Shvil week 1

So last week was the first week of Shvil Yisroel. It was so much fun. The first two days were a bit hard, but great. At the end of the second day we went up a mountain and the guide played Bridge over Troubled Water and we all looked out and just enjoyed that moment. I won't forget that. The food is great. We start off the day with snack, we get on the trail and first break we listen to morning song that one of us chooses and Yoash, the guide, tells us what the day is going to look like. Second break we have our breakfast. We take more breaks and around 1 usually we have lunch. After the hiking for the day we get to the campsite and one of the staff members, Har-El, makes soup and he almost always has it ready by the time we get there. Its the best soup ever. Then we make dinner. Everyone on the trip helps out with every meal, we clean, make, and eat the food. Its great.

On the third day of shvil I actually had a bit of hypothermia and I was dehydrated so I had to join Har-El and our night guard Gil for the Jeep ride of that day so I would get better. I got to see where the food comes from and all that good stuff. I got to sleep for most of the day. Once we got back Har-El set up the campsite and I helped him with the soup and then everyone came and I was really happy to see them. It was weird not being with them that day. The rest of the week went much better I stayed hydrated and warm. I can't wait for the rest of shvil, also its such a great group of people I'm with, I love them all so much. Pictures will be posted soon.

Eliat v`od

So this past few weeks I've gone to Eliat twice. Once most of us went for our Madrich, Eyal's birthday. He turned 23. It was a lot of fun we went to a place called Barbis which had the best seafood ever!! My friend and I split a Shrimp Calmari classic, so good!! This past time we went we bought things for our hike, which is tomorrow. I will be on Shvil Yisroel for 3 weeks just not really in a row. We start tomorrow and end Thursday. Thursday is the start of winter break and then we get back from break on January 1st and the next day we do the hike some more. Once again we get back Thursday night and stay on the kibbutz for the weekend. The following Sunday we finish our last week of hiking. So each week we hike we start on a Sunday and end on a Thursday. I'm excited but a little worried. Today, I did a mini hike near the kibbutz. I went with other volunteers on the kibbutz along with one other yearcourser.The pictures on the top are from the hike today. Now I need to pack ;)

Kibbutz Life

I've been on the kibbutz for eleven days. After the first of arriving to the kibbutz, Elana Friedman and I started working in the laundry room, folding, sorting, and putting away clothing and linens. There were three jobs presented to us one of them being laundry, the other two were kitchen and dining room. We work 6 days a week for about 8 hours. I enjoy being in laundry, we have a boss that has been on the kibbutz for a while and has taught us specific methods of folding that I know use with my own laundry. Being in laundry room allows me to meet new people, because kibbutz member are always coming in to pick their laundry and often they smile and say hello.
Another part of being on the kibbutz is enjoying the community aspect. Everyone supports each other and knows each other. The other night I went to the host family assigned to Elana and me and I decided to go to services while Elana stayed at the host family. I went back to get Elana for dinner and I forgot how to get to the host family's house. People were walking around and I asked where to go and they knew. That's how tight the community. Everyone works together, eats together, celebrates occasions together, and enjoys each others presence.
Just today there was a Bar Mitzvah for a boy on the kibbutz. Everyone knew about and celebrated it today at lunch, where there was nice tablecloths and decorations just for the occasion. And there was chocolate-vanilla cake, my favorite.
Many opportunities are given us living on the kibbutz. If we would like to ride a horse we help out by grooming the horses or whatever is needed to help in the stables and the staff there will let us go for a ride. This is just one example of how we have less responsibility here, but we still have to take care of our jobs that we were given. At the kibbutz nobody worries about doing their laundry or cooking meals to eat. Instead the dining hall and laundry staff takes care of our needs. As long as we show up to work. Its nice to take a break from so many responsibilities and enjoying the communal life.

Kibbutz Ketura

So last week every section moved. My section has moved to Arad. Although, I and 9 other people chose to be on Kibbutz Ketura instead. I'll get to that in a moment. Before arriving to the kibbutz every section came together for an over nighter in a bendoin tent in the Negev. Which was a lot of fun. There was great tea, great food, and lots of camels. I got to ride one of the camels the following morning. It was so much fun. My friend took a picture of me on the camel, if its on facebook I'll take it and put it on my next post. Anyways, there were 3 hikes that day, easy, medium, and hard. I decided to take the easy hike, BUT I didn't have enough water for the hike, so I had to wait on the bus for the hike to end along with some other people who forgot stuff. After the hike we went to a mall, I got some cheap new nose rings and I chilled with friends. Once that ended we headed to the buses and to a spot were we could get organized by section and leave to our respective new homes. This day was one of the longest days of yearcourse so far. We got to Arad, and we had to wait till all of our luggage got sorted, it was a very long process.
Finally, we got everyone who was on our bus into their new apartments and we headed to the kibbutz. It was 10 o`clock. So we all went to bed not to long after we got here. The next day we met Aliza, the volunteer coordinator. She introduced us to everything we needed to know, especially the jobs that we are doing now. There were 3 choices, kitchens, dining room, or laundry. My friend Elana and I knew we didn't want to be in the kitchen or dining room, so we are in the laundry room, folding, sorting, and putting away clean clothes. Fun, right? Well, it is what you make of it. Our boss sounds like the swedish chef from the muppets, so thats kind of cool. Here are some pictures of my flat as Brits would say

Last Week in Bat Yam

My time in Bat Yam went by so quick. This final week has been the best. I finished all my classes, hopefully I did well. I was in Hebrew 3 and I did well, my lowest test grade was an 82%, Ms. Ruszinki should be impressed, I didn't do well last year in her class, but now that I'm actually using the language on a daily basis, it's gotten much better. Also my teacher Aviv, was the dance instructor at the camp I use to go to during high school called Camp Tel Yehudah or TY. The class after hebrew was History of Zionism, I struggled a bit in that class, but I think I did fine. There were two more classes. One of the two was Israeli Dance, it wasn't as fun as I thought it would be. The teacher, Marvin, taught some really hard dances that even I couldn't keep up with and I was in a dance troupe for about 6 years, that was only on Tuesday nights. On Wednesday nights we took an elective. I chose to take Zionism and the Arts with Dr. Avi Rose. He is the best teacher ever. He taught most things that I should have learned in History of Zionism, but didn't. He taught better in my opinion than the other teacher. I get to have him as a teacher in Jerusalem if I choose his classes, which I will.

The finals this week weren't to hard. I had a test in Hebrew and History of Zionism. There was no file in Israeli Dance and I made a presentation in Zionism and the Arts. On Thursday there was a short hike where we got to go in a couple caves, then after we hiked we went repelling. It was so cool. I never thought I was going to repel in Israel. I wanted to do it twice, but other people wanted to do it and we had to head out soon. After the Siyur(field trip) I went over to Aviv's house with my classmates and we watched Yossi and Jagger. It was about two guys that were in the army and they were gay for each other, but wont show it publicly. It was a great movie. Aviv wanted us to know a bit about the army and that movie showed us a lot.

Onto last night. Oh, my. Mom, Dad get prepared for this one I know your reading my blog. Last night was prom for my section. The scouts decided to plan a prom. It was great, since I missed out on prom because of Yearcourse orientation I still got to go to one. Thank you scouts. So before prom I went over to my friends apartment and we celebrated Thanksgiving, since we couldn't be together Thursday night. It was really nice. After, dinner we all got ready and soon we were out the door. We got the place, music was already playing and yearcoursers were already at the bar. It was so much fun. I think I had 4 1/2 shots. BUT I drank water and I did not have a hangover and I really wasn't that drunk. So no worries. I watched myself. One of the shots I had was for the Kibbutz. Everyone who is going on the kibbutz during the next part of yearcourse took a shot together. I'm so excited to go on the Kibbutz. Its called Kibbutz Ketura and I just can't wait. I will be there next week. I can't believe it. This week is transition week, lets see how it goes.

Such a Busy Past Week

Where do I begin? Last weekend I got to stay with Maya's Aunt on her mom's side. They wanted to meet me before the wedding, so I got to stay with them Friday to Saturday. Maya's Aunt Karen has a son named Ilan who I hung out with the whole time I was there along with there family friend's daughter Daniella and her friend Miriam. Daniella and Miriam are in their early 20s and there on an intern program here in Israel. Back to the weekend Karen and her husband Russell picked me up and they asked me about my program and my life typical questions and then Russell asked me if I met Maya and I said of course. I told him that she went to my play and he told me he recalled her telling him about the play and how she hated it. I was so convinced but Karen told me not believe what he says. So I was fooled. Later, Karen made a delicious shabbos dinner. After dinner Ilan took Daniella, Miriam, and me to a few bars, but they were packed. So we chilled at his friends house and then went to a new place that was less crowded it was fun. But the following day was better. We went to a hummus place, it was delicious we got pita, with hummus and I got tea. Everything was so good. Again we went to one of his army friend's house and chilled there till shabbat was getting close to ending.
That was just my weekend. This week we did a flash mob which is already on youtube it's on my facebook thanks to my cousin Mikhael. But I'll post it here too, if I can. These past two days I went on the siyur which was a hiking trip and I went on the Tzofim trip. On the Tzofim trip we went to Rosh Hanikra I think. We went on a bike trip today which was so much fun. I miss my bike at home so much. This is my last week in Bat Yam. Exciting! I can't wait to be on a kibbutz for the next 3 months! I can't figure out how to post the video but here is the youtube site http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rm7bq05vVZI

For My Zaidie

I love you Zaidie. I have nothing to regret. You were the best. If I need to talk to someone I could go to you. I knew if I really need a hug I should go to you. You always gave the best hugs. I remember when I would stay over at your house and when I would wake up you'd be cutting my grapefruit for me to eat. I miss you and I love you. I'm glad that you went peacefully. You will always be in my heart. I will never forget you. I want to write more, but it makes me cry, because you were truly the best. Rest In Peace Zaidie.

Busy week

I've already told you what has happened earlier this week, but I haven't told you about really recent stuff. On Thursday all of yearcourse was together for the walk for breast cancer. It was a great experience. I saw my friend from home, Fallon Levin, and we talked for most of the walk. Here's a picture of me, her and her friend.
The next day a bunch of yearcourses came to Tel Aviv and went a to bar where we decided to have a halloween party. Two girls from my section created this event. It didn't go as planned, but people still had fun. I on the other hand was freaked out by everyone was drunk. I was 100% sober so it was weird. I chilled with some guys that where sober and we just made a joke of it, how so many people where wasted. I left the party early and I chilled with my friends and a some guy I met named Ben. Ben is from another group called Aardvark and I chilled with him the other night. It was a lot of fun. And I found out Aardvark boys in Tel Aviv don't know how to through a party, but I liked it, it was really chill. This week coming up is a pretty regular week, but if anything exciting happens it will be posted. :)

Past Two Days

Oh, my, goodness. Yesterday was crazy I had class and then right after class I had to get ready to leave to go Idan Raichel Project concert. I thought we were only going to a concert, I was wrong. We went to a ceremony and right after that we headed to mini Israel. It was really cool. It was literally mini Israel here's a pic of me by a mini building that I don't know the name of. My bad.
After that we went to ICC Jerusalem International Convention Center. That's where the concert was. Before they had the concert a bunch a MASA people spoke. After they spoke we watched dancers perform it was really cool. I know my best friend Tara would have loved it. Then came Idan Raichel Project. Everyone was so hyped up and went crazy during the concert. My friend Zach and I rushed out before everyone got out. Then I we went home and I went straight to bed it was a long night.
Today I went to work at a farm and then tonight there was a bonfire. I blog again really soon.

What happened this week?

I got a camera this week!! Thank you mom and dad and thank you Simmy for bringing it! I went to a seminary to spend the weekend with my friend Hannah Sitzmann who I've known since we were born. I learned a lot being at the seminary. I learned that seminary is not the right choice for me and that young judaea is the perfect program. Seminary is just like taking college. Only its college here in Israel and its only girls. I like that young judaea is mixed. Also, I'm not religious so that is another reason it wouldn't be right for me. One more thing, with young judaea there is more free time, which is nice and I try to find things to do during that free time, I try to stay away from my apartment but it's hard. Besides all of that this weekend was great. I spent it with Hannah and we went to several families homes. I meant my bat mitzvah tutor's brother, which was really cool. Hannah taught me the game called SET, its kind of complicated and I'm still learning, but its still fun and next time I'm there she's teaching me the game called BLOKUS. Last thing, last night before I went to the bus Hannah and I went to this mall called Center one and we went into a random store. In that random store I saw my best friend from fifth grade who I havent seen since fifth grade. Her name is Alaina. We exchanged numbers so hopefully I'll get to see her again.
Oh I forgot, when I arrived to Jerusalem Hannah and I met up with her cousin who's on yearcourse and he seems to love living Jerusalem. I can't wait to live there. So much is happening when I arrive to Jerusalem, my brother is getting married, I'm going to Poland after that and I get to learn much more when I get there. They have a lot of stores with shirts in them and Hannah and I found a shirt that said Hava Nargila (nargila means hookah) its instead of hava nagila. I almost got it, but decided not to. I'll write again soon, a lot of stuff is happening this week. I'll keep updating.

YAY HIKING

So this past week the whole section went on another a hike. The hike was in Haifa. It was very challenging. There were more rocks than the last time. We were hiking on a waterfall. It was hard but fun, I wish there was actual water running though. I fell a bunch of times. Towards the end I tumbled a bit and my madricha (counselor), Ekka, was right behind and was laughing hysterically with me. I got a few cuts from the hike, so Ekka said that this hike was a skin opening experience, which I completely agree with. That was the only exciting part of my week. Till next time. Have a good week.

This week has been a bit boring so here are the highlights:
Thursday was sports day, I did not participate. There was soccer, volleyball and basketball. While everyone was playing I was sleeping in the grass underneath a tree. It was very relaxing. Later my friends and I went to go eat at a restaurant called Cafe Cafe. How original, right?
Friday my cousin, Liott came to pick me up along with her husband and her baby. I stayed at her house that night and she made a delicious dinner. She made curry, it had sweet potato and cumin in which I don't like but there was so much more stuff in it that I enjoyed it. The next day they took me to a place called Ain Korem. Its a historic area. I saw Mary's spring where Mary announced that she was pregnant with Jesus. We also went to a couple churches. I went to the Church of the birth place of Saint John the Baptist. It was really cool. I love going to historic areas, the only bad part was I still don't have a working camera, so when I'm able to take pictures again I will and I'll post them.
Today I had volunteering. I've been volunteering at a school called Hanasi along with my friends Rachel and Aaron. We are helping Yaffa (A teacher at Hanasi) teach English. We originally wanted to teach kids about the environment, but instead we're helping them with English, which is fine. They love us, we go out to recess with them and there are a few girls that love being with Rachel and me. They know the song Tik Tok by Ke$ha and they have created a dance to it, I know the lyrics well, so I usually sing the song each week and they show Rachel and me what they have choreographed so far. It's so cute. They're not bad. I have it recorded on my friends camera, so I once I can put it up I will put it on this post.
That's all for now. Have a good week. :)

High Holidays Are Over

Sukkot and Simchas Torah is over. I stayed at my friends' apartment twice this week. Arielle was with her family this whole week and they took her apartment plus me to breakfast this past Wednesday. It was so nice of them. I enjoyed being with her family and her. On Thursday I saw Andrew and his friend again we hung out for a while and then headed to Tel Aviv. My friend Elana and I went to get pizza at the port, it was the best pizza that I've had here in Israel.
Friday and Saturday a lot of section went on a trip planned by the Tzofim (scouts). It was a lot of fun. Friday we went to the Kineret. My friends and I chilled in the lake. There were slides, but I wanted to just be in the lake. The lake was covered in shells it was disgusting. On Saturday we woke up at 8, had breakfast, packed up, and we were off to go on our hike. The hike was the best part of the trip. My friend and I had to hold each other when we were hiking in the water. You can see where your walking. Rocks where everywhere and people kept tripping and falling, but it was so much fun. The hike was the best part of the trip. I hope everyone is well. Like I've said in the past if you want to skype let me know, I'm on at 4 or 5 Chicago time. Just let me know ahead of time.

Sukkot

Hey everyone,
Sukkot has begun. It started in my opinion once all of the sukkas went up. Everywhere you go you will see a sukka. I love it. I've never seen so many sukkas. Actually, the first night of the chag (holiday) I went to Maya's Aunt's house and I had dinner with the whole family. It was great. They made really good food also, her grandma gave me brownies for myself because my roommates ate most of them last time. They were really good.
Also this weekend I got to see my friend, that I haven't seen in a while. We went to camp together from 2004-2005 and we talked a lot. But then he didn't go to camp but he did go to a couple conventions, that was good. Now he is in Israel and is going to be doing a year in the military. He was in Tel Aviv this weekend and I went to see him on Friday. And then yesterday he came to Bat Yam with his friend and we chilled at the beach the whole day. It was a lot of fun and many of my friends came to join us. It was a party on the beach. That was most of my week.

Yom Kippur was NUTS and I loved it

For yom kippur I stayed at my friends' (Rachel and Arielle) apartment. As I was walking to their apartment I saw kids learning how to ride bikes, it was so adorable. I remember being seven years old and my dad teaching me. I arrive at their apartment and we eat a well cooked dinner, thanks to Arielle and Rachel. After dinner we walked downstairs to see what is was like without cars driving around. It was crazy every kid is outside and riding their bike, rollerblading, or just walking in the streets. So, my friends and I decided to go on a long walk on the streets.
We go out to the highway and decide to lie down. Some old lady passes by and says to us "Eyzeh Kef!!" (meaning "what fun") and decides to take a pictures of us on her phone. It was really funny. After we walked on the highway we headed home. We slept for a while and then we went for another walk. We met up with our friends Harry and Max, we chilled on the highway we took a lot of pictures. If I can post them I will. After that, Arielle and I walked down to the beach and relaxed there. I loved walking in the middle of the streets. Right before the break fast Arielle and I attempted to go to shul, but it was packed, so we left. Break fast came, and we broke it at our madricha's apartment. She made really good food. Then I took my stuff from Rachel and Arielle's apartment and left for mine, as I was walking home I noticed all the cars were back on the streets. It was nuts.

Yom Kippur

Tonight is yom kippur, I hope everyone is ready, I know I'm not completely. Well before you fast have some dark chocolate, that's what my mom and I do, I forgot the reason why. I probably should go to the store to get some. Anyways, yesterday I woke up at 4 a.m. to go to Yaffo. It was great, it's such a pretty area. I feel like I should have been awake more, but I still enjoyed it. After that my friends and I chilled out the beach. The beaches here are so pretty. I love going to the beach, but I've been going a bit too much lately, I might take a bit of a break. We'll see. Hmm....that's the only exciting thing in my life. Wait....Sunday I'm going to a school to volunteer, that's exciting! I'm going to be with 4th graders, it's going to be great, I'll write all about it afterwords. Okay, well I hope everyone has an easy fast. Shana Tova, and Chag Sameach. :)
P.S. Mom, Dad, my camera doesn't work, what do I do?

Chillen

So right now I'm at my meeting for volunteering, my group is doing a surf camp and we're going to schools to teach kids about the environment. I'm really excited to get started on that. I've also started school, I don't know if I have mentioned that before. I'm taking Hebrew and Zionism. I love it and I'm doing well so far. On a side note, yesterday I went with my friends to Tel Aviv it was so much fun, we went to the shuk. It was the first time I've ever been to the shuk, I absolutely loved it I got two scarves one is green and the other is blue, it's like the purple scarf that's on my profile picture on facebook. I think I will go back to the shuk sometime soon. I need to go back to Tel Aviv sometime soon to get a new mouse, because my computer's mouse isn't working. Right now I'm using my friend Aaron's computer. It kind of sucks I love my computer. Well, when my computer works again I will post some pictures on here. Till then, tata.

Shana Tova L`Kulam

Tonight is Roshashona (bad spelling blech), the start of a new year in the Jewish religion and I get to spend it here in Israel I'm very excited about this. I'm staying with my Brother's (Marc) girlfriend's (Maya) Grandparents. I've talked to them on the phone and they seem really nice, I can't wait to spend the holiday with them. And tomorrow I get to meet the rest of Maya's family that lives here. It should be exciting. Also I'm finally able to get some laundry done :D. That to me is very amazing. Some news besides that is last night I tried hookah a.k.a. nargila. Nargila is the Hebrew word for hookah. It was okay. I'm not positive if I would do it again, we'll see. I love it here, I've made so many friends here, and I have been having so much fun going to the beach and just chillen with people. I hope everything is well at home. If anyone is reading this please find time with me to skype I miss everyone so much!

Jerusalem, Beach, Shabbat.

Today is the first Shabbat in Israel. My whole section will be spending it together at our Ulpan. Every apartment is bringing some dish for the dinner. Also this morning I went to the beach with 2 of my friends on my section. The beach here in Bat Yam is absolutely beautiful. I love nature. The other day all the sections met and were together in Jerusalem. We had our opening ceremonies there and we visited the Cotel. I touched the wall and had a moment where I teared up a bit. It was amazing seeing the wall. It was so real. I wasn't looking at a picture anymore. This was it, the real thing. Time to go get ready for the first shabbat :)
Tata For Now
Hava

Israel, the beginning part 2

I forgot to mention in my last post I was with my roommates at the Supermarket buying food for the apartment. The supermarket is called "Super Deusch". I believe that is the funniest store name I've heard yet, besides dick's sporting goods. Onto something that happened last night. I had my first drink of beer, I got a bit tipsy, but I was fine. This guy named Jason took care of me. I don't think I'll drink again, if I do, I'll take my cousin's advice and drink water in between drinks. I'm really tired. So I'm off to bed. If you want to skype let me know! I'm up late usually.
Love,
Hava

Israel, the beginning

Hey everyone!
So yesterday I arrived in Israel. The first area I'm staying in is Bat Yam. There are so many cats here, there apparently equivalent to squirrels in America, weird, right? So far I love it here. I have 5 roommates, they're really nice. I'm really happy about my roommates. Also, one of my roommates is a scout, which makes me super happy, I wish I was apart of the Tzofim (scouts). I got to go my Madricha (counselor) is here.
Love always,
Hava

Blogs

Hey everyone!

So you told me to keep you updated, well I'm going to try my best. If you are really interested to what I'll be doing during the year then follow my blog. I'll try to update it at least once a week, on a specific day, when I get settled I'll figure out the day I'll be updating and I'll let you know. For now, I'm still home and I will be leaving tomorrow morning at 5:30 a.m. to go to the airport to go to New Jersey. Then on Sunday my Aunt is driving me to JFK airport to be on my way to YearCourse in Israel. I'm nervous, excited, anxious, and all of the above.

See you all when I get back!

Love,

Hava