I've been meaning to update for a couple of days, but I have been quite busy. I still haven't conquered the jet lag, and end up taking long naps during the day, which kills a lot of my productive time. Orientation starts tomorrow, so hopefully being on a set schedule will help get me into a routine!
I celebrated my first Shabbat in Jerusalem, which was awesome. A group of us went to Kol Haneshama for Friday night services, which is a progressive temple in Jerusalem. Progressive Judaism I'm told is a mix between reform and conservative. It was a very interesting experience. They do a lot of the prayers silently, including the V'Ahavta and the Amida. I wasn't used to a lot of the tunes, and there were a lot of prayers I didn't know. I'm looking forward to going back there and getting to know the service better.
After services, most of us went to potluck dinners at students homes. My group was about 10 women, and it was so nice to just talk, relax, and eat good food.
Saturday morning I went to services at HUC. I really enjoyed them, and using a siddur I was familiar with (Mishkan T'Filah). I also saw Cantor Korn there, who is the cantor at my parents synagogue back in Lafayette. After services, a group of us realized we hadn't made Shabbas lunch plans, so we all brought our leftovers from out potlucks the night before and had a potluck lunch. Once again, it was just really nice to get to know my classmates and hang out.
Saturday afternoon there was an Alumni program at the school which we were all encouraged to go to. I honestly thought it would be boring, but it was so interesting. The theme was about how to teach Israel to Jews in the diaspora. I was fascinated by everyone's ideas and the discussions that ensued. Later, we all celebrated Havdallah, the end of Shabbat. Havdallah is my favorite time of the week, and it was just so magical being able to celebrate it in Jerusalem.
Afterwards, many of my fellow classmates and I went out to Ben Yehuda, which is a strip filled with restaurants, bars, and shops. The streets were brimming with Birthright groups, summer Israel trip groups, and just so many people. It seemed every 5 steps we took someone else ran into someone they knew. (For the record, my running into people I know count for the week is at 5).
I'm slowly getting acclimated to life in Jerusalem and even more slowly figuring out my way around the city. I really want to just walk around and explore, but its been so hot that it makes it miserable to do so. Hopefully once it cools down this is something I can do.
Miss all of you back in the States!
Our Rabbi is in Israel with her family for the next few weeks; if you can recognize her from the streaming service AND happen to see her, please say hello for us! ;)
ReplyDeleteYou just reminded me that Joel and I really need to buy a Havdallah set. I love that part of Shabbat too, but we haven't really done it much. :(
Actually, I just read my Rabbi's blog and she said she attended Kol Hanashema yesterday too! So there's definitely a chance you may run into each other in the next few weeks. Still probably wouldn't recognize each other though... Oh well. :)
ReplyDeleteYayaya! Shabbat in Jerusalem! I miss it! So does Eli. He would say Shabbat Shalom to every person passing. When you walked to Kol Hashama, did you walk on the street the whole time?? Or did you walk through the park across from the apt? It's really a nice walk through in the right direction. Friday evenings there are TONS of families playing in there and having BBQs. Sounds soo nice Becka. Cool that you have already seen so many people you know! Oh Israel.....and Gertz! Yay!
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