Shaloooom!!!
I cannot even decide where to begin this blog post because so many incredible things have happened over the last few days. I suppose I better go in chronological order!
On Thursday, our interns hosted an Open House for us at school. There, we were able to schmooze and nosh (two things every rabbi loves) and we got to welcome some of our newly-arrived classmates. That night, though, was even better. Rachel and Emma live in an apartment with incredible acoustics, and they hosted a jam session (or, jam sesh) Thursday evening. I absolutely loved the opportunity to gather with people who love music as much as I do to sing and harmonize and just really create some incredible music.
It was one of those nights that could have happened anywhere, but it was particularly amazing because it happened in Jerusalem (or, as a fun nickname, yerush). We sang anything from The Beatles to This Little Light of Mine (which was amazing; I'm getting chills just remembering how it sounded). Rachel and I also sang a song together that we haven't done since high school, which was really amazing and we'll probably have to do it for a beit cafe (literally translates to coffee house but is used as a term for talent show or similar) or something this year!
Jeremy and Sarah made this awesome video of the jam sesh: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjjFsjmcNtE
Harry Potter comes out July 13th in Israel. YES!
Friday was another excellent day. I met up with Brian and we trekked in the blistering heat to Ben Yehuda. Here's the thing about the weather here. Every day there is brilliant sunshine, which rules. This week, though, has been a terrible heatwave and basically everyone is just really sweaty all the time. There's no way to avoid it. I'm not sure how Moses did it, but I'm trying to channel my inner nomad every time I leave the apartment. It's a shame there aren't misty fans lining the sidewalk. I'm not complaining, though, because really the heat is kind of great, and I wouldn't trade the sunshine for anything. It is, after all, the desert.
It's not the Oval, but it'll do just fine.
Later that afternoon, I met Rebecca (future Cincinnatian) for some delicious lemonade at Cup o Joe. That's right, it's called Cup o Joe. It's not like the cafe in Columbus, although it's not so different (unfortunately you can't get Jeni's at this Cup O Joe, even though you can in Cbus. Come on, Jeni). In Hebrew classes, especially in the lower levels, I felt like it was silly that all of the vocabulary or conversation exercises were all about sitting בבית קפה, or in the coffee shops. After living here for about two weeks, I understand why; basically a day consists of doing a bunch of things but almost always one of those things (or maybe two or three) is going to meet someone at a coffee shop. From frozen mint lemonade (limonana) to icecafe (not iced coffee, but a sort of slushie treat) these cafes (usually with wifi) are a great place to enjoy some shade and a refreshing beverage.
Israeli flags proudly hung at the beach in Tel Aviv
After chatting with Rebecca, it was time to get ready for Shabbat. In Jerusalem, people start wishing you a "shabbat shalom" on TUESDAYs. Here, the week truly does revolve around Shabbat. I have never experienced anything like this, but I LOVE it. It means that all week, people are thinking ahead to celebrating Shababt with friends and family. It means getting shopping done ahead of time, arranging dinner, and enjoying a day of rest together. This Shabbat was one of the best I've ever had, in my almost 22 years. Friday night, a group of HUC students met up and walked to Kol HaNeshama, which is a progressive congregation here in Yerush. What a great service! I loved hearing familiar melodies and prayers, and this congregation can sing!!! It was a packed house (standing room only by the end of kab shab!) and I loved getting to pray in this setting. I know that there are basically infinite synagogues in J'lem, but I would love to return to Kol HaNeshama.
After services, Lenette hosted a group of us for dinner. Despite her cooky neighbor, the night went off without a hitch. We had a great group and enjoyed some delicious food and good conversation. The last time I was in Jerusalem was for Birthright a couple of years ago, and it was during my friend Meredith's first year at HUC. As I walk to people's apartments and explore the city, I am reminded more and more of places Mere took me when I was here (Mere, in particular, I walked by the sushi place on Azza that you took Axe and me to and I was like, whoa, deja vu!).
Saturday morning, Becka and I decided to go to HUC for Shabbat morning services. I am not accustomed to having cantors leading services, so it was really cool to see the rabbi and the cantors leading together. The rabbi leading services was Michael Marmur, and I LOVED his d'var about this week's Torah portion. He spoke about how sometimes, the only way to revelation is through pressure-filled situations, and I found him a compelling speaker. I can't wait to learn more from him!
Saturday after services I joined Rebecca and Jessie, and we walked to Rebecca's friend's house for Shabbat lunch. It was a great afternoon, because her friend is shomer shabbos and it was a cool experience. I love how welcoming and hospitable everyone is here, especially on Shabbat.
Later that afternoon, HUC hosted an afternoon of learning for alumni weekend. The topic was "Teaching Israel: Challenges and Opportunities," and I really enjoyed hearing some faculty and alumni opinions and experiences with teaching Israel. I went to Rabbi Marmur's breakout session on Ohev Yisrael then and now and we, as a "small" group of 30 (some rabbis, some educators, some cantors, some future all of the above) discussed a midrash about issues of peoplehood. He even remarked on the potential for pluralism in Mahane Yehuda! Sitting in the classroom on HUC's campus, studying midrash with Rabbi Marmur and some of my future colleagues, it finally hit me that this is all really happening. I really am going to be a rabbi, and the road to the rabbinate begins here and now. AMAZING.
After the discussions, it was time for havdalah. I really, really love havdalah. Essentially, it is a ceremony meant to separate Shabbat from the rest of the week (thus separating the sacred from the profane). It's a beautiful ceremony filled with something to entice all of the senses. A sip of wine, the smell of spices, the sight of the braided candle, and the beautiful melody of the blessings makes for an experiential and meaningful separation. Typically, I love havdalah and am happy just to participate.
This week was different, though. I was really touched by the ceremony, and as all of the rabbis in town for alumni weekend gathered together with the first year students and faculty members in song and prayer, I started to reflect on both the community and what the service symbolized. For me, that havdalah was the last one between college and rabbinical school (we haven't actually started yet--tomorrow orientation begins) and I can't believe that it's already time to start this next portion of my life. I look excitedly to the future and sentimentally to the past; I can't believe I graduated from college less than a month ago, but it seems equally strange that in 5 years (gd willing) I will be ordained as a rabbi.
The entire Shabbat experience was awesome, and it was something that could only really happen here in Jerusalem. After our day at HUC, a group of us ventured back to Ben Yehuda, where we had dinner at a yummy place called Rimon. I'm excited to start ordering food in Hebrew (and using Hebrew menus instead of English, even if it means I don't know exactly what I'm ordering).
Gorgeous tranquility of the Mediterranean sea
This morning, Rachel, Emma, Lindsay, and I went to Tel Aviv for a day on the beach. It. Was. Awesome. There is nothing quite like the sand in your toes and being able to swim in the Mediterranean Sea. I feel so lucky to be here and to be able to experience all of the amazing things going on here!
Lindsey, Emma, Rachel, and me on the beach
No comments:
Post a Comment