Shalom mi'yerushalaiyim

Sitting in our living room, all the girls are connecting with the outside world via the internet as Shabbat just ended. I have been here now two days and adjusting slowly, dealing with jetlag and getting to the program a few days late...

To recap my travel experience- flew early out of PDX, arrived in Newark and soon was picked up by my uncle Donny and cousin Ellie, who had driven up from NYC. They took me to dinner at a Portuguese restaurant. My flight to Tel Aviv was kinda rough, a bit of nausea and then got to sleep and made it through the flight. Sat next to a friendly English, orthodox gentleman who invited me to Shabbat at his home, like everyone you meet here. I then got my luggage and a shuttle to Jerusalem. The weather was bizarre- almost like a dust storm but no storm... since then the weather has been normal- sunny and hot during the day and cool in the evenings- lovely!

So I arrived in Ramat Eshkol, a neighborhood in northeast Jerusalem, where my program is located. This area is largely religious, meaning many men in black coats and hats, women in long shirts and skirts and families with lots of kids. There are other more secular people as well, but largely very religious. I met one of my madricha (female counselor) at my building and got to shower and feel normal-ish again :)

That evening, Thursday, was free time for the girls so most were out. I got to meet Chava, another madricha, who I have been learning with on the phone for a year and half, and that was very special. Went back to my room, which I share with two other girls, and crashed, only to wake up at 4am and lie awake listening to the birds...

Yesterday morning we had a class with a young rabbi on Shabbat preparation. He had been into Phish back in the states before becoming religious, which was entertaining to hear. We then had free time until 5pm when we went to the Old City for Shabbat. In the afternoon my roommates and I took the bus (very exciting) downtown to Ben Yehuda (a main shopping street) and had a nice lunch. The place was called the Village Green and there was an organic salad bar with quinoa and tofu! I was very happy of course :) It was fascinating taking the bus with real Israelis- silly sounding I know, but after two trips to Israel travelling around on a tour bus with other Americans, it was truly an exciting experience.

All dolled up, we all boarded a bus for the Old City where we went to a brand new building right beside the Kotel, or Western Wall. A now chasidic man who used to be a surfer (bizarre) led us in Shabbat singing, in which he changed Bob Marley's One Love song to include Shabbat Shalom! We then went to the roof of this gorgeous new building and had the most amazing view of the Kotel. There were tons of people praying and singing and dancing- very powerful. We sang songs and danced together as the sun went down. We then had a long dinner hosted by a few religious families... very interesting stories I can share another time :) Afterward at midnight we made the trek back to our neighborhood, which took about an hour.

I've bonded with a few girls, including my roommates, and am trying to stay open-minded about the experience. Will write again with more stories- please send me comments and questions! Love to all :) Ahava l'kulam!