We are living in Calaneet Absorption Center, which basically means its subsidized housing for new immigrants, students, and volunteers. The housing is modest. I live in a one bedroom with two other girls. I live in the living room. On the upside, I don't have to worry about snoring and I have my own closet. On the downside, our room is a popular hangout and never quiet. I have not taken one hot shower since I arrived. There is this device called a "dude" that you have to turn on when you want hot water. It is a water timer, so you have to plan your showers in advance. Its just too hot to take hot shower right now...
Our afternoons have been spent volunteering in the community. On Wednesday, we volunteered at the Ayalim Student Village. They are the future pioneers of Israel. They build their own housing and help rebuild communities. Otzma went to work cleaning up a community center that would be used later in the week. Our first project was planting grass. Some people sewed the land while others brought them patches of grass to lay down. Sooo messy. My entire body was covered in the dirt. Other people were removing rocks from the garden or sweeping the basketball court. It felt good to get down and dirty and give back to a community. On Thursday, we delivered Rosh Hashana packages to community members in need. At points I had to walk up four stories to deliver a package! Like most things in Israel it could have been more organized...
Our evenings have been spent having potluck dinners with small groups of friends or the entire Otzma Corps. I am now obsessed with Israeli salad and have began eating tomatoes. Fruit and veggies are pretty cheap from the market. The happening nightlife area is down at the Marina or the Beach. It cost 20 shekels to get anywhere in the city. 20 sheckels is about a little more than 5 US Dollars. At times, the entire Otzma group takes over the bar. I think the bars are happy for our business. Next week, we begin Ulpan (Hebrew Classes) and going to our individual volunteer sites.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Friday, September 11, 2009
Shabbat…Bedouins…Ladders 9/4-9/7
On Friday night, we went to the Wall to welcome in Shabbat. The men’s side was packed and the men were singing, chanting, and dancing like there was no tomorrow. On the other side, a few women were praying with the book close to their faces. Such Contrast! I was told that if the women get too rowdy they’re quieted by men. Ironically, many women watch the men dance. Men with Russian ethnicity wear these furry hats that look like a beaver is sitting on their head. After some time at the wall, we headed back to the hostel by walking. The walk was an hour and half up hill!!
Thankfully, we got to sleep in on Saturday due to Shabbat ☺ We spent the day learning more about the program and about Jewish rituals and tradition. Much of Jewish tradition is based on family values. This created a big debate among the group…whether Orthodox Jews should modernize their views or continue with the scared old fashioned traditions and laws that have worked for previous generations. In the past, women completed the chores while the men prayed all day. The debate ended with a Havdalah service and some hookah down at Ben Yehuda street.
Bright and early Sunday morning we awoke to go on a tiyul (hike). The earlier you begin hikes the better. The heat is so intense by 10am you would think it was 1pm. Beating the heat and staying hydrated was the hardest part. We were able to jump into the water midway through the hike (in our clothes though). After the hike, we headed to the Dead Sea, which is anything but refreshing due to the temp and high salinity. The Dead Sea was followed by a camel ride, Bedouin feast, and night under the stars. Deja Vu of Birthright!!!
Monday morning was one of the most challenging times so far. We hiked a cliff complete with ladders, steps, and ropes. Thankfully, many of the guys really stepped up and helped the girls and those afraid of heights. It was reassuring to have someone calling out where to put your feet next or lending an arm to give you some extra strength. I fully understand why they call this a team building activity. I never could have completed it without my other Otzmakim. Later today we are moving into our apts at Ashkelon ( about an hour from Tel Aviv).
Thankfully, we got to sleep in on Saturday due to Shabbat ☺ We spent the day learning more about the program and about Jewish rituals and tradition. Much of Jewish tradition is based on family values. This created a big debate among the group…whether Orthodox Jews should modernize their views or continue with the scared old fashioned traditions and laws that have worked for previous generations. In the past, women completed the chores while the men prayed all day. The debate ended with a Havdalah service and some hookah down at Ben Yehuda street.
Bright and early Sunday morning we awoke to go on a tiyul (hike). The earlier you begin hikes the better. The heat is so intense by 10am you would think it was 1pm. Beating the heat and staying hydrated was the hardest part. We were able to jump into the water midway through the hike (in our clothes though). After the hike, we headed to the Dead Sea, which is anything but refreshing due to the temp and high salinity. The Dead Sea was followed by a camel ride, Bedouin feast, and night under the stars. Deja Vu of Birthright!!!
Monday morning was one of the most challenging times so far. We hiked a cliff complete with ladders, steps, and ropes. Thankfully, many of the guys really stepped up and helped the girls and those afraid of heights. It was reassuring to have someone calling out where to put your feet next or lending an arm to give you some extra strength. I fully understand why they call this a team building activity. I never could have completed it without my other Otzmakim. Later today we are moving into our apts at Ashkelon ( about an hour from Tel Aviv).
Monday, September 7, 2009
Orientation 9/2-9/3
Greetings from Jerusalem!
We made it here safely but not without a hitch...We sat on the tarmac for 2 hrs in Philly since 20 planes were in front of us on the tarmac. SOOO ANNOYING! I slept a bit, but the flight wasn't long enough to get a good amount of sleep. Think about it...I tried to go to sleep at 10pm EST ( sooo early) and we landed at 1:30am EST. I arrived in Amsterdam tired and starving. I basically passed out on the flight from Amsterdam to Tel Aviv. Of course, they showed the same movie on the way to Tel Aviv that they showed on the way to Amsterdam. I am looking forward to flying direct in the winter with individual monitors.
We made it through customs with no problems and found the taxi that took us to our meeting point. Gabrielle and I were the last to arrive since most ppl had been in Israel for some time or had arrived that afternoon on the El Al JFK flight. We made introductions and then hopped on the bus to our youth hostel. The hostel is very nice; there are 4 ppl in the room and there are bunkbeds. I share the room with Gaby and two other girls ( one from LA and the other from CT).
Today was filled with lots of information about how the next 9 months is going to play out. I still can't believe this is going to be my home for awhile; it still feels like I am just vacationing. During the afternoon, we went on a scavenger hunt throughout the city of Jerusalem. Thank goodness two of my team members speak excellent conversational Hebrew. We won the hunt :) I feel completely out of the loop when they converse in Hebrew; I am looking forward to learning conversational Hebrew. Tonight, we had drinks at Ben Yehuda Street and met with our part two coordinators. I will be living in Netivot, which is in Southern Israel. It sounds like a wonderful city (population 30,000). Our apt with have wifi and cable :) I am hoping to work with kids while there as well teaching computer skills/marketing.
Tomorrow night is Shabbat and we are going to the wall. On Sunday AM bright and early, we leave for a hike followed by swimming in the Dead Sea, a camel ride, and sleeping in a bedoiun tent. There really is no time for jet lag! Hopefully, I will be able to write more when we arrive at our part one housing in Ashkelon!
We made it here safely but not without a hitch...We sat on the tarmac for 2 hrs in Philly since 20 planes were in front of us on the tarmac. SOOO ANNOYING! I slept a bit, but the flight wasn't long enough to get a good amount of sleep. Think about it...I tried to go to sleep at 10pm EST ( sooo early) and we landed at 1:30am EST. I arrived in Amsterdam tired and starving. I basically passed out on the flight from Amsterdam to Tel Aviv. Of course, they showed the same movie on the way to Tel Aviv that they showed on the way to Amsterdam. I am looking forward to flying direct in the winter with individual monitors.
We made it through customs with no problems and found the taxi that took us to our meeting point. Gabrielle and I were the last to arrive since most ppl had been in Israel for some time or had arrived that afternoon on the El Al JFK flight. We made introductions and then hopped on the bus to our youth hostel. The hostel is very nice; there are 4 ppl in the room and there are bunkbeds. I share the room with Gaby and two other girls ( one from LA and the other from CT).
Today was filled with lots of information about how the next 9 months is going to play out. I still can't believe this is going to be my home for awhile; it still feels like I am just vacationing. During the afternoon, we went on a scavenger hunt throughout the city of Jerusalem. Thank goodness two of my team members speak excellent conversational Hebrew. We won the hunt :) I feel completely out of the loop when they converse in Hebrew; I am looking forward to learning conversational Hebrew. Tonight, we had drinks at Ben Yehuda Street and met with our part two coordinators. I will be living in Netivot, which is in Southern Israel. It sounds like a wonderful city (population 30,000). Our apt with have wifi and cable :) I am hoping to work with kids while there as well teaching computer skills/marketing.
Tomorrow night is Shabbat and we are going to the wall. On Sunday AM bright and early, we leave for a hike followed by swimming in the Dead Sea, a camel ride, and sleeping in a bedoiun tent. There really is no time for jet lag! Hopefully, I will be able to write more when we arrive at our part one housing in Ashkelon!
Monday, August 31, 2009
יום אחד - ONE DAY!!
Shalom! 24hrs from now I will be sitting in the glorious PHL airport with Gabrielle anxiously awaiting to board our 8hr flight to AMSTERDAM. These past two weeks have been bittersweet; Its hard saying good bye, but its nice to know that you are loved <3
The thought of living abroad for the next 9.5 months still feels pretty surreal. It's weird to think that I won't be attending any games in Happy Valley or partaking in any monthly dinner or night outs. The most common question I have been asked is "Are you excited?" Of course I am excited but also apprehensive and nervous all at the same time. I think this is why my suitcase is still bare or maybe its because I am known for my constant procrastination.
Tomorrow is the beginning of a brand new chapter one where I will meet new people from across the country and get to do what I am best at....performing mitzvahs :) I am super excited to not have the stress of working and be able to focus on giving back and networking. Every day will be a new adventure and I am certain I will grow from it in many ways.
I will miss everyone dearly! Thank you all for your kind words and bon voyage gifts. Once I begin packing they will certainly be in my suitcase. I will try to write weekly if not more often. Also, feel free to skype me (agwolkin). Israel is 7 hours ahead of Philadelphia!! Shalom!
The thought of living abroad for the next 9.5 months still feels pretty surreal. It's weird to think that I won't be attending any games in Happy Valley or partaking in any monthly dinner or night outs. The most common question I have been asked is "Are you excited?" Of course I am excited but also apprehensive and nervous all at the same time. I think this is why my suitcase is still bare or maybe its because I am known for my constant procrastination.
Tomorrow is the beginning of a brand new chapter one where I will meet new people from across the country and get to do what I am best at....performing mitzvahs :) I am super excited to not have the stress of working and be able to focus on giving back and networking. Every day will be a new adventure and I am certain I will grow from it in many ways.
I will miss everyone dearly! Thank you all for your kind words and bon voyage gifts. Once I begin packing they will certainly be in my suitcase. I will try to write weekly if not more often. Also, feel free to skype me (agwolkin). Israel is 7 hours ahead of Philadelphia!! Shalom!
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