First wedding!

In October, I had the opportunity to go with my friend Jenn to her friends wedding. It was my first time going to a wedding, let alone a modern orthodox one. The wedding was at a bueatiful outdoor restaurant, overlooking the hills of the west bank. My faveorite part of the wedding was that for each of the 7 brachot, the couple honored a friend or family member by having them read the blessing. I also loved that while someof the dancing was with a mechitza (the traditional separation of men and women) as the night evolved, their was also modern dancing. here are some pictures from the wedding:

my friend Jenn and I at the wedding

In my frum outfit for the wedding!

The wedding couple under the chuppa -so beautiful 

Another beautiful tradition - the bride and groom celebrating on chairs 

bride and groom dancing

Chag-o-ween in the land of Israel

Being American, we had to celebrate Halloween. Together with some of my classmates I planned a party for members of our class. We had a costume contest, food contest and played trivia. Here are some of my favorite photos from the night:

Megan as Amy Winehouse and me as Jess Day from New Girl (Zoey Deschanel)

with my good friend Tamara

Our entry for the food contest: Orange is the new black and white cookies 

Simcat Torah and the rest of break!

When we got back from Eilat, we went with my classmates the next day to Kibbutz Gezer to celebrate Simcat Torah. 

Hanging out on the Kibbutz: 

3 of my classmates 

The next day we ended our vacation in Tel Aviv: 

Amazing Mexican food - felt just like Seattle!

breakfast on the beach!

last day of vacation ice cream! 

Eilat of fun

The best part of our sukkoy adventures was traveling to Eilat, a resort town in the south of Israel. here is a photo journey of our trip:

On the beach 

Amazing to hang out on the Red Sea

 The best part of the trip was visiting a dolphin habbitat, where the dophins swim and play all around you! 

We also got to hang out with my friends from school, Adam and Melissa

 

on the beach before going home

the best part of the 5 hour bus ride were the amazing desert views!

Ein Gedi and the Dead Sea... Ein no better place!

Our sukkot adventures also took us to the dead sea and the nature reserve next to it, Ein Gedi. Here are some fun facts about the Dead Sea:

* earth's lowest elevation on land
* almost 10x as salty as the ocean
* deepest of the "salt lakes"
* the road the runs alongside the dead sea, highway 90 is the world's lowest road.
* it is so so salty you can float due to the natural buoyancy

Hiking in Ein Gedi

Amazing waterfall! 

Floating!!!

Dead sea mud at mineral beach 

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!