ISRAEL

This being my first blog entry in Israel, I should let all you faithful readers know that I did post an entry about a week ago describing in detail my trip to the Judean Mountains to visit famous battlesites in Jewish history, including where David killed Goliath near Bet Shemesh (where Aunt Elana lives) and the caves from the beginning of the common era where the Jews had to hide from the Roman invaders. It was a very cool trip indeed, but I’ve done quite a lot since then that I feel would be better suited to brief on before I head to bed on this cold Jerusalem night. Ari Hasit has been staying at my place for the past few nights. Coincidentally, my roommate is home on vacation for the next ten days so Ari has a bed to sleep in here on Mount Scopus while he works on his senior thesis on Israeli hip-hop.
Tonight Ari, Zev and I went to the Stanga club in Mercaz Ha’ir and saw Ariel Zilber, a locally famous Israeli folk/rock star. His song “V’eich Shelo” was our edah’s zimriyah song this past summer, so sang along with along with the rest of the Israeli’s at the bar. I was struck by how friendly and open Zilber was after the show, opting to walk off of the front of the stage and mingle with the crowd rather than hop backstage like most American rockers do. Granted this was a small bar and not a concert venue like the TLA but the fact that this older, distinguished musician felt comfortable amongst the crowd pleased me.
I have a meeting with this woman named Idit tomorrow to discuss the “Israeli Friend” program where they hire Israelis to help out overseas students learn the land, language, and culture. Although it bugs me a little that they pay the Israelis to do this rather than have them volunteer, I will still wet my feet in this program and see if I like it. My madricha from seminar Ella does it and her American “friend” Noam seems to enjoy it.
I took my first ulpan test 3 days ago and it was very easy. I am still learning, however, and am not unpleased with my placement. The kids in the class are mostly fun and the teachers don’t stink, which hasn’t happened very often in my various experiences with Hebrew-language classes.
On Thursday I, along with most of the other kids on the Rothberg program, embark on a field trip to the Negev. I need to find a sleeping bag but that shouldn’t be a problem; I know enough people here who should have one that I can borrow. If anything this trip should serve as a good opportunity to bond with the kids on the program and perhaps make some new friends. And if not, at least I’ll be able to spend a weekend in a new and interesting place outside of Jerusalem.
Lila tov!