Inspirations from the Holy Land K/N/A Life in the Married Lane

Visit my new home!

2008-03-10T03:22:00.001+02:00

Hi - I've moved to Life in the Married Lane - come and visit!

MAZEL TOV

2007-11-05T23:43:00.000+02:00

due to tremendous time constraints, I will update briefly with this:

I did not return to Israel

I got engaged!!!

To: Raphael Silver from Memphis, TN.

IY"H, the chassunah will be Dec 16, in St. Louis, at the Holiday Inn Airport West. Chuppah promptly at 1:45pm. :-)

summer sabbatical

2007-06-11T08:01:00.000+03:00

Tzipora Elefant's wedding was such a treat!! Baruch Hashem I was able to go. Really a wonderful Simcha. I ended up staying in Williamsburg that night (no one was going anywhere near Manhattan and I was not crazy enough to take the public transport from Brooklyn), and shopping the next day. The family I stayed with was the Hoffman's and they were so sweet. It was such a nice experience! When I was out on the street that day I felt a little bit like I was in Geulah/Meah Shearim because of all the chassidic ladies (and men) in the street. It was so nice.

But...back to St. Louis. Shabbos was nice, if a little weird. Everything in St. Louis is kind of the same, except everyone has a new sheitel. And there are more Starbucks everywhere. And we have a Macy's. Stuff like that. B'ezras Hashem, I'll be back to Israel soon!

Considering this blog is titled "Inspirations from the Holy Land," and St. Louis doesn't really fall into the category of holy... I think I'll take a brief hiatus from detailing my life until I return to Eretz HaKodesh around Elul. Have a great summer!!!

t-minus 33 hours

2007-06-03T15:15:00.000+03:00

Yes, it's true. The time has really come. I'm really leaving tomorrow night. I've been going through various stages of shock with coming to terms with this reality. At least I'm leaving with both of my roommates. Emily and I are even on the same flight! No joke!!

So, next Shabbos I'll be in the states. In St. Louis. Wowza.

This past Shabbos I davened Kabbalat Shabbos at the Kotel, then walked to Rabbi Chalkowski for dinner. For lunch I went to a lovely family called the Bronchers. Most of the day I spent sleeping, to make up for the extreme sleep defecit I was dealing with. For third meal, I ate with everyone in the dining hall, and one of the madrichot asked me to give a dvar torah. I was a nice end to a wonderful Shabbos, but I was so sad for it to end. All good things...

In any case, tomorrow I return to Chutz L'Eretz, and embark on my summer journey. It's been an amazing year and I'm SO glad I came!!!!

the impending trip back....

2007-05-22T09:44:00.000+03:00

Well, it's really happening. I'm really coming back to the states. And soon. June 5, to be exact. Hashem, in H-s continual kindness, has set me up wonderfully for my time back. I'll be living by the Greenwalds (by the way, the "by" really means "at." It's just a frum thing, what can I say - frum grammar has its own rules), and working for Kramer and Frank - the law office I worked for before I was priviledged to work for Reb Yari. This is mutual beneficial, I know their official and procedures. Also, they know me and my religious needs. I'm looking forward. What else? I get to be home in time for Tzippora Elefant's wedding (I think I already mentioned this). These are only a few of the things which are making the trip back that much more pleasant.

Of course, I'm not looking forward to the culture shock, but b'ezras Hashem, it will be okay, and I won't faint when I go into Target for the first time (from the sheer amount of items available for purchase).

Neve is doing a play, "Elevated," about two girls - one frum and one not who are stuck in an elevator together and are forced to bond. It's cute. I'm "in charge" of the music for it (I guess that makes me the musical director, which is exciting), so I'm doing the choir, arranging the music, etc. It's a lot of fun, but also a lot of work.

Oh, by the way - Shavuous is tonight!!!!! After this holiday, I'll have experienced all the holidays in Eretz Yisrael. That's very exciting. I'm eating by Maya Davidovici's cousins tonight (The Epsteins) and then classes, walking to the Kotel, and then lunch tomorrow (at 3pm) by R'Chalkowskis. That is very exciting. The second day, myself, Maya and Sharone (two of my friends and apartmentmates) are eating food which Maya and Sharone made (I contributed only financially this time - they are great cooks these girls). I'm looking forward.

Chag Sameach!

has it really been 2 and a half months?

2007-05-10T21:59:00.000+03:00

What can I say? Baruch Hashem, I've been super-busy with other things in life and have had no time to type. Also, since my camera is still broken, my incentive has been greatly diminished. However, a brief update:

My schedule is still the same - learning all the time! Yay! We're now learning Megillas Rus (for Shavuous) and Sefer Daniel (for the Aramaic - R'Chalkowski told us that after we can read this sefer, Hebrew will be no problem for us!!!). It's a lot of fun. I'm really enjoying myself.

What else? There's a play which Neve is putting on June 3ish. I get to organize the music. Our Eim Bayit (house mother) wrote the melodies, I put the chords to it and and am giving it to a girl to play piano. I'm directing the choir, doing the harmonies and finding flute and violin players. I might even play sax. We'll see. There are only two songs, which is good, because otherwise I would probably be totally overwhelmed!! It's going to be really good, I think. I also get to play the character of the mom of one of the leads (which is actually played by one of my roommates!). It's cute.

We took a trip up north right before Rosh Chodesh, so that was really fun. I hope to put up some pictures of it (maybe) before I leave. We'll see. At the rate I'm going.... Really, though, it's become a bit of a shlep to get to internet access, and since my life is, Baruch Hashem, fairly routine, I just don't get around to it much anymore!

Finally, I'm coming back to the states on June 5. I get to go to Tzipporah Elefant's wedding in NYC, due to the timing of my arrival back in the states. I'm very excited for that.

That's all for now!

me on a camel...and more!

2007-02-19T17:19:00.000+02:00

The Eilat trip was amazing. It was very well organized, packed with activities and, thankfully, I feel very, very refreshed. We went on hikes every day, to unbelievably beautiful areas. We went camel riding, to the beach, had a bonfire (including marshmellow roasting!), went to an acquarium where we saw coral reef and the corresponding fish life. Enjoy! Of course, the pictures don't do justice to the real thing.

My environs - in color!

2007-02-12T17:22:00.000+02:00

No, my camera is not yet functional. Rather, Devorah Nitsun very kindly lent me hers, as we are going on a school trip to Eilat tomorrow and I thought it would be a shame not to get at least one picture of me on a camel. In any case, I thought I would treat you to some images of my daily life. First, the classroom, where I spend most of my time. The view upon entering. Please note the plants in the bottom right corner. Besides our learning, of course, they are our pride and joy. We even did our Chanukah play about Stanley (the plany in the background). Then, there's me, studying dilligently (well, kind of, since the shot is posed), next is the view that I see every day, and finally, there's Rochel Grossman, who is actually good friends with Chani Neuhaus (Bloch)! What a small world - she sits right next to me! What a cutie!

Okay, next is the apartment tour (well, the truncated apartment tour, since I wasn't exactly going to photo each room....or the laundry room, for that matter). First is our "foyer," complete with welcome sign, tzaddik (righteous rabbi), Blessing for the Home, and picture of Jerusalem. Next is our hallway board, which includes information, prayers, toranut (chores) chart, inspirational quotes, contact info, etc. Ah, the kitchen. This was actually the reason for the move from building two (I just came along with my friends). Aside from the classroom, this is where I spend a lot of my time. Often there are delicious smells wafting in from here, greeting me as a walk in the apartment. Note the wicker shelf close to the toaster oven - this is a new acquisition from the 6th floor. It makes a world of difference. We are also the only floor with a couch. I may be biased, but I definitely think it's the most heimish kitchen on campus.

Here's a picture of a lot of St. Louis girls at Leah Sipple (Grunberger)'s Sheva Brachos. I'm not sure I spelled that new name correctly - apologies for the error!

That's it- next update - from Eilat!

February?! How did that happen?

2007-02-05T17:50:00.000+02:00

Time just keeps up it's persistant march forward, doesn't it? Shabbos in Bayit Vegan was amazing! The meal at the Refsons was very inspiring. It was like being in class with Rabbi Refson, but better, because it was also Shabbos! He spoke about a lot of different topics, but one which was especially nice was the commandment to love you friend as yourself. He said the usually we only view our good points, our positive attributes when thinking about ourselves, and this is exactly how we should treat others - look at their positive traits. The Levis was also very, very nice. There were a few other Neve girls there, and after the meal we played Rummikub and Mrs. Levi fed us fruit, popcorn and cake. As if we didn't eat enough! The Weisbergs were also very lovely. It turns out that Michal Sendler, the head tutor, was a permanent fixture in their house when she was single! They made me feel very at home.

This past Shabbos I was in Ramat Eshkol and Sanhedria area. I ate dinner at Rebbetzin Bulman's, which was really lovely. We had a seder in honor of Tu B'Shvat (the Rosh HaShana of the trees), and the meal was nice, relaxed and very enjoyable. Lunch was spent by a Chassidishe couple with two ridiculously adorable children. It was a wondeful Shabbos. Motzei Shabbos (Saturday evening) I went to the Bulmans and played a little clarinet. They fed me ice cream and cookies. This is the life!

Things are really wonderful here, and I'm really savoring my time here. Now that I'm aware that there are only four months left until I come home for the summer, I'm starting to look at things through eyes of longing and appreciation. Not that I didn't appreciate my time here before! But, when you know something is finite, it makes it more precious.

a touch of St. Louis

2007-01-25T23:49:00.000+02:00

I had dinner tonight at the Village Green with Mrs. Greenwald and Esti. What a treat it was to see them!! It's a little cognitive dissonance to see St. Louis people in Israel, I have to say. There's a Motzei Shabbos (Saturday night) get-together with some more St. Louis people. It should be good. For Shabbos I'm going to be in Bayit Vegan, to Rabbi Refson for dinner, Rabbi Levi for Lunch and the Weissburgs (at whose house I'm staying) for Shalosh Seudas. I'm looking forward to a nice Shabbos filled with new experiences. I've pretty much stuck to routine for quite some time, so it should be a nice change.

Good Shabbos!!

adventures in Bnei Brak...and beyond

2007-01-13T22:43:00.000+02:00

This is so typical of me: For the past month, I've been commuting to Bnei Brak (a nice religious city near Tel Aviv, about an hour and fifteen minute communte by bus) each Monday to teach a handful of clarinet and saxophone (that's right, saxophone) students. In Hebrew. I love it! It's wonderful to be teaching clarinet (and saxophone) while simultaneously improving my Hebrew skills. Plus, the girls are very sweet, mainly in their late teens, and mainly learning just for the enjoyment of music, not for competitive reasons. It's such a pleasure. As a bonus, I get a chance to be alone with myself for two and a half (or more) hours each week, which, as a chronic over-commiter, is a really breath of fresh air. I really enjoy the time. Baruch Hashem! I feel like my energies and talents are really being put to use!

In a nice moment of hashgacha (divine intervention), I happened to mention at the Shabbos table today at lunch that I hadn't been to a live concert of classical music in a while (as an audience member, not as a performer), and I missed it. Happened to be that there was a concert Motzei Shabbos (Saturday night). So the mother of the household and I went. There was a jazz duet to start (Jazz guitar and trombone) who were really fantastic. It's been years since I heard live jazz, and it was in such a nice setting! Then there was a concert pianist who played Schumann's Theme and variations etudes in C# minor (I think), which was stunning.

My learning is still going well, Baruch Hashem. I've found that the more translating I've been doing, the betterI get at it (this is, of course, the logical progression of things!!). It's so satisfying to open up a Chumash (Bible) and read what the meforshim (commentators - Rabbis from a long, long time ago, mainly) have to say on the different verses. There's so much wisdom packed into each verse, nuggets of truth, ways to be a better person. Torah is amazing.

I love it here; it's indescribably wonerful. Everyone should come visit!!!

My camera is again on the fritz, so I apologize for the lack of pictures. However, I still haven't gone anywhere that exciting recently, so it's not such a loss.

Chanukah Sameach!!

2006-12-21T18:06:00.000+02:00

It's hard to believe, but it's already the second to last night of Chanukah! Time really flies! It's been a really really great Chanukah, and even though I'm on break, technically, I've been so busy! Here's a bunch of us in front of the communal menorah, which we light for the whole building.

I had four performances this week (yay!). The first one was last Thursday. The Israeli program had a party and there's a girl I know, Moran, who suggested that I play with another girl, who played guitar. It was really an amazing experience. I was the only American there, so my Hebrew skills were put to test! Good thing there were also some people who spoke English.
Then, on Sunday, Neve had their Chanukah Chagiga, where each class put on a play. One of my roommates, Shoshana, wrote our play, which was a spoof of "Little Shop of Horrors." We have a plant for our classroom (Stanley), so we adapted the play to be about him. It was a ton of fun. My other roommate was one of the emcees for the show, and in her level's skit. Both my roommates are hysterical.

Then, Tuesday, there was a concert with the orchestra I've been playing with. We played an arrangement of Mao Tzur, then some Kabelevsky, Peter and the Wolf, In the Hall of the Mountain King, an original work for choir and orchestra, Vivaldi, an arrangment of Al HaNisim, two pieces by a guy named Leroy Anderson (I think - I have no idea who he is). It was great!!! I got to play bass clarinet (see). Who ever thought that over three years after I completed my degree I would be performing in an all-women orchestra in Jerusalem?

Finally, there was a huge fundraiser last night to support kallahs (brides) from Neve (since most of us don't have so much cash to front on a wedding). There were hundreds, maybe even over a thousand, people who attended. Shosh and a girl named Naomi sang a song (There's a light in the window), another girl from our floor, Batya, danced to it, and I played piano. It was great! My other roommate (Emily) sang a gorgeous solo with the girls from Maalot (a different program). She also won a giant picture of R'Moshe Feinstein in the raffle! Now it's in our room! so cool! Here's us after the show (with the Rabbi).

Now I'm just recuperating from the events, and trying to prepare for classes, which start again on Sunday. I can't believe Chanukah is almost over. I can't believe I've been here for six months. It's amazing here!!!!!

I knew this would happen!

2006-12-02T20:31:00.000+02:00

I had a sneaking suspicion that once the ball got rolling, so to speak, on classes, my ability/desire to continue to update would wane. Well, I was right! To compound the matter, my camera is not functioning so well (that means not at all), and so I don't even have pictures to post. However, I can tell you what the pictures would be of: the classroom in which I essentially live!

Learning is really, really amazing. We learn a lot inside (this means only in Hebrew), and it's so exciting to be able to read Rashi without translation (with a dictionary, of course!). My vocabulary keeps growing, and it's very, very exciting. Also, hashgafically (philosophically) the classes are phenomenal. It helps that St. Louis provided such solid footing so that when I came here I could grow from a nice holding point.

I've been developing kesherim (connections) with Rabbeim (and Rebbetzins) - mainly Rabbi Chalkowski (he's my Rav!), Rebbetzin Bulman, Rebbetzin Levitan and Rabbi Keleman. Between them, I'm taken care of! They are all so insightful. There are times wehn I go in to Rabbi Chalkowski to ask a question and he answers questions I didn't even realize I had! Also, my Eim Bayis (House Mother) is also very special, and always available for advice, or to borrow stain remover, or give me leftover kugel. I love it!!

My hebrew birthday was recently (6 Kislev), and my roommate treated me to a trip to the Kosel. It was really incredible. It's hard to understand where I was only a year ago. It's very, very exciting.

So, in short, I love love Israel and Neve and all my friends and all my classes and I really have no complaints, Baruch Hashem!!

update for davening

2006-10-20T13:39:00.000+02:00

Please note that Dovid ben Bracha is now Rafael Dovid ben Bracha. Please keep davening for all the Grunberger children. Thank you!!!

Avital and I went to Kever Rochel and Chevron this morning to daven for the Grunbergers, but when we got to Chevron the bus driver announced that since it's Ramadan in the Islamic calendar, the Muslims were using the Kever of the Patriarchs, so we would be going to daven at a shul not too far away from there and then going to meet an "interesting person."

Naturally, we were a little confused/disappointed, but, gam zu la tova, we went and davened and then got back in the bus and went... to a farm! We heard the life story (I'm not really sure, actually, as it was given in Hebrew, which I don't understand so much) of a farmer who made aaliyah in the 60s (according to someone who translated some of the speech). It was really interesting seeing a Jewish farmer - big bushy beard (okay, that's not so uncommon), denim-clad and with a baseball cap on (not for a baseball team or anything - just that style of hat). There were horses and geese and dogs and it smelled like a farm, that's for sure!

So, not exactly what I had pictured doing on my Friday morning, but it was interesting!

Have a great Shabbos!

Isru Chag

2006-10-16T18:06:00.000+02:00

So the Chag (holiday) is over. Classes are going to be starting Wednesday. I'll be caught back up in the swing of the hectic schedule. It's difficult to process, as so many things have happened since I last typed which overshadow most of what I would mention.

Thursday morning I was woken up by a phone call from Mrs. Yari (I had already two messages - one from Bracha Elefant and one from Chana Greenwald), telling me that there was an accident involving the Grunbergers. She told me in such a gentle way, Baruch Hashem, that it took quite some time to process the gravity of the situation.

Here are the names so you can daven:

Dovid ben Bracha
Eliyahu Chaim ben Bracha
Elisha ben Bracha
Tehilla bas Bracha

The St. Louis contingency here in Israel gathered at the Kosel Thursday night to daven and say Tehillim for the Grunbergers.

So, although I was b'simcha on Simchas Torah, and spent time in Mea Shearim Saturday evening watching the Hafkafos Shenios (essentially a second Simchas Torah - men dancing with the Torah scrolls with an incredible amount of joy which is very contagious) at various shuls (one with a Yerushalmi clarinetist) and the following day spent the meal with the Halles and then went to to the Kosel with Chani Muser, Devorah Nitsun and Bracha Elefant to daven and say tehillim, now I find myself back in a state of suspended belief. Please daven!!

Chol HaMoed Activities

2006-10-10T19:07:00.000+02:00

The first two days of Sukkos were great! I ate by the Lists for the first two meals and then Neve for the third, and a couple named the Katzes (who I met at the Lists') for the last meal. Was I stuffed! One beautiful thing about Sukkos in Jerusalem is that you can hear all the zemiros (Singing) of all the families or yeshivas who are having their meals. It was really a moving experience.

So now most everyone is on vacation for the week. On Monday about a dozen girls went down south, near the dead sea and masada to go rappelling. We left at 5:30 in the morning, and many of us were a little sleep deprived, as some girls were still returning from where they had their meals for the yom tov (holiday). We had quite a hike to get to the place were we did our first "jump" or "drop" or whatever it's called. The hike was exhilarating, and the view from the top of the mountains (hills, or big rocks, if you wish) was breathtaking. The sky is this deep, vivid blue, the sea is in full view, framed by hazy mountains in the background. Gorgeous.

The hike itself was a nice challenge, as there were certain areas which required jumping or climbing, or being creative in general as to how one gets from point A to point B. That part I liked a lot. However, the part where I was leaning backwards off of a 70 foot cliff with only a rope and an Israeli to keep me from a disaster, well, that part was not to my taste. I realize that the adrenaline rush associated with this activity must be the fun of it, but for me, it was mainly terror!! So, now I know. Difficult hiking trails = yes. Dangling backwards off cliffs = NO.

After the trip (which got back around 5:30 in the evening), I cleaned up and met Avital at the main bus station to go to Vickie and Dovid Lecy's in Ramat Beit Shemesh. We went, with a friend of Vickie's, to an outdoor concert, put on especially for the Chag (holiday). Now, music is a very powerful force which can really tap into the kedusha (holiness) out there. This music did not do that. It felt like just a regular concert that I would have gone to in college, except everyone was Jewish. Not exactly the feeling I'm going for when I'm abroad for a year of heightened spirituality.

On a nicer note, today I went to a small meal in Rebbetzin Levitan's Sukkah, which was very pleasant. There were only a few girls there, which was quite a change following the very crowded concert the previous evening. Rebbetzin Levitan fed us very yummy food and gave a beautiful dvar Torah: She brought Tehillim 27 (Psalm 27), which is what we've been saying since Rosh Chodesh Elul at the end of Shacharis (the morning service). One of the verses is Dovid HaMelech (King David) asking G-d to let him "dwell in the House of G-d all the days of my life." Rebbetzin Levitan noted that normally this "House of G-d" would be understood to be the Beis HaMikdosh, the Temple, but then she pointed out the Dovid HaMelech never saw the Beis HaMikdosh (his son, Shlomo - Solomon - built the first Temple). So Rebbetzin Levitan explained to us that, in this case, "the House of G-d" really refers to us when we're in a state of balance, where we can relate to G-d and to people in an even, fair, healthy manner. This is the state that we've (hopefully) achieved after Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur. And now the Sukkah that we are sitting in is the protection G-d gives us when we're in this centered state.

Of course, it was much better when she gave it over, but it gave me such chizzuk (encouragement) after a trying day!

Tomorrow, G-d willing, I'm going to go spend time with Rebbetzin Scheinberg, then go to work at the Klamins (Klamens?) in the old city, who are having a Sukkos party. I'm looking forward! Thursday I think I'm going horseback riding in Netanya and then maybe to the beach, and hopefully to Rabbi Chalkowski's Sukkah party. Looking forward!

Pictures of Sukkos preparations

2006-10-05T14:48:00.000+02:00

Here are some images of pre-Sukkos Jerusalem. The first two pictures are in the Mea Shearim area and the others are in Har Nof. It's so exciting!

Sukkos is in the air

2006-10-04T23:01:00.000+02:00

I had a real "only in Israel" moment the other day. While purchasing an mp3 player in order to record classes and listen to them, put then on the computer, etc., I was at the electronics store with a friend and happened to look out at the beautiful late-afternoon sky as the colors changed in such a way that you really appreciate the divinity of a sunset. But, as I gazed at the sky, it occured to me that since the clock was turned back after Yom Kippur, the sunset was earlier, which meant the deadline for davening Mincha, the afternoon prayer, was about an hour earlier, and I had no siddur (prayer book) with me! I expressed my concern to the sales clerk, who was not religious, and he promptly ran to the back of the store and came back with two siddurs, asking me, "Ashkenaz or Sephardi?" I was able to daven mincha in the back room. Only in Israel!!

On another note, Sukkos is really in the air. Sukkas are popping up everywhere, and on many streets vendors are selling the four species, decorations, schach, whatever you would want. Baruch Hashem, we don't have classes right now, so I'm able to really enjoy this season. It's so amazing!

Yom Kippur

2006-10-02T22:20:00.000+02:00

Wow. You'll have to excuse that this post will most likely be only semi-intelligible.

We ended our tefillos (prayers) around 4 hours ago for Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. A day totally devoted to cleansing ourselves and getting as close to the Almighty as possible. A day spent in the synagogue immersed in heartfelt prayer. At the very end of the day, at the Neilah service (the last service), at the very end, I looked over at my friend Sharon, who was davening (praying) next to me, and she had this wide grin on her face. And so did I! I guess it was the feeling of being squeaky clean, no more ugly sin stains!

Let's stay this way!!

Only a few days until Succos!

A Good & Sweet New Year!

2006-09-25T21:19:00.000+03:00

Thoughts on the New Year. These ten days between (including) Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur are known as the ten days of Repentence, where everyone does their best to fix up their not-so-desirable behavior, seriously review their deeds and how they can have a better relationship with G-d.

Of course, this is not just a procrastination, "oh, I have ten days, I better work on myself" kind of attitude. As I might have mentioned before, there are different times in the Jewish year that are more conducive to different things one might want to work on. Like, for instance, Pesach is the time of freedom, so if you want to kick a habit, that's the time to do it. And so, this is the time to change your ways, to become closer to the ideal, to fix those mistakes. This is the time of year that G-d is particularly close and particularly empathetic to our attempts to become better people. You try a little, He helps a lot. What a deal!

So that's what I'm working on.

Gomara V'Chasima Tova!

Here are some pictures of one of my roommates (Shoshana - isn't she adorable!!!), and then my pink curtains, and one of my rugs. Enjoy!!

Playing "House"

2006-09-08T13:45:00.000+03:00

As you might recall, my friends and I moved into a new building on campus, "Building 4." This building has a kitchen on each floor, which, compared to the counter which comprised our kitchen in the previous building, is a huge luxury! Some of the girls on the floor are very health conscious (a trait which I don't mind if it rubs off on me!), and go to the shuk (open-air market) to purchase fresh fruit and vegetables with which to make yummy salads. At first I was of the mindset of "I'm already paying for food in my tuition, why would I spend money on food outside of that?", but then, after seeing these scrumptious, delectable meals and salads the girls were making, and seeing the negligible price of produce, I changed my mind.

So, now at dinner-time, a handful of us gather in the kitchen and prepare fresh, delicious salads and munch on our healthy meals in the privacy of our apartment. This is really such a treat, especially since hordes of girls have descended on the Neve Campus (the other seminaries have begun to arrive), and the din in the cafeteria is a force to be reckoned with!

Classes are still amazing. I feel like I've been learning for two months rather than two weeks! It's such an amazing experience. What a privelege!

Okay, time to start getting ready for Shabbos. Have a good Shabbos!!!

The week after....

2006-09-01T14:53:00.000+03:00

Well, I officially survived the first week of advanced! You may think, "big deal, the first week of classes," but, really, I cannot describe the feeling of release I experienced Thursday night as the last class of the week finished up. On one hand, my brain felt like jelly from the rigorous schedule, on the other hand, I felt incredible accomplished. After discussing it among each other, all the Advanced girls agreed that we LOVE it! It's such hard work, but it's almost always done with a huge grin on our faces.

Thursday morning we had our first test on Rashi's commentary on the Parsha (Torah portion). We had to prepare 3 chapters (out of 5) of the Parsha and then Rabbi Chalkowski quizzed us - 20 questions! We all worked very hard, and I think we all did well. It was an oral test, and afterwards we went around the class and answered the questions out loud. One of the best things about it is the knowledge that we are acquiring about the Torah. How wonderful!

This coming Sunday we will give a Dvar Torah (literally: words of Torah) where we have to use 3 sources. It's best if they're all Rishonim, but we can also use 2 Rishonim and 1 of the Acharonim. We can't rely on Rashi, though. We can use Rashi, but he doesn't count as one of the required sources. Last Sunday was the first time we gave our Divrei (plural of Dvar) Torah, and every girl was shaking!!! They are giving in front of Rabbi Chalkowski, and we were all very nervous to do well. Baruch Hashem, we all did do well (the Rav said so!), so I think we will all be slightly less nervous this coming Sunday.

What else? There are only seven girls in the level (so far), and it's clear that we're all going to be very close, as we spend the bulk of our day together. The majority of the level (4 girls) live in my apartment. It's intense - the other girls on the floor keep kidding us that they never see us. It's kind of true. I feel like the library is my new home, next to the classroom! However, it's a wonderful feeling. We are all on the same page, approximately, and so during our Chavrusa time (once or twice a day - like a study hall), we review our assignments with each other (translations of different texts), and everyone pitches in and helps each other. It's so inspiring!

We're learning the book of Jonah, which is very appropriate since it's read at Mincha time on Yom Kippur. I just learned that the boat which Jonah was on was the only boat in the ocean affected by the storm G-d sent - the sailors could see that the other boats were coming and going in peace (according to Rashi and Radak), but their boat was about to break from the storm. Can you imagine!?!?! How terrifying!

My two roommates arrived this week!! It's so nice to have them in the room! I also acquired some pink curtains, two throw rugs, and some more cloths/scarves with which to cover tables. The apartment is really comfortable! Thank G-d, both of my roommates are interested in being homey, tidy, considerate living buddies. It's such a luxury!

That's it for now. Good Shabbos!

change your place, change your mazel

2006-08-25T14:54:00.000+03:00

We have completed our move into building four as of Wednesday, the day before classes started. Very exciting! Also, when I left, the bathrooms in our old building looked like this:

Yikes (they're fixed now, don't worry!)! One of my former roommates and I cleaned the floor so that the girls just coming to Neve didn't have to deal with the war-zone looking floor. What happened? There was a burst pipe, which has now been replaced with a new, plastic, pipe.

Here are some pictures of my new room and the new setup. I was the only one of my three roommates to move in (the other two are madrichot - counselors - at a camp which hasn't finished yet), so I got to choose the arrangement of the furniture. Exciting!! See how I arraged my wardrobe to stand next to my bed, providing heightened privacy - a rare commodity in dorm life!

Next, note the pink board above my bed? I like this much better than the red (the red clashed with my decor, and also, it's not my favorite color). It's the small things, right? Also, note that there are two shelves, not one. I love building four!! Now I can use one shelf for my books, and another for tchochkes, whatever, little pretty touches, which is critical as the nesting instinct kicks in.

Here's the view from the doorway. There's a little table, with the gold cloth cover. On it I placed a little dish for our keys, a pretty bag with some flowers, a mirror. It's our foyer!! I must say, the room is getting pretty heimish, Baruch Hashem!!

So there's my living situation. What of the learning situation? I'm so excited! The first day of classes was yesterday, and already we have homework, quizes, tests and a dvar Torah to prepare! Talk about being right up my alley! Plus, we get two hours of chavrusa (a learning partner), and two hours of tutoring! For my tutors I am working with Esti from Baltimore, who I worked with during the summer (she's amazing!) and for the second hour, I get to work with Bayla from Cleveland- who used to teach in St Louis - great!! I'm very excited about that. We translated some commentary on Mishlei (Proverbs) for R'Refsen's class. Also we're learning Yonah (Jonah) with Rebbetzin Bulman. We translated the Ibn Ezra for posuk aleph (the first verse). Then, there's a dvar Torah I'm to prepare for Sunday, using two of the main commentaries, besides for Rashi! This is great!

Needless to say, I'm going to be a little busy, but I'll try to update the blog on a semi-regular basis.

Good Shabbos!

scenes from har nof

2006-08-22T21:47:00.000+03:00

I'm not feeling too chatty tonight. Here are some images of the sunset in Har Nof. The pictures can't do it justice. That neat-looking building is a yeshivah, I think.

redecorating

2006-08-21T18:36:00.000+03:00

I was inspired by some Israeli girls and their very heimish (homey) room, so for a few shekels, I purchased some tablecloths and fabric to make the room a little more presentable. Nice, no? The additions are courtesy of Ramat Beit Shemesh's bedding and curtains store (thanks Vickie!). The new comforter/pillow sham were courtesy the hefker pile (this means: free). Since I'm planning on staying for a while, I thought I would settle in some more. Updates to come!!

"Before" pics

Elul is upon us!!!

2006-08-19T23:53:00.000+03:00

These are words which strike fear in the heart of nearly every Neve girl. The mere mention of the month can send a shiver down one's spine. I heard a vort (speech - kind of) on Shabbos about how each prevoius generation lamented how the following generation "didn't feel Elul." I've also heard stories about how bubbies would faint in shul (synagogue) when Rosh Chodesh (the new month) of Elul was announced.

What is all this? Why the hubbub? Is it because of the intensity of the month? That people are more introspective, searching out the qualities and actions which they should improve? Shouldn't we be doing that all the time anyway? Well, yeah.

However, the Jewish Year lends itself to different things at different times. Like Pesach (Passover) is the time for personal freedom (want to kick a habit? there's your time). So, Elul is a time for introspection, a time when G-d is especially close to us, and will help us do teshuvah (repentance). Maybe girls start freaking out because to waste this time, the time when it would be "easier" for us to really work on ourselves, would really be chaval (a shame), to put it mildly.

Get ready!!! It's coming.......... duhn duhn DUHN! ELUL!

What is Elul?
Aish's info on the holidays
Rosh Hashana Survival Kit

At the Kosel

2006-08-15T17:04:00.000+03:00

So this picture is actually a little dated, but really, it's timeless. Standing in front of the Kosel, the Western Wall, the place where we can cry our hearts out to our Creator, close to where our Temple stood.

There are tunnels which follow the length of the Western Wall. When you come to the end of the tunnel you are standing on cobblestones which were street level at the time of the second Beis HaMikdosh (Temple) and the reign of King Herod. That's around the first century B.C.E., to give you an idea of how old that is. OLD!!!!!

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I attended a shiur (class) last night, where I heard an amazing analogy from Rebbetzin Malky Friedman. We have eyes to see, but the actually part with which we see is the pupil, the dark black spot in the center. When things are dark, the pupil expands, and when there is more light, it contracts. This is analogous to ourselves, more so, our egos. When things are dark, murky, and we're not recognizing the importance (or even existence) of G-d in our lives, we become big(-headed), the center of our own universe, the end-all-be-all (get the picture?). However, when we let in more of the Divine light into our lives, we become smaller, realize our perspective in the world, that we are really teensy, and that there are things which are far more important.

Isn't that great? I loved it!!

new links

2006-08-11T14:39:00.000+03:00

Check out my new links - (1) Rabbi Brown's site "issness.net" - if you know him, it makes soooo much sense! (2) Vickie Lecy's website and (3) HonestReporting.com, to give you a less biased view of the events in the Middle East. It's a pity that there can't just be fair reporting about Israel - but, such is life. Keep yourselves updated with the REAL news, not the slanted slander.

Good Shabbos!!!!

a fractured foot!

2006-08-11T13:23:00.000+03:00

Can you believe it? I broke my foot almost two weeks ago! How did such a thing happen? Well, I was immersed in thought and failed to notice the curb and promptly walked right off of it. Now, such graceful moments are relatively frequent in my life, so I thought I would just "walk it off," like so many other times. I hobbled up the hill to Neve, and elevated, iced, had Malka from upstairs (a nurse) take a look at it....but the next morning, when it wasn't better, I resigned myself to a clinic visit. Avital came with me (the tzedekes!) and it was possible the most efficient clinic visit EVER. My name was called practically when I started waiting. They took an x-ray of my foot and informed me that it was broken. This is the first bone I ever broke! It was kind of exciting. They also told me that it was a mild fracture and didn't warrant a cast.
Avital and I then went to Yad Sarah, a gemach (free loan center) for medical equipment and checked out some crutches. Also exciting - check them out!

So, the last couple of weeks have been spent mainly recuperating and being annoyed that I can't even get up to make tea for myself. Baruch Hashem, my apartment-mates are great and all jumped at the chance to help me. Such nice girls!!

A brief synopsis of what's occured since that fateful fall (I wasn't very mobile, but I was busy!) -

*The Shabbos after, a wheelchair was procured to wheel me to a Shabbos Kallah (a celebration for the bride-to-be on the Shabbos preceding her wedding) for Ilana, who lived across the hall from me. It was so sweet, and I was so glad to go! What a treat!

*The next day was her wedding, all the way in the old city. It was a beautiful wedding. I did a little shtick with the crutches: I used packing tape and secured an extra pair of shoes to the bottom of the crutches and proceeded to "dance on three." It was extra fun.

*The next day was the Summer Siyum (a party celebrating the completion of a book, or in this case, the summer semester), at which many girls spoke about their experiences, what they learned, what they'll take back with them. Our Rabbis also spoke. The food was delicious, the speeches inspiring, but it was bittersweet because of the war and because most of the girls were leaving very shortly. Our level (or what remained of it, that is) took a picture with Rabbi Chalkowski. We had such a great class - the energy was really great, and the comraderie as well. Most of us are staying and going on to "Advanced," where we get to learn Mishna Breurah with the Rav! This is really exciting!!!

*The next night (see, I was non-stop busy) was Sheva Brachos for Ilana (following a wedding, there is a dinner party of sorts every night for a week - it's a really amazing, beautiful tradition, welcoming the bride and groom into their new life as a couple) in Mea Shearim. It was so great - Ilana is to my left - isn't she beautiful? What a treat!

The rest of the time I chilled out - I went to an Orthopedic Doctor on Monday (the day of the Siyum), who was VERY Israeli (like, he told me to "not be a baby and walk on my foot even if it hurts, and if I really NEED to, I should take an aspirin."). He told me that I should start walking on the foot. So I have been, at an excruiciatingly slow pace, but, Baruch Hashem I can walk on it!! He was really pretty hysterical. When he found out I was staying until next June, he told me that I would "be a rebbetzin by then." Cute!

We're all still praying for the conflict to be over - an for the safe return of the soliders. Gilad ben Aviva, Ehud ben Malka and Eldad ben Tova. Please pray for their safe return to their families.

pictures of the trip

2006-07-28T14:08:00.000+03:00

Here's a picture of me at the tomb of King David. So, I don't look so happy because we just came from the Shoah Museum and it was a very sobering experience. The other picture is one very small example of all the gravestones which were in the memorial.

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fitting trip for the nine days

2006-07-28T12:55:00.000+03:00

Today there were eight girls from Neve who went to the Kosel, the Western Wall, to daven at sunrise. We left campus at five in the morning, and when we arrived to the Kosel there were already throngs of people. There were so many minyanim (groups of ten or more men) that it was not possible to follow the service of just one group. So we all lifted our voices to Hashem seperately, yet in unison. The most amazing art was that around 5:50, the earliest time that one could daven the Shemoneh Esrei, the main prayer of the morning prayer service, the entire group fell silent. It was an awesome moment. To think that everyone was crying out to Hashem simultaneously....it was a very moving experience.

Later on in the morning, we went to the Shoah (holocaust) museum/memorial in the old city, which was founded by survivors. The main display in the musuem was a gravestone for every community which was annihilated during the Shoah. There were five rooms and a courtyard which were literally lined with tombstones. There were also images of the atrocities commited (so graciously taken by the opressors), sefer Torahs which were desecrated, memorials to synagogues, prayer books which were written by inmates from memory on scrap paper. Also, there was a jacket which had been made out of a Torah scroll (I'm not sure if it was more than one or not). The Nazis forced one of the prisoners to make this thing. However, the prisoner did not let this disgusting act degrade him - he selected all the sections of the Torah cursing our enemies and out of those verses he constructed this "jacket."

(By the way, I'm sitting in the Rova right now, in the old city, and since I've been here, I've run into Yael, who's a madricha for NCSY in St. Louis, Mrs. Bloch, along with Chani and Devorah, and Ari Roisman. Is it a small world or WHAT?)

After the museum, which was a sobering experience, we went to the Tomb of King David (it was right across the street)and we said Tehillim (Psalms) for however long we wanted. How fitting, at a time when we're under attack, when we're threatened by our enemies, we go to the tomb of our king, our leader, and beseech Hashem in the merit of King David, to deliver us.

Okay, so it was a very moving and emotional day. It might seem that I'm coming on a little strong here, but it was a very powerful experience, and it's a very intense time in the Jewish Year. I think I mentioned before, but this is a time in the Jewish Year when most of the calamities which befell our nation occured. It doesn't seem like much has changed, and that's really scary. So it's in the forefront of my mind to strengthen my faith and improve my actions.

Tonight there's a Shabbaton at Neve campus. I'm giving a dvar Torah, which is very exciting (yay!) and the theme of the Shabbaton is "Love your neighbot as yourself." A fitting theme for these days. We should all take the message to heart.

reflections

2006-07-17T18:56:00.000+03:00

After reflecting on the events of this week, I feared that perhaps I was a bit callous in my last post, that my potentially dismissive remark for all of you to not worry about me was insensitive to all of those in the northern part of Israel who are living in bomb shelters currently, or who have lost loved ones, or even their lives. This was not my goal. My goal was to assuage the fears of those reading this blog.

Let me say that we are all very concerned with the current events, and already there have been several times that the girls at Neve have been gathered into the library to say Tehillim (Psalms) for the safety of the nation. There is a great tradition of saying Tehillim in a time of danger. King David penned numerous Tehillim when he was fleeing his enemies, some of which are said in these times as a source of protection.

For a skeptic, this may seem a little “far out.” Perhaps tanks and ammunition would seem more appropriate, or just more rational. However, when one comes to recognize from whom all power and control emanates (I’ll give you a clue: it’s not Olmert), it makes perfect sense to, and would even seem irresponsible to not, employ the spiritual method.

Rebbetzin Heller suggested saying the 79^th, 93^rd, 130^th, 142^nd Tehillim (you could also say more). The names of the soldiers who are kidnapped, which should be kept in mind, are: Gilad ben Aviva, Ehud ben Malka and Eldad ben Tova. Please keep them, as well as all of us, in your prayers during this difficult time.

Portentously these events are falling out during the period in the Jewish year known as the “Three Weeks,” which is a historically difficult and tragic period.

This is the time of year when both of the temples were destroyed, when we sinned with the golden calf in the desert (think back to the book of Exodus), and when the spies came back with their unfavorable report about the land of Israel (the book of Numbers), among other things. More recently, this was also the time of year when the inhabitants of Gush Katif had to leave their homes (it began the day after Tisha B’Av, if I’m not mistaken).

We are told that one of the reasons the second Beis HaMikdosh, the Temple, was destroyed was because of baseless hatred among Jews. Furthermore, some have said that each year the Temple is not rebuilt, it means that we are still guilty of this sin. How is this possible? The message of “love your neighbor as yourself” seems simple enough, no?

No. I think about every time when someone’s idiosyncrasy annoys me and I cringe at my reaction. Rationally I can understand that he/she is not saying/doing anything to specifically rile me, but some things just get under my skin. And that’s not even on purpose! What about when someone is outright rude to me? Or insulting? Or hostile? How many times do I harbor frustration and negativity in my heart and mind toward someone undeserving of this treatment?

During this time of year especially (though it should really be a constant), I’m trying to quell these reactions, to take a step back and acknowledge that another girls’ quirks are simply that: hers. Even more so, I should wonder how many people are annoyed by my idiosyncrasies. Hmm, that’s a little painful. And when someone is rude to me, or cuts in front of me in line, or whatever, I’m trying not to let my frustration linger.

There is an event tonight on the topic of Lashon Hara (Bad Speech, i.e. gossip, slander, etc.) where several well-known rabbis are speaking on this topic. Since Lashon Hara was included in the reason for the destruction of the second Beis HaMikdosh, it’s very fitting that we learn about these laws in order to begin to repair the damage we have wrought on the world through improper speech. Check out (books here) to learn about these laws.

Each person is created in the image of G-d, and no two people are alike. Instead of noticing the differences between us and being annoyed or appalled or judgmental, perhaps we can learn to appreciate the strengths and individuality of each person, and perhaps through this we can come to see the image of G-d in everyone, and to treat everyone with the dignity and respect they deserve, and then maybe we can merit to see the rebuilding of the Beis HaMikdosh in our days.

safe and sound and on a tour

2006-07-14T14:09:00.000+03:00

First of all – I’m safe, for those of you keeping up with the current events. Jersualem is out of range, thank G-d.

I wanted to share with you a walking tour I took this morning of the courtyards of some neighborhoods in Jerusalem. This was a very special tour of neighborhoods which were established before and around the turn of the century (yes, there were Jews living in Israel before the establishment of the Jewish state).

In order of the pictures:

This is Davidka – a fake mortar war-thing, which the Jews used in war (I think in 47-48?) because they didn’t have enough ammunition. This little guy made a big “boom,” and was used for psychological warfare. It worked, by the way.
This is by the entrance of Tiferet Yerushalayim – Ezrat Yisrael (founded 1892)
A courtyard in the Even Yisroel (est. 1875) – it’s absolutely gorgeous, with flowers blooming around it and a furniture restoration store behind it. Yofi.
Here is an example of a typical window in this old neighborhood. Note the archway, double window, and small hole in between. These were everywhere.
This is the entrance to Ohel Moshe (est. 1883).
A gorgeous entrance way to an old synagogue. The doors display imagery of the 12 tribes. This was the first synagogue to leave the old city.
Here is a plaque outside of a house in Mishkenot Yisroel (est. 1875) which proudly displays the fact that the gadols (the great people), Rabbi Meltzer and Rabbi Pardes used to live in this building. We were able to schmooze little with the woman who currently resides in the home, and she regaled us with stories of how the descendents of these great men will periodically come to the home to visit. Amazing!!
These beautiful figures are the artwork of Chaim Peretz, who is a very modest artist living in this area. When asked why he didn’t place his gallery/store in a more populated area, he replied that Hashem is in charge of his income, and if he is to prosper, Hashem will send him the business. It seems to be working.
The door of the home of Rabbi Aryeh Levine. His son gives brachos (blessings) from this building. Hopefully, I’ll go back and get one.
This is a real Yerushalmi challah in the area of Batei Rand (est 1910)! It’s representative of the twelve tribes, or it could also be representative of the twelve loaves which were displayed in the Beis HaMikdosh (The Temple) every Shabbos. We are trying to recruit this lady to come and teach us at Neve how to make this delicious bread!
Why would I take a picture of a blue dumpster? Because it’s not a dumpster! This container is used to put papers which contain the name of G-d, or a verse from the Torah. We don’t throw these pieces of paper away, out of respect for G-d and the Torah. This is a neighborhood service. Can you imagine?
In this neighborhood of Batei Broide (est. 1902) there was some real action. If you look closely, you can see the bullet hole on this iron gate. Yikes!
This is a Syrian shul in Nachlat Tziyon (est 1893). Inside (which was locked) is some beautiful artwork. I had to take the tourguide’s word.

That’s it – there’s the tour. Enjoy! Come visit!

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a trip to the south

2006-07-08T23:02:00.000+03:00

ach Friday in the summer Neve organizes a tiyul, a trip. This week the trip was to Ein Gedi and the Dead Sea. I decided to come along on this trip, and was it ever worth it! We left at seven in the morning, and traveled down to Ein Gedi. Our tour guide, Daniel, commented on various facts and figures along the way. However, I was mainly sleeping, so I didn’t really benefit from his knowledge. The moments I was conscious I was taken by the gorgeous landscape.

We were traveling through the Judean desert, which consisted mainly of massive rolling rocky hills peppered with little Bedouin settlement. Now, when I saw settlement, I don’t mean like the suburbs. There homes appeared to be little metal shacks which looked as though they wouldn’t withstand a gusty day, much less inclement weather. Or sandstorms (do they have those in this desert?). Daniel mentioned that the Bedouins don’t wander as they used to, but rather, settle in this little groupings. It looked like abject poverty to me.

So we finally arrived at Ein Gedi and were given a little background information. Like, for instance, there was Jewish settlement in Ein Gedi in the times of King David, and that King David, when being pursued by his father-in-law, King Saul (okay, so he wasn’t yet King David), fled to this oasis, Ein Gedi, where they finally had a confrontation and King Saul realized the err of his ways, so to speak.

King David wrote at least one Psalm about this location (which I think we say in Hallel). It was beautiful, mountain peppered with foliage and natural springs, waterfalls, rock formations. Here are some images, which don’t really do it any justice, of course. We got to splash around in the water a little bit, too, which was great fun.

Daniel passed around pictures of an ancient synagogue, dating back 1500 years or so, which was found in an excavation of the area. There are inscriptions warning against speaking negatively against your fellow Jew, even back then. When will we get the hint?

Then we all piled back into the bus and headed out to the dead sea (Which was only about 15 minutes away). This, in case you don’t know, is the lowest place on the globe. Cool. Also, we got to pass Masada on the way, which is location of a famous stand-off between the Jews and the Romans

Finally, we arrived at the Dead Sea, where the madrichot (r.a’s) promptly set up the food (since we were all pretty famished). Tuna and cheese sandwiches, carrots, cucumbers, pudding and apples. Yum yum. We went in to the water and it was such a crazy experience – I walked in until the water was up to my waist and then I simply leaned back. The water was so buoyant that I was floating effortlessly.

In fact, it was so buoyant that t was very difficult for me to stand back up. It was great fun, and my skin felt really smooth afterwards. I also took some of the salt from the floor of the sea and rubbed it on my face in the vain hope that it would do something for my complexion. Haha.

In any case, it was a wonderful, amazing trip, and I was tuckered out by the end, so I slept the entire way home, then went and did my chesed job, went to the Lists and the Epstein for Shabbos. It was wonderful.

Me at Ein Gedi. Like the bandana? These are all Ein Gedi. Pictures of the Dead Sea to follow. Enjoy!

in the swing of things

2006-06-29T23:51:00.000+03:00

First things first - check out the flowers which are blooming outside my dorm!!!

Though it’s only been little more than a week since I’ve posted, it feels like much longer. Classes are in full swing, leaving scant time for much else. My free time has been spent either studying, reading, playing music, exercising (walking – don’t get too surprised) and, of course, eating.

As I try to recall specific events to relay to you, it seems I have to reach far back into the depths of my memory. Whether that’s more a comment on the incredible amount of activity here or the preoccupied nature of my mind, I’m not sure.

There are many girls here who are very talented. One girl I’m friendly with is an accomplished musician who writes her own songs. We collaborated last week, she on guitar, I on clarinet. It was so satisfying! Last night we went for a nice walk (lasting around a half an hour) in the neighborhood.

Also, there are many girls here who are on a similar page as me – a big comfort. Relating to other girls who chose to lead the life of an Orthodox Jew after living in the “secular” world is really a big treat. I didn’t realize how encouraging it is to be literally surrounded by girls who are at various stages of “frumming out” (becoming religious). Baruch Hashem.

Recent events in my life:

Last Thursday, (and tonight, b’ezras Hahsem), I went to Yad Eliezer, an organization which provides food and necessities to needy families. Last week maybe ten to a dozen girls went, and, in less than two hours, assembled 150 boxes.

Also, my roommate Shoshana, a good friend of Avital, returned from spending two weeks in Chutz L’Aretz (the world outside Israel). She is such a ray of sunshine – I’m thrilled she’s my roommie!

I met with Rebbetzin Levitan and Rabbi Bear both this week. Each meeting was very, very nice.

Monday was with Rebbetzin Levitan. We had met previously, at R’Yari’s seminar, so there was already a level of comfort there. She teaches about Middos (character traits, and, more importantly, character development), and is phenomenal!

(Really, all the faculty here is amazing. Each class is like a diamond).

Meeting with Rabbi Bear was a little more nerve-wracking, mainly because I don’t really know him and wasn’t sure what to expect. I had attended a few of his shiurim (lectures) on the Kuzari, and felt somehow compelled to sign up for a meeting time. So, when I met with him Tuesday, I wasn’t exactly sure why. Baruch Hashem, he put me instantly at ease, and we spent the half-hour getting to know each other. Another meeting is scheduled for next week.

I’m beginning to understand more of what it means to have a rabbi you can go to who knows you, where you come from, and how to guide you. Of course, in St. Louis there existed relationships with rabbis, but since I came into the community in the manner I did, each relationship (with a few exceptions) was tinged with a shade of reserve.

Here, I feel freer, and Rabbi Bear had the personality with which I felt totally at ease. I was really amazed that I felt so instantly comfortable. Obviously, I was supposed to sign up.

Tuesday evening a girl in our building got married, so a large number of Neve girls went to go dance. It was an amazing experience – my first time at a wedding in Israel. One of the highlights of the evening was when the chasson (groom) sang Ayshes Chayil (a traditional song expounding upon how wonderful us women-folk are) to his kalla (bride).

Yesterday two new things happened: 1) I was moved to level four and 2) I met Avital and Aviva Grunberger in Geulah (a major shopping thoroughfare).

The former was surprising to me, as I was previously in level two (I’m not sure there is a level three, come to think of it). Even more so, Rabbi Chalkowski (the dean of Neve) teaches the Chumash (Bible) course, making it quite thrilling.

We’re in Parsha Noach, and, in addition to reading and translating the posukim (verses), we also read and translate the Rashi and Sforno. For today’s class he even assigned Ramban. This is great! I love it!

Additionally, I get to come to the level Shabbaton in Ramat Beit Shemesh. I even get to prepare a dvar torah for the third meal, so I’m very excited to start that! This parsha would have been my bas mitzvah parsha, had I had one. Incredible!

The latter event (meeting Aviva and Avital) was just fun! Aviva was so cute (she’s here for camp – which is even in Har Nof!), and kept repeating how strange it was to see Avital and me in this context! Indeed.

Okay – I need to get back to campus and get some sleep. Shabbos is coming!!

This is my room

2006-06-19T21:13:00.000+03:00

This is my posterboard

This is my corner!!!

School's IN for summer

2006-06-19T15:53:00.000+03:00

Classes began yesterday, and massive note-taking has ensued. The schedule is a little something like this:
Class starts at 8:30 with two hour-long classes.

Then a fifteen minute break.

Then one hour-long class.

Then tutoring in the library. This is an opportunity to work on my Chumash skills, which I do with the aid of a British tutor who is very exacting, thankfully.

Then there's lunch, followed by an hour class. Sunday is Rabbi Orlofsky, who is hysterical!!!

Following that is a three hour period in which I have an hour free.

Then take another tutor (a lovely girl from Baltimore),

and then free time until dinner at 6.

Following dinner are two more hours of classes.

So basically, I'm in class from 8:30am until 9pm with two breaks of an hour each, in which I can study, play piano, etc. This is my basic schedule, Sunday through Thursday, with the exception of Monday, which is free from the post-lunch class on. Fridays we have off.

One of the staff members informed me of free concerts at the Jerusalem Theatre every Monday at 5pm. We're talking classical music here! I'm thrilled! Last week was a pianist playing Bach and Ives, which I didn't get a chance to attend. This week was a string trio and oboist (Dudu Carmel, who is apparetly the creme-de-la-creme) playing Radzinsky, Britten, Mozart and Beethoven. It was sublime.

In addition to classes I also have a Chesed job (think volunteer work). On Friday mornings I go to a little old lady's apartment and clean it before Shabbos comes in. The bonus (as if I needed one)? She doesn't speak English, only Hebrew, Yiddish and French. For those of you who don't know, I thoroughly enjoy speaking French, and rarely get the opportunity. It's so nice! And she's adorable.

After that I go to a job job, where I also clean. I don't do windows (well, not yet). This family has many musical children, so when I went last week I was serenaded by a stunning pianist. Ooo, it was so nice!!

Additionally, there are numerous opportunities to do chesed on campus and in town. For instance, Avital coordinates girls to spend time with Rebbetzin Scheinberg (as in "the" Rebbetzin), and I was zoche (priveleged) to spend several hours with the Rebbetzin and her daughter-in-law last week. It was exhilirating. This country is amazing.

photos from the beach

2006-06-19T15:03:00.000+03:00

Here are some images from our trip to the beach. The first two are from the hill overlooking the sea, and the last is from the STUNNING sunset we watched.

I hadn't realized that we were intending to stay that long, and had not brought my siddur (prayer book) with me. So, when it became apparent we were not leaving in time for me to daven Mincha (say the afternoon prayer service), I was faced with the challenge of finding a siddur.

I began to approach religious-looking women (the ones with their hair covered) and used the scant Hebrew I knew. "Slicha, siddur?" So, it turns out that there was an abundance of Sephardic siddurim (I daven with the Ashkenaz tradition, which is slightly different), and no Ashkenaz.

It became very upseting. Mostly I was frustrated with myself for not having the foresight to bring a siddur along. However, Hashem had mercy on me and the next person I asked provided me with the necessary siddur and I was able to daven.

I love Israel!!!!!!!!

fun in the sun

2006-06-14T16:10:00.000+03:00

Yesterday I went to the beach for the first time in a long time. Tuesday, Thursday and Sundays are women's day at the separate beach in Tel Aviv. Avital, Malka, Rachel, Natasha and I all rode the bus and then a sheirut (a shared taxi/bus thingy) and spent the afternoon there. We even watched the sun set. It was stunning, and so relaxing.

Today classes began, but they are "special" classes to prepare us for regular classes (starts on Sunday). I was zoche to hear R'Liff, R'Brown and the famous Rebbetzin Heller. They were all amazing! I can't wait to start regular classes! The learning here is phenomenal.

the first Shabbos

2006-06-11T12:02:00.001+03:00

My first Shabbos in Eretz Yisroel – how can I describe it?

Erev Shabbos (the day before Shabbos) was spent running errands and still denying the fact that I am in Israel!! I can see the breathtaking landscapes, read the signs in Hebrew (okay, so I can’t actually read them yet, but I’ll get there), hear the birds chirping, smell the cedars, but I remain in serious denial of where I actually am.

Back on campus, the girls on Avital’s floor made a treasure hunt Sam, whose birthday was Friday. I helped out a little with writing the clues and then Sharone taught me one of Sam’s favorite songs (Na Nachman….).

Afterwards I began preparing for Shabbos (they have hot water all day on Friday, usually it’s just in the morning and evenings. The water heater is solar-powered. You can see the solar panels on the roofs when looking out over the mountain), played the song for Sam (she liked it!) davened Mincha, and went to go light candles in the cafeteria.

Meanwhile, a nearby yeshiva was having a Shabbaton. They took in Shabbos earlier than us and the sounds of Kabbals Shabbos and Carelbach tunes wafted through the windows. The intensity of the songs was palpable; it was exquisite. Sam told me “Hashem must love you, ‘cause they never do this.”

As I was davening mincha I heard the famed siren. Close before Shabbos comes in Jerusalem, a siren, much like the tornado warning siren, is sounded. I had heard of this phenomenon, but to actually hear it and to realize that the bulk of the Jews here are Shomer Shabbos and this siren is for all of us, that all the city is on the same page… it’s incredible.

I’m telling you – I could FEEL the kedusha, the holiness after I lit. I’ve never experienced anything remotely like it. It was a heady experience.

One of the other seminaries on campus, Bnos Chava (Sheva Brown’s sem), was having a Shabbaton, so all us in the cafeteria were treated to the sweet sound of these lovely girls davening Kabbals Shabbos. It was such a moving experience that I couldn’t look at these girls davening for fear of crying on Shabbos.

Before dinner, Avital and I took a stroll and looked out over the mountain onto one of the most beautiful sunsets I have ever seen. We went onto the roof of the main building and gazed out over Har Nof, Jerusalem, and whatever else is out there. When I first looked on the view, it was breathtaking. The view was literally too beautiful; I couldn’t take it all in. What a powerful experience.

Of couse, both of the meals were wonderful. The Appells were hilarious and amazing, and seeing Marc and Debbie was really wonderful too – they are doing so well, keinen hara! Marc gave a very impressive d’var Torah on the first few lines of the parasha.

It’s amazing here – amazing being in a place where so many girls are on the same page. It’s normal to want to grow Jewishly here, which is such a refreshing change of pace! Not that people aren’t growing in St. Louis, don’t get me wrong, but to be around so many of my peers who are moving in the same direction? Well, that’s just luxurious.

some of the gorgeous foliage on the walk "to town" (into Jerusalem proper)

also on the walk to town. There's a palm tree or two in there

Here's the building where all our classes are held - and the roof where Avital and I looked out over the country

Here's a close-up view of the view from the lunchroom

PALM TREE!!!!!

This is the pathway from our dorm to the lunchroom

Coming Home

2006-06-09T13:24:00.000+03:00

I have to preface this post by pointing out that no matter what I say about being here, I can't possible describe it.

When I first saw the coastline from the window of the jet I was thinking, "Wow, that's it. That's home. No way." I still kind of feel like that. I'm looking out the window right now at the hills of Jerusalem, and I still can't believe that I'm here. The Neve girls say it'll take about a week or two for it to sink in.

Avital picked me up from the airport - it was SOOOO good to see her again. She looks great, of course. No one's shocked about that one. She gave me water and an apple, which is so Avital! It was so refreshing. We took a sheirut (like a shared taxi - ten shekel) straight to campus, which is literally on top of the mountain. It's not called Har Nof (mountain with the view) for nothing. It's like paradise - there are beautiful plants, birds are chirping, the girls are giggling. I love it! And...there is a piano in the lunchroom. A Steinway upright. I've already played it. Twice.

I went to the Kotel my first night. A nice girl named Ilana, who lives on Avital's floor, took me. It was incredible. I wasn't sure what to picture, or what to feel, and I certainly wasn't crazy emotional, Baruch Hashem, my life is good right now, so I had mainly tefilos for others. But it was very moving to see people just pouring their hearts out to the wall. I was standing in front of the wall, a few people back, waiting for my first chance to touch it, to call out to Hashem, when there was a tap tap tap on my shoulder. Who should it be but Rivka Serel Yaroslawitz (my bosses' daughter, for those who don't know - she's finishing her year in seminary). We hugged and enjoyed the Hashgacha. Wow!!!! I've also seen Sheva Brown, Sara Zeffren, Chani Muser and Binyomin Yudin!! I've only been here two days. I love it.

My room is in the same building as Avital - up one floor. My roommates are two New Yorkers, both my age. One girl, Kimber, was a vocal music performance major - neat, huh? They are both very sweet. I might move down to Avital's floor, though, when the room opens up after people leave for the summer. It's right at the end of the summer semester, so everything's changing. I'm meeting people and they're leaving in two days.

So there are certain things I expected that I’m seeing – like soldiers with rifles and security everywhere, which is in a sense comforting and in another sense disconcerting. Comforting because you feel protected, disconcerting because you remember there’s what to be protected from. There should only be peace here. One thing which is really cool is that is normal to be religious. That’s one of the best parts - I’m not a minority.

For Shabbos I’m going to the Appells (sp?), the Im Bayit (dorm mother)’s family and then to Marc and Debbie Jacob!!

Have a great Shabbos!!

This is a picture of my building

This is the view from the lunchroom

Avital and me!!!!

This is the tree outside my dorm. Stunning

(I'll try to put up more later - it takes a little while to upload)

JFK

2006-06-06T23:00:00.000+03:00

Well, check-in is in a few minutes. I'm sitting on the unforgiving concrete benches in a lobby in terminal four. I've already been to Miami today (how I managed to get a flight to New York via Miami is beyond me). From Miami to JFK I had quite possibly the smallest seat ever. Check it out in the above picture. I'm such a tourist!!
I'm leaving the country in a little under four hours. INCREDIBLE!

Yesterday I was running around like a meshuggeneh; I must have driven to Creve Coeur three separate times! While I managed to see and get pictures with many people who I love and will miss, it wasn't possible to get to everyone. Really, it was quite bittersweet.

Last Sunday the Yaris threw a going-away party (for them, not me, well, mostly for them). Reb Yari made me this beautiful sign ------->
which my mother is going to ship to my dorm, once I know the address that is.

I'm going to go check in my luggage!!!!!!!!!

Tuesday

2006-06-04T21:01:00.000+03:00

I ran into Raizy Golumbeck this morning at Barnes & Noble. She asked me,

"So, are you going to Israel soon?"

"Tuesday."

"Wow! You're going to love it! Have a great trip!" (paraphrased)

The conversation gave me pause. Six months ago I was answering that same question with a much more detached response. Sure, I was excited to be going, but it seemed so far away and the emotion was much less tangible. However, as the time flew by and the amounts of days preceding my departure shortened, my excitement grew. I remember thinking only two weeks ago that soon I would be answering that question with a one word.

That day is here.

* * *

There was a beautiful Shalosh Seudas at the home of the Franks (I guess soon I'll be saying "Seudah Shlishit!"). So many wonderful people came by to wish me well, and there was delicious food, inspiring words, uplifting zemiros (songs) and even a guest appearance by Rabbi Yari! It was a wonderful, yet bittersweet, meal. I was surrounded by my extended family, yet I knew that I would not be seeing many of them for quite some time. To everyone who came by or helped in any way - THANK YOU! I'll miss everyone so much, but, b'ezras Hashem (with G-d's help), we'll keep in touch!

50 pounds

2006-06-01T20:22:00.000+03:00

This morning I did a test run of the luggage situation. It used to be that for international flights one could take any amount. Then it was restricted to 70 pounds. Just recently it was lowered to fifty. How does one pack for a year's trip and remain within those parameters?

Well, there are a few options. The first is to send items with other people, which I took advantage of. The next is to live minimally. That's a little more complicated. Even though I know I don't really need three pairs of black Shabbos shoes, somehow I can't shake the urge to take them all with me.

When I spent a semester abroad in my undergrad years I took way too much stuff. It made the return trip challenging to say the least. I had to pay something ridiculous like 200 Deutschmarks to get my luggage on the plane. So, I'm doubting the wisdom of having both my suitcases to maximum capacity on this trip. However, it seems like human nature (or at least my nature) to see the limits and push right up against them.

Less than a week remains before I embark on this incredible journey which lays before me. I'm facing an interesting mixture of known and unknown. On one hand, it's a culture with which I an unfamiliar. On the other hand, it's all family.

Avital, who I miss terribly (she's been in Israel since late January/early February), is planning to meet me at the airport in Tel Aviv. When she left I told her that it wasn't exactly fair that she was going on her own, forging her own way, while I was just going to come later and reap the benefits of her hard work and experience. She's setting up my first Shabbos for me, the tzedekes.

Have a great Shavuos!

***