Sunday, July 18, 2010

Shavua Tov!

Hey World,

So class starts tomorrow. Ahhhhh. I'm excited, but it is hard to wrap my head around this whole sunday being a weekday thing. Sunday is the new Monday, and I don't like it. Other than that and having class start at 8:30 I am pumped. I'm in the highest level hebrew class, so we will see how that goes.

Shabbat was great this week. I went to services at HUC, which was required of all first year students. Let me just say, wow, I wish everyone could come and pray with a ton of future rabbis (and cantors and educators), there was a lot of spirit in the room, it was a powerful experience. The chairs in the place where we had services were set up in a U shape and I was in the center part, which was awesome because everyone's voice was coming towards me. Man, good stuff.

All of the first year students got to eat shabbat dinner together which was nice. I wish I could remember the names of the people who donated the cost of the dinner, but thanks to them! There ended up being tons of leftovers, which I took back to my place and had a big shabbat lunch with about 12 classmates.

I love shabbat. Recently I've started to keep shabbat more halachically meaning I don't use my phone, computer, cook or spend money on shabbat and I really enjoy it. There is something freeing about not having a phone on you and just being able to totally relax and enjoy the people around you without having any commitments. Also shabbat naps are key, especially when you can't sleep in on saturdays or sundays. It's nice to keep shabbat in Jerusalem also because it's so easy. Most shops and restaurants are closed anyways and there is plenty to do whether it's hanging with people or going to one of the many parks (I feel like I'm writing a travel brochure haha).

To end shabbat a bunch of HUC students got together and did havdallah. I feel like I've said this a bunch before but it is so nice to do Jewish things with other people who feel passionately about Judaism. Havdallah was great, there were a bunch of guitar players and we even had a flute. A fitting end to a great saturday.

One thing I find hilarious about Saturday is what happens in Jerusalem after shabbat ends. Everything becomes really busy. I stopped in the supermarket after and it was pretty hoppin' there was also a traffic jam outside my window from like 10 to 11pm or so. It's funny how this country (or at least this city) has such a Jewish rhythm to it.

So now I should stop procrastinating and go to bed. Ughhh I have to wake up so early.

much love

Becca

2 comments:

  1. Shavua Tov to you as well! just wanted to tell you how much I love reading your blog posts. They're so informative, passionate and entertaining. Good luck with the start of classes, but remember to keep enjoying yourself as well!

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