Kadosh, Kadosh, Kadosh

      As our first Israeli Shabbat approached, we did our first tzadaka (justice, literally charity) project this morning! We went to Hazon Yishaya, a humanitarian network hosting 60 soup kitchens in Israel, and I believe the biggest soup kitchen in Jerusalem. I first worked in the kitchens, helping to peel potatoes... what seemed to be tons worth, with about 20 other Gadeem members. Then, I moved to the serving line, and helped the people one on one. I have to say this soup kitchen was NOTHING like the one I work at home, SHIP. This one was massive serving thousands of meals a day, and providing bagged breakfasts and lunch. It also provided education for adults and children, as well a dental and day care services. This place was massive.

      We arrived back at Tzuba and all of us went to straighten up our rooms for shabbat. We then had to get ready for our visit at the Kotel. Finally I managed to put together an outfit together comprising of other people's clothing, I was ready to visit the place I had been awaiting for years. 

     On the bus, I wrote my note I planned on putting in the wall and continued taking photos. This was the first time I was in Jerusalem aside from the morning, but it happened to be my first time in the old city as well. I took photos non-stop until the sunset starting Shabbat. As I approached the Kotel, I couldn't imagine I was really there. I walked up admiring the praying women on our side of the divider. I reached up, and touched the wall with my hands and could feel the warmth protruding from the wall. It was bitter outside, so feeling the warmth of the wall was an incredible sensation on my hands and in my heart. Soon, I was surrounded by fellow EIE members, and I couldn't feel the cold; only comforting warmth. After praying for a bit, I tried placing my note in the wall, but every crack and crevice was stuffed full at my height, so I asked someone taller next to me to reach up and place my note in one of the only spots open. Walking away from the Kotel, I just couldn't imagine I had touched one of the holiest things in the Jewish world. Now, the Kotel was much smaller than I had imagined, but in NO way less powerful. 

Archeological Dig

     Yesterday, we got assigned our Jewish History class and had a small orientation. In the afternoon, my class (which is now named Gadeed Tomer**) went on our first tiyul (field trip)! We went about 45 minutes south or so, and hiked up gorgeous terrain. First we reached an ancient wine press from the time of the second temple! Then, we visited a Jewish tomb, inspired off of that of the Greeks, from the beginning of the Byzantine Empire. This tomb later became a Christian, then a Muslim tomb, and our guide described the unique changes made which help identify their origins. I found out that they know it was originally Jewish because of the mikvah (ritual bath house) which is unique to our religion, was found there. They could also identify the religion changes because newer crosses and arches signified Christian rule. After the Christians, Muslim were storing their goods in the tombs! I took a bunch of photos of the architecture. 

      Our group backtracked a bit and we went to the archeological dig! During the dig, I went to the back and started on my own. Within a few minutes my hands hit a extremely rough pieces of what I thought was rock, and I continued to dig it up. At the end of the hour, I had uncovered an entire box... about 6 by 12 inches long, and 4 inches deep! It was all metal, and as I was using my hands, I found what I think was burnt charcoal in it. The tour guide was absolutely thrilled to see what I had found, and kept looking over his shoulder wanting to make sure I didn't break it or anything. It looks like I solved the mystery of the broken metal shards uncovered a few feet away. 

     Following the digging, we went into an adjacent cove. This one had tiny tunnels we had to crawl on our hands and knees to fit into. It was the tunnels of Jewish rebels at the end of the Byzantine Empire. In the tunnel we came into a small room; it was barely had enough room for all twelve of us to sit in. The tour guide told us the story of these rebels. They hid in these very same tiny tunnels waiting to storm the Roman army which had invaded. This was  soon obviously unobtainable because of the army's massive size! So the Jewish rebels waited in the tunnels for what they thought would be a few days... maybe a few months at most. They sat in the very same cramped room, for three long years. The tour guide likened it to the cattle cars of the Holocaust. He then explained as soon as the Jews left their tunnels, or if they were discovered, they were all slaughtered. It was tragic history, but to be there where this all happened was.... just wow.

     On the bus ride home, I fell asleep within ten minutes of getting on the bus! I was SO tired! We went back to Tzuba, where we had dinner, had a few more mixers with our bus groups (Gadeed was in the Belmont again), and then I finally got back to my room and relaxed.  

      Today, we got our Hebrew classes and had our first full Jewish History class. Both were extremely easy... but I still fond them interesting. I need to get ready for my general studies now, but I can't wait for tomorrow! We are taking another tiyul tomorrow, but this time to the KOTEL! I am so extremely excited! I have literally dreamed about visiting the holy wall, and now, tomorrow, I will be there!

Leheatraot ♥

**Gadeed which means 'the sweet harvest' is what my bus group is called. Since tomer (dates) are the major product of Gadeed, that's what B.G, our Jewish History teacher, has decided to call our group. 

Yofi!!!

Ani Po!!!! Heinani!!! 

I am here!

     Four PM Israeli time, EIE spring semester 2009 walked off our plane and for a lot of us, including myself, touched Israeli soil for the first time in our lives! After leaving David Ben Gurion Airport, we got onto our assigned buses! I have the pleasure of being on Bus #2 for the remainder of this semester. 

     There is no way to describe the thrill of finally reaching the Holy Land! But I suppose going chronologically would be best.

     Yesterday we had landed in David Ben Gurion Airport at about 4pm Israeli time, 9am New York Time. The ten hour plane ride was much easier than I would have imagined. With 119 EIE students taking over the plane, it seemed I could have easily jump into any seat and start a conversation with someone my own age. I met a massive amount of people, some of whom I'm still asking their names over and over! 

     Once we got to Kibbutz Tzuba, we went to the Belmont (a gathering room) and had an introduction from Baruch, our Principal. We then got our rooms and were sent on our way.

Looks like Room 138 will be my home for the next month and Sarah Shuster (a friend form camp), Elizabeth Franks, and Lauren Solomon are my roommates.

I couldn't be happier with my roommates, my new friends, or practically anything on EIE so far! Everything is just amazing!

     So far there has been a lot of downtime and I have already taken MANY pictures. I should go upload those and attach them! Or maybe I'll make a separate blog every few days with my pictures! Well, I'm all settled in my room, and everything is just great!

     I have to go, seeing as I could write forever about nothing on here... but all I can think is, WOW I can't believe I'm actually here!!!

♥ Lilah Tov ♥

Clock Counting

     As the days have been passing, I've have been counting down the days, counting up the hours, and checking items off my packing list. Today, I have officially finished packing, repacking, and packing again; aside from the few miscellaneous items missing from my backpack. Four years I have waited for tomorrow. Four months since I had been accepted into EIE. Twenty-Four hours until I leave for the airport.  

    I guess I'm still completely stressed from the midterms I hastily took this last week. Not to mention the hassle of packing. Most of you have probably heard this from me, but... if it were up to me, I'd pack a pair of underwear, a toothbrush, and most likely a book for my travels. Instead, I have managed to throw together two decent sized suitcases, a carry on, and my beloved blue-checkered  backpack. Who ever thought I'd make it this far?

          ~Making the millennium                                 CHECK

          ~Mount Horeb Elementary School 2004     CHECK

          ~Bat Mitzvah 2006                                           CHECK

          ~Warren Middle School 2007                        CHECK

          ~ Freshman year of High School 2008         CHECK      

          ~Olim '08                                                           CHECK

     Making it to EIE 2009? Nah, no way. It seems unreal to me as each year passes me by, as each opportunity I experience. It's just simply unreal. Tomorrow I board the flight for (what people tell me) is going to be the best experience of my life. Will it really be? I thought making the millenium was unreal. I thought FINALLY graduating the elementary school and being a middle schooler was not only completely ellusive, but extraordinary. I made it through my middle school years and my Bat Mizvah in no time, as well. Freshman year: new friends, new experience, unreal memories. Olim '08? I've waited seven years to be the eldest at camp. To me, it seems I have yet to graduate my Bonim (4th grade) summer. It is all just a hazy memory, an unreal dream, when I reflect on these past journeys I have undergone, seeing as I am now in the middle of my sophomore year of high school. EIE will be the time of my life! But, as I am boarding the flight I have dreamed of for four years, I can't help but anticipate the day I get off the very same flight 18 weeks later to see who I've become and what dream I have lived.

Count Down- Situation in Gaza

     Today, January 6th, 2009, I only have 19 days until I leave for the holy land. Having been excited for this journey since my brother walked off the plane in 2005, there are no words to describe both the thrill and exasperation knowing Israel is so close yet still just shy of three weeks off. 

    Most of my family, friends, and teachers, have been excited for me to embark on this journey of a life time, but so many are also nervous, afraid, and even timid when bringing up the situation in Gaza. 

     In the last week of december/first week in January, Israel finally invaded Gaza. I mention finally, because to summarize the situation to the best of MY knowledge, the situation plays out as such:

     Despite a tahadiya (ceasefire) with Gaza, the last seven years have been filled with constant rocket attacks from Gaza, orchestrated by Hamas, into Israel. From a statistic standpoint, more than 600 rockets were fired into Israel over the course of two months and 3,278 rockets and mortar shells were sent into Israel in 2008 alone. Once the tahadiya's course ran out, Israel would not recognize Hamas and their authority in Gaza, just as Gaza wouldn't not recognize Israel as a country. Israel invaded Gaza and is currently seeking out Hamas leaders, whom are responsible for the rockets and quassams (rockets with shrapnel and explosives). Being a major issue in civilian deaths, Israel has been seeking out to protect its civilians, while Hamas hides behind theirs. About four Israeli's have died so far, while Gaza's numbers are reaching into the 600's. Media portraying it as Israel's brutality, many forget it's not so much a choice. While we protect our civilians, Hamas hides behind theirs, causing the situation to elevate where it's either 'us' or 'you'. Reading Israeli and Arab news, it seems that it comes down to the "it's either you or us", and reading American papers it's "whose right, whose wrong, whose worse" and "I agree with THIS side."

     As the above is only to my current knowledge, I wouldn't take my word for all of the information. With this, however, is how I have come to understand the situation in Gaza at the moment. My take on the situation is there is no right nor wrong, no black, no white. I'm just happy that Israel is protecting it's citizens, and I'm terribly upset Hamas is killing their own by hiding behind the innocents which include children.

     Switching back to the journey I'm about to face, I have no fear that I will run into trouble or dangerous situations, with the program I'm on. I'm 100% confident they are able to handle our group and maintain the highest of security which they have so promised. 

     19 Days until the holy land.... just wish the time would fly faster....