Shalom Israel!

Shalom! Its hard to believe it has only been two weeks since I left the snow! And it’s even more crazy to think I’m leaving for India this Wednesday! It has been an incredible two weeks of connecting with family, childhood friends, making new friends and exploring Israel. 

I started out relaxing in Ramat Gan, a suburb of Tel Aviv, staying with Lancshu who recently moved from Montreal to Israel. As we walked on the beaches of the Mediterranean and I listened to stories of her struggles living in Israel when she was my age, it really hit me that I was actually in Israel, a very significant and special place of my family history.

I then hopped on a bus to the center of the world, Jerusalem. There I met up with Sadie, my best friend up until the age of 12 when she moved to Phoenix. Sadie now lives in Nachlaot, a unique community within Jerusalem.  I probably saw her two to three times within the last 12 years and we didn’t really keep in touch. At first, it was like meeting a new person, since pretty much nothing is the same as when we were 12, but pretty soon it felt like we had been friends all along, and I’m so thankful we have to opportunity to reconnect again. Together we visited the Shuk (open market) of Jerusalem, trying delicious Halva (sweet sesame), etrog juice, and warm pastries. The Shuk offers several streets full of most everything delicious including fresh fruits and vegetables, hummus, olives, fresh juices, candy and much much more.  We then explored the old city, winding our way down narrow streets to the Western Wall. Growing up I had read about the Kotel, but it had always just been a place in a far off land to me, something I might read about in stories.  But I wasn’t in a story book, I was suddenly standing where millions of people all of the world send their prayers. I could feel the history radiating from the ruin walls, though I don’t know even know a fraction of it. The energy was powerful. 

Birds perch on the same cracks millions slip their prayers into 

Holocaust Memorial Center in the Old City

My first Shabbat in Israel, one I don’t think I will ever forget, was spent with Sadie in Nachlaot Jerusalem. It was very joyous, intense, fun and overall a very special experience. Sadie answered my many questions of how to keep Sabbath properly, including not turning on or off lights, not ripping toilet paper, no cooking, no connecting circuits (electricity) and many more.

Before brining in the Sabbath we prepared all food for Saturday and cleaned since these actions are forbidden on the day of rest. Together we lit the candles and caught the end of services at a small Shul (Synagogue), I had forgotten that in religious Shuls women sit behind curtains and found this difficult to understand. It made me feel inferior as a women and appreciative for being raised in a very welcoming reform Synagogue. I was amazed as Sadie pointed out many buildings that appear to be just another old apartment in the city but are in fact Shuls. We then headed to her friends to begin the Shabbat bingeing. After blessing the wine, washing and bread we began the first course, which could be an entire meal in its self. But I wasn’t disappointed to be eating delicious challah, olives, salads, tahina, babaganoush, hummus, matbucha (Turkish salad). After the equally delicious main course, and more wine of course, came dessert, halva, fruit, cake and Ben and Jerry’s!! Grateful that we couldn’t drive on Shabbat (and that everything in the city is walk able) we walk home making my stomach a little more comfortable. After a great night sleep we woke up, and ate again!

In what appeared to be stress free and effortless, Sadie hosted Shabbat lunch for around 30 people.  Though overwhelming at times, I was so thankful to have the opportunity to meet so many people living in Jerusalem. Many had come from the United States and made aliyah (became an Israeli citizen) and become religious. The afternoon was filled with smiles, singing, eating, and in my case learning. I had lots of questions of customs, definitions and translations, and even when I didn’t ask any questions people happily shared their views of Judaism, stories of ancient text and helped me follow along with prayers and songs.

After a quick clean up I need to be outside and move. Luckily Sadie lives right by a fairly large park that I explored for an about an hour, long enough to miss most of the eating of third meal, but still catch some Hebrew songs. After a second round of cleaning up, some more deep discussions of Judaism and some relaxing we headed to yet another meal! I was assured that this would just be tea and coffee, with a possible piece of cake, but turned out to be an entire meal bread, salads, main course and all. The meal was prepared because we joined a friend of Sadie’s to observe her father yartzit (anniversary of his death). Though unnecessary to eat another entire meal, the dinner was very special and I was honored to be a part of it.

Also while in Jerusalem I was able to visit with family whom live on Kibbutz Ramat Rachel in Southern Jerusalem. I feel blessed to be in a new place and still have so much family here to welcome me with open arms, even if I have never met all of them. I am looking forward to returning to Israel and creating stronger relationships with my Israeli family. From what I understand Kibbutz Ramat Rachel is actually one of the last traditional kibbutz in Israel.  At Ramat Rachel they still follow the guiding principal of communalism; dining, laundry, salaries etc. Most other kibbutz in Israel are now just we would consider a gated community or even plain old community that do now have communal facilities, salaries etc.

I had a great pre-program introduction to Israel. And on Sunday my real journey began…