Gadna and Pesach in Israel!

Shalom Chaverim!

Once again it has been a crazy couple weeks here in Israel. Time is going by way too rapidly. I can't believe I have already been here two and a half months! It is currently Tuesday, March 30th; and I am in Petah Tikvah with Avishag.

Right after we returned from our host shabbat last Sunday we went down south near Sde Boker for Gadna (army training). I have been looking forward to Gadna forever! During the week we slept in tents, ate army food, learned about the M16 rifle, and learned to take orders. Even though the program is patterned similarly to the IDF, it is nothing compared to actual army training. I really wish it would have been much more intense and physical, but then again I am not like most of the kids, who were ready to go home the first day. Since it was the week before Pesach we cleaned the kitchen and ate our last meals outside so the kitchen would be kosher for Pesach. On the final full day of "camp" we went to the shooting range. I was a bit afraid of shooting the gun a. because I am left handed, and b. because it was an actual gun!! My aim was completely off, but I feel I have more confidence now that I have used a gun. Despite my terrible aim, I am still determined to serve in the IDF, but doing something that doesn't involve guns.

We returned to Jerusalem on Thursday and after midterm evaluations and packing Avishag picked me up for Pesach break. We left for her kibbutz, Ketura (where our group stayed a few weeks ago) Friday morning and stayed until Monday morning. It was a different feeling being at the kibbutz with a family rather than as a visiting group. The little trip was pretty relaxing; we had meals with her family and spent one day in Eilat. The shopping day in Eilat was a lot of fun. Eilat is only about 20 minutes from the kibbutz. Because of the holiday, Eilat was getting very busy. Eilat doesn't have taxes so it is the place to shop! We went to the mall, boardwalk, and "Big" which is like an outside outlet mall. Later that evening we went back to Eilat for dinner with the family. On Monday we came back to Petah Tikvah and got ready for Pesach seder at Avishag's grandparents' house in Herziliya. It was weird not having the seder with my family, but it was also very nice spending it with an Israeli family. Her grandmother is a fantastic cook, and I became friends with her cousins. Today is pretty chill, but we are getting ready to go out. Tomorrow morning I meet back up with the group in Tel Aviv and we head up north for Yam L' Yam (sea to sea) for three days, then go to Kibbutz Hanaton until April 6th. I will tell more about these adventures next week!

Hope everyone has a wonderful Pesach!

Shalom,
Hannah

All Around Israel/ My Family Arrives

South to Middle to North

It's about time I caught up on my blog. I have been quite busy and find it hard to sit and work on this.
For “spring break” we took a long bus ride to Ketura, a kibbutz in the far south. (My friend, Avishag’s, family lives here). Some of our activities included a bike ride and hiking, and visiting with farm animals and camels. Kibbutz members led us in numerous activities. We also enjoyed a free night in Eilat and tried snorkeling (which sadly resulted in an ear infection for me!).

After returning from Ketura, we finally got back into the classroom. Also, my dad, mom, and brother, Philip arrived in Israel to take part in the TRY family trip. While they participated in some of the planned activities, they also spent time at Bet Shean, Herodian, Tiberius area, and Tzippori to visit “Roman” sites (all areas I hope to get a chance to see). On Tuesday, March 9, our group visited an ancient Crusader fortress at Ein Hemed. Ein Hemed, also known as Aqua Bella (Beautiful Water), is the site of a spring which was used for agriculture in the Crusader period. We then visited Ein Rafa, an Arab village outside Jerusalem, where we visited a Mosque for a discussion with their Imam (Religious Leader) about Islam.

On Thursday, March 11, we went to Tel Aviv which is in the middle of the country and toured the first neighborhood outside the walls of Yaffo, Neve Tzedek. Imagine my excitement when I looked up and saw the studio for Bat Sheva Dance Company! We then visited the Diaspora Museum at Tel Aviv University where we learned how Jewish life continued all over the world after the destruction of the Second Temple and Roman Exile. The day finished with a visit to the Port of Tel Aviv on the Mediterranean Sea.

For Shabbat, we drove to Tzfat, an ancient city in the north of Israel. Here we stayed in a youth hostel while our visiting families stayed in a hotel that had once been a post office.We attended Shabbat services at a Sephardic synagogue and toured the old city of Tzfat and learned about Kabbalah, Jewish mysticism, which developed in the 16th century. Many people today have heard of Kabbalah due to Madonna’s interest in it. After Havdalah services I said goodbye to my family, as we students took the bus back to the Chava.

That's all for now. I'll try to update soon on my midterm week and visit with Avishag and family at Petah Tikvah.

Shalom,
Hannah