Women of the Wall

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 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.

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!

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.

Jewish Cooking

I 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!)

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.

That's all for now...Enjoy the Superbowl (I don't even care who wins as I will be sleeping)!

Oh, and a special shout out to Zach-Congrats on the Job!!!!

The 3 P's (Purim, Passover, Packing)

A little out of order, but I'm going to start with PASSOVER.

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.

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.

PLEASE visit this website to find out more information about the project and to donate please click HERE.

Thank you in advance,
Amanda

Shabbat with Rabbi Greene

Restful Shabbat

Shavua Tov!!!

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.
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!!!
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.
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!).

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!!!!

Lilah Tov!

Sunny 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...

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.

My schedule is a bit different this semester, I actually like it better. Here's what it looks like:
Sunday:
10:15-11:45 Hebrew
12:00-1:30 Bible
1:30-3:30 Community Service (preschool)

Monday
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)
10:15-11:45 Hebrew
12:00-1:30 Bible
2:45-4:15 Biblical Grammar

Tuesday
8:30-11:45 Hebrew
12:00-1:30 Education Seminar

Wednesday
All day Israel Seminar

Thursday
8:30-10:00 Services
10:15-11:45 Hebrew
12:00-1:30 Liturgy
2:30-4:00 Bible

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?

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.