Jerusalem, if I forget you...

Shalom everyone!

I know it's been a few days, but I'm back!

Last night I returned from an incredible weekend in Jerusalem, where I spent my Yom Kippur break. The weekend actually turned out to be quite different than I planned, due to a series of coincidences that could only occur in Israel.

My spontaneous shift in plans is truly a testament toJewish unity in Israel. Only in Jerusalem would I run into more than five people I know from home who aren't even on Year Course. I hadn't even dropped off my backpack before I saw two friends from my small elementary school, a few from middle school, and countless others. One of my friends from way back (Rachel, from my first blog post, who is in Section 1 of Year Course) invited me to stay with her at her apartment--and thus the plans changed. Originally the plan was to stay with my roommates' grandmother and a few other YC kids, but I figured I'd spend one night with a friend who I hardly see. And we ate Shawarma, Max Brenners gelato, and listened to street performers down the infamous Ben Yehuda street. Undeniably, a holy experience.

The next day we woke up just in time to grab a sandwich from Bagel Bites before they closed for Yom Kippur. It's pretty amazing how the entire city shuts down for the holiday. Even way before sundown most stores were closed, street lights were off, and there wasn't a car to be seen driving on the street.

For the dinner before the fast we all brought a dish to the neighboring balcony and had a Kosher, pot-luck style meal. It was a nice way to meet people from other sections and exchange stories about our respective locations. The nice thing about the Jerusalem apartments is that they are filled with (basically) only Year Course kids, whereas the Arad apartments are spread out. I'm definitely glad, however, that I'm starting in the dessert and moving into the city--I feel like the transition is smoother, and I'm sure I'll be sick of the heat fairly soon.

After the dinner, on our walk to temple, we literally sat in the middle of the road because we could. (Don't worry Mom, not dangerous!) Just walking around the city got me so excited to be there in a few months. Although I love Arad, there is truly nothing like Jerusalem. For instance, while walking down the hill to temple, I overlooked the old city just as the sun was setting, marking Shabbat and the start of Yom Kippur. Kids were kicking a ball around in the middle of the street, and most of the adults were dressed in white, making their way to one of the many temple's in town.

When we got to temple we originally couldn't find a seat, let alone a Siddur. By some stroke of luck a few of the assigned seats were vacant, so Rachel and I ended up being led to the front row! Although we were still Siddur-less, being up close to the Bimah on Yom Kippur was enough for us.

The next morning I woke up around ten and headed off to Musaf services at the same temple, Shira Chadasha. The whole experience was new, and a bit surreal for me. I had grown used to listening to my Mom's voice inside the familiar walls of Habonim, the Temple where she leads high holiday services at in Manhattan. I am used to sitting in the first row, knowing all of the prayers and their melodies. Suddenly I am in the holy city in a crowded temple, overheating in my sweater, and completely baffled by the unknown sounds. Granted, I found it difficult to have an immediate connection with the prayers. It only finally hit me when, at the end of Neilah, the entire room sang Hashana Haba Be Yerushalayim, which translates to Next Year in Jerusalem. A chill ran through my body upon this realization--I am in the holiest city on the holiest day for the Jewish people. Everything sort of made sense to me at that moment...and being in Jerusalem couldn't have felt more right.

As we were let out of temple my friends and I ate (or attacked, rather) the celebratory sugar crackers I packed in my purse. I don't know if a cracker has ever tasted so good. Though it didn't quite take the edge off my hunger, I wasn't suffering too much. For some reason, fasting this year wasn't so horrible at all. I was light headed for some of the afternoon, but other than that It was a Tzom Kal, or an easy fast.

Our break fast (not breakfast!) wasn't anything fancy; in fact it consisted of pizza, soup croutons, and Ben+Jerry's chocolate fudge brownie ice cream. Basically, whatever was around in Rachel's apartment, we ate. The meal was short, sweet, and everything I needed to satisfy my grumbling stomach.

Later that evening my friend Joel and I ran to catch the second to last bus out of Jerusalem. Finding the stop was a bit of a struggle (mainly because the cab took us to the wrong place) and we had to sprint to make it. Anyone who knows me knows that I'm used to this--running to catch public transportation, that is. Anyway, we made it, and that's what matters.

On the ride back to Arad I learned a lot about Year Course and Young Judaea. My friend Joel is basically the president of the entire Young Judaea movement in America--so of course, he filled me in on the insider drama and history of the program. Hearing all of his stories makes me wish I had been a part of Young Judaea as a child. I think I would have really liked the sense of community that Young Judaea provides teens with, and of course, the connection to Israel.

I finally got back to Arad around midnight; well rested, atoned, and ready to be back.

The next morning I went straight back to volunteering. I'm really starting to love the kids at Beit Mazor, the home where I volunteer. And we just got two more kids! Their names are Ron and Leor, which means there are now two Leor's and a Leora. A tad confusing at times, but it's cute.

Well, I should go because I have Hebrew class soon. Today's our first test, so I should start studying the gigantic list of vocabulary :/ Hope it goes well!

Sending love to everyone in the states :)