So, I went to the Shlomo Artzi concert last night. There were over 2,000 people there (don't worry, lots of security) and I had a blast. The most exciting part of the night was when I went over to a stand to get a napkin, and I hear, "Yoel?" I look up, and another Yoel, my host brother from my summer in Uruguay in 1997 is standing there. I hadn't seen him since his visit in '98, and he moved here 3 years ago. It's very exciting that we will be able to hang out in Jerusalem after so many years.
It's amazing to think that Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur are so close. We got a schedule today for all the events, and it really should be an amazing experience. Anyway, that's it for now, but once again, things are amazing. I'm really not getting enough e-mails though (not from you Mom... you send plenty), but I really would love to hear from a lot of you (if you're looking here) so click on the email button below or just send it to [email protected] and let me know how you're doing. I think I've written most of you who've written me back, and if not, write me again and tell me. Talk to you all later,
Joel
Well, things have definitely settled down. I'm starting to feel at home here. (If you look at the pictures, you'll even see the plants we bought, and if you look behind one, you'll see the creepy art that was left here, but we like it.) Anyway, It's about time for TNDC, so I can't write too much, but I finally have internet at home!!! This means I'll be better with e-mail and instant messenger, so write me :-)
Anyway, some of my more exciting news. I bought a new tallis and a shofar today. Both very cool, and now I'm ready for the holidays. Other exciting news. Both Perfect Strangers and My Two Dads are on regularly here, so I'm set as far as television. Anyway, gotta go drink and then study (Rabbinical School isn't that different from college, at least while we're in Ulpan ;-)) Hope you all are doing well,
Joel
Getting ready for the holidays. I'm very excited to be sitting in the congregation for the first time in a long time and the last time for a while. I am continuing the shofar tradition though, and I'll be the ba'al tekiah (the person who blows the shofar) for services at HUC, where I'll get to use my cool new shofar.
The bronco game is on here Saturday night, and since my roommate is from St. Louis, it will be our first big conflict, but we've invited the whole class over to watch the game so that should smooth things over a little bit. Anyway, Shana Tovah u'm'tukah v'shanat shalom (a good, sweet year and a year of peace) to all of you,
Joel
Not too much to add, but I promised I'd keep this updated. Rosh Hashana was filled with great services and great food (along with the apples and honey yogurt) I thought some of you might want to hear how the shofar sounded, so I recorded it. It isn't easy to record a shofar, and I promise it sounds better than this in person, but this will give you an idea, so to hear the shofar, click here.
What else? Tomorrow is a big 9/11 commemoration at the school. The American ambassador and the British ambassador to Israel will both be there as well as other dignitaries and an expected 400 people. Hopefully I'll remember my camera and take pictures to share with all of you.
Had fun watching the Bronco's game. There were like 20 people here to watch the Eagles-Titans game, but for some reason an 11-230am football game wasn't interesting to my classmates, so by the second half of the Broncos game, it was just me, but it was still nice to be able to watch. It was also nice to wake up to the second half of Monday Night football... Anyway, that's it, but happy new year, and I hope you're all doing well,
Joel
Yom Kippur was very nice. I just broke the fast at Burger Bar on Emek R'faim with a bunch of friends. The real story though is before the fast. Mike and I decided to cook, and we made a fantastic meal of frozen schnitzel that we cut up and put into pasta. We had some toast and burekas as side dishes, and it ended up being the perfect pre-fast meal.
Moving back, this past Shabbat we were invited to eat with our landlord, who is the dean of the Rothberg school for overseas students at Hebrew University. It was a beautiful home, and more importantly, an incredible meal. So, we're hoping that this will turn into a few more invitations throughout the year.
This is the last week of our ulpan, and then we have 2 weeks off before we start regular classes. I'll be going to Tel Aviv to do the first day of sukkot with Shirly and her family, hopefully stay in Tel Aviv for a few days, maybe go see Ittai in Haifa, and possibly go down to Eilat. I also have a few friends in Ashkelon I may go see. So, pretty much, I'm taking the two weeks to go around Israel and see some places I haven't seen either in 4 years, or ever. Hope you all had an easy fast, and remember, to see old messages, you can click on archived messages below, or click here :-)
Joel