Here is my first newsletter. Enjoy!
Hello from Yad HaShmona! It has been great getting to know the moshav. (It’s what they call this kind of kibbutz.) I came by minibus at night to this beautiful resort-like place. There were lit-up palm trees swaying in the breeze and white stone walls illustrating our drive up.
I was escorted to my room by a little Finnish girl—my new roommate. So new, that she was only our roommate for a couple days before she became someone else's roommate--due to language and lack of space. One dorm room can be close-quarters for three people. Things change around really fast.
I have had a great time swapping stories and getting to know all the other volunteers. They are such amazing people--a diverse representation of the world. They are from Poland, Germany, Australia, Mexico,.... My other roommate is from Columbia. I was so excited when I saw on her desk a book called In Search Of God by Tommy Tenny but, her title was ‘En La Busqueda de DIOS'. Devotion.
I love my new social network and Israel is beautiful! I am up on a Judean hillside surrounded by hillsides. It’s like everyone can have their own hilltop if they wanted to--there are so many. We have a view of Tel Aviv’s city lights at night but I long for glimpses of the roads up to Jerusalem!
My mind knows I’m in Israel, but the rest of me is still having trouble comprehending it. I’ve been to the city and have seen Orthodox Jews in their traditional black--and row after row of white stone walls should make their impression, but I’m still waiting for that singular moment when it all becomes reality. We are going to Nazareth tomorrow. Maybe this trip will contain that moment of realization. I really am in Israel. I am in the birthplace of God on earth.
At the moshav (kibbutz) we have started our work week. We work very hard. Most of the jobs are house-keeping as Yad HaShmona is like a hotel that hosts banquets and parties of all kinds. There are only a few volunteers here now, which can make the schedule a little overwhelming at times. (Anybody want to join us? We are now--and always--taking volunteers!) The food is excellent! It’s like going to a Mediterranean buffet every day. Shabbat (Saturday) brunch? Don’t even get me started! Fresh squeezed orange juice, 12 different kinds of salad…an omelet bar.
For the Middle East, it has been very cold. Warm days and east coast-chilly nights. You really cannot bring too many warm clothes. A great piece of advice for winter was: bring one WARM winter coat (wool or anything from Columbia would be great), gloves and a hat. The other essential winter piece was 'the longest raincoat you can find!'.
I have not regretted any fleece, long-sleeved shirts or jackets/vests that I have brought. I wasn't able to find a long raincoat before I left, so when I found a long, light-weight puffy coat for 10 shekels at an Israeli garage sale I was blown away. It was one of my first Israeli experiences here and a reminder of God's providence at the same time. (FYI: 10 shekels is aproximately $3.)
I have been practicing my Hebrew. Some words you can learn will be in my next blog post. Like what is joffi ? and what does ma mean?
May He who watches over Israel watch over and keep you,
Much love,
A Zionista
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