Thanksgivukkah - Latkes vs. Turkey

In a world, where Americans gather every November to feast upon the most glorious of food, give thanks to the miracles that this life has given forth, gather round TVs to watch endless hours of football, and where the men sleep soundly on the couches clutching their beers after eating more than they could handle...this holiday season, all of that has changed.

Latkes, meet Tom, Tom the Turkey. Tom, meet latkes. I think you both will get along just swell.

This year or rather last year, since this post is late, as most of you now are aware, the Jewish holiday of Chanukah, or Festival of Lights, landed right smack in the middle of Thanksgiving. The second night of Chanukah was actually when Thanksgiving occurred. This is the only Jewish holiday where it is celebrated primarily at night, rather than in the daytime, because we light the candles sometime after the sun sets, and just when we think there is only darkness, we light the Hanukkiah to brighten wherever we are.

They say that this holiday phenom will not occur again for another 70,000 years. What Rabbi is counting the Jewish calendars that far ahead is beyond me, but hey, whatever floats your boat. 

Unbeknownst to us, many Israelis actually think Thanksgiving is a Christian holiday, which would explain the confusion many of us fellows received from Israeli friends when they were confused why we were so upset to be here and not at home during this holiday. After that confusion was cleared, they started to realize just how important, or quite similar it was to any other Jewish holiday. Not the whole conquering another group people, because the Jewish people have always been on the receiving end of those cases, but they understood the eating part. And boy do we eat on this holiday. 

Beth and David Arnstein, my adopted parents while I live here, were kind enough to invite me to their Chanukah dinner on Thanksgiving night. While they were not making a Thanksgiving meal, they let me add my family's raspberry jello-mold that I always eat on Thanksgiving to their table. It didn't quite come out the way I am used to but it tasted the same so I was happy. We had some delicious salads, latkes, pumpkin soup, and cookies for dessert. We even got to watch a little football afterward, just like back home! It was great to be around family on this special and favorite holiday of mine. 

The Chanukah candles all lit for the second night

Orthodox men lighting the neighborhood Hanukkiyah. What a cool thing to see all over Israel!

The next morning, at 3am my time, I got to skype with my family and cousins while they were just sitting down to Thanksgiving dinner. It was so fun skyping at the table again like I did when I was living in Montreal and I had to miss the holidays that year. As always, we had to take screen shots of each other and be goofy:) I can't wait until I celebrate with them next year!

My cousin's sign on the end says "I'm eating your yams." Because my favorite food at Thanksgiving and Christmas is Yams and every time I am not home for the holidays the family, especially my cousin Kris, likes to rub it in my face. 

Lighting the candles for the second night of Chanukah while I am on skype

Yup, we're related. 

Feeding me dessert. Thanks guys.

Waking up cousin Roy from his after-dinner nap. He loves me for sure.

Hope all of your holidays were wonderful! Happy New Year!

Seminar #3 Weekend - Jerusalem

On this seminar trip, we got to explore and party in Jerusalem, the holiest city! This trip's theme was about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, so already we knew going into this seminar it would be a heavy and heated weekend. 

Thursday November 14
Early in the morning, we traveled to Almog, a small Kibbutz about 45 minutes outside of Jerusalem. We met up with our Netanya and Beit-She'an teacher fellows, the same group we do all our seminar trips with. We also had the pleasure to meet the Israel Corps group from Kiryat Shmona (up north) who were joining us for the weekend. This group volunteers for 4 months in Israel, participating in many volunteer opportunities from teaching in schools, working on farms, building community irrigation systems, and other wonderful things. It was so great to meet a new group of Israelis/Americans/Canadians!

View from the Kibbutz 

Walking to the dinning hall

We arrived at Almog and listened to a lecture from a woman representing StandWithUs, an organization that works to inform the world about the conflicts in Israel and the Middle East, and to spread the truth, not like what the media, especially, American media, like to say is the "truth." I really support this organization and follow them and their affiliates closely on Facebook. It was so fascinating to really look back at Israel's history and learn about all the major wars, the Israeli-Palestinian Intifadas (Arabic for uprising. Look it up if you are interested, these are major events in Israel's recent history), and what is currently going on in Israel. 

Afterward we had lunch in the dinning hall with some delicious food. We then had time to get ready to leave for Jerusalem. 

We arrived at a hotel to listen to the bereaved stories of a Palestinian mother and widow whose husband was killed by Israeli policemen in Jerusalem 10 years ago, and an Israeli father whose Israeli Defense Force daughter was killed by Gaza rockets 5 years ago. This forum was probably the highlight of my weekend because I believe it is so important to hear both sides to a story, and with this major conflict between these people, this type of forum is a privilege to be a part of. 

We then departed for the Jerusalem International Center where we attended the Mega Event for Masa, with 1,000+ other Masa participants and Israel Scouts. Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu came and spoke to us which was a huge honor for us. He normally does not have time to make appearances like these, so it really went to show just how much Israel and the Ministry appreciates Masa. 

After a speech from the Jewish Agency's Chairman Natan Sharansky (he's a big deal and a fascinating person, look him up too), we had the great honor to enjoy a free concert from world famous artist Idan Raichel, best known for the Idan Raichel Project where he is not the frontman of this band, but where all the musicians collaborate together to make beautiful music. He is a world renowned Israeli recording artist who has performed and recorded songs with some of the world's top artists, including Alicia Keys. I had actually never really listened to him before this concert, but now I am a huge fan of his music. It's a mix of Hebrew, Arabic, Ethiopian, with gypsy, tango and jazz music. 

Here's just a taste:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eUnRhRLQ7z8&list=RDHaCpc7osbek

The International Center in Jerusalem

Netanyahu! 

Natan Sharansky - Chairman of the Jewish Agency

The Idan Raichel Project

Ran into Alastair and our Canadian friends on the way out of the venue!

Friday November 15
The next day we had breakfast and then were split into our city groups to explore the Security Fence. Again, if you don't know what this is, it's worth looking into. It's a very controversial fence, part concrete wall and part actual fence. It separates Israeli and Palestinian lands and has gained both criticism and praise from around the world. We were taken all around Jerusalem by bus to see all different sides of the fence. We were even able to see Bethlehem from one vantage point. Since Bethlehem is in the West Bank, we're not really allowed to visit this holy city while on our ITF program. But, anyone not holding an Israeli passport is allowed to enjoy this beautiful city for the day or two. 

Roommates:)

The Security Fence - very powerful to see in person

The fence...half concrete, half wire

Bethlehem in the distance

Parts of a bus that was blown up in 2002. The pieces were used to create a Star of David in the victims' memory.

We then had free time to go to the shuk, Mehane Yehuda, one of my favorite places in Jerusalem. I got to meet up with my dear British friend Alastair, who as I've mentioned before is studying in Israel for a semester (he has actually already left by the time this blog is posted). He knows this market inside and out so my friend David and I went around the market finding shawarma lunch (delicious as always), going to the famous bakery Marzipan to get some rugelach and other goodies for Shabbat. How I am going to survive back home in America without rugelach I don't know. 

Can't get enough of this lovable Brit!

We then headed back to the Kibbutz, got ready for Shabbat, then had Kabbalat Shabbat and D'var Torah readings (welcoming Shabbat and speaking about that week's Torah portion). David and I were asked to speak about that week's Torah portion. It was about Esau coming to see Jacob after the two parted on bad terms. Joseph heard his brother was coming with an army of men so he feared whether or not Esau would bring love or war. In the end, the evil brother brought love and asked Jacob to leave his family and life behind in the desert and to travel with him. Depending on your audience and your role in the Jewish community, the point of a D'var Torah is to give your own opinion of what this portion means to you. 

So, I spoke about how this portion reminds me of my own personal conflict between America and Israel. Do I leave everything behind that I know in America and make Aliyah (a permanent move) to Israel or do I return back to what I know is comfortable and what I call home. Israel to me is my Esau, a place to continue traveling and seek other opportunities in life. America is my Joseph, where my family and friends are and where I know I feel safe. But, at the same time, traveling is an adventure, it's exciting, I meet new people all the time, and it's something I long to do for my whole life. I am asked every day by Israelis if I will make Aliyah, and for now, I can't answer that question because it's a huge leap in life that I am not sure I am willing to take at the present moment. Maybe later in life, I will want to come back. And the good thing is, Israel will always be here so I can always visit. But to live here permanently is a scary thing to think about and a decision I am not ready to make while on my program. 

Afterward we had a lovely dinner, then broke out into our city groups to have more discussions about the seminar's theme. Then we were split up into groups with the other cities and had to perform a skit for everyone. The skit had to do with a Jewish tale. Every group had a theme, my group's being the 60s so we made our story have a hippie twist. It was so fun to put on for everyone and our's got a ton of laughs and won the "competition!"

We then had the rest of the night to do whatever we wanted: explore the kibbutz, sing songs, eat, play guitars, or go to bed!

Saturday November 16
The next morning I woke up early to go on a hike in the Judean Desert to Ogg River (although there was not a river, it was all dried up during this time of year). This was an optional part of the seminar but I never like to miss out on an opportunity to hike! It was so beautiful and we heard many fascinating stories, including the fact that King David ran away to hide away in this vast desert valley when he was run out of his kingdom. During peak rain season, there can be flash floods through these valleys so tours have to be cancelled during this time. But on our day, the skies were clear, and the weather was most ideal. It was a great way to start the Shabbath. 

Judean Desert hike

My pal, Hal:)

Kari and me

We had lunch when we got back, had an activity to discuss issues here in Israel, had Havdallah to close Shabbat, ate dinner, then headed back to our respective cities. 

I cannot wait for the next seminar trip, in the Golan Heights!

Shabbaton - Beit Shemesh/Mitzpe Ramon November 1/2

Another great opportunity I got to have two months ago was going on a fun Shabbaton with Ben Gurion University, Hebrew University, Tel Aviv University, and IDC College and University. I ended up seeing some of my Canadian friends, whom we have our British friend, Alasatair as a mutual friend (the friend I knew while living in Montreal. Yes, this Jewish world is extremely small!). 

If you are not familiar, Shabbaton's are usually low in cost weekend long trips to some place. Universities have them back in the States as well. 

On this trip, we left very early in the morning on a Friday and met some of the other students in central Israel in a town called Beit Shemesh. There we went ATVing. I went ATVing while living in Tennessee, but not like this! I actually got to drive this time! It was probably one of the raddest experiences I have had! I went with my friend David, and we switched so he could have the chance to drive back to the ATV center. 

Gettin' my game face on!

David and I ready to tear up some dirt!

Watch out Israel!

Our crazy leader who did mad tricks in front of us while we followed  him!

When we arrived back at the ATV center, more students arrived, the second wave of students to go ATVing, since there aren't enough for all of us to do it at once. There, I ended up seeing my two Canadian friends that I didn't know were going to be on this trip! 

Me and the Canadians Ashley and Michal!

We then went to a Kibbutz to see Samson's Brewery. Even though I don't really drink anymore, I had one sip of each specialized beer we got to try. They were quite tasty and are only sold on this Kibbutz so they are quite special! 

We then headed down south, past Be'er Sheva to a place called Mitzpe Ramon. There we got ready for Shabbat, had services, a nice Shabbat dinner, and then for the rest of the night had snacks, drinks, chatted with new friends and while some people went on a walk to the crater (that I would see the next day) I stayed back and chatted with friends. 

This was such a beautiful sight to see on our way south. How this doesn't symbolize something bigger than us, I don't know what else to think. 

The next morning we had breakfast then had group talks, separated by boys and girls. My group's topic was whether or not following the Torah about the laws of how dating and marriage works and why is it a good idea to follow them in the 21st century. It was a really thought provoking discussion and made me really think out loud about questions I've had about how traditional Jewish marriages work. 

After the talks all of us went on a 20 minute walk to the Mitzpe Ramon Crater. This is Israel's answer to the Grand Canyon, a large area that has eroded away over time due to volcanic and weather related activity. It was so beautiful and majestic to look at, that is until it started to rain! It was freezing! So, after a bit, we all headed back to our hostel we were staying at. Then, we had some food, Havdallah (prayers to end Shabbat and welcome the new week) packed up, and headed back to our respective schools/towns. 

Ashley, Michal, and me

David and I....freezing our faces off! 

When the rain comes in, it pours!

What a great weekend spent with some of my teacher fellows and new friends!