Home away from home: June 2011

ITC survived two weeks of volunteering in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). Starting from the end of May, we were stationed on a combat base way up on the Lebanon border. We were all so excited to get our uniforms and get to work. The rest of our group consisted of cadets from military college in the US, so it definitely stayed interesting. We went on two trips, worked in the Lebanon border putting up barbed wire, worked on outposts and bunkers, kitchen duty, etc. I like pictures more than words so..enjoy:

first day in uniform

trip in the north

water hike! otzma ladies with our madricha

getting thrown into the river

ITC 2

May-June Sar-El 2011

working in flack jackets

this is the ladies bunk...

Sar-El quarters

on the bus to an outpost

medic training

Jason and me as "wounded soldiers"

tear gas training

trip to Rosh HaNikra

beautiful caves of Rosh HaNikra

the cadets hard at work :)

represent

The beginning of May brings Yom HaShoah, which is Holocaust Remembrance day. It began at sundown and Yerucham put on a ceremony and a very touching play for it. Several of my students performed in it and they were amazing! The following day, a siren went off country-wide, around 10 AM, I happened to be on a bus when it went off. The bus pulled over, other cars around us pulled over and we all stood and reflected for one minute. It was such indescribable feeling to be a part of this, so united. My thoughts immediately diverted to Bertha Herman, a Holocaust survivor who just passed last year. This woman was one of G-d's angels, she put a smile on everyone's face and never stopped giving from her kind heart.

Holocaust Memorial

The Beautiful Bertha

A week after Yom HaShoah, was Yom HaZikaron (Remembrance for fallen soldiers and victims of terror) This was an extremely sad day and cemeteries around the country were flood with families and friends of lost loved ones. I attended a MASA ceremony for it and they had guest speakers, some being families of soldiers or victims telling the story of their lost son or daughter. Many of us were crying.

At the MASA ceremony

Ceremonies were also at the Kotel, very moving.

The day after is Yom HaAtzmaut which is Israel's Independence day! The mood immediately changes from somber to happy. It begins in the evening, as most holidays do, and this evening was filled with street parties. I went to Tel Aviv of course. The day of, everyone floods the beaches or parks and has barbecues and etc. We went to the beach all day. There was an air show, a naval parade and lots of music and people celebrating. This is an important holiday and most of you should already know why. Israel has been fighting for its existence basically forever. Everyone is in high spirits on this holiday.

OTZMAnikim hanging out before a street party

Air show right over the beach!

After the holidays, I visited some friends in various places. I went to Ofakim for Erin and Richard's last party before they moved out. I learned how to make Challah and it was delicious!