A New Blog Entry! Finally!
I don’t really know if anyone is reading this, however, for the rare chance that there is, I decided to just post something new.
So many things have happened. Here is a little outline:
1) A great Shabbat in Hevron
2) New Roommate
3) Israeli Government falling and a new Election
4) The Job Search begins.
5) Other odds and ends
1) Finally, after 2.5 years of being here, I finally did something that I wanted to do. As some of you know, one of the most important things of living here in Israel is experiencing things in the place that they happened. Let me explain further. During the times that it is mentioned in our history that the Jews made a pilgrimage to the Temple being able to make that same pilgrimage (albeit there is no temple) is a pretty awesome thing. Or fasting to commemorate the destruction of the temple where the temple stood or visiting places where our history really speaks is pretty amazing. So this year for Parsha chayah Sarah (The Life of Sarah) I went to the place that is mentioned in the beginning. In the parsha it mentions that Sarah was buried in Hevron. So, I went. Now, the Ma’ara H'metpala is a pretty amazing place. It’s a place where our history tells us that our matriarchs and patriarchs are buried (minus Rachel.) Naturally, it is a place that is also revered by our Muslim neighbors and is a mosque. It’s only open in its entirety a few times a year and that weekend is one of them. It really is a scene. 30,000 people are all packed into the small area to observe and experience Shabbat. We (Yannah- my roommate) and I stayed with her good friend in Kirayat Arbah, a beautiful yeshuv right next to Hebron. For Friday night services we walked to the Ma’ara down the road that was lit with candles (and under heavy guard.) When we got there, we were amazing by the competition of the different minyanim singing and dancing – it was a pretty amazing thing (and very very over whelming at the same time.) We prayed right outside next to the area that legend has it (and archeologists hold) is the closest place to the entrance of the cave. It was really amazing. We returned the next day for the afternoon prayers and went inside the Ma’ara. I’ve been there before so I have been able to take pictures and see it in its glory. It was really a wonderful and special Shabbat. I am so glad that we got to do that. I want to go back to Kiryat Arba/Hevron in the future. As some of you know, my favorite prime minister (sarcasm) has Hevron on the chopping block- so I really hope that I get to go there again and again.
2) New Roommate.
Well, Yannah decided it was time for her to get out of the city and find a new path. So while she is off sorting her own life out, I have agreed to watch her cat (ie. The little (*&(*&^&%*^& as I call him) I have a temporary roommate, but if anyone knows someone that is in need of an apartment, please let me know. No Hippies! Listen, I love them, but I need some stability and no moonbeams. ) I’m hoping for the best for you Ms. Yannah!
3) So the government fell (surprise) The Fat Man (thanks to Stewie from family guy for that one) has started his own party. Not a chance I am voting for him. Now I am stuck who do I vote for? Security is one thing. But there are many other things that I have to look at. Health care, social services, taxes etc. Ugh. I have to be grown up. I’m taking suggestions as to who to vote for. Can tell you right now that Labor and Kadima are out- so don’t even waste your breath. Hopefully as things get closer whom I vote for will be much clearer, but I am working on it.
4) The job Search. Well it’s time to grow up. I am leaving the yeshiva in a few weeks and I need to find employment. As much as I would love to live in a box on the street, I really don’t think all my possessions will fit. So, here I am searching for a job. I am sure I will end up at IDT like all the other Anglos, working the night shift until I can sort myself out. I went in for a job interview last week to the place I really really really want to work, however, my Hebrew isn’t strong enough. So, I will work the overnight shift and do ulpan. I guess worse things could happen. Fine. Im just ranting, but still….
5) Other odds and ends. The weather here has been really really nice. So that’s a nice change. Let me elaborate further. Right now, the 11th of December, I am wearing a t-shirt, jeans and sandals. That’s right. There has not been any rain and this is a bad thing. So hopefully it will start raining soon (I never thought I would say that… but I did….) so start praying.
Otherwise things are going well. I really hope that people start visiting- come see what all the fuss is about ϑ
Shavoa tov – have a great week-
The Ranter, Nikki
