First few weeks in Eretz Yisrael

Shalom Chaverim
I arrived in Israel now about four weeks ago, and what an amazing four weeks they have been. I’ve been meaning to write a note for a while, and couldn’t decide what venue to use---but facebook seemed like the place the most amount of people would be able to see whats been going on soooo here goes!

ISRAEL is awesome. Living in Jerusalem is something i have been dreaming about for years now and it still shocks me that I am studying, living, and breathing Jerusalem for the next few months. I truly forgot the magic that glows here in Israel, the smells, the size of the produce, the crazy drivers, the beauty of the people and the land. My time here has been a whirlwind to say the least.

I am living in the dorms ( not the Student village for now- this might change though)- which could be alot worse. All of the girls on my floor are American and we are super close to campus which is nice. Of course I have met tons of people all of which i happen to have at LEAST one friend in common with, its amazing how USY comes back to haunt you ;) I have run into tons of people who i forgot were in Israel and those who I didnt expect to see- but thats Jerusalem for you! Everyone knows someone else who went to the same camp, or on the same Israel trip or to the same school. Its comforting to say the least.

As far as what I’ve been doing for the past few weeks--that is a good question- ALOT!
I have ulpan four days a week to start (though that changes next week), but thats always over by 2 in the afternoon leaving time open for traveling around Jerusalem and other places. Ive been to the kotel of course, the old city, Ben yehuda, machene yehuda a million and one times, the knesset, the israel musuem, Tel Aviv ( the beach and the Art fair specfically) and today unsuccessfully the biblical zoo. The Knesset by far has been the coolest place ive been. It was incredible to know how much had taken place in the room I was sitting in. Outside the main room, there is a HUGE Marc Shagall tapestry o the past present and future of the Jewish people. This tapestry, not only HUGE and beautiful encompasses so much of the spirit of the Jewish people that I had chills the entire time!

I’m taking the buses everywhere because they’re not only SUPER efficient at taking you anywhere you want to go, but really inexpensive. (5.90 a ride-- and today the shekl is at $1 to 4.06-- you get the picture). Food here is incredible. Everything is really fresh and availability is unreal (especially in comparison to Bloomington).

My shabbatot have been wonderful as well. The first shabbat i spent shabbas in Rechovot, a town about 20 min away from Tel Aviv with a friends staff from an Israel trip. The shul we went to was modern orthodox and almost everyone had made aliyah when they were young and are now raising their family in Rechovot. Hebr-ish was a wonderful way to spend my first Shabbat here. The following shabbatot I spent in Nachlaot- a hippie religious neighborhood in Jerusalem, at Kol Rina- a shul in a bomb shelter ( really safe huh:?!). Shabbat in Jerusalem is unlike anywhere else. Throughout the week everyone seems like they are in a rush, holding the weight of torah, the jewish people and the world on their shoulders. On Shabbat however Jerusalem is quiet (for the most part) and slow. It is in the most literal sense of its commandment in the torah- a day of rest. Safety wise—we felt nothing from what was happening in Gaza. Ive never felt unsafe ANYWHERE here, except maybe in a taxi with a crazy driver. Security is nuts everywhere- but that is the reality of the culture here.

Overall my first month ( ish) in Israel has been wonderful. I am continually discovering new things, meeting new people, experiencing different things and learning so much about myself and my people. This place makes me proud of my history and unbelievable hopeful for the future.

Please forgive me as my internet situation is still being worked out, so my availability is semi limited—but im working on it!
I hope you all are doing wonderfully wherever you are and I cant wait to hear from all of you!!!

B’Shalom,
Sara