It's 1:30 in the morning, and the only reason I'm up is I'm waiting for my laundry to finish. I have to wake up in six hours to back to my Army base for one more week of volunteering. It's cool stuff....... I guess. The work is extremely boring. There's not many soldiers on base, it's mostly citizens of Israel. I spent the week taking trash and separating it in to Plastic, cardboard, rubber and metal for recycling. It's cool hanging out with my Marva people and anticipate the actual training. We get wicked uniforms too; soon enough I'll post some videos and pictures Benny took. On Friday my mom comes to visit me!!!!!!! I couldn't be more stoked. I have a ten day brake with her to just hang out and visit family. My cousins Ilana and Josh are also visiting and arriving mere hours after my mom does. It's hard to contain my excitement, but I'm doing a pretty good job thusfar. Last thursday night was a huge party that lasted pretty late in to the night. Friday I hung out at the hostel, went to the mall with Mike, Jeremy (they visited because Mike's brother was in Jerusalem, and to see us) and Benny, and later that night I went to the apartments again to hang out with Samo and Josh. Samo is in Jerusalem for the week taking classes for his Israel Experience called Mada, which is basically emergency hospital work, a very popular option. It was two of Josh's roommates birthdays on Saturday, Iggy and Michael, so we celebrated at midnight. Josh and I stayed up, watched Green Street Hooligans, and then half the blazer game before falling asleep. I have to go get the laundry, I'll update soon though
Jakey
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Right now im at the Hostel, and I plan on going out to Ben Yehuda street in a few moments to meet up with Mike and Jeremy. I arrived here around 7:20 for a meeting regarding Marva and Sar-El. I left from the David Citadel Hotel, where I hung out with Mike, his mother and sister, Jeremy, Benny and Tanya for the day. We sat by the pool, walked around Jerusalem and pretty much chilled out all day. Linda and Melissa were leaving as we left, so we bid them farewell as they took a taxi to the airport. I'm so glad I got to meet them. I have such a strong interest in my friends lives at home and their families; being with Momma and Sister Levy helped me get a clearer insight to why Mike's the guy he is.
Thursday night I went to an Idan Raichel concert, where I felt like I saw every single person from year course. All the scouts came, and I ran in to a good friend I went to camp with 4 years ago named Ben Perlstein. We randomly ran in to eachother and made plans to meet up on Friday. The concert was a lot of fun as well; I didn't understand the songs, but there was a ton of energy and was a blast. I stayed up all night because there was a really important Blazer game on, so Josh and I stayed up to watch ( it started at 5:30 in the morning). Pretty wack because the Blazers lost, but that's the life a fan. Friday the new Jerusalem section had to go to the Western Wall, and I talked to Ben about meeting there, so I hitched a ride with them. I met Ben, but didn't get much time to talk to him because he was immediately swarmed by about 159 kids, some from year course, others from different programs. We came in contact with a man named Jeffrey Seidel, who does a shabbat hospitality service where he sets you up with a family for a nice shabbat dinner. We ended up with family as well as about 30 others, about 13 soldiers, in an apartment in the heart of the old city. The apartment the top of the complex, overlooking the Dome of the Rock. It was truly incredible. However, the dinner was somewhat unsettling. The host of the dinner insisted on meeting everyone at the table by having them stand up and giving them a series of questions, which came off as an interrogation. He asked such questions as " Can you imagine what you would be like if you weren't Jewish", and " How do you feel eating with a group of soldiers", and it was apparent that many people were extremely nervous to stand up and speak in front of everyone. I didn't get as interrogated as the rest, but I was ok nonetheless. The whole night became a discussion about the Army and trashing gap year programs. I guess you could say it was a good dinner, because the food was free and delicious, but it wasn't what I had in mind. It was great to see Ben though. His hostel is right next to David Citadel, so we walked and talked back. He hasn't changed much; he's still a very articulate, intelligent, funny down-to-earth dude. We weren't the best of friends in camp, but I always had an immense amount of respect for him. He spoke of his aspirations, working with international relations and dealing with stronger education systems. He believes each individual can make change, something I'm a big advocate for. I think in a decade or so he'll be a glowing example of that.
So tomorrow I start Sar-El ( volunteering for the army). I'm excited and nervous, because this officialy means I'm seperated from everyone else, and won't see Jeremy and Mike until at least thursday ( not that long, but still stinks). Mike's brother is coming to Israel tomorrow, and we're hoping we'll be able to do a Dead Sea trip this weekend. The sad part is I won't be able to keep in touch with people back home either. My days will start at 6 in the morning and end at 9pm (8pm-11am back home), so there's no time to call or IChat. With that being said, blogging will be reserved for Saturday's only. To those who read this blog: my mom, Linda Levy and Seno Bril, I'm sorry. Thanks for reading though! Wish me luck
Lots of Love
Jakey G
Thursday night I went to an Idan Raichel concert, where I felt like I saw every single person from year course. All the scouts came, and I ran in to a good friend I went to camp with 4 years ago named Ben Perlstein. We randomly ran in to eachother and made plans to meet up on Friday. The concert was a lot of fun as well; I didn't understand the songs, but there was a ton of energy and was a blast. I stayed up all night because there was a really important Blazer game on, so Josh and I stayed up to watch ( it started at 5:30 in the morning). Pretty wack because the Blazers lost, but that's the life a fan. Friday the new Jerusalem section had to go to the Western Wall, and I talked to Ben about meeting there, so I hitched a ride with them. I met Ben, but didn't get much time to talk to him because he was immediately swarmed by about 159 kids, some from year course, others from different programs. We came in contact with a man named Jeffrey Seidel, who does a shabbat hospitality service where he sets you up with a family for a nice shabbat dinner. We ended up with family as well as about 30 others, about 13 soldiers, in an apartment in the heart of the old city. The apartment the top of the complex, overlooking the Dome of the Rock. It was truly incredible. However, the dinner was somewhat unsettling. The host of the dinner insisted on meeting everyone at the table by having them stand up and giving them a series of questions, which came off as an interrogation. He asked such questions as " Can you imagine what you would be like if you weren't Jewish", and " How do you feel eating with a group of soldiers", and it was apparent that many people were extremely nervous to stand up and speak in front of everyone. I didn't get as interrogated as the rest, but I was ok nonetheless. The whole night became a discussion about the Army and trashing gap year programs. I guess you could say it was a good dinner, because the food was free and delicious, but it wasn't what I had in mind. It was great to see Ben though. His hostel is right next to David Citadel, so we walked and talked back. He hasn't changed much; he's still a very articulate, intelligent, funny down-to-earth dude. We weren't the best of friends in camp, but I always had an immense amount of respect for him. He spoke of his aspirations, working with international relations and dealing with stronger education systems. He believes each individual can make change, something I'm a big advocate for. I think in a decade or so he'll be a glowing example of that.
So tomorrow I start Sar-El ( volunteering for the army). I'm excited and nervous, because this officialy means I'm seperated from everyone else, and won't see Jeremy and Mike until at least thursday ( not that long, but still stinks). Mike's brother is coming to Israel tomorrow, and we're hoping we'll be able to do a Dead Sea trip this weekend. The sad part is I won't be able to keep in touch with people back home either. My days will start at 6 in the morning and end at 9pm (8pm-11am back home), so there's no time to call or IChat. With that being said, blogging will be reserved for Saturday's only. To those who read this blog: my mom, Linda Levy and Seno Bril, I'm sorry. Thanks for reading though! Wish me luck
Lots of Love
Jakey G
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
After the last heartwarming comment from Ohad, I had an obligation to blog. Wednesday we packed and cleaned our apartment out which was boring. Half of our apartment was gone, with Jeremy on Kuma and Samo and Scotty on Olami. We got to the Hostel around 7, just in time to eat dinner, and basically did nothing for all of Thursday. Friday we headed off to Eilat, the southern most city in Israel, known for it's year round sunny weather. Unfortunately, my luck ran dry with the weather. We got a few showers, and very little sunshine except for Monday, which was cut short because our bus left at 5. Others who were disappointed with the weather decided to stay another day ( I went with about 15 others), and they were rewarded with a gorgeous tuesday. Nonetheless, it was good to have a break and clear my head. The combination of people leaving, moving out, and Tim's death, I had a lot running through my mind.
Our bus broke down on the way back to Jerusalem, which didn't make me happy considering I was already wary of the 4 hour bus ride. I got back to Jerusalem around 11 and took a bus to the apartments to stay with Josh, who's now living in my old apartment ( which is where I'm currently typing this as well). Yesterday was amazing though. Mike had left Eilat early on Sunday to meet up with his mom and sister, and we had organized a dinner at Ohad's house. Jeremy and I took a bus to Bat Yam at 3:30 and helped Ohad move his computer and TV from his old apartment to his new one. The Levy family came over, we had a little meet and greet and a photo session, and then we drove over to Ohad's house in Hertzilyah ( sorry for the spelling Ohad). The dinner was phenomenal, just as the last one there was. Ohad has the sweetest parents, which comes as little surprise. I loved Mikes family! They had some great stories to tell; they'll be staying in Jerusalem over the weekend, so hopefully they have more to share.
Today was the day everyone left. Everyone was kicked out the hostel and shipped out to their new locations. It was sad, but there's a concert tomorrow night that many of my friends are attending. Also, Moshe Teitz is playing in a battle of the bands concert on Saturday, so once again I'll get to see some friendly faces. I talked to Mike and Jeremy twice after they got to their new Youth Village and they say they love it already. I couldn't be happier for them. Tomorrow I'll meet up with them in Tel-Aviv, and potentially Mike's family as well.
Until Next Time
Jakey
Our bus broke down on the way back to Jerusalem, which didn't make me happy considering I was already wary of the 4 hour bus ride. I got back to Jerusalem around 11 and took a bus to the apartments to stay with Josh, who's now living in my old apartment ( which is where I'm currently typing this as well). Yesterday was amazing though. Mike had left Eilat early on Sunday to meet up with his mom and sister, and we had organized a dinner at Ohad's house. Jeremy and I took a bus to Bat Yam at 3:30 and helped Ohad move his computer and TV from his old apartment to his new one. The Levy family came over, we had a little meet and greet and a photo session, and then we drove over to Ohad's house in Hertzilyah ( sorry for the spelling Ohad). The dinner was phenomenal, just as the last one there was. Ohad has the sweetest parents, which comes as little surprise. I loved Mikes family! They had some great stories to tell; they'll be staying in Jerusalem over the weekend, so hopefully they have more to share.
Today was the day everyone left. Everyone was kicked out the hostel and shipped out to their new locations. It was sad, but there's a concert tomorrow night that many of my friends are attending. Also, Moshe Teitz is playing in a battle of the bands concert on Saturday, so once again I'll get to see some friendly faces. I talked to Mike and Jeremy twice after they got to their new Youth Village and they say they love it already. I couldn't be happier for them. Tomorrow I'll meet up with them in Tel-Aviv, and potentially Mike's family as well.
Until Next Time
Jakey
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