Tsfat and a Man Named Avraham
By Eshkar Vesler (Herzliya, Israel)
Writing a blog is something new to me, and I hope I can handle it. Let me tell you about Avraham or "awesome" or whatever we would like to call him. After sitting in his shop for something like 20 minutes, more or less, and listening to his life story I found myself getting confused. I'll tell you that the experience made me uncomfortable. It was not just that he repeated the word "awesome" a million times - it was because I knew that it was the first time that many of the people in our group had an experience with Kaballah. I'm Israeli and Jewish and it's only like 5 or 6 years that Kaballah has been trendy - in Israel and around the world. Most of you probably have heard about Madonna and other celebrities' relationships with Kaballah.
I find myself to be a curious person and took lessons to understand what Kaballah is. I found that there really are great main ideas in Kaballah, which means "receiving." From my point of view, that day was dissapointing, but after speaking with the Americans in the group, I see that he influenced everyone and made them think about this belief system and methodology and enlightened everyone and made them want to explore the subject. I was really impressed by everyone's openness and respectful observations. Moreover, I thought that the discussions and debates were really mature and polite. I hope that we, the Israelis, can learn this from you.
Monday, August 17, 2009
Friday, August 14, 2009
Taglit-Birthright Israel: DC Community Trip Day 4
August 13, 2009
By Anne Ruchman (Washington, DC) and Omri Sagir (Jerusalem)
In the morning we walked around the port city of Jaffa. There we learned about ancient life in the land of Israel. Later at the Hall of Independence, we had the opportunity to learn more recent history and see where this Jewish state was founded.
After leaving the Hall of Independence, where the young nation born, we continued to Rabin Square, where a part of it died with the assassination of one of Israel's greatest leaders and ambassadors of peace.
While stopped for lunch on our way up north, we managed to get ourselves turned around and were heckled by a fellow American enjoying a drippy McDonald's soft serve ice cream cone. The American turned out to be none other than the Majority Leaders of the US House of Representatives, Steny Hoyer. The Congressman joined our bus to share a few thoughts on the importance of the state of Israel and the responsibility of American Jews.
By Anne Ruchman (Washington, DC) and Omri Sagir (Jerusalem)
In the morning we walked around the port city of Jaffa. There we learned about ancient life in the land of Israel. Later at the Hall of Independence, we had the opportunity to learn more recent history and see where this Jewish state was founded.
After leaving the Hall of Independence, where the young nation born, we continued to Rabin Square, where a part of it died with the assassination of one of Israel's greatest leaders and ambassadors of peace.
While stopped for lunch on our way up north, we managed to get ourselves turned around and were heckled by a fellow American enjoying a drippy McDonald's soft serve ice cream cone. The American turned out to be none other than the Majority Leaders of the US House of Representatives, Steny Hoyer. The Congressman joined our bus to share a few thoughts on the importance of the state of Israel and the responsibility of American Jews.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Taglit-Birthright Israel: DC Community Trip Day 3
By Gabrielle Lake (Arlington, VA)
After breakfast, we headed toward Yad Vashem, Israel's Holocaust memorial and museum, about 15 minutes outside Jerusalem. Translated as the "Memorial of Names", Yad Vashem focuses on the personal stories of Jews and their lives prior to the war until after the liberation of the camps. Our visit was originally supposed to include testimony from a survivor, but she was unfortunately not able to make it. Instead, we watched the filmed testimony of a Greek Jew who recounted the experience of his family and the love story he shared with a fellow Greek woman in the concentration camp. After the film, we were guided by the granddaughter of a survivor, who intertwined the stories of her grandmother and other survivors she had met with the museum's exhibit. We also visited the children's memorial, commemorating the lives of the 1.5 million children killed.
From there we headed to Beit Shemesh to experience life through the eyes of Israeli children. Beit Shemesh is the partner city of Washington, DC (through Partnership 2000), and both cities regularly participate in cultural and volunteer exchanges. There we went to a kibbutz and volunteered with a group of 50 children. We did arts and crafts, cooked, played Frisbee, and helped them improve their English with games of Simon Says.
From the kibbutz, we went to Tel Aviv, checked into the hotel, and enjoyed an evening out at a bar on the Mediterranean Sea.
After breakfast, we headed toward Yad Vashem, Israel's Holocaust memorial and museum, about 15 minutes outside Jerusalem. Translated as the "Memorial of Names", Yad Vashem focuses on the personal stories of Jews and their lives prior to the war until after the liberation of the camps. Our visit was originally supposed to include testimony from a survivor, but she was unfortunately not able to make it. Instead, we watched the filmed testimony of a Greek Jew who recounted the experience of his family and the love story he shared with a fellow Greek woman in the concentration camp. After the film, we were guided by the granddaughter of a survivor, who intertwined the stories of her grandmother and other survivors she had met with the museum's exhibit. We also visited the children's memorial, commemorating the lives of the 1.5 million children killed.
From there we headed to Beit Shemesh to experience life through the eyes of Israeli children. Beit Shemesh is the partner city of Washington, DC (through Partnership 2000), and both cities regularly participate in cultural and volunteer exchanges. There we went to a kibbutz and volunteered with a group of 50 children. We did arts and crafts, cooked, played Frisbee, and helped them improve their English with games of Simon Says.
From the kibbutz, we went to Tel Aviv, checked into the hotel, and enjoyed an evening out at a bar on the Mediterranean Sea.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Taglit-Birthright Israel: DC Community Trip Day 2
"A Holy Uncomfortable Experience"
By Max Spitulnick (Potomac, MD), Brian Spitulnick (Potomac, MD), Jonathan Kushner(Washington, DC)
Our first stop today was a network of caves the Jews used over 2000 years ago. To get to the caves, 48 over-educated, over-fed Jews (us) crawled, shimmied, spiraled, and slithered our way through passages far too narrow for comfort. In the end, it turned out to be a claustrophobic, mud covered, highly informative experience that powerfully connected us to our history.
The dark twisting caves of 2000 years ago gave way to the falafel and Judaica shops of Ben Yehuda Street. We spent our hard earned American dollars and enjoyed our first free time in Israel (incidentally, free time in Jerusalem tastes like fried chick peas and hummmus).
Our final destination was the Old City of Jerusalem. We perused the ancient street known as the "Cardo," now the heart of the Old City, marked by ancient Roman archways and ruins.
Walking from the Jewish quarter of the city to the Western Wall provided each of us with a unique blend of anticipation, excitement, and even anxiety. Everyone seemed to have a fixed notion of what they should be feeling at the Wall. What we found was an undeniable connection to our culture, our heritage, and to each other.
As we write this blog, max, Kush and I are chatting with fellow travelers and watching several members dance like baboons to the beats of Missy Elliot and Justin Timberlake. All in all, a great second day! And I love Jews. They rock. Totes.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Another Perspective on Day 1 in Israel
By Will Rothstein
As we arrive at the Philadelphia airport a wave of faces emerge. Along with many new faces comes a new adventure. Some of us have yet to travel to Israel, and with the adventure comes a certain amount of excitement and curiosity.
Security checkpoints and delays brought skepticism and nervousness to those with short travel resumes. Others are aware of the uncertainty of traveling to a distant land. A ten-hour flight and it was official, we had landed in Tel Aviv.
Our adventure had begun! A bus driver and our Israeli escorts greeted us at the airport in Tel Aviv. This trip not only permits us to visit the many beautiful sights in Israel, but we have the opportunity to bond with an eclectic group of professionals, students and Israelis. I look forward to this bonding experience as much as the physical landmarks. There is much more to come, stay tuned!
As we arrive at the Philadelphia airport a wave of faces emerge. Along with many new faces comes a new adventure. Some of us have yet to travel to Israel, and with the adventure comes a certain amount of excitement and curiosity.
Security checkpoints and delays brought skepticism and nervousness to those with short travel resumes. Others are aware of the uncertainty of traveling to a distant land. A ten-hour flight and it was official, we had landed in Tel Aviv.
Our adventure had begun! A bus driver and our Israeli escorts greeted us at the airport in Tel Aviv. This trip not only permits us to visit the many beautiful sights in Israel, but we have the opportunity to bond with an eclectic group of professionals, students and Israelis. I look forward to this bonding experience as much as the physical landmarks. There is much more to come, stay tuned!
Monday, August 10, 2009
Taglit-Birthright Israel: DC Community Trip Day 1
By Sara Burns and Laura Malamud
We are so excited to be in Israel!!!
After a bit of a rain delay (aka pretty intense thunderstorm) and 10 hours of flying, we touched down in Tel Aviv. We were welcomed by enthusiastic singing Israeli friends, fresh fruit, and Capri Suns (Israeli Style - kinda sweet!!). We then set off to Jerusalem and got our first taste of traffic. But when we pulled up to the hill overlooking the Haas Promenade, we knew we had finally arrived. We snapped some pictures and gathered to hear about Abraham and the first time Jerusalem is mentioned in the Bible. We also heard a poem about the quirkiness of being an Israeli tourist. We then finished with a quick welcome ceremony, and jumped around in circles as a group cheering "brother" and "happiness." In Hebrew. Then it was off to the hotel and a tasty buffet dinner. We really enjoyed the hummus - and expect to be eating a lot more of it.
After dinner we all took much needed showers, and then got to know each other better playing those cheesy but helpful games - the ones involving sitting together in circles. By the end of the night - at least one of us (go Gaby!) could remember every one's name. We are a diverse group and look forward to learning more about each other over the next 10 days.
That's all for now. Goodnight.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Shabbat for Young Professionals
By: Rachel Mauro
Following in the footsteps of DC Birthright Israel NEXT’s Shabbat Hoppin’ and Sixth & I’s 6th in the City Shabbats, YP@AI, Adas Israel’s young professionals arm, has created the monthly “Shir Delight,” a lay-led Friday night service aimed for the 21-35 crowd.
Their first Shabbat took place last Friday, July 10, with about 50 people in attendance.
The “Oneg Happy Hour” started at 7 pm, an hour before the service, and allowed for friends to schmooze over drinks and appetizers. Elie Greenberg, Adas’s Director of Informal Programming, led the hour-long service, and Associate Rabbi Charles Feinberg gave a d’var Torah on the importance of commemorating the three weeks of mourning, which we are in now, and eulogized the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem among other Jewish tragedies.
But far from tragic, this Shabbat service was upbeat with plenty of songs (and harmonies) and people wishing their friends a "Shabbat Shalom." I’ve always been a fan of these services geared towards the “young professional” age group that might feel alienated from the traditional older crowds. We certainly bring something to the table—Rabbi Feinberg even said that Friday nights hadn’t been this spirited around the synagogue for a long time! YP@AI’s next “Shir Delight” is set to take place on August 14.
By: Rachel Mauro
Following in the footsteps of DC Birthright Israel NEXT’s Shabbat Hoppin’ and Sixth & I’s 6th in the City Shabbats, YP@AI, Adas Israel’s young professionals arm, has created the monthly “Shir Delight,” a lay-led Friday night service aimed for the 21-35 crowd.
Their first Shabbat took place last Friday, July 10, with about 50 people in attendance.
The “Oneg Happy Hour” started at 7 pm, an hour before the service, and allowed for friends to schmooze over drinks and appetizers. Elie Greenberg, Adas’s Director of Informal Programming, led the hour-long service, and Associate Rabbi Charles Feinberg gave a d’var Torah on the importance of commemorating the three weeks of mourning, which we are in now, and eulogized the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem among other Jewish tragedies.
But far from tragic, this Shabbat service was upbeat with plenty of songs (and harmonies) and people wishing their friends a "Shabbat Shalom." I’ve always been a fan of these services geared towards the “young professional” age group that might feel alienated from the traditional older crowds. We certainly bring something to the table—Rabbi Feinberg even said that Friday nights hadn’t been this spirited around the synagogue for a long time! YP@AI’s next “Shir Delight” is set to take place on August 14.
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