antiquity to modernity
We had the last of our Jerusalem Day tiyulim yesterday. Focused on Second Temple history, we visited Robinson's Arch, The Burnt House, Herodian mansions, and the Kotel tunnels. It was a good day, although it was terribly hot outside and alternating between the heat and the intense air conditioning of the museums was pretty intense. At the end of the day, Gingy asked us for concluding thoughts, now that we've finished this 6 part introduction to Jerusalem. I felt bad, but I had nothing to say. The first time I came to Israel, visited these sites, and learned about Jewish history, it changed my life. That experience is what led me to HUC. This time around, its been hard to find my connection. Other students write in their blogs (yeah, I know, I love to blogstalk) about feelings of awe and amazement. I wish I still felt that. I've been trying so hard to find new things, to make new profound connections, and so far its just not happening. I hope that as we do more learning as a community, that will change. I hope that I will be challenged in all my classes as much (or almost as much) as I am challenged in Hebrew.
Last night Marc and I went to check out Jerusalem's Beer Festival. It was pretty awesome. Lots of tasty beers (including one made from tequila...very strange). Like many things in Jerusalem, the crowd was a good mix of Americans and Israelis, and people at all stages of life (including some toddlers. Yup. A Beer festival's target audience. Good times.). We didn't do much today except get ready for Shabbat. Its frusturating that it feels we have so little time to actually do things. I know my school commitments will only increase as the year goes on, and Its already hard to balance.
Last night Marc and I went to check out Jerusalem's Beer Festival. It was pretty awesome. Lots of tasty beers (including one made from tequila...very strange). Like many things in Jerusalem, the crowd was a good mix of Americans and Israelis, and people at all stages of life (including some toddlers. Yup. A Beer festival's target audience. Good times.). We didn't do much today except get ready for Shabbat. Its frusturating that it feels we have so little time to actually do things. I know my school commitments will only increase as the year goes on, and Its already hard to balance.