Only Two Weeks Left

שלום חברים!

Sorry I have not posted for a couple of weeks! As usual I have had little time to sit down, yet alone asleep. But I guess by this time I should be used to the lack of sleep! I am going to try and remember everything that has been going on! On top of everything else, I once again have a really bad ear infection! It has been very hard to function and get work done in school. I finally got to go to an ear specialist this past week, and I think after about three weeks it is beginning to clear up. I will be glad to go to my ear doctor back home who knows my history.

I also have been loving ICC because we are now into current events and issues of Israel all of which I find so interesting! Aside from general studies on Tuesday we went to Ammunition Hill, which was the key battle in the fight for Jerusalem during the Six-Day War in 1967. It was a very sad place in memory of the soldiers who lost their lives to regain Jerusalem from Jordan. I wish we could have spent more time there; definitely one of the places I will visit again. There we also heard a left-wing speaker give his views and ideas of the future (I won't go into detail on my opinion of what he had to say).

On Thursday we went into Judea and Samaria (West Bank) to Gush Etzion and Efrat. Gush Etzion includes four Israeli settlements which were all destroyed in the War of Independence in 1948 by Jordanian forces and reestablished after 1967. We then walked on a part of the Patriarch's Road to help understand the ancient religious and biblical significance of Judea and Samaria. We went to the settlement of Efrat, where we heard a right-wing speaker who represented a conservative approach to the Arab-Israeli conflict. I really enjoyed the speaker and his ideals. Our final stop of the day was at the Tayalet Goldman from which you can see the separation barrier and discussed the security and diplomatic consequences of the barrier policy.

On the evening of Tuesday, May 4, we had the opportunity to go to a Hapoel Yerushalayim basketball game. Even though I'm not into basketball, it was interesting to see the difference in Israeli basketball. The fans have a lot more spirit and sing the whole time.

This past Shabbat the group was divided between host families in Efrat and Ashkelon. I went to Ashkelon. We went to different homes in pairs, but went to shul and meals together. The teens from Ashkelon were very nice and fairly secular. During free time on Saturday I went with a couple other girls to one of the host's father's jewelry store in the mall. It was cool because the mall was closed, yet we got to go in and I got a couple more ear piercings!

We headed back to Jerusalem Saturday evening. Sunday and Monday were general studies days. Tuesday afternoon we heard from a Palestinian who told us his opinions about Israel and the conflict. Then we toured the Supreme Court and the Knesset (Israel's legislature). At the Knesset we watched part of a session and were lucky enough to hear Bibi Netanyahu (Prime Minister) speak!! Before we left we heard from a member of the Knesset, Aryeh Eldad..

Wednesday evening Jerusalem celebrated Yom Yerushalayim, which commemorates the reunification of Jerusalem and Israel control of the Old City in 1967 for the first time since the War of Independence. I could have gone to the Kotel that evening, but I went to Ben Yehuda instead. I am glad I decided not to go to the Kotel because I heard it was totally chaotic.

On Thursday rather than go on an ICC tiyul, we went to Tables to Tables, which is an organization that collects produce to give to those in need. We picked a lot of onions! In the afternoon we did a walk for Shutaf, which is a camp and afterschool program for kids with special needs as well as those without. TRY has been raising money for Shutaf for several weeks. We had a little party at the end of the walk to celebrate the money earned. Thursday evening we had a bbq for alumni of TRY and learned about what the alumni are now doing in Israel.

This Shabbat I am once again in Modi'in with Bri! We walked around Modi'in a bit this afternoon then went out to Bri's favorite restaurant called Zula's. It was delicious! Tomorrow we are going to make sushi then go shopping in Herzliya along the marina. I love our host Sheli! She has really become my second mom here and is an amazing person. I also have a lot of studying to do as next week is finals and I have the AP Lit exam on Friday. I will be sooooo glad when this next week is over!

That is it for now! It is hard for me to recollect all what goes on over the weeks! I'll be sure to write again once my finals and AP exam are over! Then I can finally breathe!
Lots of love!
חנה