Wow.

It's been almost two weeks already, being back an living in Israel, since my quick trip to the US. I was soo happy to be back at the kibbutz with all of my friends, although I was a little homesick the first few days back. The past week and a half has been relatively normal. Besides the fact that I got to take part in Yom Hazikaron (Israel's Memorial Day for fallen soldiers) and Yom Ha' atzmaut (Israel's Independence Day). Sunday night, our entire group went to the Kotel, where a huge ceremony took place. It was soo big that that the President was there and said a speech. It was craziness trying to get through the security, people pushing and shoving everywhere. Unfortunately, by the time we got in, we had missed hearing the president speak. But before we all got through security, we witnessed something insane. It went from being super loud, everyone talking, to dead silent while the siren blasted all over Israel, back to crazy loudness again in a matter of a few minutes. That was something that I have never ever experienced and it is something I will never ever forget. There was such a wide variety of people at the ceremony: soldiers, Orthodox, tourists, kids, adults, men, women.. You name it and they were there. The part of the ceremony that I felt most connected to was at the end when Hatikva was sung by EVERYONE there. I looked around and we were singing and there wasn't one person that I saw who wasn't singing. At that moment I felt connected to Israel and everyone living there and to Judaism more than I ever have. I'm not exactly sure why, but I just did.
The next morning (Monday), we took part in the ceremony at the kibbutz ceremony. It was actually really cool to be thought of as part of the kibbutz and to see people and recognize them from just walking around the kibbutz.
Later that night, the atmosphere of the kibbutz and Israel as a whole changed drastically from being forlorn to being full of energy and joy. It was the change from Memorial Day to Independence Day. The change was so dramatically overwhelming, most of us weren't sure what we were supposed to feel or how we were supposed to act. To celebrate Independence Day, we had friendly competitions between the four Jewish history classes, a barbecue, had a celebration at the kibbutz, and then went to Benyahuda Street. Benyahuda street was beyond packed, it was so hard to move. But everyone around me was just giving off good vibes. People were dancing, singing, and just having fun all night long. We didn't get back to the kibbutz until about 12, and by that time everyone was so overtired still a little hyped up. To experience those two days was like no other. It's just another one to add to my already amazing list of experiences I've had since I've been here. They just keep rolling in and I'm just so lucky to be hit by them. Up next, is Poland!! I am leaving this Sunday and will be spending 5 days there. I don't even know how to feel about Poland and I know that once I get there I still won't know, but I'm okay with that. Details on that trip coming soon.

Included are pictures of the ceremony and the Kotel and Benyahuda street!

Back In The USA!!

          This past Saturday was my baby brother Ben's Bar Mitzvah.  I left Israel Thursday afternoon and got to New York that night.  It was super strange to be back in "America," after spending so much time in Israel.  Besides that strange feeling, I was super duper excited because I saw all of my friends and family, and I was just beyond happy to be able to share that special experience and watch as Ben became a man.  Even though I was only going to be there for 48 hours, it was definitely a fun-packed 48 hours.  On Friday, I got up relatively early to start my day of errands.  First on the list was manicure-pedicure with my mom.  That was exactly what I needed.  After that, I felt tons more clean, from camping for a week.  Next on the list was breakfast.  I knew days before exactly what I wanted to eat that Friday morning.  An egg sandwich and a large half and half (half lemonade, half iced tea) from Bayview Deli, my fave.  After breakfast, I dropped my mom at home so she could do some things to get ready for the Bar Mitzvah, and so that I could go to school and surprise my friends.  Some of them knew I was going to be in school during the lunch period, but others didn't.  I got funny looks from people as I walked down the halls, and when I entered the cafeteria.  Those people knew that I wasn't supposed to be there, and were very confused.  I couldn't agree more.  It felt way too weird for me to be in my school, when technically I don't go there.  However, it was really nice to be able to see everyone.  I even got to see my math teacher and spanish teacher. After visiting the school, I picked up my mom and headed to the doctor for a check-up.  After the doctor, I went the Shine Hair Studio, where I obviously got a haircut.  Between the nail salon and hair salon, I was starting to feel like a human again.   I then headed to Urban for a quick dress shopping because the dress that I had gotten before I left for Israel was a tad bit on the small side, since I grew in the last two months.  Luckily, I found a gorgeous white dress in a matter of five minutes.  My mom and I then quickly drove back to our house to get ready for dinner.  Dinner was at the Glen Cove Mansion, where all of my out of town relatives were staying.  After dinner, was the oneg service, basically a regular Friday night Shabbat service with desserts afterwards.  Since I was still on Israeli time, I felt myself dozing a bit during the service, but at soon as I did, I would try and do something to wake myself up a bit.  Once home, two of my friends who I hadn't seen yet, came over for a little bit.  We were able to catch up some, which was great.  After they left, I fell asleep right away.
          The next morning, Saturday/the big day, I had to wake up pretty early again, because my mom wanted to get to the Synagogue with enough time to take family pictures, before the service started.  We took our family pictures outside, where everyone (mainly the girls/women) were freezing their butts off.    The anticipation was killing me, and the rest of my family, to see little Ben, who is the last of us three kids, to become a Bar Mitzvah.  He, and his friend Dylan, did a wonderful job, and I couldn't have been prouder.  The best part, was seeing him wear the tallis I brought back for him from Israel.  Right after the service, we drove to H on the Harbor, where his party was.  Fun fact: I also had my Bat Mitzvah party at this place.  The theme of the party was obviously hockey.  The place was set up really nicely: it had center pieces of squishy hockey pucks, and bleachers with a picture of an ice hockey rink behind it.  Since the party was in the day time, afterwards, my family and a few of my friends went back to the Glen Cove Mansion to hang out and have dinner.  But, before we went to the hotel, my friend Ali and I went on a few errands, to get some stuff that I wanted to bring back with me to Israel.  While at the hotel, I ate, chilled out, and had fun with my friends.  Still on Israeli time, I passed out on my friend Sarah's lap.  That was a sign that it was time to go home and sleep, especially since I had to get up early for my flight the next day.  Unfortunately, when I got home from the hotel, I still had to pack my bags for the flight back to Israel.  So my mom helped me by speeding up the process and putting the stuff in the luggage that I gave her, since she is an expert packer.  Once all packed, I was finally able to go to sleep.  Again, the next morning (Sunday) I woke up early to shower and pack last minute things.  I then said goodbye to Ben, went to the bagel store, said goodbye to Aine, and was the on my way to the airport.  Only my parents came to the airport because it was pretty early.  When I got there, I checked in, checked my luggage, and hung out with my parents.  I didn't have that much time before I had to go through security and board my plane.  So I said my goodbyes, and was on my way.
          On the plane, I originally had an isle seat, next to an older woman and her husband.  She had asked me to switch seats with her because she had a condition where she needed to be able to get up frequently and walk around, but I didn't feel comfortable sitting in between her and her husband.  So, I told her that if another isle seat was open, I would let her take my seat.  To my luck, a young woman and her baby moved seats and there was now an empty seat a few rows back from me.  I told the woman she could have my seat, and she was ecstatic!  Although the seat I moved into wasn't an isle seat, I felt really good about making that woman happy.  And just my luck, I ended up sitting next to a girl who was also 17 and flying alone.  We instantly began talking and had a lot of fun together on our flight.  It was nice to have someone talk to on such a long flight.    
          I landed this morning at 5:35 am and got back to Kibbutz Tzuba by 8 am.  It feels good to be back at Tzuba and to see everyone.  Even though I am missing everyone back home, at the moment, I know that I will be totally fine and have the time of my life.
       

Airport Travels

The time has come!! I can't believe it!! My baby brother is becoming a Bar Mitzvah this weekend. It seemed that this time was soo far away, and now it's only a few days away. As I sit here in the airport, waiting to board my flight, I think about the past two months I have spent here and realize how lucky I am. So lucky to be given this opportunity to spend a solid amount of time in Israel, enough time to learn more about my religion and myself as a person. I am excited beyond words to be able to fly home for this oh so very special occasion and to be able to see friends and family, who I wasn't able to see before I left. I also am super excited to come back to Israel and spend another amazing two months. Stayed tuned for updates about being back in USA.

P.S. As I am writing this, I am watching a few orthodox men gather as many men or boys as they can (at least 10) so that they can daven. This I have never seem before, but because of my updated Jewish knowledge, I knew exactly what they were doing. I feel very proud of myself!! :)

Yam L'Yam & Haifa

This past week, I took part in Yam L'Yam, which is a hike from sea to sea. We started in the Kinneret (Sea of Galilee) and ended at the Mediterranean. This hiking adventure lasted for five days. During these five days, we slept in tents, learned survival skills, cooked our own food, and ate a lot a lot of matzah (since it was Pesach). I also learned how to use nature as your bathroom and what it feels like fr not showering for a full week. That was definitely not my favorite part. I had a lot of fun though, and I even made friends with our cooks! One night, my friends Alexa, Sarah, and I helped chop up some vegetables, which were then used to make a delicious tomato soup. After the five days were up, we all spent two days I. Haifa. There, we stayed in a cute motel. Since there was not enough room for all 85 of us, the girls stayed at one place and the boys stayed at another. The room o stayed in was awesome because it was a suite that I shared with seven other girls, several being close friends. The weather on Haifa was beautiful both days we were there. The first day, we just hung our and rested, since everyone was exhausted from the hike. That night we went to a synagogue for services. It was kind of funny how at the service it was all EIE kids plus a few others, who are members of the synagogue. The second day, we went to the Baha'i Gardens. This was my second time being there, except this time we couldn't walk down the whole thing because our group is too big. I wasn't too upset about it since I've already seen it. Before we made our way back to Tzuba, we stopped at an Arab village near by. That was a very different experience. A little intimidating at times because all of the shop keepers would do everything they could to get you to buy something from them. By the end of our time in the Arab village, everyone was eager to get back to Tzuba. When we were finally pulling in, my entire bus was cheering, including myself. If felt super good to finally be back and to settle into our new rooms. We got new roommates, and I was pleasantly surprised as to how much I like whose in my room. Coincidence how one of them happens to be my best friend's (from home) cousin. It's hard to believe that I have already been in this amazing place for two months. Looking forward to last two months and the experiences and adventures to come!