March Catch Up

Purim was spent in Sde Boker, a nice little kibbutz in the desert not far from Yerucham. There is an international university there, so we were able to go to a Purim party with the students! There were some awesome costumes. The next day there was a parade put on by the high schoolers. They made all of these amazing floats. Very talented students!

Where did the time go?

February and March completely flew by. I have no idea where the time went and how it is already April. February had a few noteworthy events:

 I visited my adoptive family in Ashkelon for the weekend, getting away from the desert and spending some time in the beach was just want I needed. I missed this city. I lived there for only 2 months in the beginning of the program but I love it, as I have blogged about it in previous notes. I rested, laid on the beach, and just relaxed. Most of my weekdays are filled with teaching, coaching, tutoring, and learning, so this free time just for myself felt fantastic. 

Ashkelon beach :)

OTZMA also had a Shabbat Mifgash, where our program meets with a group of Israelis who work in the summer camps in the states. Shabbat Mifgash means a meeting over the Shabbas weekend. We participated in ice breakers and discussions, went into the woods for some team bonding activities, brought in Shabbat together, continued some more discussions and just got to know each other. One of my favorite activities was the “Speed dating” where our madrichim sat us in two circles: and inner circle facing the outer circle, all mixed in with each other (Israelis/OZTMAnikim). We were paired up and given a question to discuss. The questions ranged from “If you could invent something, what would it be?” to “the most romantic thing you’ve done/had done for you.” After each question one of the circles would move a few seats so we got to talk to almost everyone. Another activity I really enjoyed was called “Beseder/ Lo Beseder” which means “Okay/Not okay.” The way this worked was our madrichim would bring up a topic or an issue and each one of us would say if it was beseder or lo beseder for them. It was really interesting to see all of the different perspectives from everyone, especially among the Israelis. The topics ranged from Justin Bieber to the settlements in the West Bank to Gilad Shalit. 

March brought many good things. My birthday being one of them!

So Nili, our sweet, sweet program coordinator of a mom took Shauna and me out to lunch for my birthday in Beer Sheva. We went to this really nice Chinese restaurant and wined and dined for a good two hours. The next day I received two cakes for my birthday! One from Shauna and one from the teacher I work with Karen. She is such a sweet and amazing woman!

 That night I ventured to Ashkelon to meet up with my friends Arielle and Rachel also from OTZMA, because the next morning, we were headed up North to go……SKY DIVING!!! Yes I finally went sky diving! It was a gift to myself for my birthday. We trekked by train to the North, up close to Haifa. The place was in Habonim beach and the landscape was absolutely beautiful. We couldn’t have asked for better weather that day. Max, another OTZMAnik met up with us and decided to sky dive last minute too. How spontaneous! We were all freaking out, but we were determined to go through with it. I don’t think it really hit me until I was loaded into the plane. I was the first one in, which meant last one out! I had to sit through and watch all of my friends fall out of the plane before me! That was torture. I can’t even begin to describe the feeling I felt when I first fell out of the plane. A gist of it is like when you dream that you are falling and then you jerk yourself awake, it is that feeling before you jerk awake. And it also lasted more than a second! The experience just falling and flying through the sky was beyond amazing, especially getting to see the beautiful Israel landscape below me. My sky diver was so tall that I could stand on his feet while we were in the air!

After falling from the sky, all of us traveled to Haifa to visit some more OTZMAnikim living there. This was my first time to Haifa and it was beautiful! There were quite a few others that traveled up to Haifa for the weekend as well so we all went out to a nice dinner! The plans were to go out to this local bar for the night, but I felt sick (due to my ongoing stomach problems) so I stayed in and others went out. Bummer. But the next night I got to go out!

reenacting skydiving

After dealing with some health issues- and a special thanks to my host family who helped me out with it all, I got to attend the Building Future Leaders Conference hosted by MASA. So I was two days late but I was caught up to speed and enjoyed the rest of my time there. Along with several other OTZMAnikim, hundreds of other MASA participants were there. It was nice to meet other people from different programs in Israel. For the rest of the week there were workshops and seminars and discussions that were helpful and insightful for us. We also had another outdoorsy team bonding day with our groups. For one of the teamwork obstacles, I offered to NOT be the leader of the group because I thought someone else could do a better job at the task (which was to direct the team in opening a well and getting a bucket in the well without some of them seeing, and being directed by a partner whom I was directing without speaking!) I wish I was able to explain that better, but that is how complicated the task was. To add on to that, we were timed! So since I volunteered myself to be anything other than the leader, the rest of my group volunteered me to be the leader! So… I stepped up and became the leader. My group for the whole conference included some amazing people and I was really lucky to end up in this group. I love MASA events because I am meeting people just like me from all over the world in different programs all living in Israel. It’s unfortunate that I only have 3 more months left on the program…

some of the amazing people in my group!

Overview of January

January brought the Conflict and Hope Seminar. All of OTZMA was brought back together for a jam packed week of workshops and lectures of different views of the Israeli- Palestinian Conflict. I am not going to go into every detail of every lecture, but I do have to say good job to the OTZMA staff for putting this together. A lot of hard work went into planning this seminar, especially with all of security issues. They took us into the West Bank, we were hosted for Shabbat by families that lived in the Jewish settlements in the West Bank, visited a small Arab village, and we listened to well-educated people that fell on both sides of the spectrum: to the extreme right and to the extreme left. Now, before this seminar, I was only a little informed of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict from what I read in the news, and I didn’t know what to think or even grasp a concept of it. After this seminar, I am feel very well-informed, both sides have been explained to me to some extent (which hasn’t happened before since the US or anywhere else fails to distribute unbiased news) ….and not to say that each side isn’t biased themselves… but I can see how any kind of peace talk isn’t this simple agreement that can be made in a day. There are TONS of issues that are involved in order to create peace. The fact is, I may have become more informed on the whole conflict, but I STILL can’t grasp my hands around the concepts. Does that even make sense? If I was confused before, I am more confused now. Even overwhelmed by the information I received. I am unable to grab a hold of a single opinion of my own in this. There are so many unanswered questions that will go unanswered, for everyone. But I still ask why can’t there be just ONE Jewish State?  Maybe you understand how complicated this issue really is. Maybe you don’t.

View from Nokdim, a Jewish settlement

My lovely roomie for the week

Adorable little boy in an Arab village

Suseya

OTZMA at Neve Shalom

Other happenings in January:

Hike in Sde Boker, small Kibbutz town 20 minutes away. Maybe you have seen pictures from facebook. We met a friend, Oren, who took us right into his backyard- the desert. We hiked for about 5 hours or so and explored and talked. It was pretty amazing. Did a little make-shift rock climbing, and yes, I am out of shape.

We went to a Bath-Mitzvah! One of my students/gymnasts had a Bat-Mitzvah that we were invited to. This girl, no joke, is me when I was her age, 12. She does gymnastics, she likes to paint, and she plays flute (I played in 6^th grade). It wasn’t hard to become friends with her when we first met. She is like a little sister to me now, I am already sad thinking about when I have to leave…Anyway, she had a big dinner for Friday night Shabbat and then the service was Saturday morning. In more religious communities, women don’t read from the Torah in front of men, so all the women were in one room as Ester read from the Torah. It was nice seeing several classmates, and all the women of the community. I felt such a nice, connected sense of community there, supporting Ester.  She did so well, I was so proud! After all of the services came the Shabbat lunch, which was another big meal for all of her family and friends. I will admit, Moroccan food is quite delicious! I was grateful to be a part of Ester’s life at this time and to have this experience. There are not enough words to express how wonderful Yerucham can be; the close-knit community and the amazing people that live here really create a sense of togetherness and belonging.

One thing that never gets old here, the desert sunsets

Shabbat Shalom Poem

It was late in December, we didn't have any Shabbat plans because Shauna and I were getting over a sickness. I was laying in bed, as I had been all afternoon, not aware of what time it was. The phone rang and it was the wrong number (which happens quite often), but as I hung up I was suddenly captured by the sunset over the desert. As most of you know, I am in LOVE with the sunsets here. I can see it right outside my bedroom window. I just felt that it was almost like a sign when the phone rang, to get up and watch the sunset. It inspired me to write this poem. Now, I NEVER write (besides this blog or in a journal) so writing this poem is new to me. But I thought I'd share since my mom and grandma loved it so much. :)

Looking out over the sunset in Yerucham.

Sitting right next to the window, the beautiful

Colors of the sky, orange, peach, blue,

The moon shines a little small crescent.

The glow of the lights in the streets

Match the glow of the sunset.

There is a silence that has suddenly fallen over the city

As the presence of Shabbat is welcomed in.

It is a calming sensation. The cool of the night

Is quickly approaching creating a sharp crisp in the air.

This is life here, now. Something is telling me to appreciate

The beauty of what there is. I want to feel it, breathe it, taste it.

My home, now, my life, now, is in the desert. This desert warms

My body by day and refreshes it by night. Every sunset is different

By its own adventure of the day. As the orange glow of the sun fades

Away to blues, Shabbat Shalom. 

End of December brings Mom to Israel!!

Mom ventured to Israel with friend in tow Saturday, December 25. She bravely rented a car, popped their luggage in the trunk and headed towards Jerusalem. With the exit of Shabbat, I took a bus to Be’er Sheva, and then the bus to Jerusalem to meet them.

I finally reached Jerusalem and saw my mom for the first time in about 4 months! I can’t even explain how good it felt to see her. Since it was winter break, and my mom loves Israel and me so much, she decided to visit. A close family friend Marlene joined mom’s trek to Israel. This was Marlene’s first time to Israel!! We had to take her to the hot spots. Jerusalem was first. We immediately went to the Old City and the Kotel. The Old City was beautiful at night, lacking the mad crowds wandering around in the daylight. We spent another 2 days in Jerusalem, wandering around the Old City, visiting old friends of my mother’s, and hitting Jaffa Street and the shuk.

At the Kotel

Our next stop was Ashkelon to visit my adoptive family. We ate a beautiful dinner cooked by my host mom, while my mom and my adoptive mom got to know each other! We stayed in the Holiday Inn on the beach, the hotel I used to run past every time I ran in Ashkelon. I missed running there. In the morning, which was sunny, warm and beautiful, we ate breakfast on the beach and walked the boardwalk.

My amazing adoptive family and friends!

Mom overlooking the Mediterranean in Ashkelon :)

 

Back in the car, we headed on to Eilat! Long drive? YES. But we made pit stops in Yerucham, which was fast but at least my mom got to see where I live! We also stopped in Mitzpe Ramon to take a look at the Crater. It was so gorgeous overlooking the desert for miles. I want to hike there soon. The long stretch to Eilat wasn’t so bad because we were able to watch the sun set over the Negev mountains. Sunsets in the desert never get old to me.

 The Crater

In Eilat, the three of us met up with other OTZMAniks and walked the Promenade, enjoying the touristy nightlife. Our plans for the next day were to travel to Petra Jordan. We eventually get to Petra, after going through Border control and a long, long taxi ride. I have never seen anything like what I saw in Petra. It was amazing how everything was carved into the rock. Our taxi driver kept us entertained through the ride there, he even nicknamed me Nora. Not sure where it came from…And can you believe it rained in Eilat???

A stunning overlook in Jordan

 

Petra, Jordan

Our last major stop was Tel Aviv. We stayed in an apartment for 3 days right on the beach. It was such a perfect location to everything. We walked to the shuk, along the major shopping streets, ate falafel, watched the last sunset of 2010 on the beach. We spent New Years Eve in Tel Aviv and roamed the lively streets. I was lucky to meet up with some friends and we brought in the New Year with my mom! We also ventured to Yafo and walked around. I stumbled upon this stunning painting I fell in love with. I honestly had no idea there was a small artist community in Yafo.

Mom and me New Years eve!

Mom and Marlene in Yafo

Marlene was mesmerized by Israel. She said she feels “at home” here. My mom and I agreed. We were more than familiar with the feeling.

Hanukkah Break

Hanukkah started Wednesday night December 1st. Shauna and I were invited over Debbie and her family’s house to light candles and have dinner. They even had us light our own hanukiot (menorahs)! And as always, delicious food follows. There is not a single household that doesn’t have good food here. One thing I almost forgot about the holiday of Hanukkah is that you eat lots and lots of sufganiot (donuts with filling) and potato latkes. These food items are made from oil, and Hanukkah being the holiday created because of oil..you eat the oily foods.

SO after I visited Inbal, I met up with the rest of ITC in the city of Arad at Arielle and Jason’s house. Sarah and Rachel traveled in from Ashkelon and then Shauna and I coincidentally met up at the Be’er Sheva bus station and took the same bus to Arad. The next four days were filled with in-service teacher training.
On Sunday, we went to a conference for English teachers in Be’er Sheva all day. I thought there were a few valid points brought up. We need to teach them certain skills to be able to produce their own work. We can't just give them a test to read and expect them to come up with the correct answers just like that. We need to teach them how to find key information, how to summarize, draw conclusions and main idea. I see that students don't have these abilities in school because they haven't really been taught any like this. I feel that this needs to be taken to heart and implemented in schools. All students can benefit from these skills. We just need the time and concentration to use them. Some other workshops I went to contained inforamtion I learned in college. Just luck of the draw I guess because a few others thought some different workshops were useful. Back to Arad, Jason and I went running and Arielle cooked a lovely dinner for all of us.

Monday was Dialogue in the Dark and Invitation to Silence. We went to a children’s museum where they had an exhibit in which you feel what it’s like to be blind. We walked around in pitch-black darkness with a cane. We went through different rooms: a forest, a shuk, a city street, and a cafeteria where we could order food and drink in the dark. It was amazing how all of our other senses came into action when we couldn’t use sight. The next exhibit was where we couldn’t hear anything. We wore these enormous headphones that blocked out almost all hearing. We had to rely solely on our sight and a sign to understand what was going on. We had to be aware of our facial expressions and hand and body gestures to be able to communicate.

After the museum we traveled to Jerusalem to meet with Mark Lazar at the Jewish Agency. There we discussed each of our experiences in the school so far. We all pretty much weren’t too satisfied with what was happening in the schools but we acknowledged that this wouldn’t be easy; that we knew this coming into this job. It was relieving to hear that we were not alone. He gave us some insight and some paperwork with some ideas and some solutions to behavioral problems. True: we have only been in the schools for one month; we do have a long way to go. We can’t give up on the students or ourselves. Reflecting on the time we’ve had so far in the schools really helped put things into perspective. We can’t just be passive and go along with things. We need to be engaging and take risks.

After this seminar we stopped by the Gilad Shalit tent for lighting the hanukiah. They had someone playing a song and then together, everyone sang HaTikva, Israel’s National Anthem. It was beautiful. I didn’t realize this tent for Gilad was put up right outside the Prime Minister’s house. He has been in captivity since 2006 and his family basically lives in this tent, fighting and praying for his release. Every time I am near the tent or visit it I feel compassion of the people and the seriousness of the matter. Four years is too long.

After we grabbed dinner in the Shuk, we went on a Hanukkah tour of Jerusalem. Although it was cold and rainy, most of us enjoyed it. At least until exhaustion set in. We walked near some old Yeshivas, then into an ultra-Orthodox Ashkenazi neighborhood and an ultra-Orthodox Sephardic neighborhood. We noted all of the beautiful hanukiot lit up outside the homes as well as inside. Being within these close quarters of ancient buildings with all of the beautiful lights brought a sense of connectedness and tradition to the area. This is not the first time I have felt this way, but every time I feel it, it's comforting.

We arrived back in Arad really late that night, exhausted. But the long day was totally worth it.

Tuesday, two of our Madrichot came to Arad for the last day of in-service training. We discussed and reflected our experiences so far then we created a lesson plan for cases where we have to take over a class or small group. It’s nice to have some preparation. Once the day was over, we all agreed to stay the night and celebrate Rachel’s birthday. We went into Be’er Sheva and met up with some people and went out to some college bars (people in college here are all after the army and about our age). It was a great atmosphere, took me back to my college years 

What's been happening over the past month

Education day in Be’er Sheva-

Shauna and I were able to take one day away from teaching to join the rest of the OTZMAnikim for an education in Be’er Sheva. We left to meet them in Ashkelon the night before to make it easier to meet up with. Yep, we were able to sleep in our glorious merkaz klita (absorption center) beds again. It was great seeing everyone again though. Our first stop was a prison in Be’er Sheva. We were split up into 2 groups: one group went to a prison for drug addicts- they got to speak with some prisoners and tour the area; the second group (my group) toured a jail that kept criminals and terrorists. We toured different buildings and even spoke with a criminal that had 5 years left of his 30 year sentence. He told us his story and how crime was the way of life where he came from. He also realized that life was more than that once his daughter was born while he was in prison (prisons get personal visits-interesting), he also found G-d during his stay. He is getting out early for good behavior. It seemed like he had changed from what he was telling us. It was very interesting. One thing I don’t quite understand is why criminals have to wear orange jumpsuits with reflectors while terrorists wear brown without reflectors. How does this make any sense? And how is that fair?
We learned that terrorists have different rights, for example: they are only allowed to study certain subjects like history and no science- for obvious reasons. The tour guides of the prison seemed to agree. At one point we were staying outside discussing something when a group of prisoners in brown walked by all handcuffed together. Since they were in brown- we were informed they were terrorists. We learned that 70% of these terrorists in here have blood on their hands. Whoa. Having never even been in a prison before to seeing terrorists 5 feet in front of me, it kind of creeped me out. I have never knowingly been that close. Prisoners only have to wear jumpsuits when they leave their rooms and are out working on grounds. These prisoners can smoke, watch tv, take classes, etc.

Afterward, we had lunch in the Be’er Sheva absorption center, which is also the longest building in Israel. It looked pretty cool. Then we talked about the IDF with our madrich Noah. He talked about how right before Israel became a nation there were these two armies but Ben Gurion helped make it one army. He also asked us these questions: How many of you know someone serving in the army? How many of you know someone who has died serving? Here in Israel- almost everyone has served or is serving in the army and ALL of them know someone who has died serving. It was kind of a reality check in a way, I just can’t describe it. Here in Israel, the war isn’t “over there,” its right here. Life in Israel is war, but does that make people live in fear here? Does it affect one’s day to day life and routine? No. Israelis continue to live and thrive.

Our last stop was at Ben Gurion University. There we met the chairmen of Israeli politics at the university. There he spoke of the Israeli political system and how it supports the system of many political parties. There are 13 parties in the Knesset and the government coalition usually falls so elections tend to take place before the fall. One problem is that the smaller parties have more power than the popular majority. For example, if two of the biggest parties only had a few people to build the coalition, they wouldn’t have enough people for the representation.

Times have changed and keep changing. We discussed problems, advantages and disadvantages of the government and parliament, along with the parties and the Israelis that vote. He said that a political party is viewed as an object of consumption, not a way of life. The way you change your cereal is the way you change parties. I thought that was interesting. He also stated that there is a gap between people who believe in politics and those who feel that no party really represents them. After this and the other political education days, I feel like I have a better understanding of Israeli politics..


Thanksgiving in Ashkelon

Shauna and I traveled directly after school back to Ashkelon for the rest of the weekend, where the rest of OTZMAnikim still were. It was the day of Thanksgiving! How else to celebrate it in a country that doesn’t celebrate it than with Americans?! The night before Shauna and I baked with our oven! Yes we have an oven! Shauna made zucchini bread and I made Knish! Both turned out really well I must say.

We arrived just as the light was fading. I went for a run along the beach like the good ol’ days when I used to live in Ashkelon. It was amazing and much needed. Then it was time to get ready for our Thanksgiving feast! My old roommates cooked delicious vegetables, they are really good cooks. We all met down in the moadon, everyone brought something. It was just so amazing that we were able to come together for this. We were a family of our own since we were all away from our families back in the states. One of the Ulpan teachers and a few other Israelis actually joined us. They took the time out of their day to celebrate this holiday with us. Amazing.


The Tiyul to the North- Nov 29-30
So the secular high school goes on trips around Israel. Shauna and I were invited to join the 7th and 8th graders trip to the north. The 9th also went up to the North and the 10th grade went to Jerusalem. We thought it would be fun to go up to the North (the Galilee and Bet Shean), to go hiking, bond with the students….well, at least we thought. 4 hours to the North and 4 hours back to the desert, on a bus full of screaming adolescents. These kids don’t talk, they scream. Playing the same songs over and over, screaming at each other. I am almost sure I got an ulcer from this haha. Other than the bus rides, the hiking and activities were decent. We went on a good hike the first day, helped some of the students down rocks…some of these students don’t like to be outdoors, they were whiny. AND of course I had to fall on rocks. It’s not a successful hike without me falling. Shauna of course laughed her ass off.

Finally, we arrived at the hostel that was putting us all up for the night. The kids went crazy for hours. We had dinner and somehow managed to take a nap. We were assisting the teachers with night duty. A few teachers were each assigned hours to watch outside to make sure the students didn’t sneak out of their rooms. Shauna and I helped with the first hour and half. Once we got them all in their rooms- boys on the 1st floor and girls on the 2nd- it was easy to keep watch. Maybe 5 minutes into it doors started opening and it was like that arcade game Whack-a-mole! When each door opened we yelled lilah tov- close the door! It was quite entertaining. Some students even tried sneaking out! I was trying to remember what I was like at that age. Not that risky.
The next day we sat on the bus for an hour in front of the hostel because half of the students left their rooms a mess. Plus, they were so tired from staying up all night. They didn’t want to hike or do anything. I think Shauna and I enjoyed hiking more than they did. Before heading back to Yerucham, we stopped at a park and there was a cookout! There were huge burgers and delicious vegetables and hummus. Overall, we did bond with some of the students and also teachers and tour guides!


Back in Yerucham

School continued on the next few days. Thursday my gymnastics coach held a BBQ for all of the assistant coaches (or madrichim). It was nice getting to know the group outside of the gym. Her house was amazing and they are a funny bunch. Too bad I had to have most of the jokes translated- so in return they weren’t that funny. Hopefully soon I won’t need a translator.
From the BBQ I went to visit my friend Inbal in Ramat haSharon. But first, I had another excellent bus buddy. First he gets on and sits next to me; he has the aisle seat and I have the window seat. He then spreads his legs wide, now intruding my area. I am taking up a little room as possible. He puts his head back and closes his eyes to sleep. During the hour and a half bus ride he continues to put his head on my shoulder and sleep. At first it was like it was by accident the way his head fell when he was sleeping. At one point he legit put his head on my shoulder. I was laughing so hard to myself I couldn’t believe this was happening. I didn’t want to move him because it was so funny. He tries to “sleep” the whole bus ride and when we arrive at the bus station he gets off and just starts singing like he hadn’t been sleeping or anything. SO strange.

I finally get to Inbal’s who was having a little get together with her army friends who told hilarious stories. I got there just in time for dessert!! The next day we went to Zumba, which was so much fun! I tried to catch on to the dance moves, but there is just something about an American trying to dance to the salsa and the cha cha…not a pretty site haha. Inbal’s mom cooked a delicious dinner and then we went out for the evening to Tel Aviv with some of Inbal’s friends. Saturday was a birthday party for a 3 year old, so there was MORE delicious food! Inbal is now in South America traveling for 6 months! Jealous!

During my time with Inbal there was this tragic fire up in the North in Mt Carmel. It was such a beautiful place. It lasted a couple of days, caused massive damage, and an unfortunate number of people died. A group of cadets that were trying to reach a prison to evacuate it died from the fire. The bus was caught in the fire and only a few were able to escape. It was such a horrific story that when I was reading the details about it in the news the next day I felt sick to my stomach. Inbal was able to translate some articles that were in the newspaper for me. The pictures were astounding. This was the worst fire since the state of Israel was created, and Israel wasn’t prepared for it. We received help from other countries, which was remarkable.