I used one of the songs from the CD, Hatikva, the Israeli national anthem which means "hope". The other song is "lo alecha" which is from Pirkei Avot and says "you are not require to complete the work, but neither are you free from avoiding it."Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02870702757407571220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4715306599312446542.post-61507305113834793842010-03-25T08:16:00.000-07:002010-03-26T00:45:26.062-07:00D'var TorahI delivered my first d'var Torah at HUC this morning. The plan was to record it as I was speaking, but it did not work out. Since a d'var Torah is meant to be heard and not read, I decided to record it this afternoon. Enjoy and feel free to comment!<br /><br /><br /><object width="660" height="405"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/v/u6N16-Mxb_4&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0x006699&color2=0x54abd6&border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/v/u6N16-Mxb_4&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0x006699&color2=0x54abd6&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="660" height="405"></embed></object>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02870702757407571220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4715306599312446542.post-2751382707917815222010-03-06T14:35:00.000-08:002010-03-06T14:37:08.739-08:00My Sister's Engaged!!!!CONGRATS TO RACHEL AND ZACH!!!!! <br /><br />Sad I cannot be in Chicago to celebrate with both of you...but MAZAL TOV on your engagement!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02870702757407571220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4715306599312446542.post-43737625377990021392010-02-28T04:12:00.000-08:002010-03-03T12:55:42.380-08:00Services<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSiLbOvV1N63-7wnwCVJSpeLO3djLfWgxH4s0frgG5zgpIj3DoqhkkePWglR-iCwNapKswO1WsNh6Yn1Nah9bgeeJMqAhoqSoodCgPnlYkgxjRXNxJZv9mQFlBXHEwZvLlv-Sg-QbUjQ/s1600-h/IMG_5064.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSiLbOvV1N63-7wnwCVJSpeLO3djLfWgxH4s0frgG5zgpIj3DoqhkkePWglR-iCwNapKswO1WsNh6Yn1Nah9bgeeJMqAhoqSoodCgPnlYkgxjRXNxJZv9mQFlBXHEwZvLlv-Sg-QbUjQ/s320/IMG_5064.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443273179747486386" border="0" /></a>On Thursday, I led morning services at HUC. Not only was it my first time leading services at HUC, but it was my first time leading services ever! For several weeks, Amanda, the cantorial student who I led services with, and I had been planning a bit of a different service than our usual Thursday Shacharit services. We decided, in the spirit of Purim, that it would be fun to change things up a bit. The first half of the service was more self-guided in that we chose to reduce the centrality of the Bimah. We allowed for silent, private meditation and prayer, but still within the setting of our HUC community. After the Amidah, we decided to spice things up a bit and add in some fun purim tunes and began to pray communally.<br />I was fairly nervous and anxious about leading services. When I came home from school on Wednesday after a last minute rehearsal (and sushi date with some friends), my roommates had decorated my room with candy and sign of encouragement.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlyX2kz2Qbleg2xsJ_1cx-OuwB__0vGMZDLN4-zzcW7m0Rhydy2wn5oj7k0Tr8OZDnKpLh_4pYJnk2R4Ht7ibhyphenhyphentwoj8pkhdQfwuHluoOeRUwgj2YEVI3l_k2TqpXhxcCc1yB6qgbhGA/s1600-h/IMG_5061.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlyX2kz2Qbleg2xsJ_1cx-OuwB__0vGMZDLN4-zzcW7m0Rhydy2wn5oj7k0Tr8OZDnKpLh_4pYJnk2R4Ht7ibhyphenhyphentwoj8pkhdQfwuHluoOeRUwgj2YEVI3l_k2TqpXhxcCc1yB6qgbhGA/s320/IMG_5061.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443273161940676498" border="0" /></a><br />Not only did that help to relieve some of my worries, but, also, once the service began, everything seemed to just flow naturally and my worries went away. After our closing song, I turned to Amanda and said, "did we do everything?" It's amazing that you can prepare so much for something and in an hour and 15 minutes, it's all over.<br />I had a lot of fun working with Amanda on this service. We have a pretty unique connection in that we shared the same cantor. Growing up Cantor Cohn was a big influence in my Jewish life at North Shore Congregation Israel. Cantor Cohn moved to Texas, where Amanda is from, where he became an influence on Amanda's Jewish life as well.<br /><br />Here are a few photos from services:<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe-WSSQYEDr0GU-JzrVp1rDZStkEGVVIqBxlC-lIAsbIJtST2M9IqKVAfhHUUIGZqluz8RfZnKxedz3pdJwXCd6JQNVgBASclLyOcEdPQDAkFGkFlOY8LWAQ_YtnwKYlTjX5OP7sLK8g/s1600-h/IMG_5062.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe-WSSQYEDr0GU-JzrVp1rDZStkEGVVIqBxlC-lIAsbIJtST2M9IqKVAfhHUUIGZqluz8RfZnKxedz3pdJwXCd6JQNVgBASclLyOcEdPQDAkFGkFlOY8LWAQ_YtnwKYlTjX5OP7sLK8g/s320/IMG_5062.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443273168468603490" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5cXrY5xyO_1VOZBh39YhiGGVylmpeTmEmF0aDykIiFTEQMSYtlKFOMN5W9yLzi7PBW1Lo3-YQsWfnUA79yVA5GbrwZvBFIwrQm5MCfBTQQVkkCXKzg2iVI7ycVKFhH4yI588MFPYgJQ/s1600-h/IMG_5073.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5cXrY5xyO_1VOZBh39YhiGGVylmpeTmEmF0aDykIiFTEQMSYtlKFOMN5W9yLzi7PBW1Lo3-YQsWfnUA79yVA5GbrwZvBFIwrQm5MCfBTQQVkkCXKzg2iVI7ycVKFhH4yI588MFPYgJQ/s320/IMG_5073.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443298734092240002" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieeLyWGssT8z2srVHLka5ucQeJzGk-25flJPuNyGNWcFcUvgOMJYhwYhP9XE5rp1IVY1_crdM793_-oSWILxjtBH6vJpQ8H8klyyhOThaWcbs33G41jJBwi9qwcfLsU1H9qSc4aliinA/s1600-h/IMG_5072.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieeLyWGssT8z2srVHLka5ucQeJzGk-25flJPuNyGNWcFcUvgOMJYhwYhP9XE5rp1IVY1_crdM793_-oSWILxjtBH6vJpQ8H8klyyhOThaWcbs33G41jJBwi9qwcfLsU1H9qSc4aliinA/s320/IMG_5072.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443298742540268738" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8b0WLCDW8NzaKlE5r8VRU-vEdV_lWNiGo75KA2LhCP8KY7oFBEJqoxRT-oiX2vOKzmUCc1d78DTdk6kGuFf1PxiYE9n4V3ldL-ECFbSbCVn-nq83IlUEfNojOoVI60qaludLNVGOEoQ/s1600-h/IMG_5078.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8b0WLCDW8NzaKlE5r8VRU-vEdV_lWNiGo75KA2LhCP8KY7oFBEJqoxRT-oiX2vOKzmUCc1d78DTdk6kGuFf1PxiYE9n4V3ldL-ECFbSbCVn-nq83IlUEfNojOoVI60qaludLNVGOEoQ/s320/IMG_5078.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443298723467164114" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh26gJbFWIs-NvKdO3uGdw5bi_RG0D1PJdkJsKTwrnP0lt_0Tk__H-bKeWqXHAWNhcwXXxul7v8cMBisL_mQK0czUV_O_s11zindvAdGfCU-CZuN4HNL_Vjr64m_IxavNkKpxPq7Rsf-Q/s1600-h/IMG_5086.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh26gJbFWIs-NvKdO3uGdw5bi_RG0D1PJdkJsKTwrnP0lt_0Tk__H-bKeWqXHAWNhcwXXxul7v8cMBisL_mQK0czUV_O_s11zindvAdGfCU-CZuN4HNL_Vjr64m_IxavNkKpxPq7Rsf-Q/s320/IMG_5086.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443298716070874946" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-DR4QcUlPOVZXH-qAwzr3V3-ViECjmnrCqwWKsS4dGZlCthWmV-zx_HW6qhwxJvGSEECWFdqbVbF6fr2iOr5LE2OXjICGGCfopvjd6LvGNjW0ppXDSrTYEOObPP7LVfx5uyL-jZ53KA/s1600-h/IMG_5063.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-DR4QcUlPOVZXH-qAwzr3V3-ViECjmnrCqwWKsS4dGZlCthWmV-zx_HW6qhwxJvGSEECWFdqbVbF6fr2iOr5LE2OXjICGGCfopvjd6LvGNjW0ppXDSrTYEOObPP7LVfx5uyL-jZ53KA/s320/IMG_5063.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443273171705857618" border="0" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02870702757407571220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4715306599312446542.post-49954521994706023832010-02-27T00:53:00.001-08:002010-02-27T01:32:15.461-08:00Tiyul<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitNyS8GPIWhozQu7B0hxPHbKjvdDzZwrz9-3QKTuFyuBi0JxtDb7FQ9Z9h3PNL1oMl5bks68HGbWldr9aPEUBiIyjUtOiiTThWtN236seDtBOoPsI3sCiGLqh4E0jBX8v_6fEP3K9XAQ/s1600-h/22042_777472960912_12100087_44095869_6230647_n.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 211px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitNyS8GPIWhozQu7B0hxPHbKjvdDzZwrz9-3QKTuFyuBi0JxtDb7FQ9Z9h3PNL1oMl5bks68HGbWldr9aPEUBiIyjUtOiiTThWtN236seDtBOoPsI3sCiGLqh4E0jBX8v_6fEP3K9XAQ/s320/22042_777472960912_12100087_44095869_6230647_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442853400139888066" border="0" /></a>Last week our class traveled down south for four days to the desert. The trip was very relaxing and the weather was beautiful (even a little too hot). We visited Qumran and Masada on Wednesday, went on a hike on Thursday, and went to the beach in Eilat on Friday. We stayed at Kibbutz Yahel (which is where I spent my 21st birthday two years ago), one of the two Reform Kibbutzim in Israel. Some of the "Chailights" from the trip were:<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDhR1dyo-vRZdIKBAAt-BCOn-SKWoB4-5gvIGLNagxHIRHVt97rFWacGWjABBOMXgd_tmtrEPBtwyL3dVGyDfRp0TmMewa7vLAbILi09kVokGev8KDNKh7-K55Y2jmBLoC6Ahk8X7i0A/s1600-h/24202_919740964657_8603052_54504628_397577_n.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDhR1dyo-vRZdIKBAAt-BCOn-SKWoB4-5gvIGLNagxHIRHVt97rFWacGWjABBOMXgd_tmtrEPBtwyL3dVGyDfRp0TmMewa7vLAbILi09kVokGev8KDNKh7-K55Y2jmBLoC6Ahk8X7i0A/s320/24202_919740964657_8603052_54504628_397577_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442853395243908130" border="0" /></a><br />-getting lost on Masada looking for a bathroom<br />-having two "tour crashers" on Masada (our teacher David Levine, led our tour, and two random people decided to join for the entire time)<br />-eating pomelos from the pomelo field at Kibbutz Yahel<br />-spontaneous Israeli Dancing on Friday night with classmates<br />-relaxing on the hammock on the Kibbutz<br />-seeing the cows<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ6GeLd9sfCclzyR8TN3Ja-3nJMu3S6XAuAPzE89fNoeY35zKvfRIGuLM2cHWBE6PyoTpFEw4NO0KK7IGmehNvWu_71rOuP8DiQOE8kPm-2byfTOkg7enDnef4JlySf7nuUGODYmz_jg/s1600-h/IMG_5034.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ6GeLd9sfCclzyR8TN3Ja-3nJMu3S6XAuAPzE89fNoeY35zKvfRIGuLM2cHWBE6PyoTpFEw4NO0KK7IGmehNvWu_71rOuP8DiQOE8kPm-2byfTOkg7enDnef4JlySf7nuUGODYmz_jg/s320/IMG_5034.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442852033756277106" border="0" /></a><br />-getting to spend time with people who I don't usually hang out with<br />-an awesome text study with Yoshi at the end of the Tiyul<br />-Services on the Hike<br />-Songleading at the campfire on the first night<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgWANg4dURylSeCcIj3FktA6j5pa_KvqaL6f1rocYUzrBTbZJJe9u-GmpUan-AY_yO9cm5uQuf2o39zzAltoZvCeTOYiEU3OryTTUafc_M7oiJdcVyL83-SNWxV2J-BkdX5SExemN0sQ/s1600-h/19554_1000504733350_1930159_55231953_149860_n.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 278px; height: 257px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgWANg4dURylSeCcIj3FktA6j5pa_KvqaL6f1rocYUzrBTbZJJe9u-GmpUan-AY_yO9cm5uQuf2o39zzAltoZvCeTOYiEU3OryTTUafc_M7oiJdcVyL83-SNWxV2J-BkdX5SExemN0sQ/s320/19554_1000504733350_1930159_55231953_149860_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442853390040264738" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDbYJ8NnE3ECIBC1NC1dgP6tVf1R3C9GfBNaSIYHT4Wdw7oK27qhriuwQhnHNX5fmWKEXY9fcHGyLbnc7SGKtvqQqL_SsQ5-j4kO0gxhKYW8mpAkNI5rnbAwVLOIYvjOlns3MQ7mkXAw/s1600-h/IMG_4956.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDbYJ8NnE3ECIBC1NC1dgP6tVf1R3C9GfBNaSIYHT4Wdw7oK27qhriuwQhnHNX5fmWKEXY9fcHGyLbnc7SGKtvqQqL_SsQ5-j4kO0gxhKYW8mpAkNI5rnbAwVLOIYvjOlns3MQ7mkXAw/s320/IMG_4956.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442850604142414514" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZo2Da_8eKzMnRyx85erbxFkpFT817vqwcI-q3r8zXrY9bNb3OEmigHzGVDf1zvzpklr186N65m_JxtcPgaAfIp1ZNURNuibnTRVGix3NAd2GXiIZTS3iHojEyJL2HX7Fq0kK778Gbew/s1600-h/IMG_5015.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZo2Da_8eKzMnRyx85erbxFkpFT817vqwcI-q3r8zXrY9bNb3OEmigHzGVDf1zvzpklr186N65m_JxtcPgaAfIp1ZNURNuibnTRVGix3NAd2GXiIZTS3iHojEyJL2HX7Fq0kK778Gbew/s320/IMG_5015.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442850617655980578" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih5E7AtXmar8eJh5smg9Yce6lNVm4MiuEC75uGjb84Cjoe9TZlGa1ILCCePh42xeAxisGDoCxH82Q8JIXoegr1YGUgLZS1IHz_KVkI5gdBCT21TmKwDNbZ93KtQ-TMnVzpar8S5PanRA/s1600-h/23851_503908982029_182800006_30092974_6113458_n.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih5E7AtXmar8eJh5smg9Yce6lNVm4MiuEC75uGjb84Cjoe9TZlGa1ILCCePh42xeAxisGDoCxH82Q8JIXoegr1YGUgLZS1IHz_KVkI5gdBCT21TmKwDNbZ93KtQ-TMnVzpar8S5PanRA/s320/23851_503908982029_182800006_30092974_6113458_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442850585444176386" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFs0746gJpoIEHaVFmm_tzliTfUgTT9Q2eVgtMhP0ZbYdNe3PDe_5uQfLzYmjNgfrrPMWdNRq1jai9Rgd7fjlGPuCWXpzMQD1sLkTa4Piow2X9YrmUEtv-igujjDlEIT-ArBXdi2U1SQ/s1600-h/IMG_4991.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFs0746gJpoIEHaVFmm_tzliTfUgTT9Q2eVgtMhP0ZbYdNe3PDe_5uQfLzYmjNgfrrPMWdNRq1jai9Rgd7fjlGPuCWXpzMQD1sLkTa4Piow2X9YrmUEtv-igujjDlEIT-ArBXdi2U1SQ/s320/IMG_4991.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442850609591229618" border="0" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02870702757407571220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4715306599312446542.post-32717131216167258242010-02-15T06:28:00.000-08:002010-02-21T07:53:08.479-08:00Women of the Wall<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQLyLWS2U459jDpQLKOAG64WOsuUA0mZ_RCFz3_zwZ2q_gkRyS3DzdekY2M5N0qNoWcUgn27nx9jQvANq1Hhk6nuaUag2Sno0DL7tbRDlhNafERoC5aIb7saQLaQjFndRO0BsxE6Qz2g/s1600-h/23438_353903630672_319876005672_5076108_884842_n.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQLyLWS2U459jDpQLKOAG64WOsuUA0mZ_RCFz3_zwZ2q_gkRyS3DzdekY2M5N0qNoWcUgn27nx9jQvANq1Hhk6nuaUag2Sno0DL7tbRDlhNafERoC5aIb7saQLaQjFndRO0BsxE6Qz2g/s320/23438_353903630672_319876005672_5076108_884842_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440725000807126626" border="0" /></a><br />I woke up a bit earlier than usual this morning to go pray at the Kotel with my roommates, classmates, and an organization called Women of the Wall. On the first day of every Jewish month, this organization gathers together at the Western Wall to pray together as a community. For those of you who have never been to Israel or don't know much about the laws of the Kotel, basically there is no equality between men and women. Not only are the men and women separate, but the men have a huge space and the women side is tiny and crowded. Women are not allowed to wear tallitot or read from the Torah, and the list goes on.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLtH4lCJfR9zlgxLdNNify1A_FoHIeifa4Pb5ly2P4hksMimNKkxVo_0O4N7zdnO0gqJOqeNms57Q9UHe4Cv3ihVyfcZC-Z9s_V-EFzyhTFZ0leLHV4TDwLV8QrpH0i5ODqA0-W2F9MQ/s1600-h/17977_708548830301_29096_38655900_2312815_n.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLtH4lCJfR9zlgxLdNNify1A_FoHIeifa4Pb5ly2P4hksMimNKkxVo_0O4N7zdnO0gqJOqeNms57Q9UHe4Cv3ihVyfcZC-Z9s_V-EFzyhTFZ0leLHV4TDwLV8QrpH0i5ODqA0-W2F9MQ/s320/17977_708548830301_29096_38655900_2312815_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440724391140273778" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWSrmKA20nuHf5Unp-8nFqjdlqJTtO6pXNmZcu-1S-_aj7Bpzzz1cAMGXS6CDUS5tHxqO9WHmeEU23PrxiSeRtK5QBte6neHyKYu6e3lUFgndEj8y4Mo-gcBtjjSjQR1IOlmeFxuzxdg/s1600-h/17353_348441460672_319876005672_5053126_1206291_n.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWSrmKA20nuHf5Unp-8nFqjdlqJTtO6pXNmZcu-1S-_aj7Bpzzz1cAMGXS6CDUS5tHxqO9WHmeEU23PrxiSeRtK5QBte6neHyKYu6e3lUFgndEj8y4Mo-gcBtjjSjQR1IOlmeFxuzxdg/s320/17353_348441460672_319876005672_5053126_1206291_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440724992991912130" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8ic7iXlM4n4HMzTPg2nBl_WrQ1WHRbZtG-epDnYgMgblbLzbzlFS9l-EoPf2rB-zYI0DqPrTyrbBjuAqlAyBjvHsyFEKejK0rNzMXnD1p302z9OnPL21gBnYlcv8KAocd6_B4gWhkWQ/s1600-h/17977_708548835291_29096_38655901_5018361_n.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8ic7iXlM4n4HMzTPg2nBl_WrQ1WHRbZtG-epDnYgMgblbLzbzlFS9l-EoPf2rB-zYI0DqPrTyrbBjuAqlAyBjvHsyFEKejK0rNzMXnD1p302z9OnPL21gBnYlcv8KAocd6_B4gWhkWQ/s320/17977_708548835291_29096_38655901_5018361_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440724399868223122" border="0" /></a><br />A few months ago, a woman was arrested for wearing a tallit at the wall and carrying a Torah. Women of the wall agrees to follow the laws of the Kotel and therefore reads Torah at another location further down the wall.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVo9FiDK4MIyedFClbRIyVjrnsdf54ifymaGFL15l1XtnRwHIp10W6oBDa-2BDgW-cmCwofwET7fbDH08pkQqyg_URmY10sRJntbYvrtUv1Zbs1OSFj5Cr7ZTQTpICRa16Az33uhmzUA/s1600-h/17977_708539868261_29096_38655502_5518048_n.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVo9FiDK4MIyedFClbRIyVjrnsdf54ifymaGFL15l1XtnRwHIp10W6oBDa-2BDgW-cmCwofwET7fbDH08pkQqyg_URmY10sRJntbYvrtUv1Zbs1OSFj5Cr7ZTQTpICRa16Az33uhmzUA/s320/17977_708539868261_29096_38655502_5518048_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440724385910693218" border="0" /></a><br />Almost everyone was wearing a tallis today. On the men side, the ultra-orthodox, were screaming and yelling things to the women calling us "whores" and telling us that we were christian. Some even went as far as to call us "Nazis". On the women side the old orthodox women said similar things. As one of the women was yelling at us, her teeth fell out, ironic? I think not!<br /><br />I'm still not quite sure how I feel about the kotel, as I've never really found a connection. I'm also not sure what I think about women of the wall and the pain I felt being yelled at by our own people. But what I am sure of, is this is not the way I want things to remain. And so, next Rosh Chodesh, I will be back at the Kotel once again as part of this push to show that I love Judaism as much as the Orthodox men do.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02870702757407571220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4715306599312446542.post-12811322231952855232010-02-07T11:45:00.000-08:002010-02-07T11:48:42.350-08:00Jewish CookingI made Matzo Ball Soup tonight! Send more Jewish cooking recipes this way! Actually, it's so cold here, any soup recipes would be much appreciated (the easier the better of course!)<br /><br />Quick update: I had a great weekend in Eilat visiting Brittany and meeting all of her friends. It's always nice to get out of Jerusalem and do something a little different every now and then. I'll be in Jerusalem this weekend, and then we are headed on our class trip to the Negev next Wednesday. <br /><br />That's all for now...Enjoy the Superbowl (I don't even care who wins as I will be sleeping)!<br /><br />Oh, and a special shout out to Zach-Congrats on the Job!!!!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02870702757407571220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4715306599312446542.post-56585765101078338212010-02-01T11:01:00.001-08:002010-02-01T11:12:40.037-08:00The 3 P's (Purim, Passover, Packing)<meta name="Title" content=""> <meta name="Keywords" content=""> <meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"> <meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"> <meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 11"> <meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 11"> <link rel="File-List" href="file://localhost/Users/amandagreene/Library/Caches/TemporaryItems/msoclip1/01/clip_filelist.xml"> <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:documentproperties> <o:template>Normal</o:Template> <o:revision>0</o:Revision> <o:totaltime>0</o:TotalTime> <o:pages>1</o:Pages> <o:words>176</o:Words> <o:characters>1008</o:Characters> <o:lines>8</o:Lines> <o:paragraphs>2</o:Paragraphs> <o:characterswithspaces>1237</o:CharactersWithSpaces> <o:version>11.1282</o:Version> </o:DocumentProperties> <o:officedocumentsettings> <o:allowpng/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:donotshowrevisions/> <w:donotprintrevisions/> <w:displayhorizontaldrawinggridevery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery> <w:displayverticaldrawinggridevery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery> <w:usemarginsfordrawinggridorigin/> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--> <style> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:"Times New Roman"; panose-1:0 2 2 6 3 5 4 5 2 3; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:50331648 0 0 0 1 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman";} a:link, span.MsoHyperlink {color:blue; text-decoration:underline; text-underline:single;} a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed {color:purple; text-decoration:underline; text-underline:single;} table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-parent:""; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in; mso-header-margin:28.1pt; mso-footer-margin:28.1pt; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style> <!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">A little out of order, but I'm going to start with PASSOVER.
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<br />During Passover, I will be traveling to the Former Soviet Union with 10 classmates to lead Passover Seders and other educational programs in Reform Jewish communities. In preparation for this project we have been spending time studying how to conduct a Passover Seder, and learning the history and culture of the Jewish communities we will be visiting. In all of the Soviet Union there has been continued Jewish development in the FSU, but there are currently ONLY SIX rabbis serving hundreds of Jewish communities.
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<br />This is where I am asking for your help. The project is made possible by fundraising. The donations pay for everything including travel expenses, educational materials, and supplies for all members of the communities we visit (ranging from toddlers to senior citizens), and a gift to show our continued support for these struggling Jewish communities.
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<br />PLEASE visit this <a href="http://pesachproject.com/FSU_Pesach_Project/Home.html">website</a> to find out more information about the project and to donate please click <a href="http://pesachproject.com/FSU_Pesach_Project/Donate_Now%21.html">HERE.</a>
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<br />Thank you in advance,
<br />Amanda</p> <!--EndFragment--> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02870702757407571220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4715306599312446542.post-16079319110532927542010-01-30T05:48:00.000-08:002010-01-30T11:53:32.755-08:00Shabbat with Rabbi Greene<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixZccgTxmtN_0-mNRmGqaQyKy4mPwmMfe8kafPHbjMiMgxds9X5bdgvRADc8rBie4AeIul71Swsa8szGzrcvZujoW-G6Xh7gXMSsE89sXiPcRSmWMVOqTXqb_DrtWLYxEUaH1Hj4Uwzg/s1600-h/IMG_4887.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixZccgTxmtN_0-mNRmGqaQyKy4mPwmMfe8kafPHbjMiMgxds9X5bdgvRADc8rBie4AeIul71Swsa8szGzrcvZujoW-G6Xh7gXMSsE89sXiPcRSmWMVOqTXqb_DrtWLYxEUaH1Hj4Uwzg/s320/IMG_4887.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432534087388041394" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQHAzxxu7l2fgwnP9NwOlSIG4EklHJBRwHURk-Kuce8HKrqwBYEYXO_qGLKJjuSRTWogBujefJjJWVNOZbzKTHAq7n7WDdmpUQRiaMe4njHnvTTigGM21sL5gd0vxqTTcdqbFtXAYxTQ/s1600-h/IMG_4884.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQHAzxxu7l2fgwnP9NwOlSIG4EklHJBRwHURk-Kuce8HKrqwBYEYXO_qGLKJjuSRTWogBujefJjJWVNOZbzKTHAq7n7WDdmpUQRiaMe4njHnvTTigGM21sL5gd0vxqTTcdqbFtXAYxTQ/s320/IMG_4884.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432534065051058594" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNSKt1OyQpo_5z5BM43I_DRbrIHr3o1mr68_p3MnuVX7VmOWZG84PctQOdFPniIaqRgNat4Bu6CxIYEz_ih8J3_8cBNesU_JJ1kWCHhIx7EnmwT9olW9xsZyJb5ZvLiwW_HKTIXwrUrg/s1600-h/IMG_4886.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 290px; height: 217px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNSKt1OyQpo_5z5BM43I_DRbrIHr3o1mr68_p3MnuVX7VmOWZG84PctQOdFPniIaqRgNat4Bu6CxIYEz_ih8J3_8cBNesU_JJ1kWCHhIx7EnmwT9olW9xsZyJb5ZvLiwW_HKTIXwrUrg/s320/IMG_4886.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432534077819264706" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV_n6XJNDa7Aswk-I04qTPna-lsK1WI9iwPfSl9ugd951XLKJRzbjWPDY5GToTxVV8Di48pJvnth4X_24duTzeJV55ZS9SEnyp4aEfj2YxuUSlbmmgQ_d_39SL6Hu1iculhukSVQkHXw/s1600-h/IMG_4885.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 201px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV_n6XJNDa7Aswk-I04qTPna-lsK1WI9iwPfSl9ugd951XLKJRzbjWPDY5GToTxVV8Di48pJvnth4X_24duTzeJV55ZS9SEnyp4aEfj2YxuUSlbmmgQ_d_39SL6Hu1iculhukSVQkHXw/s320/IMG_4885.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432534073739992466" border="0" /></a><br /></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02870702757407571220noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4715306599312446542.post-46498011024625648302010-01-23T13:27:00.000-08:002010-01-23T13:36:13.919-08:00Restful ShabbatShavua Tov!!!<br /><br />It must be clear that I have some free time on my hands since I'm blogging much more frequent. Since I have a late start on Sunday, I decided to blog before bed. This past weekend was very relaxing. Friday I slept in late, went to the gym and then got my glasses fixed. After my errands, I came home to catch up on Thursday night television-Grey's, The Office, and Project Runway before getting ready for Shabbat services at Kol Hanishamah. <br />Services were really nice this week as many of the HUC students were there as well as HUC faculty. After services, my classmates Sarah and Jeremy, and I headed to our professor Jeremy Leigh's home for Shabbat dinner. Jeremy is from the UK and has an awesome British accent. It was adorable when we arrived at his home to hear his three daughter's British accents as well (even though they are Israeli). Dinner was so nice. It's always wonderful to be in a real home. Jeremy is also a fantastic cook and the company was just great. Jeremy and his wife are very funny and smart so it was a fantastic conversation and evening. Before we knew it we looked at our watches and it was 11:30!!! <br />Today was also very restful and relaxing. I slept in and Ally and I made crepes for breakfast. I also did a little bit of cleaning (and some laundry) which is always nice on Shabbat. Since I didn't have too much homework, it truly felt like Shabbat. My friend Andrew came over this afternoon to help me with guitar. I had a fantastic lesson and can play Mah Ya Fe Hayom, Ani V'atah, and am in the process of learning others. <br />Tonight I went to dinner with a few classmates and then hung out downtown for a bit. It's always nice to get out when Shabbat ends and truly feel the beginning of the new week. Totally cheesy I know, but unless you experience it in Jerusalem, you just can't get it (sorry!).<br /><br />On that note, my laundry is dry! So now I need to go fold it so I can go get some rest before another week of school...wohoo!!!!<br /><br />Lilah Tov!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02870702757407571220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4715306599312446542.post-54091238828235270802010-01-21T11:31:00.001-08:002010-01-21T11:31:50.451-08:00<embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf" width="288" height="192" flashvars="host=picasaweb.google.com&hl=en_US&feat=flashalbum&RGB=0x000000&feed=http%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2Famandabgreene%2Falbumid%2F5429269428319190609%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26hl%3Den_US" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer"></embed>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02870702757407571220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4715306599312446542.post-10481430546796431452010-01-20T11:49:00.000-08:002010-01-20T12:20:31.603-08:00Sunny and 76 degrees...on the first day of second semester was definitely a first. Seriously, I don't think that I have ever experienced a first day of second semester that wasn't brutally cold! No need to be too jealous as it has rained, no poured, for the remainder of the week. Everyone always says that there are two seasons in Israel, hot and rainy. Right now it is the rainy season. Apparently Israel needs to rain, really though, (in the words of my grammar teacher)the Kinneret needs the rain, not Jerusalem! There was so much rain in Israel this week that the Negev (desert) was flooded. Enough about the weather...<br /><br />To my surprise the first week back was really great. It was so nice and refreshing to see everyone after a MUCH needed two week break. Getting back into the routine of classes was also good and this week was a fairly laid back one since many of our professors are in America. <br /><br />My schedule is a bit different this semester, I actually like it better. Here's what it looks like:<br />Sunday:<br />10:15-11:45 Hebrew<br />12:00-1:30 Bible <br />1:30-3:30 Community Service (preschool)<br /><br />Monday<br />8:30-10:00 Enrichment time (usually sleeping is my enrichment, other options include: parshat hashavua (weekly Torah portion, or attending other services around J'lem)<br />10:15-11:45 Hebrew<br />12:00-1:30 Bible<br />2:45-4:15 Biblical Grammar<br /><br />Tuesday<br />8:30-11:45 Hebrew<br />12:00-1:30 Education Seminar<br /><br />Wednesday<br />All day Israel Seminar<br /><br />Thursday<br />8:30-10:00 Services<br />10:15-11:45 Hebrew<br />12:00-1:30 Liturgy<br />2:30-4:00 Bible<br /><br />So far I'm really enjoying Bible. It's hard, all in Hebrew, but my teacher is so patient. Actually, almost all of my classes are taught in Hebrew, which is definitely a good thing as I am learning a lot. I can understand way more than I can speak, but at least that's something, right?<br /><br />I am not taking history this semester which frees up my Tuesday afternoon. I want to make a list of things that I still want to do in these next four months and use that time on Tuesday to accomplish things on the list. If you have suggestions, they are much appreciated. <br /><br />While the semester has gotten off to a bit of a relaxing start, it is also a bit busy as well. I have begun preparing for the service that I am leading in February which I am very anxious about. Also, the Former Soviet Union Pesach Project is getting very busy as we are preparing and still busy fundraising. I'm not quite there yet and so if you are interested in donating, please visit www.pesachproject.com. It's a really great cause and I am very much looking forward to providing seders and other passover programming to people who would not otherwise have these opportunities. <br /><br />All of the students were invited to the homes of HUC faculty and Israeli Rabbinical students for Shabbat dinner. I am going with my friends Sarah and Jeremy to one of our Israel Seminar professors, Jeremy Leigh's. Ally and I are very excited to spend Shabbat next week with Rabbi Greene. <br /><br />On a different note, I'm glad that MOST of my tv shows have come back on, and that the Bachelor has started again. I don't know why, but I LOVE that show. For those of you who are watching, I don't think I've seen a season with girls this stupid yet. Okay, that wasn't nice, but come on! And for those of you who are looking for a new show to watch, Modern Family, is by far the best show on Television right now!<br /><br />Not only have I been able to keep up with my shows, but I also recently watched "It's Complicated" online, also highly recommended! I'm trying to have a little more fun this semester and not be as uptight about school and am therefore making an effort to get out more. I've been going to the HUC football teams games the past few weeks and despite their defeated record, it's still a lot of fun. <br /><br />On that note, I'm a bit tired and promised Ally (Tick) that I would watch her favorite movie "Something's Gotta Give". I'll blog later this weekend.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02870702757407571220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4715306599312446542.post-48878065255758642142010-01-15T12:48:00.001-08:002010-01-16T10:47:44.324-08:00Winter Break<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil4lY8EBUbX6IAjGlErL77aRWFhtmjEUMbRCrBAoo2IFln1riug93cBYeq2n-PwI4Faxll_anexFcfr-0PkeZbfdMBK3_3Y3Qp0kiYXYRdZqM3UYlyq60FvIUyx0tQu5auWs4BMuxH-w/s1600-h/P1000335.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil4lY8EBUbX6IAjGlErL77aRWFhtmjEUMbRCrBAoo2IFln1riug93cBYeq2n-PwI4Faxll_anexFcfr-0PkeZbfdMBK3_3Y3Qp0kiYXYRdZqM3UYlyq60FvIUyx0tQu5auWs4BMuxH-w/s320/P1000335.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427410275169487906" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZt6X9eK5arq-DmfakKB62HnNA8WCy1gMjrhkpEg5kglYLKmdywkPyP7w87ZYBuFpTqzdORhEeRb1qVKaCUq6ZN9fZ-Dzs9WjcOTXP7uXGij64dKvi1uBzq0B3fMKqLGya3BFO-VnsUA/s1600-h/P1000431.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZt6X9eK5arq-DmfakKB62HnNA8WCy1gMjrhkpEg5kglYLKmdywkPyP7w87ZYBuFpTqzdORhEeRb1qVKaCUq6ZN9fZ-Dzs9WjcOTXP7uXGij64dKvi1uBzq0B3fMKqLGya3BFO-VnsUA/s320/P1000431.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427405971439527778" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNlKv52ja52HoGG1SS7jEaq8IVbKjLCzyAq9nQ9Llaph0bS_7ekegvYDWLxeEiwFki6GijnNkXMUoAkDFYO5oLk6HheUBEPTR3gk6OE-cmk32cggo5lY_IX8JDcZSswhG-hYRZlQ9_kQ/s1600-h/P1000635.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNlKv52ja52HoGG1SS7jEaq8IVbKjLCzyAq9nQ9Llaph0bS_7ekegvYDWLxeEiwFki6GijnNkXMUoAkDFYO5oLk6HheUBEPTR3gk6OE-cmk32cggo5lY_IX8JDcZSswhG-hYRZlQ9_kQ/s320/P1000635.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427402163832741970" /></a><br />As my first semester in graduate school ended, two weeks of vacation began. We celebrated the end of the semester on New Years. There were lots of visitors in Jerusalem and I was so happy to celebrate the new year and my first semester ending with both new friends from HUC and old friends from home as well.<br /><br />My parents arrived a few days later and we spent the remainder of the break traveling all over Israel. I had lots of fun showing them Israel (as they had never been before) and even enjoyed a few new places myself (Bet Sh'an, the Underground Bullet Factory, Atlit and the Tower of David Light Show-Highly recommended!) I also got to get out of Israel for a bit when we went to Cairo for three days. Some of the "Chailights" from the past two weeks include (in no particular order):<br /><br />-seeing my parents<br />-my parents liking my apartment<br />-delicious meals<br />-my dad losing lots of things including a camera case at the kotel and then being able to find it at the lost and found<br />-Old City tour with Gingy<br />-The Underground Bullet Factory<br />-Crazy city of Cairo<br />-surviving as a passenger in cars in Cairo (even though there were four lanes there were never fewer than 7 cars across the highway!)<br />-riding a camel for my first and LAST time<br />-being offered a job for my good bargaining skills<br />-belly dancer on the Nile River dinner cruise<br />-Hanging out with the Kaplan family<br /><br /><br /><br />I'll think of more highlights later. For now, I'm exhausted from a really great two weeks with my parents. School starts again on Sunday, and I will try to blog as much as possible this semester as well.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02870702757407571220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4715306599312446542.post-59375878537897368692009-12-24T17:08:00.001-08:002009-12-25T00:27:01.933-08:00The Best ChristmasIn the midst of studying for finals today, my friend, Lara, started to spread the word in the library that we should go to Bethlehem for Christmas. I had already had plans to go out with some other classmates, but decided that this was a once in a lifetime opportunity. <br />As the day went on and we got more and more giddy (due to the amount of hours we spent in the library), we decided to make an evening out of it. So we had our traditional Chinese food on X-mas (as Jews do), and then we met up with classmates at school to walk to the Church where we were told that after midnight mass (at 10pm), there would be a hundreds of people walking to Bethlehem. When we got to the church, no one was there. Confused we wandered around for a little and soon discovered that the midnight mass was actually at midnight and that the walk to Bethlehem would not take place until around 2am. <br />The group at this point split, and I stayed for the midnight mass at the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hagia_Maria_Sion_Abbey">Dormition Church</a>. The Church was beautiful and it was definitely a nice (and tiring) experience. We left early and Lara and I decided we still wanted to go to Bethlehem but that we couldn't wait until 2 am and walk (especially since we knew it was a long walk). So instead, we found a cab to take us there. <br />The cab experience was wonderful. Our driver was from Bethlehem so he knew where to take us when Lara said, "we want to see Christmas". I'm not going to lie, there were a few uneasy moments in the cab when our driver, Ruddy, would show us where the wall was and then we would ask what side we were on, and he said the Palestinian side. <br />We did make it to Bethlehem safely and got to see the beautiful Christmas lights, Subway, Star & Bucks, and of course the Church that was built around the site that Jesus was apparently born. All the more so, tonight's experience was a once in a lifetime one. <br />It's now 3:15 am, and I have lots of work to do tomorrow, but tonight is a night that I will always remember, and so if it means studying a little less tomorrow or being a little more tired, it's all worth it. <br /><br />Laila Tov for now!<br /><br />p.s. I'll post pics later...too tiredAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02870702757407571220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4715306599312446542.post-5605008310118850502009-12-19T06:11:00.000-08:002009-12-24T17:07:52.124-08:00Chag Urim Sameach, tidings of comfort and joy<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgphtRpxpvmnCP0dBVRcwXq3p1W0M5PtWrnxYH63ASGQzzU4lJAd-YIuhKjYEW7RXAQSuyYEgnCosBJL6O0K_1M2kCdeg1visew45I3GIFiZ2s3xPs0MHr5ODMgC9VZPNadGfmhquZyIw/s1600-h/IMG_4784.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 179px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgphtRpxpvmnCP0dBVRcwXq3p1W0M5PtWrnxYH63ASGQzzU4lJAd-YIuhKjYEW7RXAQSuyYEgnCosBJL6O0K_1M2kCdeg1visew45I3GIFiZ2s3xPs0MHr5ODMgC9VZPNadGfmhquZyIw/s320/IMG_4784.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418973680109921746" /></a>
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<br />Thanks to my amazing British Israel Seminar professor, Jeremy, for the title of this blog.
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<br />For serious though, HAPPY CHANUKAH!!!
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<br />Here's a little update on my 8 days of Chanukah:
<br />1st night: My oldest friend (we've been friends since 6th grade), Brittany, came to Jerusalem for Shabbat (She's living in Eilat for a few months). Brittany, Ally and I went to <a href="http://www.lifeline.org.il/shop/front/category.asp?CategoryContains=3&shopid=60&">Yad Lakashish</a>, where they sell beautiful handmade Judaica to browse around. I wanted everything! I'll probably go back when my parents come. Brittany and I had our own Shabbat dinner to catch up and then we baked with Ally.
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<br />2nd night: Brittany and I hung out all afternoon until she had to head back to Eilat.
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<br />3rd night: After school on Sunday, Lara and I planned Chanukah with the Gan and then I headed to Mevasseret to the Ethiopian Absorption center with several classmates for a Chanukah Party.
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<br />4th night: School
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<br />5th night: Chanukah with the Gan. Chanukah dinner with Kitah Bet at our Hebrew teacher, Zohara's, house.
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<br />Click here to see picts: <a href="<table style="width:194px;"><tr><td align="center" style="height:194px;background:url(http://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/transparent_album_background.gif) no-repeat left"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/amandabgreene/Chanukah02?authkey=Gv1sRgCK-FsrWYg9igvwE&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_0kwmvzmh--w/SylF0fZtkiE/AAAAAAAABn4/GoxnO04CZbY/s160-c/Chanukah02.jpg" width="160" height="160" style="margin:1px 0 0 4px;"></a></td></tr><tr><td style="text-align:center;font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/amandabgreene/Chanukah02?authkey=Gv1sRgCK-FsrWYg9igvwE&feat=embedwebsite" style="color:#4D4D4D;font-weight:bold;text-decoration:none;">Chanukah</a></td></tr></table>"></a>
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<br />6th night: Chanukah party at HUC. Fun program put on by faculty and then party with the best white elephant exchange ever. I picked a stuffed animal dead cat, but traded for chocolate!
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<br />7th night: Parallel Lives program. We headed to a pool hall and hung out with the soldiers for the evening.
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<br />8th night: Shabbat services at school followed by <a href="http://www.pesachproject.com">FSU</a> Shabbat Dinner.
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<br />Classes have officially ended, now we're in the final push studying for finals! Only 5 exams left! Shabbat dinner with the Mason's tomorrow.
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02870702757407571220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4715306599312446542.post-62063552169476177232009-12-05T12:29:00.001-08:002009-12-07T13:23:48.680-08:00The Mayor Served Me Soup<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0rlGW8kAxOzekjkKzZWMSVaAOzII5CykXVVwL4lbnXfKwyvkbYkNUgQN52nn0qAUDYQjh3a6VUVI2NqLMjmOzdZwqGC3Cb0meSZ6Cxs3lxwhbxTrrqPDEGKw3t4REOYKprifDzvgbzw/s1600-h/IMG_4621.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 179px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0rlGW8kAxOzekjkKzZWMSVaAOzII5CykXVVwL4lbnXfKwyvkbYkNUgQN52nn0qAUDYQjh3a6VUVI2NqLMjmOzdZwqGC3Cb0meSZ6Cxs3lxwhbxTrrqPDEGKw3t4REOYKprifDzvgbzw/s320/IMG_4621.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412607652107202914" /></a><br />The Mayor<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiADpVrrisbH3OgL4cOr3Vx0Prnq4u9AmlISyjAm1qzqObq9mvCvQEd-dwwbeJ595Qzj0FVqxQQ6jFkOcprW8bQ7wqnTHCk8MV-UnfbqiNQ6Jazx5MAVXLblup1bjRBCHgRCd8RPit3mw/s1600-h/IMG_4620.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 179px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiADpVrrisbH3OgL4cOr3Vx0Prnq4u9AmlISyjAm1qzqObq9mvCvQEd-dwwbeJ595Qzj0FVqxQQ6jFkOcprW8bQ7wqnTHCk8MV-UnfbqiNQ6Jazx5MAVXLblup1bjRBCHgRCd8RPit3mw/s320/IMG_4620.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412607643125066354" /></a><br />I have just returned from an amazing Shabbat in Binyamina. I was part of a group of 12 HUC students on a Shabbaton with 14 Israeli Soldiers discussing the topic of Jewish Life in Israel and the Diaspora. We began the weekend in the home of the founder of the Parallel Lives program with discussions about Zionism and Judaism and a rotation where the Israeli Soldiers taught us about the IDF. Did you know that the IDF has their own slang? <br /><br />Friday afternoon we were picked up by our host families. My friend Hannah and I stayed with this wonderfully, sweet, welcoming family. The father is the Mayor of Binyamina, his wife is an architect and designed their home which is absolutely beautiful and they have four daughters! The two oldest daughters, Tomi and Maya were 22 and 23 (the same ages and me and Hannah) and we spent a lot of time hanging out with them and getting to know them. <br /><br />The Soldiers and HUC students shared in a Kabbalat Shabbat service together at the local elementary school. It was an interesting service as the HUC students are Reform and the soldiers all come from different backgrounds. Some of the soldiers had never seen women in Kippot before. <br /><br />After services, we had Shabbat dinner with our host families. Hannah and my host family took us to their cousins and we had dinner with 25 people- all family! Everyone was so nice and the food was delicious and endless. Israelis are worse than Jewish mothers and they make you eat, eat, and eat some more. If you say you don't want something, they tell you are too polite. The Mayor's brother in-law was quite entertaining (and a bit drunk) and kept asking how many times we had been served by the mayor (hence the title of this post).<br /><br />Hannah, the Mayor, and I all had to be back at the school for an evening program at 9, and Tomi and Maya came along. The Mayor welcomed everyone to Binyamina and then a former IDF colonel discussed ethical dilemmas he encountered as a commander in the fighting region. <br /><br />After the evening program, we headed back to the family's home where we had Shabbat dinner, as everyone was still there. The moment we walked in, the put more food in front of us and insisted that we eat all of the cakes and cookies!<br /><br />Hannah and I enjoyed are little room in the basement of our host family's home as we got to watch a real TV which we haven't done in a long time and it was all American television! We enjoyed Friends and Sex and the City as we fell asleep.<br /><br />Saturday morning the HUC students had services with Yoshi and Dean Kelman. Hannah and I chanted Torah. I was quite nervous as I was asked last minute to read and learned the portion in just 24 hours! It was a challenge, but a fun and rewarding one!<br /><br />After services the soldiers joined us on a hike around Binyamina. Our host families picked us up for Shabbat lunch. Hannah and I spent the afternoon hanging out with Maya and Tomi helping to prepare for Shabbat lunch at their home. Shabbat lunch wasn't as big, but there were still 13 people! The food was delicious and I got to enjoy the Jewish dish Cholent for the first time. Cholent is a traditional Jewish dish that is cooked for over 24 hours! Towards the end of the meal, the Mayor stopped the meal and thanked Hannah and me for spending Shabbat with them. He acknowledged that since I didn't have any family or family friends in Israel that from now on, they would be my Israeli family. He invited both Hannah and I back for Shabbat and told us to come whenever we would like and to bring friends. The offer was so sincere. When Tomi and Maya drove Hannah and me back to the school, I almost started to cry. We are definitely going to go back and I really hope to continue this friendship.<br /><br />We concluded at the school with another program with the soldiers talking about the woman who was arrested at the Kotel for wearing a tallis. It was an interesting conversation. Before we knew it, it was time for Havdallah and we headed back to Jerusalem. I am so excited for our next Parallel Lives program next Thursday. <br /><br />This was by far one of the best Shabbats I have ever had!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02870702757407571220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4715306599312446542.post-90879976138606519542009-11-27T05:20:00.000-08:002009-11-27T08:14:19.184-08:00Happy Thanksgiving!HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!
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<br />I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday!
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<br />Thanksgiving was a little different for me this year. I didn't wake up to the smell of delicious cooking, have an entire week off of school, or lounge around the house all day. I was however, surrounded by great friends, new and old, and had a wonderful Thanksgiving in Jerusalem. My friend, Lara, and I organized and planned a Thanksgiving program with the preschoolers and with HUC students during our lunch break. We did a mini scavenger hunt which included and art project, a Thanksgiving story, football, and learning a song to teach the Israeli preschoolers about our American traditions. We concluded the activity with some pumpkin cake. The preschoolers had a blast (some were even crying when the activity was over), and the HUC students cannot wait for the Chanukah program. Below is a picture of me and Lara before the program began:
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHGH32lgk6kGAu3We5hzd43RiwAuLEz9ET8KzGD9L58Q_j2X4SGM36weK7OktH4Mb1qKkZ-ABbQXHGYaTVfr1HTLaMDzOTVzEZKzY4o-8FwQVeCBDP798HrCg5e3I6mgKGoQaxquWaTA/s1600/IMG_4505.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 179px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHGH32lgk6kGAu3We5hzd43RiwAuLEz9ET8KzGD9L58Q_j2X4SGM36weK7OktH4Mb1qKkZ-ABbQXHGYaTVfr1HTLaMDzOTVzEZKzY4o-8FwQVeCBDP798HrCg5e3I6mgKGoQaxquWaTA/s320/IMG_4505.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408775721150507778" border="0"></a>
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<br />Click here to see some pictures:
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<br />http://www.kodakgallery.com/gallery/creativeapps/slideShow/Main.jsp?albumId=368175410506&ownerId=29345572406&token=813656410506%3A1990783144
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<br /><a href="<table style="width:194px;"><tr><td align="center" style="height:194px;background:url(http://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/transparent_album_background.gif) no-repeat left"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/amandabgreene/ThanksgivingWithTheGan?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_0kwmvzmh--w/Sw6lueXjuAE/AAAAAAAABdw/OJYI3_7VohA/s160-c/ThanksgivingWithTheGan.jpg" width="160" height="160" style="margin:1px 0 0 4px;"></a></td></tr><tr><td style="text-align:center;font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/amandabgreene/ThanksgivingWithTheGan?feat=embedwebsite" style="color:#4D4D4D;font-weight:bold;text-decoration:none;">Thanksgiving with the Gan</a></td></tr></table>"></a>
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<br />We had Thanksgiving dinner at school with many classmates as well as a few faculty members. It definitely wasn't home, but the food was still quite tasty. After dinner several people went out for a little bit, which was really fun (especially since we don't get out often).
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<br />Tonight my friend Ethan is hosting a Thanksgiving Shabbat dinner. Ally, Allie, and I are making some sort of non-dairy sweet potato dish.
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<br />Last week was the HUC Israeli Ordination. I was fortunate enough to attend this momentous occasion. Even though I didn't know any of the students, it was still quite emotional. Here is a video from the ending of the newest Israeli Reform Rabbis dancing with some of their students:
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<br />Next weekend I am going to Benyamina for a Shabbaton with Parallel Lives (the program with HUC students and soldiers). It should be a lot of fun, and I'm very much looking forward to getting out of Jerusalem for a weekend!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02870702757407571220noreply@blogger.com0