Last week at Jewel

As you can probably guess, I have been very busy and away from Internet access. At long last I am at a computer with time to update... This is an assortment of highlights from the last week at my learning program Jewel. Soon I will post about my travels since leaving Jerusalem and some overall reflections on Israel. Enjoy!

-Went to a mikveh or Jewish ritual bath, didn't go in it, but visited it... Continued to "learn" about tzinuit or Jewish modesty (really translates to dignity), which refers to observant women's form of dress, dating, marriage and sex. Interesting and challenging indeed.

-Had dinner at a place in Jerusalem called Ben Sari Hummus, which was recommended by an old Brandeisian friend. A true Israeli experience- tiny little place with no tourists. Liz and I each had a draft Goldstar (dark lager) and shared a hummus plate- amazing flavored hummus with marinated chick peas on top and of course, olive oil; warm, fluffy pita; the standard assortment of tomatoes, onions and pickles; and the best falafel balls I've had so far... all while listening to some Israeli rock, which turned out to be the waiter/cook's sister's band. Very fun.

-Participated in a restorative yoga session led by my dear friend Liz. One of our teachers works with trauma victims and wanted to experience this type of yoga, so Liz set up this magical haven in the empty apartment below ours and invited Heather (another roommate) and myself. Very special and difficult to explain... Unlike any other yoga I have experienced.

-Visited a seminary where young Jewish women study Judaism and texts more in depth than at Jewel. Although I already knew this, but its not for me... at least not this perspective of Jewish study aka ultra-orthodox.

-Another day of learning in the Old City, with classes at Aish HaTorah, and then a tour of the Kotel or Western Wall tunnels. Basically the majority of the exterior wall of the Second Temple (516 BCE-70AD) was used as a support for the houses built long ago in the Muslim quarter of Jerusalem, and the Wall that we as Jews pray to is only a small fraction of this large exterior wall. The tour takes you below the Muslim quarter through years of excavations and you actually walk beside the entire length of the well. Though I had done this tour in 2000, they continue to discover many new levels of civilization below the wall, including a mikveh! Incredible experience.

-On the way north for our final Shabbat with the Jewel program... stopped at the ocean- at last! Dipped my feet in the Mediterranean and collected some cute little sea shells. Made a short stop at the breath-taking Bahai gardens and had an amazing view of the city of Haifa. The journey through the north and past the Kineret or Sea of Galilee was beautiful.

-Spent Shabbat at a hotel on a moshav (like a kibbutz) and enjoyed the relaxation. We were "hosted" by Rabbi Zeldman (who taught a number of classes throughout the Jewel program and who I enjoyed a great deal) and his family. Basically they led our Shabbat songs and prayers, shared some stories with us and were available for questions. And of course, they ate with us :) most things involve food... haha.

-After Shabbat we went "rafting" on the Jordan river, took quick walk through city of Tzfat on which I visited various artists' galleries and then we visited a gross water area, during which I stayed on the bus and napped... I can't handle the amount of trash in some places.

-Had an adventure at the post office sending a post card to the states. Israel teaches you savlanut or patience, which is good for me :)

-Went out for dinner on our last night at Jewel to a restaurant called Eucalyptus. Liz and I had tried to go there earlier in the week, so we were quite excited. Another girl, Deborah, also a virgo :) joined us for dinner. The chef bases his dishes on foods in the Bible. He was very personal and spoke to each table throughout their meals. We had the Kings and Prophets 11 course meal... which I think was really more like 9 courses, but either way impressive and quite filling! It was a special way to say goodbye to Jerusalem.

-During my last meeting with my one-on-one learning partner Nechama, I received a very nice gift. She had found out my Hebrew name is Shoshana (rose) and then took a verse from the Book of Psalms in which shoshana appears and designed this nice picture with a rose and the verse in Hebrew and English- she is studying graphic design. I'm still so touched by the gesture and by the overall connection she and I shared.

Overall Jewel was an incredible experience and I am very thankful for the opportunity.