This week was one of three full weeks of school left until the end of the year. The week after next (the second full week), we have Yom Yerushalayim, the next week we have Shavuot, then we have one more full week, a week with a two-day tiyul, and then wrap-up week. Or something along those lines. It's hard to believe it's almost over! I'm trying to embrace the end of the year, but I'll also definitely be happy to come home.
So, what's happened since my last post? Classes continue, and I find myself in a great place in terms of enthusiasm. I have my space-out moments, but all in all, I find my classes as engaging as ever, especially since I know there's not much left. We're rushing a bit to finish "Torah Bekiut", which is that class that goes through all Five Books over the course of the year. We've got a Book and a bit left...but we'll make it! In Chumash class, we've been discussing the episode of the giving of the Torah, something I've always loved envisioning, so that's been great.
In Shiur Klali (the Rosh Midrasha's lecture once a week on the Parsha), he talked about the need to make Shabbat a holy day, by actualyl being spiritually productive, and not just eating and sleeping it away. That definitely speaks to me, and I hope to bring a little of that spirit home with me, but I'm not going to lie and say it isn't hard not to nap a lot of Shabbat day away, especially when it ends so late. Speaking of Shabbat...last Shabbat was fantastic! I went with my friend Zahava to her great-aunt in K'far Shmariyahu (try saying that 3x fast), who's not observant, but makes sure to provide for Zahava when she comes, and always has her children and their families for Friday night dinner every week. She lives right near Tel Aviv, so we went early on Friday and lay on the beach for a few hours, which, as usual, put me in a great state of mind. On Shabbat, we ate well, slept on great beds, talked, walked the gorgeous, floral neighborhood, memorized our drama monologues, and went to the beautiful (albeit somewhat empty) shul. We set back on Saturday night with a whole bag of leftovers that her great-aunt insist we needed to take with us.
But back to the week...
I continue to volunteer once a week at the old age home, playing piano and singing. I think it's great for the people there to have some live music, but I'm going to try to bring some Israel songs next time, because they have no idea what I'm singing.
On my Wednesday Jerusalem-tour class, we went to the Jewish Italian Museum/Shul in the center of town. It was cool to see, but it honestly just looked exactly like all of the shuls and relics I saw in actual Italy. I felt so special knowing about everything the tour guide was talking about! After that, we toured and learned about one of the "out-of-Jerusalem-walls" neighborhoods (like previous tours of Yad Binyamin and other) called Nachalat Shiv'ah. That class sometimes drags on a bit, but the teachers do a good job of being engaging and amusing.
Thursday I had regular classes, but I also had the end-of-the-year meeting with my advisor, Yakira. I don't know if I ever mentioned her, but she's really the sweetest, purest, nicest, most understanding person I may have ever spoken to. When I had rocky times in the middle of the year, she helped me work out which classes to switch and how to get some more piano time, so I feel quite endebted to her. But she just talks about how proud of me she is. It was a great meeting, because I realized how much I've gotten out of the year, and how much I'm taking back with me, in terms of continuing learning and bringing appreciation of my Jewish connection back home.
Beyond that, I've made two different pies in the past week...it's just something I've been experimenting with. I feel the need to make my own food!! The first pie was a frozen fruit-yogurt pie, which everyone loved, and the second one was a chocolate-apricot pudding pie. Also yummy, but not nearly as pretty. Not to worry, I took pictures, of course.
Last thing I'd like to mention, is that I finished my Poland album. The real version has already arrived at my house in the States, but for anyone who won't be able to see that one, or doesn't think they'll have a chance to go through it with me at some point (or is just curious), it would mean a lot to me if you would look through it by going to http://share.shutterfly.com/share/received/welcome.sfly?fid=9bb6d9a5e894ec05f12f12eb75ef82b5&sid=8EatWTJy0cuVA. It's really important to me that I share the memories from that trip. Even if you just skim through. I think it's worthwhile. And next I'll have the more up-beat, colorful, Italy album to share!
I hope everyone's having a great Spring...Summer is in the air!!
'Till next time!
Gabriella
Friday, April 30, 2010
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Yom HaZikaron, Yom HaAtzma'ut
Starting where I left off...last Wednesday.
Getting back to class has been easier than expected. Even the three hour morning classes are moving quickly and I don't find myself bored or annoyed at all. So that's a good sign. Wednesday afternoon I had my tour class, Siyurim. We saw the outside of the old French hospital, used to give health care during the early 1900s, to win over and convert citizens. We then saw the "New Gate" - "Sha'ar Chadash", which was used as a short cut into the Old City, as opposed to Sha'ar Yafo (Jaffa Gate), which is purposely sideways and winding to serve as a defense against intruders. Next, we visited the Underground Prison...not actually underground, but rather the inmates were members of the underground movements (Lechi, Palmach) during the British Mandate. Also not actually a prison anymore, but a museum that displays what life in the prison was like and focuses on various characters who fought for the State of Israel and were imprisoned at that time.
Thursday I had another day of interesting classes, including one that really has been my favorite all year (Writings of Rav Kook), but that I crazily left for a bit to try out another class. But I'm really glad I went back. Thursday night we heard from a speaker, the mother of a soldier who fell in battle in 2002. It was beautiful to hear her speak about her son, Chagai, and everything he accomplished in his 24 years. One of the most interesting parts of the talk was how she related to her sons wife, Nourit, widowed at only 22, and how happy the mother is to see Nourit now thriving with her new husband and family, and how they're still in touch and very close. That really touched me.
Shabbat in the Midrasha was fun, as usual, albeit a little long, now that it ends later. I wasn't feeling well Friday night, so I went to sleep early. On Shabbat day I attempted to go to the new Chorva Shul for davening, but it was so crowded I ended up just going to Yeshivat Hakotel. But that was fine, too. Then I had lunch, played some bananagrams, went for a walk with my good friend, Aviva, read, went for another walk, and generally passed the time until Shabbat was over. Saturday night I had my own private dance party to get rid of pent up energy, and then watched August Rush with Tova.
Sunday was a really long day. I had class in the morning. Then I went to the central bus station to pick up Choir CDs and sweatshirts. Then I had a doctor's appointment, where I got antibiotics for the sinus infection I've apparently had for over two weeks. Then I came back to hear the husband of one of our staff members talk about his cousin and friend who was killed in a terrorist attack in their second year of Yeshiva. So began Yom HaZikaron.
Yom HaZikaron, Memorial Day, was very confusing. I felt part of the nation, and yet distant. I felt a duty to the nation, and also fear in having to find a way to serve the nation that is as dedicated as fighting in the army. I felt proud of the nation and those who fell fighting, but also uncertain of what exactly they're fighting for. We went to Har Hertzl, where fallen soldiers are buried (if they want to be) for a national ceremony, which was moving, even though it was all in Hebrew. In groups, we were each given the biographies of soldiers buried on the mountain, and when we visited the graves, many of us found family members there, too, who were touched by our visit and also shared stories with us. The cousin of my soldier, Shmuel Tamner, was at the grave, and told us about his life and how he fell. Sometimes we nodded along even though we didn't understand what she was saying, but I could tell from her emotions that it was important for her to talk about him more than it was important for us to understand.
After having a class to help transition into Yom HaAtzma'ut, we went to the Kotel to watch the flag being raised from half mast to full, from mourning to celebration. Then we sang the Yom HaAtzma'ut prayers, dance, and were off to our Independence Day party with the Israel program. Lots of dancing and singing and celebration. Today, we went on a Tiyul to the Castel and some meandering path, just because that's what Israelis do on Yom HaAtzma'ut. Then we came back for a BBQ for the same reason (though I went running on the treadmill, instead). It's such an experience to be here for these days. Something I've been thinking about is also the uniqueness and somewhat bizarreness of the juxtaposition between the two holidays. You could say that it's to understand the importance of the sacrifice of the fallen soldiers, and also to appreciate what had to happen to create the State of Israel. But there may be something more to it, I'm just not sure what.
Now I have the night off, and then tomorrow we're going back to regular classes until Yom Yerushalayim in a few weeks. Happy Israeli Independence Day, everyone!
Getting back to class has been easier than expected. Even the three hour morning classes are moving quickly and I don't find myself bored or annoyed at all. So that's a good sign. Wednesday afternoon I had my tour class, Siyurim. We saw the outside of the old French hospital, used to give health care during the early 1900s, to win over and convert citizens. We then saw the "New Gate" - "Sha'ar Chadash", which was used as a short cut into the Old City, as opposed to Sha'ar Yafo (Jaffa Gate), which is purposely sideways and winding to serve as a defense against intruders. Next, we visited the Underground Prison...not actually underground, but rather the inmates were members of the underground movements (Lechi, Palmach) during the British Mandate. Also not actually a prison anymore, but a museum that displays what life in the prison was like and focuses on various characters who fought for the State of Israel and were imprisoned at that time.
Thursday I had another day of interesting classes, including one that really has been my favorite all year (Writings of Rav Kook), but that I crazily left for a bit to try out another class. But I'm really glad I went back. Thursday night we heard from a speaker, the mother of a soldier who fell in battle in 2002. It was beautiful to hear her speak about her son, Chagai, and everything he accomplished in his 24 years. One of the most interesting parts of the talk was how she related to her sons wife, Nourit, widowed at only 22, and how happy the mother is to see Nourit now thriving with her new husband and family, and how they're still in touch and very close. That really touched me.
Shabbat in the Midrasha was fun, as usual, albeit a little long, now that it ends later. I wasn't feeling well Friday night, so I went to sleep early. On Shabbat day I attempted to go to the new Chorva Shul for davening, but it was so crowded I ended up just going to Yeshivat Hakotel. But that was fine, too. Then I had lunch, played some bananagrams, went for a walk with my good friend, Aviva, read, went for another walk, and generally passed the time until Shabbat was over. Saturday night I had my own private dance party to get rid of pent up energy, and then watched August Rush with Tova.
Sunday was a really long day. I had class in the morning. Then I went to the central bus station to pick up Choir CDs and sweatshirts. Then I had a doctor's appointment, where I got antibiotics for the sinus infection I've apparently had for over two weeks. Then I came back to hear the husband of one of our staff members talk about his cousin and friend who was killed in a terrorist attack in their second year of Yeshiva. So began Yom HaZikaron.
Yom HaZikaron, Memorial Day, was very confusing. I felt part of the nation, and yet distant. I felt a duty to the nation, and also fear in having to find a way to serve the nation that is as dedicated as fighting in the army. I felt proud of the nation and those who fell fighting, but also uncertain of what exactly they're fighting for. We went to Har Hertzl, where fallen soldiers are buried (if they want to be) for a national ceremony, which was moving, even though it was all in Hebrew. In groups, we were each given the biographies of soldiers buried on the mountain, and when we visited the graves, many of us found family members there, too, who were touched by our visit and also shared stories with us. The cousin of my soldier, Shmuel Tamner, was at the grave, and told us about his life and how he fell. Sometimes we nodded along even though we didn't understand what she was saying, but I could tell from her emotions that it was important for her to talk about him more than it was important for us to understand.
After having a class to help transition into Yom HaAtzma'ut, we went to the Kotel to watch the flag being raised from half mast to full, from mourning to celebration. Then we sang the Yom HaAtzma'ut prayers, dance, and were off to our Independence Day party with the Israel program. Lots of dancing and singing and celebration. Today, we went on a Tiyul to the Castel and some meandering path, just because that's what Israelis do on Yom HaAtzma'ut. Then we came back for a BBQ for the same reason (though I went running on the treadmill, instead). It's such an experience to be here for these days. Something I've been thinking about is also the uniqueness and somewhat bizarreness of the juxtaposition between the two holidays. You could say that it's to understand the importance of the sacrifice of the fallen soldiers, and also to appreciate what had to happen to create the State of Israel. But there may be something more to it, I'm just not sure what.
Now I have the night off, and then tomorrow we're going back to regular classes until Yom Yerushalayim in a few weeks. Happy Israeli Independence Day, everyone!
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Vacation Ends, School (?) Begins
So, I'm back in school. There hasn't been much steady class yet, though. But I'll get to that. As for the end of vacation...
I went on a two-day Tiyul to the Golan (the North) and we did absolutely stunning hikes. The first day was went to Nachal Amud (Amud Valley) and hiked into the valley, climbed up and down stones and rocks through the beautiful greenery (it's the most lush at this time of the year). I tried to look up at the scenery as often as possible, but I had to look at my feet a lot to make sure I maintained coordination and didn't land wrong on a boulder. That would have somewhat spoiled vacation. We then went on a second "hike" (more of a meandering) to see a stunning view of the Kinneret and the surrounding area, and made a barbeque at the end in the freezing wind (although, admittedly, I ran back onto the bus as often as possible while waiting for my chicken to cook). We stayed at a hostel and were surprised to find MTV available in our rooms. We had a lot of fun making fun of the reality TV shows.
The next day we went on a well known hike called Jilaboon. It was another valley hike, except this one had waterfalls throughout. We ate lunch by one of the waterfalls and then trekked over pebbles and running water to the ruins of a flour-mill covered in vines and running water. We spent a couple of minutes sitting in silence, listening to the nature. It was beautiful. So much green, and clear water, purple and blue flowers, mountains in the distance. I loved it. On the way back to Yerushalayim we made a rest stop and broke open some fresh watermelon for a delicious, spring-fever snack.
My last Shabbat before vacation was a blast. Three of my friends from high school and I stayed (adult-less) at our friend's apartment (who's lived here without her family since Sophomore year). We came early and cooked all of the food for Shabbat, which we never get to do in our Midrasha facilities. We went to a musical Friday night davening, sat down to our fantastic homemade meal (including green soup, rice, stir-fry, and greek salad), sang, talked, read, and went to sleep. The weather was stunning. The next day we had lunch (rice, lasagna, pita, hummus, sweet salad) and then went to the park to read and talk and walk. We returned to nap for a bit before dinner (lasagna, rice, salad-of-leftovers, fruit salad) and once Shabbat was over, we cleaned up and bolted out the door to make a Saturday night showing of Alice in Wonderland 3D, which we thoroughly enjoyed.
Sunday morning I went for a run (still training for the half-marathon...I'm up to 7 miles!) and then had the pleasure of jamming at the piano with my friend, Sammy, who's going to Brandeis with me next year and is also a music lover. That was a lot of fun, I even tried my hand at improvising (we won't go into detail on that, though).
Sunday afternoon and Monday morning was a Holocaust Rememberance Day program. We heard from two survivors, both parents of teachers at the Midrasha, watched two documentaries about the stories of survivors, and then analyzed post-Holocaust art and the messages conveyed in them. Monday afternoon I had self-study time and then went out to dinner with my friend, Meira, and her mother (who's here from vacation).
Today, Tuesday, I had a fantastic day. I started with a run, in which I ended up running 5 miles straight without breaking to walk. I guess the training is working!! Then I had piano time at a community piano and, with sheet music I recently got, taught myself a new song from the movie Once. So simple, yet so pretty. Then, after lunch, I had drama class, which somewhat satisfied the itch to be acting a lot more than I have been, and then went to an old age home to volunteer by - you guessed it - singing and playing at the piano! It was great.
Besides all of this, I've been trying to plan out my summer, which is approaching quickly (coming home 9 weeks from yesterday!!) and filling up fast. But I'm excited to grasp every opportunity possible, something I think I got from my Poland trip. Tomorrow I start back in normal classes, so I better get an early night. Thanks for reading!
Gabriella
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Chutz La'Aretz, V'od Pam Babayit (Outside of Israel, then back home)
Writing the title in Hebrew makes me feel more creative. We'll just pretend it's actually an interesting heading.
So, hello, everybody! I've now been back in Israel a week and a half since my Poland and Italy trips. I'm not going to go into so much detail on those, as I'm working on photo books, complete with journal entries, that I hope to share with everyone when they're finished. I will say, though, that Poland was an extremely intense emotional experience, that made me identify even more than before with the Jewish nation and the Land of Israel, and left me feeling mostly appreciative of everything and everyone I'm blessed to have in my life. Going to Italy afterward was strange, but it also felt fitting, in that I was seizing the day and grasping life, something I really felt the urge to do after hearing so much about people whose mere bathroom schedule (one of many examples) was limited.
Italy was absolutely stunning. I've been asked which was my favorite part, and I'm not sure I can pinpoint it since every place we went had an entirely different feel. I can say that I was astounded by the significance and antique-ness of every building I walked by in Rome (so much so that one can't even attempt to figure out what exactly is everything she's walking by), I thoroughly enjoyed seeing The School of Athens by Raphael in the Vatican Museums, since I had done research on it the year before and there was an added element of appreciation, and Venice honestly felt like a dream. We were only there for one day and night, but there is certainly no place like it on earth. I'd love to go back sometime and explore more. Finally, I thought it was really important that we made sure to visit the Great Synagogues in Rome, Florence, and Venice (and to try out the Kosher restaurants, of course), especially in juxtaposition to my Poland trip. I felt the need to acknowledge the Jewish life that existed there before (albeit small), and it was fantastic to see so many old relics from the Jewish communities (some dating back to the 1500s)!
And now to be back in Israel...
Well, I thought that after Italy, Israel wouldn't seem so ideal or beautiful to me anymore, but it's still just as stunning as it's always been. Possibly even MORE stunning, since I'm coming back to it as "home" after having traveled from hostel to hostel for a while. Since I came back, I had a nice quiet Shabbat by myself at the Wolffe's house (the family I frequent every time I don't feel like finding somewhere else to go). Then I had a wonderful Seder (one night, only!) at my Rabbi's house. We actually sat in the living room on couches in a circle for most of it, which I thought was very smart and innovative. We sang a LOT, heard some interesting questions from his children (for which they got chocolate chips as rewards), got to play with his Ethiopian foster child, and experience what it means to eat matzah according to those who think you have to eat a "c'zait" every time it's a mitzvah (basically half a matzah, times 5 times you're specifically supposed to eat matzah = too much matzah). But luckily they just served soup for dinner and fruit salad for dessert, so we managed.
The weather has been beautiful since I got back, so I've been taking advantage: going on picnics, long walks, reading in the parks, starting training for a half-marathon, treating myself to Diet Iced Aroma Coffee (basically a diet frappuccino). It's been fantastic!
This past Shabbat I had my first Shabbat on a Kibbutz up north - Kibbutz Sdeh Eliyahu (their claim to fame is spice manufacturing), where my two best friends from home were volunteering for vacation. It was really hot and dry outside, but I came early enough on Friday to go to the pond, and then on Shabbat I just took frequent breaks by napping and reading and hanging out inside the cooler apartment.
As for the rest of vacation - I'm going to have a quiet chag back at the Wolffe's, then hopefully go to the beach in Tel Aviv on Tuesday. Wednesday and Thursday I'm going on an optional Tiyul with the Midrasha to the Golan (which apparently will also involve some swimming). Then for Shabbat, 5 of us from home are staying at our friend's apartment in Efrat (she's doing Sheirut Leumi this year), cooking shabbat food together, and having a grown-up reunion!! We're all very excited.
I go back to school Sunday afternoon, starting off with special programming for Yom HaShoah. I'm a little nervous to start back, but I'm also excited to end the year on a good note. I plan on switching some classes around, yet again, since I have the opportunity, and I think I'll start volunteer work on Tuesday afternoons. It's going to be a crazy couple of months! Wish me luck!
So, hello, everybody! I've now been back in Israel a week and a half since my Poland and Italy trips. I'm not going to go into so much detail on those, as I'm working on photo books, complete with journal entries, that I hope to share with everyone when they're finished. I will say, though, that Poland was an extremely intense emotional experience, that made me identify even more than before with the Jewish nation and the Land of Israel, and left me feeling mostly appreciative of everything and everyone I'm blessed to have in my life. Going to Italy afterward was strange, but it also felt fitting, in that I was seizing the day and grasping life, something I really felt the urge to do after hearing so much about people whose mere bathroom schedule (one of many examples) was limited.
Italy was absolutely stunning. I've been asked which was my favorite part, and I'm not sure I can pinpoint it since every place we went had an entirely different feel. I can say that I was astounded by the significance and antique-ness of every building I walked by in Rome (so much so that one can't even attempt to figure out what exactly is everything she's walking by), I thoroughly enjoyed seeing The School of Athens by Raphael in the Vatican Museums, since I had done research on it the year before and there was an added element of appreciation, and Venice honestly felt like a dream. We were only there for one day and night, but there is certainly no place like it on earth. I'd love to go back sometime and explore more. Finally, I thought it was really important that we made sure to visit the Great Synagogues in Rome, Florence, and Venice (and to try out the Kosher restaurants, of course), especially in juxtaposition to my Poland trip. I felt the need to acknowledge the Jewish life that existed there before (albeit small), and it was fantastic to see so many old relics from the Jewish communities (some dating back to the 1500s)!
And now to be back in Israel...
Well, I thought that after Italy, Israel wouldn't seem so ideal or beautiful to me anymore, but it's still just as stunning as it's always been. Possibly even MORE stunning, since I'm coming back to it as "home" after having traveled from hostel to hostel for a while. Since I came back, I had a nice quiet Shabbat by myself at the Wolffe's house (the family I frequent every time I don't feel like finding somewhere else to go). Then I had a wonderful Seder (one night, only!) at my Rabbi's house. We actually sat in the living room on couches in a circle for most of it, which I thought was very smart and innovative. We sang a LOT, heard some interesting questions from his children (for which they got chocolate chips as rewards), got to play with his Ethiopian foster child, and experience what it means to eat matzah according to those who think you have to eat a "c'zait" every time it's a mitzvah (basically half a matzah, times 5 times you're specifically supposed to eat matzah = too much matzah). But luckily they just served soup for dinner and fruit salad for dessert, so we managed.
The weather has been beautiful since I got back, so I've been taking advantage: going on picnics, long walks, reading in the parks, starting training for a half-marathon, treating myself to Diet Iced Aroma Coffee (basically a diet frappuccino). It's been fantastic!
This past Shabbat I had my first Shabbat on a Kibbutz up north - Kibbutz Sdeh Eliyahu (their claim to fame is spice manufacturing), where my two best friends from home were volunteering for vacation. It was really hot and dry outside, but I came early enough on Friday to go to the pond, and then on Shabbat I just took frequent breaks by napping and reading and hanging out inside the cooler apartment.
As for the rest of vacation - I'm going to have a quiet chag back at the Wolffe's, then hopefully go to the beach in Tel Aviv on Tuesday. Wednesday and Thursday I'm going on an optional Tiyul with the Midrasha to the Golan (which apparently will also involve some swimming). Then for Shabbat, 5 of us from home are staying at our friend's apartment in Efrat (she's doing Sheirut Leumi this year), cooking shabbat food together, and having a grown-up reunion!! We're all very excited.
I go back to school Sunday afternoon, starting off with special programming for Yom HaShoah. I'm a little nervous to start back, but I'm also excited to end the year on a good note. I plan on switching some classes around, yet again, since I have the opportunity, and I think I'll start volunteer work on Tuesday afternoons. It's going to be a crazy couple of months! Wish me luck!
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