Welcome to My World of Adventure

Emily. 23. Stories of my travels and experiences in Israel and beyond.

[lovewishconserve]

This is my #PreservationDay photo.  For most of the past year, I’ve been in Israel, so for me, my Judaism is tied together with my Zionism.  This photo was taken last year on Israeli Independence Day (Yom HaAtzmaut), which was easily one of the best days of my life.  And the holiday this year occured just last week!  I believe that for Jews to be truly free from oppression, we need our own space.  And I believe that that space is Israel. :)

[chesedblessedchayim]

It’s only fitting that this goes on my Israel/Travel Blog too. :)

[chesedblessedchayim]

Yom HaShoah

Today is Holocaust Memorial Day, or Yom HaShoah in Hebrew, and this morning at 10am a long siren sounded for remembrance. Everyone stopped what they were doing--driving, walking, eating--and stood in silence for one minute to remember the 6 million Jews and 5 million gypsies, disabled, lgbt, and others who were murdered. As I stood, I thought about the loss, but I also thought about the strength. Because though we faced hardship and discrimination, we fought back, and today Israel can stand strong. I am so proud to be part of such a tenacious people. We persevere despite the odds, every single time. And that is truly a blessing. Am Yisrael Chai!

[lovewishconserve]

Serious Post

I am seeing a lot of posts about not throwing all Muslims under the umbrella of terrorism, and I totally agree.  Not all Muslims are terrorists.

BUT

Every single Jew and every single Jew in Israel especially, feels threatened when news of terror attacks and antisemitic crimes occur.

There are parts of my city, Tel Aviv Israel, that I don’t go to at night because not only am I a woman, but I am a Jewish woman.

When I went travelling in Europe, my mother told me not to wear my magen david necklace, my Jewish star, that I have worn every day of my life since I was 13.  And I complied, because I was afraid.

These attacks on Jewish shops and throwing around of words, it’s exactly how the Holocaust started in the 1930’s.  My grandfather had to flee for his life back then, and I refuse to stand by and watch history repeat itself.

And no, I am not blaming an entire race for these problems.  Just like Hitler and the Nazis were a small pocket of Germans who gained power, the individuals engaging in terrorism are a small pocket of Muslims.  And until the world wakes up and sees that there is a problem here, I am not safe, we are not safe.

Because no, #NotAllMuslims are terrorists, but #YesAllJews are threatened by terrorism.

Thank you for reading.

[chesedblessedchayim]

A Sobering Realization

I haven't really said much about the recent terror attacks in Israel because it is just so hard to process.  But I just watched the new Hunger Games movie (Mockingjay Pt. 1) and somehow, watching the people in the movie run to safehouses and underground bunkers to escape bombings, and watching both sides of the fictional civil war manipulate the media to suit their aims, struck a chord in me.

Art imitates life I guess, because as I watched the movie, and on screen sirens blared and civilians ran for cover, I remembered the sirens that I heard in Israel in July, and the recent attacks that I've tried to put out of mind became very real.

There is a war in the media just as much as there is a war on the ground.  I see that in today's headlines and it's one of the core themes of the Hunger Games series.  I think watching this movie in theaters in Israel was more meaningful than it would have been if I'd been in the US.  Because just like in the movie, there are fights, there are bombings, there are broadcasts, media manipulations, and lies.  But we don't have a Katniss Everdeen to save the day.  We have to find justice and truth for ourselves.

And despite all that, I wouldn't give up living here.

[chesedblessedchayim]

Home

I am slowly getting settled back in Tel Aviv, but this past weekend I went on a Shabbaton with the Jerusalem Soul Center.  It was the 4th Shabbaton I've been on with them (the first was the Golan for those who have been following).  This time, we went down to the Negev, hiked a mountain, rode camels, and slept in Bedouin tents.  Shabbatons with JSC are always amazing.  I always come back saying it was the best weekend in my life, and I always feel elevated on the return trip.  Somehow this time was even more so.  I love love love this community.  And I'm so glad that I was able to return to it when I returned to Israel.  The experiences are always unique, the conversations are always deep, and the people are always amazing.  As is tradition, at the end of the weekend, we all went around the circle and said one word to describe our experience, no repeats.  My word was "home".  The second it was spoken, sighs and groans trickled through the people who hadn't yet had their turn-- I had taken their word.  I must admit, I felt a little guilty using the word home when I was one of the only people on the trip who hasn't made aliyah (yet).  But to me, it was the perfect descriptor, because in this community and this space, I was home.  And in that moment I realized that Jerusalem Soul Center is a major part of why I came back to Israel, and will be a major part of my decision, should I choose to stay. :)

[chesedblessedchayim]

Hello!

Hello again!

So sorry I abandoned this blog!  Life got so busy and I just didn't have the time to keep it up with all my adventures!  But, this blog is not dead because...drumroll please...I'm going back to Israel!

I applied to graduate school while I was over there and while I was in Europe I got my acceptance email.  As I was getting on the plane to return to New York (from Paris), there was another flight leaving for Tel Aviv, and the feeling in my heart was that I wanted to be on that flight.  Obviously I returned home and I've been enjoying time with family and old friends.  But I decided to continue my education in Israel and I'm going back in 4 days!!!

I'm not making any promises regarding this blog, but maybe occasionally I'll write something.  Thanks for following. :)

[chesedblessedchayim]

Visiting Friends in Jerusalem

For the Shabbat after the Golan trip and immediately before Pesach, I visited some of my college friends who are studying abroad in Jerusalem.  It was so nice to see them and just hang out with people who have known me for years instead of only months.  They made a lovely Shabbat dinner too. :)

[chesedblessedchayim]

The Golan Heights: A Field, A Stream, A Sunset.

[chesedblessedchayim]

A Wonderful Shabbaton

The first weekend in April, I went on a Shabbaton to the Golan with a different group of people.  I turned off my phone and camera for Shabbat and it was such a good decision.

The entire Shabbat was spent singing, dancing, laughing, and of course eating.  It's hard to describe the unique energy that enveloped the group.  Devotion, love, joy, bliss, peace...the feeling of Shabbat.  It was wonderful.  I met some really amazing people and I realized that this was something I had been missing.

I am a very spiritual person, and it's really refreshing to be in an environment and with a group of people who share that spirituality.  I don't know how to put it into more words.  But it was an amazing Shabbaton and I look forward to more. :)

[chesedblessedchayim]

Ein Gedi and the Dead Sea: Waterfalls and the view at Ein Gedi (top 3), and Images of the Dead Sea (bottom 4).

The last weekend in March, my group participated in a seminar at the Dead Sea.  We hiked Ein Gedi and swam in the waterfalls and it was so incredible.  The feeling of clear water from a waterfall rushing down your head and back as you lean into the stream, is one that cannot be matched.  So relaxing.  So peaceful.  So amazing.  And the scenery was breathtaking.

It was also my first time swimming in the Dead Sea.  I floated, used the mud, and reveled in the awesomeness of it all.  There is something so beautiful about the South of Israel.  Stark beauty in the barrenness of the desert mountains.  Hopefully these photos do it justice.

[chesedblessedchayim]

What a Crazy Adventure Life Has Been!

I haven't had much time to myself, and the time I've had to log my adventures has been devoted to photos on facebook instead of this blog, and I'm sorry about that.

But I know what I want to share with you all and that's what I am going to now do.

So thanks for sticking with me, and enjoy the posts!

[chesedblessedchayim]

Hag Pesach Sameach!

Hello lovely followers!  Happy Passover!

I'm sorry I haven't posted a lot recently.  I have a lot of pictures I want to share, and I've been procrastinating going through them.  But now I have a week of break so there's lots of time to post!

But first, Pesach!  Time to go drink some wine and eat some matzah! ;)

[chesedblessedchayim]

I Haven't Forgotten About You Blog!

Hey there!

Just checking in.  Not much has happened in the past couple weeks.  Just working at my internship and hanging out with friends.

Last Shabbat I stayed in and read all weekend.  It was nice.

This Shabbat I'm going to the Dead Sea!  My group is going to a Seminar near Ein Gedi/ the Dead Sea.  I'm excited! :)

[lovewishconserve]

Purim is a Really Cool Holiday

3 reasons:

1. You’re supposed to get so drunk that you can’t tell the difference between good and evil.  What could possibly go wrong? ;)

2. Everybody wears crazy costumes.  You’re not supposed to know who’s male, female, black, white, Arab, Jewish, religious, or secular.  We’re all equals on Purim!

3. The story of Purim is set into motion by one radical queen who didn’t obey her husband.  And the story is completed by another brave queen who risked her life for her people.  BAMFs. :)

[chesedblessedchayim]

Here's what I've taken away from Purim.  Also My Purim Checklist:

Hear the Megillah.

Give Mishloach Manot.

Give Charity.

Have a Festive Meal including costumes and drinking with friends.

Check, check, check, and check. Hag Sameach! :)

[skylrlne]

yesterday was such an amazing day. it was “Good Deeds Day” and we celebrated by helping how at Chaimes-a school for the disabled. every single one of the kids had such spirit and it was so fun to be able to all come together and just let loose and have fun being a kid again. may be going back to see these cuties again

[chesedblessedchayim]

Reblogging this from my friend because I didn't get any pictures of my own!  It was the Tuesday before Purim and it was so much fun!  The kids were so great and it was clear that we made their day just by being there. :)

[chesedblessedchayim]

2 Weeks Have Gone By...

Well it's been 2 weeks since my last post and strangely there's not too much to report.  Probably because I started my internship and that has taken up most of my days.

My internship is really great.  The office is a very welcoming environment and my two bosses are amazing people.  My co-intern is pretty cool too.  Basically I am the media manager for this company.  I made them LinkedIn and Twitter pages and I will also be making them a Facebook page in English since the current one is in Hebrew.  And the view from the windows is amazing!  I will put pictures up soon. :)

Last Shabbat I went to my Great Aunt's apartment for dinner.  She lives on the edge of Tel Aviv.  And the rest of the weekend was full of lovely times with my new friends.  Tonight a few of us are having a dinner in my apartment.  Gotta get cooking!

Shabbat Shalom!

[chesedblessedchayim]

Shabbat Shalom!

Well it appears I've caught up on my blog once again!  I hope you enjoy all my photos!  It's currently Saturday afternoon (I'm blogging on Shabbat I know, but there is no other time!) and last night I had a very nice Erev Shabbat experience.

I decided to find a local synagogue to try to go to.  I had received an email from my program listing some in the area, so I checked a few out online.  One turned out to be located right around the corner from where I live, and it advertised an egalitarian service.  (One of my biggest issues with synagogues in Israel is that most are Orthodox and therefore don't allow women to do as many things as men do.  I feel more comfortable in an egalitarian environment where I can count as part of the minyan and wear my tallis if I want to.)  So I called the number listed and asked what time services were.  The woman was very kind and told me that I was welcome to stay for dinner after services as well.  I liked the services very much; they were what I am used to back home.  And the community was small but very friendly and welcoming.  Most of them had made aliyah to Israel, and were fluent in English as well as Hebrew, so there was no language barrier.  The dinner was a vegetarian potluck and the conversation was good.  We mostly talked about where everyone was from and where their families were from, tracing back.  I quite enjoyed the evening and I think I will go back again sometime.  I considered going this morning for the Torah service, but I just couldn't bring myself to wake up.  Oh well, there will be other opportunities.  Shabbat Shalom! :)