1-6 - packing and shipment (I can't wait to be reunited with my stuff! My container arrived and is all cleared through customs but I don't get delivery until I move into my apt on Sept 1)
7-20 - Last night in NYC, dinner at Sushi Metsuyan
21-61 departure at JFK
62-68 - the flight (someone's random baby that we babysat for a bit)
69 - passport control guy - we were just jumping in our seats at that point to get off
70-71 - getting off the plane!
72-75 - bus from tarmac to arrivals
76 - 103 - my amazing family and friends who came to greet me! And the arrival ceremony. Laya and me with our Teudat Oleh
104-112 - first dinner out with Gila at Kadosh and then first night at the Kotel!
Wow, blogging really does not come easy to me.So many things to talk about and I always think about blogging but then I get busy J
First pigua (attack) since I moved here was on Thursday. Lots of emotions.Hits so much closer (literally) when you are living here.My cousin’s army base is near Eilat so of course I was worried about him.BH my aunt heard from him and all is OK with his unit.Reading about the causalities – I just can’t explain it.I feel like each person could be my neighbor.In fast each person IS my brother or sister.We are all part of Am Yisrael in Eretz Yisrael and are just so much more connected.I am so happy that I can be part of the statistics of Jews from חוץ לארץ who have made aliyah this year.The terrorists need to see that we are not scared off.Jews still want to live in our homeland and defend our right to live here.
I went to give blood on Friday.It’s something I did regularly in the States and have been meaning to do it since I arrived.Very happy to be a contributing member of society here and do my part to help.
Please keep ארץ ישראל in your תפילות and especially our brave חיילי צהל.
I know, I promised a post about Ulpan, but I said this blog was going to be a little haphazard. Tisha B'Av is the saddest day on the Jewish calendar and being in the holiest city, the one whose destruction we mourn on this day, was extremely meaningful.
Gila and I went to hear Eicha with the Women in Green, right outside the Old City. Women In Green does a walk around the Old City every Tisha B'Av night. I had heard that this was very moving and inspiring and wanted to participate. This year, because of Ramadan, the walk had to be postponed until 11 PM and by the time Eicha was over I was not feeling up to doing the walk.
In the morning I davened at home and then spent time listening to explanations on Kinot from Rabbi Marcus that I had downloaded (shoutout to Ishei!) and reading articles online. Although there were so many great programs in Yerushalayim, I didn't want to chance going out in the hot weather and not feeling well. Later on in the afternoon, when it got cooler, Gila and I went to the Kotel for mincha. After contemplating the churban all day, it was literally chilling to be at the site of the Makom Hamikdash. After davening, there was a group of men and boys sitting on the floor of the plaza having a beautiful kumsitz. Words can't even describe how special this was so I'm going to share the videos that I took.
The day was extremely meaningful and I hope and pray that this was the last year we are commemorating the Churban and that next year we celebrate with Mashiach!
On Sunday, Erev Rosh Chodesh, I took an afternoon trip, after Ulpan in the morning, to Kever Rachel and Chevron with the OU Israel Center. My former High School teacher, R. Segal runs many women’s programming at the OU Center and she coordinated this trip.It was wonderful to see her and reconnect and to hear her teachings once again.
We started at Kever Rachel and it was terrific to get to daven at this special place.A tour guide from Chevron then joined us and provided fascinating information about the area and Chevron and Me’arat Hamachpela.We toured around the city of Chevron a bit and went to some different areas where the Jews live and also to the Old Cemetery where the victims of the 1929 Chevron Massacre are buried.It was extremely interesting to see other parts of Chevron that I had never been to before.Of course we had plenty of time to daven at Me’arat Hamachpela, as well.
It was really nice to meet women from all over Israel who participated in this trip as well as visitors to Israel.
