An Update

I realized this afternoon that it's been a very long time (Yom Kippur already!) since I last updated you on my life in Jerusalem. Things have been incredibly busy here, so it's obviously time for an update. Here are some recent highlights:

1. Reunited with my computer

I got my computer back! If you remember, way back in September the hard drive of my laptop decided it would be a good time to die. (It actually was a good time. With all of the holidays and missing classes, I didn't really have so much work to do). It was rather frustrating living without a computer for a month and a half though. I went to the library a lot and had very kind friends and roommates who let me check me email on their computers. I ordered a new hard drive and it went very slowly through the mail to finally arrive in Jerusalem this past week! My friend (and new hero) Josh was incredibly kind and spent several hours yesterday working to fix my computer and reinstall programs that I need. What does this mean? We can talk much more readily again!!! I can't wait! Want to make a skype date????

2. Sukkot Parade, Etrog Shopping, and other Sukkot musings

Over Sukkot break I decided to stay in Jerusalem. One of the main highlights during Sukkot is the big parade! Different Israeli organizations walked down the middle of the road right near my apartment singing and dancing. It was lots of fun. But more fun that that were the Christians who had flown in from all over the world to also walk in the parade (for the Feast of the Booths I think...I'm still a little fuzzy on the details as to why they were here). But they walked down the street screaming "Shana Tova!" "We love Israel!" It was for sure an "only in Israel" moment.

Right before Sukkot began I went the Shuk (outdoor market) to see the big sale of lulavim and etrogim. People from all over the city come to find the best etrog and lulav set for Sukkot. It was amazing watching people barganining and trying to find the best of everything for the holiday. I'm sure there is extensive criteria to look for, but I have no idea what that is. I decided that I wanted to try to make etrog jam this year (well, why not?) and so I bought three etrogim that weren't kosher (the stem is not attached) for discount price. I need to find time to try this. We'll see what happens.

In general, Sukkot is an amazing time in Jerusalem. I'm incredibly glad that I decided to stay here for the holiday. If you walk down the street to Emek Refaim, you'll see that there is a Sukkah outside of almost every restaurant. It's amazing. There are palm leaves left on the side of the road for the top of your Sukkah. During the entire holiday season, Coke bottles wish their consumers "Chag Sameach!" I have come to the conclusion that the best way to describe Sukkot in Jerusalem is to think of the Christmas/holiday season in the States. It's that kind of craziness. To add more to the feel, the inside of a sukkah is decorate with tinsel decorations! It's not the "traditional" corn and gourds and other east coast fall things that are usually hanging in the Sukkah in the states. Definitely a new idea to get used to.

3. Yad Vashem and Mt. Herzl

Last Wednesday classes officially started back up again. However, our first day back was Israel day so it was techinically just a field trip sort of day. A good way to get back into academic life. First we visited Mt. Herzl.

This dome is is the site of the celebration of Israel's indendence. Every year there is a choir that sings in the dome. Hundreds of people come and watch the ceremonies. It's supposed to be spectacular. This is also where Theodore Hertzel is buried.

This is the grave cite of Golda Meir, the first woman prime minister of Israel. I'm currently reading her biography. It was unbelievable to stand by her grave.

This is the grave of Prime Minister Rabin.

After exiting the museum of Yad Vashem, this is the beautiful panorama you immediately see of Israel. The museum is designed in such a way so that you can't see outside the entire time you're in the museum. The only natural light is from a very thin strip from the ceiling. This very strikingly juxtaposes the end as you walk out onto a porch to face Israel.

4. Halloween in Jerusalem?!
Well, yes. We're all North Americans at heart and it felt very weird to not dress up. So the Kef Va'ad (Fun Committee) organized a Halloween party. I decided to go as Minnie Mouse. It was actually very impressive to see the different costumes people were able to scrounge up. Among the people in attendance: Eve (as in Adam and Eve), James Bond, a Philistine, a Yankee, Luigi (no Mario though), Sarah Palin, facebook, and the three blind mice. We all had tons of fun and got to do a bit of relaxing together which is always very nice. Below is a picture of me as Minnie.

Me as Minnie Mouse!

From left: Rachel (as a Canadia bear), Me, Jaclyn (as Sarah Palin - very funny!), and Rachel (as a Yankee)

5. Nofei Yerushalyim

Every week or so I go to a nursing home in Jerusalem called Nofei Yerushalyim. As I'm sure you know, I very much enjoy going to visit the elderly. I visit with a woman named Audrey who is very sweet and I like very much. This past week her brother came to visit her. It was a particularly wonderful reunion for them because the last time they saw each other they thought it would be the last time forever. This is her brother's first time in Israel.

I go with another cantorial student, Nancy, and a rabbinical student, Sara. After meeting with the residents for about half an hour I break out my guitar and we do a song session for a little while. This most recent week we added in a bunch of Yiddish songs. They were all so happy and excited to hear them! One man was smiling and singing along the whole time, another man started crying, and another woman clapped every once in awhile. It's really just so touching to be able to do that for them. It's one of my favorite parts of the week. Interestingly, Tumbalalaika is a hit both in the US and in Israel!!

6. Shabbat
This past Shabbat I was asked (along with Faryn) to go and sing for a visiting group from New Jersey. I wasn't originally all that excited. All we had to do was sing a few blessings and sing some songs after dinner. It turned out to be so much fun though! It was a group of people about 60-80 traveling for 10 days in Israel with their synagogue. Everyone was so nice and incredibly appreciate that we were there. They asked us all kinds of questions about what we were doing in school and Israel and about our program in general. We sang tons of songs with them and it turned out to be very nice company. It made me all the more excited to begin my student pulpit next year. A few of the women decided to come to HUC services the next morning as well so I got to see them again. They were so excited to see us. We exchanged email address and I hope very much that I'll be able to visit and see them again some day.

Well, that's it for now I suppose. I love and miss you!

Sarah

Yom Kippur aka "The biking holiday"

In the days leading up to Yom Kippur, my professors would tell us about how unique Yom Kippur is on the holidays. Everyone either goes to synagogue or stays home. Even secular Jews fast on Yom Kippur- a pretty unbelievable thought coming from the states. They told us that no one drives on Yom Kippur...the streets are carless. Because of this, kids have a chance one day a year to go and bike in the middle of the street without fear of getting killed by crazy Israeli drivers (you thought Boston was bad??? You have seen nothing till you meet and Israeli driver). I couldn't wrap my head around this concept. It just doesn't happen in the states unless there's a blizzard.

Despite my doubts, I walked out of synagogue on Kol Nidrei and found that there was NO ONE on the road. We went outside and found that we could walk in the middle of the street. So what did we decide to do? Go for a walk! We walked down a street that is normally incredibly busy. Jews seemed to keep emerging from the woodwork to go outside and see their friends. You would think that there was a fair outside or someone was giving away free chocolate based on the amounts of people outside, but it's just the tradition in Jersualem. People go outside and find their friends and atone. So why is it called the "biking holiday"? Because all the kids are outside on their bikes! I think I maybe saw 2 cars during the entirety of YK. If you ever get the change to travel to Israel on Yom Kippur, I'd say definitely take the opportunity. It's a wonderful experience.

My actual Yom Kippur experience was rather difficult this year. Something about the fast was harder than usual. Perhaps because I was singing a little more than usual or I was nervous or simply the different Israeli climate. However, in the long day of services I had a chance to sit and think. The choir was placed in the synagogue in such a way that we were facing the entire congregagation which meant that I was able to sit and watch my new friends the entire time. It was so comforting to see their faces and realize that in the short time that I have known them, I have made some truly wonderful friends. There was also an obvious absence for me of friends and family from home that I miss with all my heart. To the old and to the new, I apologize if I have hurt you at all in the past year.

The other exciting part of my week, (what? there's more, you ask? You had time to do more between RH and YK?) was that I led the first student led services at HUC this past Monday! I, along with two student rabbis, bravely decided to sign up for the first Shacharit service of the year. It was a bit of an insane move on my part I realize in retrospect. I put an enormous amount of effort into the service practicing non-stop it seemed. But in the end, the service was beautiful. Everything ran smoothly and my nerves didn't get in my way too much. I included a lot of week day nusach plus a few "new" tunes as well. I sang "Yihiu L'ratzon" by Rosenberg after the Amidah and I arranged "Achat Shaalti" for 4 voices. Both were beautiful and I got a really good response from my friends and teachers. It was incredibly exciting. Because the service was between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, there were additions to the Amidah as well which drove me nuts, but I'm ultimately kind of glad that I had to learn them. We set the bar high I think, but I have ever confidence that my classmates will reach the bar and continue to set it higher. My next service is in December and already I can't wait!

So with that I leave you. Gamar chatimah tova!