Rachel Bluwstein Breathes Life into Death

There are so many people who embodied the bravery and courage to pick up and leave everything they knew as home to come to a new land, a new community, and start a new life. These people contributed to the solidity and legitimacy of Eretz Yisrael and their drive for a spiritual and cultural connection and home is still prevalent to this day. Rachel Bluwstein was born in Russia in 1890 and she was one of the pioneers who contributed to the formation of Israel. In 1909, when she was 19 years old, she visited the Land of Israel and speaking only Russian along with her sister, she decided to stay. Later, she settled in Kibbutz Degania, an agricultural settlement on the shore of the Kinneret. She worked hard and was an extremely dedicated community member until she was diagnosed with tuberculosis which made physical labor an impossibility so she was kicked off of the Kibbutz and forced to find a home elsewhere. Rachel turned to poetry where she lived out the last years of her life in loneliness in a room in Tel Aviv. She often wrote of her longing to be understood, of the feeling of insignificance of a sick woman in a world that revered strength and power, and of the constant tension between the desire to be loved and the fear of the artistically destructive emotional and poetic price of love fulfilled. Her poetry was especially touching to read while sitting so close to her grave. One particular poem that stood out to me is called "Kinneret" which beautifully describes the imagery presented through the view looking out into the water; calm on the surface but restless below the wind. She is able to capture the image that I looked up to after reading her words with such simplicity and beauty. It was incredible and moving to look around and see the exact illustation of the "small palm tree/ With its tousled branches/ Like a mischievous child/ Running along the lake shore to dip his feet/ Into the waters of Kinneret." As I read her words I could truly feel them come to life by being at the exact place that she was descibing and experiencing the same exact view that she was taking in that inspired her writings. Rachel gave up a life of comforts and culture to become a Zionist pioneer. When her life was cut short by a terminal illness, she responded by capturing the Israeli pioneer experience and her love for the natural beauty of Israel through her expressive and simple words which I like to believe gave her the hope and strength to stay alive.

Yom Hashoah: Remember and Never Forget

It's one thing to read textbooks, listen to lectures and hear statistics about the holocaust, but it is a completely different experience to be standing in Israel in remembrance of the six million whose lives were lost. Instead of hearing about yom hashoah, holocaust remembrance day, through the news or on tv, I was blessed to actually be in Israel while the day commenced. After hearing the announcement to gather at the lobby, we all frantically scrambled to meet as a group and to listen to the sirens being played. We were all talking and hanging out when the sounds of the sirens went off. All of a sudden everyone was taken by a deep silence and their conversations ceased as well as all movement. For two minutes out of the day we all stood next to each other, everyone had their hands to themselves and it seemed like we were all in our own worlds. For two minutes no one was talking like we had been doing seconds before, no one was giggling and making jokes. For two minutes the sirens echoed through the air in a bitter sweet whirlpool of sound which was reflected within every bone inside of me and could be heard throughout all of Israel. People driving in their cars, at the sound of the siren, stopped their vehicle in mid movement wherever they were and listened to the alarm. For me, it was an extremely surreal experience. I stood on the balcony of the Belmont from Kibbutz Tzuba overlooking one of my favorite, and most breathtaking, views of Israel. For two minutes the world seemed to stop and hold her breath, and everyone listening to the sirens mirrored that image without hesitation. It was remarkable and unfathomable to possess the duality of being in the moment, paying respect for those whose lives were taken away, and to actually be, physically be in the land where Jews fought for their right to live. I stood and thought and listened, because even in the darkest of times the birds are still singing, the cats are still running, and the trees are still rustling with their own song, and life is still active. It completely described the situation that we as a people have experienced that we may have undergone an extreme amount of pain, death and hardship, but we've persevered and continued to create our story and to live on. Israel, the army, and the Jews living throughout the world are a physical testimony and reminder of where we have come from, how far we've come, and the importance of continuing to live as a united people and to pass on the blessing of life. Yom hashoah, as well as every day, demonstrates that Jews are stronger than ever and that our spirits will forever stay on this earth. Knowing that all of Israel, the people I know and the strangers living miles away who stopped washing the dishes, stopped pushing on the gas pedal, or stopped eating lunch with their family were all listening to the same siren that I was, is an incredibly special moment and one of the most connected and united feelings I've had to Israel and its people. I will always have the image engrained in my mind of the two minutes of silence that said more than words. 

From Sea to Shining Sea

There is so much noise that is constantly overwhelming our lives, our thoughts, and our actions that  sometimes it only takes a few days of camping out in the wilderness to realize how much is taken for granted. Yam L'Yam was one of  greatest experiences so far on this trip. Being placed in a situation where it feels like you (and a few pairs of sweaters) against the world, is more rewarding than it may seem. For the first time in a long time I was able to be in the moment, be present to my surroundings, and hear my own voice and thoughts without the disruption of an updated Facebook status or a new Instagram picture. I didn't have to worry about any homework assignments, tests or essays, and I was able to find moments of silence, something that I take for granted more than I should. Even though being with my friends, making new friends, and walking together sharing stories and riddles never got old, I equally enjoyed the moments that I walked without saying a word. I was affected by everything around me, the birds singing, the trees swaying in the wind, the hot Israeli sun shining on my body, the insects flying into my eyes. I was awaken to everything, even the small things. I learned that only in silence do you recognize the constant movement and sounds of our world. All of the exterior bombardment of car horns, machines, phone notifications, and materials are subdued in nature, and a new level of noise is exposed within nature. While walking up the second highest mountain in Israel, Mount Moron, I realized that my blisters had grown blisters, but there was no bone in my body that screamed to stop, all I wanted to do was to keep going and to reach the top. I was completely overwhelmed by the view, it was truly breathtaking and being able to look far over mountains to a little gray dot signifying where we had begun the trek up created a feeling of pride. All week, after hiking for hours and reaching beautiful views, it became clear to me that even in the small state of Israel there is always something new to see and learn about. Even the times when I woke up from my body shaking because it was so cold or having to duck behind the closest bush for a bathroom not only made me appreciate showers and beds more but the trip also sparked the urge for adventure within me. I now have a new love for camping, hiking and caned tuna which I wasn't able to express before the trip and hope to continue when I am back home. The trip from the Kineret to the Mediterranean Sea which was full of sweat, stink and sore muscles allowed me to be at peace with my own thoughts and reminded me how incredibly lucky I am to be a first hand witness to the natural beauty of the land of Israel.

Be Your Own Weatherman – StreetWise Hebrew

It's incredible how approachable a language as complex as hebrew can be when it is taught in a friendly, relatable, and cohesive way. Streetwise Hebrew is a set of podcasts conducted by Guy Sharett who teaches Hebrew based on graffiti and tours around Tel Aviv. In the podcast "Be your own weatherman" Guy talks about key words used to describe the weather by incorporating his own voice, sound clips from weather channels, and simple songs. I think that it is important to use this method of extracting from outside sources, because it makes the lesson applicable to everyday life. The whole podcast was fun to listen to and I was intrigued the entire time especially since Guy was so passionate about the topic, it definitely rubbed off on me as well. When learning a new language, it is especially important to portray fun, easy, and clear information regarding the topic being presented because it makes the student want to learn and it helps in retaining the details. I think it is important to endorse yourself in listening to these recordings because it not only teaches new vocabulary, but you also get a taste of Israeli life and culture coming from a citizen. Being a beginner in Hebrew, I can say for sure that I was able to pick up some new words and phrases just with a short, ten minute audio recording. I definitely recommend this website to everyone, in particular, those who are trying to learn the language of Hebrew, or who are simply interested in the life of an Israeli.

Here is the link:
http://tlv1.fm/streetwise-hebrew/2015/03/03/be-your-own-weatherman-streetwise-hebrew/

Can You Tel I'm In Love With Aviv (EIE 2015)

     One of the most exciting aspects about being in Israel is the diversity presented not only in the culture and the people, but in the places as well. I love the ability to get into a cab, drive a few miles and end up in Jerusalem; a place resounding in spiritual essence and a connection to an ancient history. Then, to be able to get back into the cab, drive a few more miles north and arrive in Tel Aviv; a place filled with buildings, lights and beaches. This past weekend, I had the wonderful opportunity to stay in Tel Aviv for the first time, and I absolutely loved it. From the moment I entered this bustling city I couldn't help but to notice the immense amount of buildings stretching high into the sky, the never ending roads leading far into the distance, and the young, fun filled and exciting atmosphere that engulfed every corner. The streets were filled with stores and restaurants fighting to be seen by their bright colored decorations and extravagant outdoor seating (one place had swinging hammocks as chairs). The beaches themselves were breathtaking. The water was so beautiful, it was almost like someone had painted and mixed different shades of blues and greens and blended them together perfectly into a tapestry of color. Looking out onto the beaches, they were packed with people of all ages. I was so intrigued and entertained by the young men and women who, quite competitively, partook in volleyball and head/food/hit the ball with any part of your body games along the nets that were set up on the sand. They would play for hours without stopping. It seems like there is definitely a natural talent for physical activity that is engrained in Israeli's, probably from working hard and training in the army for years.
     I found it so interesting how different of a feeling there was from being in Tel Aviv rather than Jerusalem. Tel Aviv is most definitely more modern from the architecture, the clubs, and the restaurants, it is aimed at young, adventure seeking adults. Everything felt very awake all of the time, almost like the city never slept, which was seen in the bright colors and busy streets filled with vehicles and constant movement. No longer were there Orthodox Jews walking around, or people selling red string bracelets, it honestly felt like a vacation within a vacation. I not only enjoyed the delicious food that was served to us right on the beach, but I also loved walking around at night when the city truly seemed to come alive and lit up every building in sight. To be able to experience both Jerusalem and Tel Aviv has been extremely important because not only have I seen two different places in Israel but I've also experienced two completely different ways of life, both equally important in forming Eretz Yisrael. I am so incredibly lucky to be a witness every day to the different aspects of Israeli life both spiritual and social. I truly get to experience the best of both worlds.

The Binding and Unbinding

       I honestly believe that everything happens for a reason and that each and every one of life's experiences is an opportunity to continuously learn and grow, and to finally find yourself spiritually, emotionally and mentally. For Mitisyahu, a song artist, the struggle of drugs, depression, and seclusion was prevalent throughout the majority of his life. He was constantly striving for something greater than himself, something that would provide the power to get up each day ready to experience rather than to numb out. He realized what many of us have a hard time acknowledging, which is that happiness can only be evoked from within yourself. For Mitisyahu, he was able to find a love for music and a devotion to God, an "invisible friend" who could guide, protect, and most importantly always be there to pick him back up when he fell. I connected a lot with his perspective on his experiences, especially with his last words about the significance of experience, of making mistakes, of living with the good and bad without the numbing of emotions. Mitisyahu, with his ability to persevere and his determination to go beyond the known, demonstrates an inspiring model for people of all ages to never give up on finding your path. Only when one is no longer afraid of making mistakes, of living outside of ones isolated box of comfort, one is able to engulf in the true foundation of love, happiness and a strong connection to faith.

The Women of the Wall

       Judaism has always emphasized the importance of group prayer. Each individual is able to see themselves as part of a larger, collective people when praying together, they experience a collective spiritual connection to a divine energy. I had the wonderful opportunity this past weekend to go the the Kotel and pray together with the Women of the Wall. The Women of the Wall is a group of Jewish women from around the world and from all different denominations who strive to achieve the right, as women, to wear prayer shawls, pray and read from the Torah collectivey, out loud, and freely at the Western Wall. They not only seek personal fulfillment in group prayer and Torah reading at the most sacred site, but also want to achieve recognition by the legal, social and religious Israeli establishment at the wall for the sake of all Jewish women. The group, with a membership that is not only multi-denominational but spans the political spectrum, embodies a message of tolerance and pluralism and is stronger than ever.

       Each time I go to the Kotel, I am never disappointed with the effect that it has on me, I am constantly in awe of its glory and beauty which it holds as a symbol of Jewish unity. This time when I entered the Kotel, I was not there just to take in the wonder of the setting and to focus on myself, but I was there to join in with a group of incredible, dedicated, and extravagant costume wearing women who are determined to fight for undeniable rights. As we all stood together with the Migilah scroll open wide, the voices of women rising high, a feeling of empowerment stemmed from within. Even though the sun was almost unbearable and standing up for one more second seemed impossible, we stood together, people from all different backgrounds and denominations and beliefs. That was the incredible aspect, that even if I had walked right past one of the women on the street without realizing, in these moments of prayer, we all stood as one united group with an invincible connection. I felt like I had done so much more than standing and listening, I felt as though I was part of this significant movement, supporting women from all over in striving for acknowledgment and equality. Taking an active and vocal role in community prayer empowered me to use my voice in prayer and struggle, even in the face of attempts to silence women and the Jewish people as a whole.