כי מציון תצא תורה–-For from out of Zion will come the Torah

What an astounding couple of days it's been here in Jerusalem.

First of all, it finally hit me that I'm here and I'm starting rabbinical school. And it hit me hard. It's been a meaningful couple of days, filled with moments and memories and the realization that I am here, in this holy city, beginning my studies to be a rabbi.

I'm still letting it all soak in.

Yesterday, orientation began. Notice I'm not calling it snore-ienation, or bore-ientation. The activities and programs that have occurred since orientation began have been awesome!

We started orientation with a welcome from Rabbi Yoshi Zweiback (who is awesome and in charge of the year in Israel program) and Nancy Lewitt (pronounced leh-veet and is also awesome and head of student services). This opening program was another opportunity to welcome everyone, including some later-arriving students (who must be terribly jet-lagged). Rabbi Yoshi discussed, before a big l'chaim, the potential of a grape. Grapes can be sweet, and turned into wine or juice, which (in moderation) are also sweet. Grapes can also be turned into vinegar, which has its uses, but you wouldn't want to drink it. He encouraged us to see our year as full of potential as a grape, and to make it a sweet one.

The state bird of Israel...the crane.

After this beautiful welcome, we began a program called "mi ani--who am I?" to help us get to know each other. I expected an activity wherein we had to pick an adjective that started with our initial (Exciting Elle or similar) or a game where you had to act something out that started with your initial (my name is Elle and I do the electric slide). I was pleasantly surprised, though, that our activity included meaningful questions what were thought-provoking and helped us find out things beyond the surface.

We then joined together in the Persian Garden (a little oasis on campus, including a fountain with tiny stairs for tiny rabbis) for dinner. And we accidentally ate spleen. Because spleen look like olives.

This city is beautiful.

Following dinner, we walked together towards the Old City for a program called "כי מציון תצא תורה'' which means "From out of Zion will come the Torah." Rabbi Yoshi brought his guitar with him. We sat on Har Tziyon with our backs to the walls of the Old City and listened to Rabbi Yoshi and Dr. David Mendelsson discuss why were are here. Why here, in Jerusalem. Why here, in this city that has been destroyed and rebuilt so many times. Why here, in a city filled with tension and religion and modernity and ancient ruins, we have come to study, to learn, to build community.

If that isn't enough to make you cry, then you aren't me, because even just reflecting on this I'm tearing up again.

At the end of the program, feeling the presence of the Old City behind us, and seeing Hebrew Union College before us, feeling the history of our surroundings, we sang from Isaiah 2:3.

כי מציון תצא תורה, ודבר–יי מירושלים

For from out of Zion will come the Torah, and the word of Adonai from Jerusalem*.

The impact of these words was strong enough alone. However, as soon as we stopped singing, in that moment of ringing silence, we could hear a group of people somewhere unseen singing Hatikvah, which is Israel's national anthem. It. was. unreal.

After this impactful day of programming, Lenette, Jessie, Rebecca, and I went to a coffee shop called "Coffee Shop" (in English!) where we had some deeeelish desserts and lovely conversation. Also, I absolutely fell down. I slid on the slippery Jerusalem stone and wiped out, causing my mom (who I was on the phone with at the time) to think that I got hit by a CRAZY Israeli driver. Alas, I am just clumsy.

The moon above the Old City

This morning was the second day of orientation, and it was also awesome. I got to daven (pray) my very first weekday shacharit service! This year is going to be crucial for my development as a Jew, and while I certainly don't have a set way that I practice my Judaism, I loved the opportunity to broaden my horizons, so to speak. I haven't yet formed an opinion on how I feel about women wearing t'fillin, but Rabbi Naama (our dean!) wore t'fillin today during services, and shortly after we finished davenning, she got up to speak about our year in Israel and the marks from her t'fillin were still evident on her arms.

That glass pyramid is attached to HUC's campus

I was struck by the staying power these symbols had (they're meant to remind us during prayer that G-d brought the children of Israel out of slavery in the land of Egypt); even after we had finished our prayers together, Rabbi Naama still had a physical marker on her arm of the Shacharit service. In the same session, we discussed the importance of balancing school with everything else. Rabbi Marmur remarked that it is not okay to ask "is this for credit?"because now everything is for credit; some is credit that will appear on our transcripts, and some is credit that will be important for the years to come.

Later came another getting-to-know-you session, where we talked about what we would do if we had an unexpected afternoon off of school. I found it interesting how many people in my group would want to spend time alone (myself included!) to explore the city or relax or just take some time being "off" since our jobs will require so much time being "on." Then we talked about the complexity of helping other people facilitate their connections with Israel even though we might have a complicated relationship with Israel. I am learning so much from my classmates already, and I hope that this continues, because I can't wait to hear what everyone has to say!

The afternoon concluded with a panel discussion about why we're in Israel (are you noticing a common theme yet?) and we got to hear from Dr. Mendelsson, Rabbi Jacobs (president-elect of the URJ) and Rabbi Naama. Then we did a quick security briefing with Nancy (hopefully we won't ever need to use the information we got, but Mom and Dad don't worry, there's a good system in place) and headed home for the day.

Tomorrow brings a Hebrew placement test (this should be מענין interesting) and some other exciting activities.

Moral of the story: it's an amazing opportunity to be in Israel, and, more specifically, Jerusalem, for the year, and I'm so so so glad we're finally starting school. I'm officially a rabbinical student!!!

*Translation from Mishkan T'filah