Today my life just feels like a balagan (chaos). The workers doing construction on Keren Hayesod which is outside my window were working there all night. I got woken up at 4 in the morning to them working. I therefore did not sleep very well. I put one ear plug in so that I could still hear my alarm when it went off this morning. Well I overslept it and did not wake up until Rachel A. called to tell me she was running late. OY....flew out of bed, put on some clean clothes and grabbed a cab to Pardes for our second meeting of the Jerusalem Leadership Institute, a group of Anglo Jews interested in learning about and with other Jews from all backgrounds.

Ran home grabbed some lunch and made shabbat dinner plans. Going to Kedma a egalitarian minyan that meets in the German Colony. They are eco friendly so I have to bring my own dishes, etc. Cut up a watermelon to share! Actually dont feel to excited for shabbat this week sadly because i have just been in a rush to do so much but at the same time the restful time is welcome!

Today was a very busy day.....had Hebrew class and then Biblical Grammer. Came home had some lunch and had some fun with Sarah S. at Super Deal. Gotta whole lotta stuff.....its beginning to look a lot like a chag, everywhere you go! Came back finished up my beautiful papercut Rosh Hashana cards that I made for the auction. Did some laundry and caught my breath.....that hill from King David to Keren Hayesod is a schlep with my filled agala (shopping cart). Went and met Claire, Jordan and Sarah and walked to Kol Haneshama for our first K.E.E.P. meeting teaching English to local children, many disadvantaged. Had lots of fun meeting some of the other cool people there.

Went to a restaurant on Emek with Sheryl Berman, Neil, Claire and Sarah. Had a yummy portobella burger almost tasted like something from home! Went to the Katrina fundraiser/ Bingo night at HUC. Played a couple of rounds, had fun. Debra won my cards. I got a cup of candy for having one of the numbers called, woohoo....was fun. Time to crash...gnight.

Today is Shabbat....hooray! Did some prep errands and laundry. Came home and started dinner and getting apartment ready. Raina and I made eggplant lasagna.

Shira M. came over for Shabbat. We went to meet members of Kol Haneshama early and then joined them for services. Levi was not there so a Israeli Rabbinical student led. She did a nice job.

A group of us came back to our apartment where we hosted Emily H., Heather, Nathaniel, Shira, Matt from Leo Beck, and his friend Constantine, and Hart(friend of Jess) who is going to Arava with Shira. Had a lovely dinner. Hung out and chatted the evening away. At 1:30 i think i went to sleep

Didnt want to get up for school but have a Hebrew test. Took the entire period practically. Regular day at school. Came home did some quick work then went to a Creative Kavanah class in Baka with Edna Miron-Wapner. It was awesome. First we just did a reflective piece on our year. Then we had a discussion of Rosh Hashana and Avinu Malkeinu. We did some meditation while humming Avinu Malkeinu. As we felt ready we could go off and do our own reflection of Aveinu Malkeinu. I did the cool drawing reflecting the fact that this is a communal prayer but yet a very personal one so i drew the community and all of the thoughts of the congregation surrounding them. I then got into a creation path with a set of hands that are also trees, fire and water, and a pomegranite. Very enjoyable and meaningful evening after a rough day. Somehow Raina saw me on Emek and I hopped in the cab with her home.

I woke up at 3:00 a.m............yes in the morning! My class went to Slichot at a Sefardic synagogue in French Hill at 4:15 in the morning. This is a traditional service that is done during the month of Elul until Rosh Hashana. Was very interesting. Since the congregation is Orthodox, we (the women) sat in the balcony above. Was hard to see what was going on but very different dynamic of service as very participatory among congregants below. They bring tea to all the congregants which was nice. One of the really neat parts was that as they blow the Shofar they also sing and it was beautiful.

Came back to school, davened shacharit and had a bagel breakfast and discussion of our experience.

Went home took a nap for a few hours, then got up and did some work and went to the shuk for the afternoon with Raina and Heather. Was fun, just a very long day especially when I had to go back to school at 7pm for an education presentation by another group. Came home and crashed before school the next day.

Today was a long day. Led my group presentation on The Power of Their Ideas by Deborah Meier for Education Seminar with Melissa and Rena. We did a great job presenting this book on the concept of breaking large schools down into smaller schools within a school. For my part I divided the class into 2 groups of teachers, one from a small school and one from a regular large school and had them explore how relations with students would differ. In the small school I gave each participant a name card with their name on it and in the small school group, a card with a number. I tried to present the idea of how students become more than just a number and the personal connection small schools can create. Got good reviews.

In the evening had Women and Halacha class, was interesting we stared talking about time bound mitzvot and which women are required to do. This is a great class.

Today it was rather dark when I got up.....boy did I not want to get up after last nights concert but that is the price for fun! It rained todaya lil bit and was rather cool....dont go summer!

School as usual, just from a very tired view point. Had a great meeting about interfaith relations, sounds like a great group to explore the Christian and Muslim communities in Jerusalem.

Getting ready for my education presentation on Tuesday, excited! Good start to the week!

Had a deep sleep, feeling a little better. Had a lovely t'fillah session led by Tamar and Moshe. Sang a pretty tune for month leading to chagim. In Hebrew we continued our discussion of Israel's decision to destroy synagogues in Gaza before Israel completely leaves the area. Unfortunately, as of class, 4 synagogues had been burned.

Norman Cohen, Provost of HUC spokea bout how HUC changed to unify learning curriculum to prepare its students.

Today was a long day as Sundays are after the weekend. I wasn't feeling so well so i cancelled dinner with Sheryl and Ann. Came home and did a bunch of work, had pasta dinner with Raina. We made na na tea (hot water, nana mint leaves, and a little sugar) for dessert. was really nice to just sit and chill for a bit!

Today I got to sleep in, how lovely! I read for ed class all morning and then went to Alon and Lauren's birthday party. Was a lot of fun, ate a bunch! Came back and read and read and read. Ate some dinner and finished up my work for school tomorrow......ahh the joys of starting the week on Sundays!

Very nice not to have to get up for classes early. I did get up to get some stuff done and go to a meeting cross Jewish dialogue group. On my way to the meeting, which was really far away, I walked past Cafe Hillel where I noticed Yarzheit(memorial) candles burning. I looked at the memorial plaque next to the restaurant to see that this is the two year memorial. Took a moment to remember.

The meeting of the Jerusalem Leadership Institute was really great. Jewish Americans from all different backgrounds all interested in learning more about each other! I joined the committee to help identify different opportunities and activities going on in Jerusalem.

Came home and got ready for Shabbat. Made Mom's cucumber salad for dinner tonight. Grandma hope you are proud! Went to Kol Haneshama with Rachel A. and Jason. Had a nice time. There was a stray cat and dog that came into services. The cat sat next to Jason for a bit! Have to let them know to come back for Parshat Noah!

Had a lovely dinner at Rachel A. and Dena's. Jake, Jason, Emily D., Jess, and Michael were there. We played Contact was fun.

Yay today I only have two real classes and then a Torah cantillation one that is an elective. Had Hebrew, my teacher Zohara was back...yay. Then we had Biblical Hebrew Grammar. Interesting teacher. She can write on the board and erase with the other hand. She also has to carry around a cigarette as if she is smoking it all the time and even puts it in her mouth but it isnt lit.

Took the afternoon to study and get some work done. Cantillation class with Tamar was great, going to be a challenge for me.

Went to the shuk with Dena, Rachel A. and Jake. Had fun, got some cukes to make a salad and figs (Mom dont be jealous, we get a carton full for about $2!). Came home wiped and then crazy me went to the mall with Raina to get some things. Had a gigundo dinner with shisklik (shishkabob), malwah, hummus, and salatim was very yummy. Walked around the mall and got some things.

Came home got the cukes sliced and marinating in salt. Called mom to comfort her. Cannot believe Betsy has gone off to Interlochen Academy, my baby sister is growing up.

Today was the first day of our Israel Seminar. I am in Dave Mendelson's group. He is extremely knowledgable about Israel. We read the Agnon story of the goat. I realized that I had read it before in Hebrew! Had an interesting discussion out in the park behind the King David Hotel. Came back and talked more about some Jewish texts and reference to Israel....too long a class period.

Met with Mel and Rena to discuss our Ed presentation. Came home took a nap and did a quick Supersol grocery run. Came home, made dinner, studied and went to bed!

Shadchan(matchmaker) = slang for stapler...Hebrew word of the day!

Today is a jam packed day. Rabbinic lit with Moshe Silberschein, he is awesome, should be really interesting. Hebrew with Zohara but she wasnt here today so we worked on our assignments and then I went to the library to print out my Ed. paper and get some stuff I need for Bible class.

Had our first formal Ed seminar. I am so excited. Talked about our papers on how we feel as Jews, our connection to Israel and how these two combine to being a Jewish Educator. I really think Sally is great and that this is just the start of something incredible!

Took a lunch break and then had History with David Mendelsson on the history of the Yishuv.

Long day, then came home made a quick dinner. Studied and went to bed!

Rosh Chodesh....one month till the Chagim. Already seeing the stores stock up on honey and other foods for the holidays.

Had T'fillah today. Was nice. Naamah and Cantor Schleifer led. Had Torah service. Todays classes were Hebrew, Zohara wasnt there so we joined Kitah D, with my old class, miss them :(
Then had Bible. The best part of today was Forum. We met for the first time as Education students with Sally and Rabbi Feinberg. So exciting to finally feel like an ed student! I am really excited about this coming year. Sally is involved with Partnership 2000 with Cleveland- Beit She'an. Going to play Jewish geography. She is also involved in a bunch of informal learning pieces which I cannot wait to learn more about! Yay for Jewish Education!

Crawled home, did my work, ate dinner and went sleepy!

First day of School.

We joked how we didnt have the new outfit for the first day of school. Met Ben and Emilyot on the way to school. Ben played Mom and took a picture of us on our way to the first day of school, will post.

Ready set, busy day! Hebrew, Hebrew class 2, Bible and Liturgy. In class from 8:30 am to 4:15pm....long day!

Celebrated the first day of school/ Joe's birthday with a little party at their place. Had the yummy chocolate cake, so delish. Had to come home and go to bed....so tired after such a long day!

Took advantage of the rental car Rollin had from her trip and went to Super Deal. Got a bunch of stuff for the week to come! Came home unloaded everything. Went to some house sales, nothing special. Ran some other errands and came home for lunch. Enjoying the quiet afternoon before Shabbat!

First day of School for Israeli schoolchildren! I got to sleep in today and I gotta say as much as i love my roomies it is nice to have the apartment to myself for a night. Got up finished unpacking and trying to get everything in order after being away. Not feeling so hot so took it easy this afternoon.

Started to feel restless so I decided to go to the Mashbir (department store). As I was walking down the street there was some eerieness as traffic lights were out and police were directing traffic. Everyone was walking in the same direction towards Ben Yehudah street. As I got closer I saw big crowds standing there. I asked a woman what was going on and could only understand part but that people were praying for those from Gaza. I figured I would try and walk around and go to the department store to go in. No such luck, mad crowds. So I heard some girls speaking English so I decided to get the real scoop what was going on. Apparently, 15 bodies from Neveh Dekalim in the Gaza Strip were being moved from the cemetery there to Mt. of Olives. So that explained the parade of ambulances. Decided I needed to get away from this area. Went to Supersol where I ran into Rachel, Rachel, Karen, Rena, Tammuz and Michael F. got some groceries and came home.

Now time to finish my ed reading and begin my paper due Tuesday....dont like being sent homework assignments during my break but mah la'ahsot (what can I do?)!