Creative Title Ideas? I'm out.

And I’m done with a second week of classes! I know it’s only Monday, but here that’s already Yom Sheini, the second day of the (work) week. And tomorrow morning we leave for tiyul! So I thought I’d write once again before I disappear for a few more days.

This very short week at school, things were somewhat common, both because it was the second week instead of the first, and because we only had two days! But I worked far more effectively in radio/newspaper day in Hebrew this morning, so I consider it a week of progress! I also realized that Sunday’s 1:00 football games are 8:00 in the evening here, and Sunday night seems to be a lighter homework night for me, so I should be able to watch at least some football weekly, even if I’m at the mercy of whatever FOX Sports decides to show internationally…plus whatever game we choose to watch on Colby’s NFL-subscribed computer! Last night was Eagles-Texans (on the computer, with the sound on) and Falcons-Panthers (on TV, muted). I decided I needed sleep more than another six hours of football, so I passed on the rest of the night of football. The 4:00 game isn’t on until 11 here, and that’s a little late to get in the habit of watching. (No, I think I’m passing on tonight’s Redskins game as well. It won’t start until 2am, and I have a feeling I’ll enjoy our Tiyul much more if I’m awake for it. But don’t think I won’t be getting up a few minutes early to catch myself up on it.)

Shabbat was great this week. Friday night, much of the class was going to a Kibbutz for a program and dinner. I decided that after the first week of classes, I’d prefer a quieter night in, so I rounded up whoever I could find who wasn’t going to the Kibbutz, and I made dinner here. First we went to services, at Shira Chadasha. I have now been to this congregation twice for services, and really enjoyed it both times. The part that surprises me so much is how much I do like it. It is an Orthodox community, but stretches to be as egalitarian as “halachically possible.” This means that there is a mechitza separating the men and the women. However, they have a woman leading services during kabbalat Shabbat, and then a man leads from about the Barechu forward. The mechitza is more of a gauze-y material than anything else, so you can still see the other side if you want to. The two sides are about equal in size, although the women’s section might be slightly larger…and also more crowded. And while I am sure it exists elsewhere, it is the first place I can remember going with a mechitza where the women’s side was actually praying. My usual complaint about separated services is that when there is a mechitza, the women by definition don’t count, so there are often many, many people talking or otherwise not praying. In this congregation I have not gotten that impression at all, and instead, the women sing loud and clear, and the service sounds beautiful. It is full of singing and harmony. While I definitely do not agree with the presence of the mechitza, in this particular congregation, I do not find that it hinders my own praying, as I have at other divided congregations in the past, and I even enjoy praying there. The traditional services are a nice contrast from the very classically Reform HUC, and I prefer something in between, so it is nice to be able to go back and forth.

After services, I had a small group here for dinner, and I was quite proud of the evening! I spent much of Friday preparing: I got up really early Friday morning to get to the shuk before it was crowded, and went to the supermarket on the way home. Then I had breakfast again. I spent most of the afternoon in the kitchen, realizing that the first time I cook anything it takes me much longer than it takes my mother. She also gets the convenience of pre-chopped mushrooms and a food processor. I not only have to chop the mushrooms and BE the food processor, but since I don’t much trust shuk cleanliness, everything also gets washed quite thoroughly before I even start the chopping. I also had to fight with our anti-lefty, anti-speed can opener, which took more time and effort than I can explain. Happily, there will be a new American one tucked into the bag o’ goodies that Michael’s bringing me in just over 3 weeks! I also had a new experience while cooking. The chicken called for some wine, and I had just bought some, but I was in the apartment all by myself. And then I realized that while I have watched a million times, I have never opened a bottle of wine myself. Luckily, our corkscrew here is about a thousand times better than our can opener, and I got it open without a problem. I felt so accomplished. Yes, opening three cans and a bottle of wine all in one afternoon is a huge accomplishment for me. Go with it. Dinner was delicious and fun!

Saturday was just what it should be: lazy, relaxing, and quiet. I didn’t do a whole lot, but I enjoyed that immensely.

I’m off to the Galil first thing in the morning, and I’ll be back before Shabbat, hopefully with lots of fun stories and pictures!