Let Spring Begin!

Shalom

I hope everyone had a wonderful Pesach! The rest of my Pesach was spent up North with the group. After I picked up the bus in Tel Aviv on Wednesday we headed up towards the Kinneret for Yam L' Yam (Sea to Sea). Although we were technically suppose to hike from the Kinneret to the Mediterranean, we rarely saw the sea. The hike was condensed due to Shabbat. On our first day we hiked (waded) in water up to our thighs. We also helped prepare meals, as you can see by my photo. While I enjoyed hiking on Mount Meron, the evenings were pretty miserable. Even though it was hot during the day, it was freezing at night! I was not at all prepared for such cold weather, and sleeping(or lack of) in tents with only the sleeping bag they provided didn't help the situation. So, to say the least it wasn't the best three days of my life. Friday afternoon we ended our hike and headed to Kibbutz Hanaton for Shabbat and the rest of Pesach. Kibbutz Hanaton is the only conservative kibbutz in Israel and only has around twenty families. After going bankrupt several years ago, the kibbutz is now trying to rebuild itself in the Northern Galilee. I didn't really feel like I was staying on a kibbutz, but more like a close-knit community. During our stay at the kibbutz we went to the Kinneret Cemetery where the famous Hebrew poetess, Rahel, and Naomi Shemer, who wrote Yerushalyim shel Zahav, are buried. We also toured Tel Hai, which was important as an Israeli border outpost in 1918, and went kayaking. On the way back to Jerusalem on Wednesday we had "minority day" and met with Arab teens, visited a Druze village, and spent a short time at the Bai Hai Gardens in Haifa.

I was really happy to finally return to Jerusalem! While I love seeing other parts of Israel, the trips away from campus are always stressful with different roommates and so much time spent with all the kids. After three weeks away from the Chava, It felt good to get back into academics on Wednesday. On Thursday we went to Mount Herzl where we saw soldiers rehearsing for the Yom Hashoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day) ceremony. Each unit, including the police, sends one soldier to represent its unit for the ceremony. It was really neat to see them rehearsing and setting up for the ceremony. Mount Herzl looked completely different. We also went to the multimedia museum about Theodor Herzl. In the afternoon we did a zionism project in which we discussed and learned about the different zionism movements throughout history.

This past Shabbat I went again with my friend Bri to Modi'in. First we went to the Shuk (Mahane Yehuda) Friday afternoon. It was so hectic and crowded! My Dad would have been in heaven with all the fresh breads and pastries. The rest of Shabbat I have been working on homework and AP prep. The tests are quickly approaching, and I need to do most of the prep on my own time, which I only have on Shabbat. Next week looks fairly calm with Yom HaShoah on Monday.

More to come next week!

See you all in less than two months!

Lots of Love!
חנה

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

Chag Sameach!

Boker Tov, friends!
Technically it's no longer morning, but I woke up at noon so it is still morning to me. I am currently spending Shabbat in Modi'in again with my friend Briana, but I will get back to that later.

Wow... this week has probably been the craziest yet, but I seem to say that every week! Last Sunday seems light years away. The week started out relatively slow and normal with classes on Sunday and Monday. Everyone was stressing out for the first major ICC test over the first two units( Prebiblical-biblical, and 2nd Temple Period). The test consisted of an intense objective section(no multiple choice or word banks!!!) with a map we had to fill in etc., and then an essay section. We were given six different essay topics to prepare for and then randomly picked two at the test to write. I had to write about the repetition of mistakes and cycle during the Judges Period(1200-1000 BCE) and about the first three kings in the United Monarchy and their good and bad attributes (Kings Saul, David, and Solomon). When I think back to my lack of knowledge of Jewish history in January to now, I feel so much more connected to Judaism and our past. After this three hour test on Tuesday, we went to the Kotel Tunnels and then the mall to shop for Purim costumes.

Back in the US I don't really celebrate Purim. We used to make hamentaschen and went to Megillah reading when I was younger but never thought much of the holiday. Well, here in Israel, Purim is a MAJOR deal. While Purim isn't technically until Sunday everywhere except Jerusalem on Monday, festivities started Wednesday. On the Chava, each school had a different theme for costumes. We were black and white. I am not one to get excited about wearing costumes, so I am just being a cat. Wednesday afternoon the whole chava had a parade then a dance in the gym, followed by more dancing in the dining hall and then a special dinner. Ready for a shocker? I actually had a good time! Most likely because I met a boy(sorry Dad). He is from the Ukraine and we somehow ended up standing by each other and he helped me learn the dances. Later in the night we lame Americans had mandatory study hall, while all the other kids had Purim break and continued to have fun. But our counselors decided to let us go to the disco for an hour. Me being the nerd I am, I was only going to go see what was going on and then work on my AP Poetry Analysis, but once I went in and everyone was dancing and having a good time, I decided to stay. The party went late into the night, but we all had to leave when everyone else was just starting to come. Nonetheless, it was the most fun I have had in a really long time, and it was so nice to forget about all the stress and just dance.

Sadly, the fun night had to come to an end eventually, and on Thursday we were up very early for a full day Tiyul. We just started the Christianity unit starting with the life and history of Jesus. We went to Ein Karem where John the Baptist was born and where Mary came while pregnant with Jesus to visit Elizabath, who was pregnant with John. Despite the rainy day, we then went to the Mount of Olives for a quick lesson about the history of the Mount. The view from the Mount was extraordinary even in the rain. Next stop was the new outdoor Mamila Mall outside the Old City. It was a nice mall, but it was very fancy and most of the stores were American. Our last stop was walking around the walls of the Old City and then seeing the location of the Last Supper.

The rest of the evening and Friday morning were spent back on the chava. Friday I had a stressful morning of classes. The pouring rain and hail didn't help the situation. I know Israel needs the rain, but it definitely wasn't fun getting soaked. My boots are still wet. After class, I left with Bri to go to Modi'in. We are having a relaxing couple days here, mostly sleeping and eating. Friday night I had a delicious meal once again followed by a scary amount of hamentaschen dough, cookies, and ice cream and then a repeat. While I feel disgusting now, it was fun at the time. Back on the chava, I run on about five hours of sleep each night and the food is not the best, so weekends like these are nice occasionally. It is now around two in the aftertoon Saturday and I need to learn my Megillah reading for Purim, even though I have absolutely no idea how! On Monday we leave for Ketura for the whole week for our "spring break". All I know about Ketura is that it is a kibbutz down south near Eilat. Find out more next week!

Chag Sameach!

Love,
Hannah

Another Busy Week in Israel

Shalom Chaverim!
As usual it has been another crazy week! We left Monday for a two day tiyul starting in the Old City and then traveling down to the Judean Desert. Because we have been studying the 2nd Temple Period(516BCE-70 CE), we started the day by having Shacharit service at Robinson's Arch where all Jews can pray together with no barrier between sexes. It was really neat because many other groups were having their Torah service and Bar/Bat Mitzvah's. Then we split up into our ICC classes and learned about the period and events leading up to the fall of the temple.

After several hours we went down to the Ein Geidi springs and stayed at the Ein Geidi Youth Hostel. The whole time we were there IDF jets kept passing by (we were very close to Jordan). It only takes 16 minutes to fly across Israel. After a delicious dinner we "tried" to go to bed early because we woke up at 4:30 A.M. to climb Massada!! Unlike most groups, we went up the Runner's Path and came down the Snake Path. It was a bit rough at first, but once the sun started to rise and after having a good breakfast, I was in heaven. Even though I have been to Massada a couple times, including becoming Bat Mitzvah there, I got much more out of this hike because I actually understood which zealots were living on Massada in 73 CE. After more learning, we took the Snake Path down and went down towards Dead Sea for another delicious meal before going into the Sea of Salt. This was my first time actually going into the Sea. I can't say it was super fun, but I am glad I went in. Before we left we covered ourselves in mud. It was such a mess but I think it made my skin a little softer at least for the day.

Once we got back to Jerusalem, everyone was exhausted and very dirty. I had the best shower ever. Wednesday was a stressful school day. But, on Thursday we had a full day tiyul. This tiyul was focused on the Bar Kokhba revolt (132-136 CE), which was the third and last of the Jewish-Roman Wars. The revolt established an independent state of Israel over parts of Judea for over two years, but a Roman army of twelve legions with auxiliaries finally crushed it. We first crawled through caves where the Jews hid, and then went to Bet Guvrin where the Romans built an amphitheater. I would like to learn more about this area in the future. The last stop of the day was an archealogical dig at Maresha. While it was nice and interesting, it was basically a repeat of our trip there several years ago.

This Shabbat we stayed on the Chava (Shabbat Yachad). Friday evening we had Kabbalat Shabbat in the Old City and then went down to the Kotel to pray Ma'ariv individually. I love being at the Kotel on Shabbat. It is such a different atmosphere than during the week. We then walked back to the Chava (hour walk) and had Shabbat dinner followed by oneg and singing. Saturday morning I went to Shira Chadasha, a modern Orthodox Shul on Emek Refaim then had Shabbat lunch on the Chava. I went for a long walk outside the Chava with a friend and a boy who is from America who lives in Israel now. It was a beautiful day and so many people were out walking and playing in the park. Shabbat in Jerusalem is SOOOO different than home. I can't even describe how amazing it feels. Later we had a picnic at the park followed by Havdallah. Food was the highligh of my weekend. I decided to enjoy the Shabbos and eat way more than any human being should ever consume. So of course, right now I feel like crap and can't really think straight.

With that I think I will study some ICC notes for a major test this week on everything from Abraham to 73 C.E. A lot happened between this period! Hope everyone has a nice week. Love and miss you all!

Lyla Tov,
Hannah

Conjuctivitis in Jerusalem

It has now been almost three weeks! This past week has been very stressful and tiring. As I sit writing in my bed at 11:30 P.M. Sunday evening, I have a hard time remembering what we actually did. Classes are becoming pretty difficult and I am finding it hard to study efficiently with so many kids around all the time. But, I know this situation will help me in the long run! Instead of the usual Tuesday half-day tiyul, we went on Monday to the City of David and then the Kotel. After walking around David's City, we walked through Hezekiah's underground water tunnels. Hezekiah was king in 701 BCE and built the tunnels during a siege with the Assyrians. The water was up to my thigh and pretty cold. But it was really neat to be walking through the same tunnel his troops built and went through so long ago. After drying off and more learning with our ICC classes, we walked to the Kotel. While I have been to the Kotel several times before, I felt a much stronger connection with its history and significance to the Jews from my ICC class. However, being at the wall without my family not only made me realize how far away I am from them, but also how fortunate I am to be able to be in Jerusalem praying at the kotel.

On Thursday's all day tiyul we went to Park Canada and later the Israel Museum. Before learning about Park Canada in ICC, I had no idea what is was and why it was called Park Canada. It turns out the name is insignificant and is named after Canada because they donated trees. The actual park, which is not a crowded tourist spot, is part of years of ancient settlements. We went to the park this week because we were learning about the time period of the Maccabees, and the park is located on a Greek army base. Once again, there is so much more history behind the park, and I highly recommend learning more about it!

This Shabbat I went on a mifgash Shabbat with another girl on the program. We stayed with a family who lives right outside the Chava. I wasn't really looking forward to going to a random family's home, but I ended up having a good time. Both parents made Aliyah, the mother from New York, and the father form Uruguay. I enjoyed hearing about why they made Aliyah, and getting to know their family. Unfortunately...when I woke up this morning my eyes were crusted shut(thus the blog title). I felt fine last night but felt awful today. Sooo, that sucked. But I sort of managed to enjoy the beautiful day. Another boy in the dorms has pink eye and many others have been sick, so I guess it isn't shocking for me to be the next victim.

With that I think I am blogged out for now. My eyes are pretty sore and tired. Hope everyone is enduring the winter weather back home! I do not miss that at all!!! Today was beautiful. Spring is gradually coming and flowers are starting to bloom. Sorry, I had to rub it in a little.

Lyla Tov,
Hannah

I made it through the first two weeks!

Shalom everyone!

Well, it has now been two weeks and I am finally getting settled in! This past week was the first week of classes. Everyday is a different schedule, so it's hard to keep track of what classes I have and when. The main focus is on the Israel Core class, which I really enjoy. I love learning about the history of Israel and Judaism. My other classes are going okay also. It is going to be a challenge staying on track with all the courses since we go on Tiyulim two days a week(one half day the other a full day). This past week we went to Sataf, which is an ancient agricultural site in the Judean Hills west of Jerusalem. In the middle of a path leading from the upper entrance to Sataf down to the Soreq river-bed are orchards watered by two springs, one of which is coming out of a small cave. The orchards are grown according to the rules of ancient agriculture and create "stairs" on a rather steep slope of the hill. We went into the cave...it was very dark and wet. You can still see some building that were occupied by Arab settlements until the War of Independence. Again, there is so much more I could say about Sataf and the surrounding area!! We were supposes to go to En Geidi on Thursday but instead did a Knesset project on the Chava because it was raining a lot(not complaining).

I just came back tonight from the first host Shabbat. I went with my good friend Bri to her family/friends in Modi'in, which is a newer city in central Israel. It was really nice to get off campus for a night and away from all the kids! The family was really warm to me and took me in like family. We had a delicious Shabbat dinner and went to an incredible restaurant tonight in Jerusalem. I am so stuffed, but it was so nice to have real food! Well....it's getting pretty late and I have school bright and early tomorrow! Wish I could watch the Superbowl tomorrow, but it will be on very late. Go Colts!!

Shalom from Jerusalem!
<3 Hannah