Ymca/Puzzle Store

Today I signed up for the Gym at the YMCA. They have a pool as well as great athletic facilities. On top of that, they have a ton of classes all of which are included in your membership price. A number of other people on Nativ have also signed up for the Ymca and we are going to start going after Hebrew U. Today while exploring Jerusalem, I also came across this amazing puzzle store. It is this little hole in the wall boutique that one could walk past everyday without ever noticing it being there.  The storefront is inconspicuous however; upon entering the store, you are immediately taken back by the oddities that surround you. I could spend all Day immersed in thought by the brainteasers and trinkets that this store carries. The puzzles within this store are not the ordinary type, instead they are made of metal and carved wood each of them ranging in scales of difficulty from simple to very complicated. All of the puzzles are 3D and It is a definitely must stop if you ever find yourself around Ben Yehuda St.

September 11th

School today was long; we woke up at 7 a.m. for services and made our way back home around 5 pm.  Today in my history class, we took a trip to an archeological dig at the Kotel that was very informative. I gained greater insight and knowledge on the history of this remarkable city. That night in memory of all those who lost their lives on September 11th, we watched United 93. I had never seen this movie before and was immediately taken with how suspenseful it was. It was a difficult film to watch because the entire film feels as if it is taking place right before you eyes. By the end of the movie, I had so many mixed emotions Anger, Surprise, Sadness; I did not know what to think. It is a movie that I suggest my friends at home should watch. I feel it puts the entire situation of 9/11
in a different perspective. One that People my age can relate to on a more personal level.

Saturday after Rosh Hashanah

Today after services, I went to the park for a run. This time however, the park was filled with so many Israelis all having BBQ's and picnics. I even had trouble running, as there were so many people in the park. Some of my friends from Nativ were at the park as well, so we ended up playing some Soccer and Frisbee. It was a gorgeous day and a great way to spend my Shabbat. That night after Shabbat, I went out with a few close friends to this Jazz bar right off Ben Yehuda St. The jazz was great and the band was live. Overall, the entire place had a great atmosphere to it. I am definitely going to add it to my list of locations to go back to. Around 11 o’clock, we all made our way out of the bar in great spirits and returned to Beit Nativ.

Rosh Hashanah

Rosh Hashanah in Jerusalem is different then anything I have ever experienced before in my life. The entire country celebrates the Jewish New Year. Everywhere I go people wish me Shannah Tova, it makes me feel so good to be part of this giant Jewish Community. One of the synagogues I attended during Rosh Hashanah was located within this old bomb shelter. The tunes and melodies of the prayers that were chanted really touched me. It truly was a very special prayer experience for me. The following day I walked to a synagogue that was 45 minutes away from my dorms. The walk was great and refreshing but what made this service so special for me was its location and hearing the Shofar. The synagogue was located on an overlook on which you could see the entire city of Jerusalem. I spent a small part of the service outside, praying and looking over our Jewish homeland. I then returned to the service in time to hear the Shofar. This Shofar was so clear and each note seemed to take a life if its own. You could feel the energy in the room changing and becoming more uplifting with each blow. After the service, a Jewish family that lived in the area hosted me and two of my friends for lunch. They made us a delicious meal and the conversation that flowed between them and us was interesting. Their apartment was covered with the most beautiful Jewish paintings I had ever seen. I asked him about them and he told me he had been painting for over 55 years. His attention to detail and brush work was incredible. By the end of the meal, we did not want to leave. It was my first true experience with the people who live and work in Israel and I look forward to meeting others and hearing their stories.

Olivers Birthday

Today was my roommate Oliver’s birthday so we all went out into the city for it. There must have been close to thirty Nativer's who went out. We had so much fun and ended up making our way to a dance club where we ended our night. We all had to leave earlier then we would have liked, as the next day was Rosh Hashanah.

Sunday

Today was my first official day of classes at Hebrew U. Sitting through four hours of Hebrew gets difficult but I know in the end it will be worth it. By the end of this, first class I am starting to understand more and more of the conversation that I hear around me. By the end of the day, I was so exhausted that I took a quick nap. When I woke up my roommate Oliver and I went for a run. We have made it a goal of ours to go for a run/jog at least four times a week while in Jerusalem. It's so enjoyable running through the parks here in Jerusalem. The people that live here are all so active. Everywhere you look, you see groups of kids and adults playing soccer, football, basketball and families enjoying picnics. Last night I went to a concert that costs only one shekel to get into. It was an amazing experience going to an Israeli concert. The atmosphere that surrounded and enveloped the bands and fans alike was different then any concert in America I had ever been to. I ended up buying a t-shirt from one of the many vendors there. A few nights ago I went to the Israel vs. Malta soccer match, it was very intense needless to say, Israel won the match! One of the Israeli team photographers snapped this photo of us.

Shabbat

Shabbat in Jerusalem is a day where not much is going on. Life comes to a standstill as the city shuts down. This morning I went to temple after that we set up a pick up game of basketball/football at one of the parks near us. It was a relaxing and beautiful day.

Hike

On Fridays in Israel, there is no school, so today we went on a hike. It was a short hike but it took awhile because we went with all of Nativ, which slowed us down considerably. After the hike, we went to a mall in Jerusalem for lunch. This was my first time seeing groups of Israeli teenagers. The mall was packed with High school / College students, all of them shopping, eating and socializing. By the time we left the mall and made our way back to Beit Nativ it was almost time for Shabbat. For my first Shabbat in Israel we prayed on the top of this hill. I watched as the city came to a standstill around me as we welcomed in Shabbat. It was a very special Shabbat.

Hebrew U orientation

Today was Hebrew University orientation day. I went there nervous, as it was my first true university experience. They went over what our classes were going to be and the requirements / expectations that we are to meet. My Two classes for the mini semester are Ulpan and History of Jerusalem. Ulpan Basically is an intensive Hebrew class where for four hours a day I can only Read, Write and Speak Hebrew. Every Ulpan class is taught in Strictly Hebrew. My history class is much different. It is taught in English and consists mostly of lectures and tours around Jerusalem to sites of religious and historical significance, it looks like it is going to be very interesting.

First Day in Israel

     Today was my first true day on Nativ. I started my day meeting all the other kids who would be participating on this exciting program with me. I met many people and made a few great friends in these first few hours. Today I also met my roommates Max and Oliver. Both are them are great and seem like relaxed individuals. I am looking forward to rooming with them.  Today we also had orientation where they went over the basics of what we were going to be doing these first couple of days. That night I and a few other kids decided to go out and explore the city. From walking around less than an hour, I can already tell Jerusalem is a great city to be a student in. I look forward to the next four months I have to explore it.

Monday

I woke up this morning nervous. I am about to set out on a journey to Israel which I am sure will be a life changing experience for me academically as well as spiritually.  This morning I said goodbye to my sister (Elie) as she set off on her first day of 11th grade at AEC (Adelson Educational Campus). My dad had to go to work so I said good-bye to him as well. I then loaded all my bags into the car and my mother drove me to the airport. At the airport, I met up with my cousin Aaron who is also doing the Nativ program with me. Sure enough, I packed too much and my bags went over the designated weight. I was forced into rearranging items to make sure everything fit within the designated weight limit.  At the gate to get on the airplane they told me, my carryon was also too big so I had to check my carry on. I was nervous that the airlines were going to lose it "luckily they didn't”. As soon as I got on the plane, I quickly fell asleep. Good Bye Vegas!!!!!

Night Before

Wow!!! This is crazy. I'm actually leaving for the next nine months to go across the world to Jerusalem, Israel. I have just finished packing up my entire life into a few suitcases that will hopefully not exceed the weight limit.  My last few hours in Las Vegas consisted of a lot of goodbyes and tons of family/bonding time. I’m going to miss everyone so much!