Saturday, September 21, 2013

A holy day, in the holy city, whilst in the holy land

Yom Kippur in Jerusalem was an experience that I'm not sure I will be able to perfectly put into words. A peaceful and meditative mood stirs the city into an alluring calm. there is nothing like walking the streets of Jerusalem on the way to Synagouge with this feeling in the air. Equally meaningful was visiting the Western Wall following Kol Nidre. Although it was fairly busy, it was serene to be be united in prayer with all different Jews. 

On Yom Kippur in Israel, people refrain from driving. Many secular Israelis refer to it as Yom offnayim (bike day) because children ride their bikes in the street. 

The beautiful Blaustein Hall, with services overlooking the old city. 





Sweet as honey

Rosh Hashana was made extra special by Megan's arrival in Israel! I am so excited to share this experience with one of my oldest friends! 

For Erev Roshana, we attended the services at school in the Murstein Synagouge at school. The rabbi spoke about making each moment count and it was a great reminder that my time here is short and to take advantage of each opportunity. 

Megan and I outside of school 

After services, Megan and I hosted dinner for some friends from school. Since some of us were feeling pretty homesick we tried hard to make it special! We made chicken soup, Moroccan chicken and noodle kugel. Yum! 

Our holiday table!

Two of our uspizin (guests) Maya and Jenn. 

The next morning we attended services at Kehillat Har El, a reform congregation in Jerusalem. After services we had a dessert picnic with honey and apple cakes. 


Megan and I at the picnic! 






Monday, September 2, 2013

A cheesy shabbat

For Shabbat, I invited friends over for a make your own pizza dinner. I had made the crust in advance, super easy recipe here, and asked everyone to bring a topping. It was a ton of fun!

Throwing my dough in the air

Lyz, Tamara and I with our pizza's 


My cookie cake that read "Shabbat Shalom!" 



keeping it fresh at the Kinneret

Our first Israel seminar tiyul (overnight field trip) was to the Gallilee. We learned about the origins of the pioneering and kibbutz movements in Israel and visited a Kibbutz farm, Tel Hai stayed on a Kibbutz hotel on the kinneret. The next day we had the opportunity to meet with Moki Tsur, a leader of the kibbutz movement and then meet with social activists in a community in the north. We rounded out our visit by visiting the Lebanon border in the north and then having a barbecue on the kinneret on our way back to Jerusalem. The trip was a great opportunity to learn about the foundations of Israel, as well as the challenges its citizens face in daily life. Here are some of my favorite pictures: 


Jenn and at the hotel

Lebanon border

Sunset on the Kineret: 






Our year in Israel class!