The Ghouls all came from their humble abodes to get a jolt from my electrodes
They did the mash!
Well now it is really Halloween, and not only did I use my better openner yesterday, but I also used up most of my Halloween spirit on Friday (which I typed exhaustedly about yesterday). It's kind of sad really. Except for the Parade and the weekend before Halloween at various bars, you don't really see too much Halloween spirit around the city. I remember growing up, and people were in costumes all over the suburbs, but you walk around Manhattan, I didn't see a single person on the subway in costume, and maybe like 5 kids on the walk to work had costumes. I would hate being a kid and growing up in Manhattan, because I feel like my love of costumes would have gotten me picked on...more then I already was. Of course being an adult, you put in effort on a good/clever/funny costume, people priase you; so like everything else you may get picked on/made fun of for when you are younger, can only make you stronger and thusly better then everyone else as an adult. I just wish that the spirit were more alive in this city, and people wouldn't look at me funny just because I am walking around dressed as one of the Bratz.
Just kidding, but now you have a funny image in your head, either that or you have never felt sick to your stomach seeing toy commercials lately because you have no idea who the Bratz are.
But that is not why I am writing this post. I am writing this post because I finally heard back from Birthright, after waiting and worrying for so long. I mean why would have taken so long. I must have been one of the first people to complete signing up and send in my deposit, so the logistics would be that I would get my confirmation asap. Of course that was over a month ago. That's when I start to worry about why they haven't accepted me. Am I too handsome? Am I too cool? Am I too old? Am I too full of it? Maybe it's because of my sinister plans to [excerpt emitted for being far too wrong/not funny/probably get me in more trouble then make people laugh, but you can probably imagine what could have been put here]? Whatever the case, I was unreasonably worried...like a good Jew. Maybe they made me wait so as to bring out more of the Jew in me and prep me for the trip. Well the news finally came in last night, I am going on the trip. The dates of the trip are January 7th through January 18th, 2007, which is just the trip I wanted. I get to be around for the yet unplanned holidays, and before I am finally deflated into a sence of "Oh man, now I am going to be back at work for a while", I hop on a plane and disapear for 10 days, only to come back to work on a Friday, and then have another weekend to ease back into things at home (well I get home at 5am on thursday, giving me a full day to rest up post trip, so why waste the vacation day that friday when I could just spend my entire work day talking about my trip and not working). So yeah, needless to say, I am excited.
They haven't released my itinerary yet,
All times for arrival and departure are my exact times.
Departure
Departure from EWR (Newark) - EL AL 028 (1:30 p.m.) Check in at the Israir ticket counter (Terminal 4) at 10:30 a.m.
Day 1: Bruchim Habaim/Welcome to Israel
Arrival (6:45 am) Israeli participants welcome you. Together you travel south to the desert to begin your 10-day adventure on this incredible JNF Israel Adventure!
Travel North to the Galilee and Golan
Opening Ceremony at the JNF Swiss Forest Start off your trip with a ceremony at an overlook of the Sea of Galilee.
Check in and Relax at the Hotel
Har Bental Take a short hike to a peak of the Golan Heights, with an overview of the Israel/Syria border.
Orientation Program You and your Israeli peers begin to learn about each other and review the goals and highlights of the program.
Overnight: Kibbutz Merom Golan Guest House
Day 2: The Golan: Issues of Security and Ideology
Tzfat Wind through the blue-painted alleys of this mystical city and learn about the origins of the Kabballah, the famous rabbis that lived here, and artist community that remains.
Water Hike in the Jilaboon Hike along a stream in the Golan - an important tributary to the Sea of Galilee. Learn about the historic significance and the geological intricacies of the Golan.
Hamat Gader Relax in the natural hot springs along the Yarmuk River. Explore the ancient baths that date back to the second century.
Overnight: Kibbutz Merom Golan Guest House
Day 3: The People Who Made Modern Israel
Mitzpe Gadot Start the day with an overlook of the Hula Valley and learn about how the Zionist movement with the help of JNF transformed a swamp into fertile land. See a Syrian bunker that prior to 1967 served as a an outpost to fire at Kibbutzim below.
Hike down Mt. Arbel Lookout over the entire Galilee onto the Golan Heights and climb down the cliffs on the shores of the sea of Galilee, stopping to explore ancient caves along the way.
Travel to Tel Aviv
Independence Museum The site where David Ben Gurion declared the Independence of the State of Israel. Learn about the challenges and emotion of that historic moment.
Yitzhak Rabin Square Learn about the life & legacy of Israel's Former Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin. Israelis share with you their memories of his assassination and discuss the impact of his legacy on Israel.
Evening Walk through the Streets of Old Jaffa Stroll through the art galleries and eat some of Jaffa's famous humus.
Travel to Jerusalem
Overnight: Shalom Hotel - Jerusalem
Day 4: Yerushalayim shel Zahav - Jerusalem of Gold
Sataf Enjoy a leisurely hike through the JNF preserve on the outskirts of Jerusalem with many panoramic views.
Givat HaCampusim JNF Ecological activity in the forests outside of Jerusalem.
Old City of Jerusalem - Jewish Quarter Explore the vast history within the walls of the ancient city. Share in the legacy of Jewish life spanning generations.
Western Wall Visit the wall and leave a note of prayer. Continue on a walking tour of the Jewish Quarter of the Old City.
Western Wall Tunnels Visit the excavation of the Temple Mount hundreds of feet below the Old City.
Overnight: Shalom Hotel - Jerusalem
Day 5: Jewish Learning/Jewish Memory
Yad Vashem Israel's Holocaust Memorial on Mt. Herzl - Participants with relatives that are survivors share their stories. Israelis share the impact that the Holocaust has on their life in Israel. Learn about the collective and the individual ways that Holocaust memory is preserved in Israel.
Bikur Holim Community service activity at a local hospital in preparation for Shabbat.
Time for Shopping at the Jerusalem Pedestrian Mall
Kabbalat Shabbat Experience the uniqueness of Shabbat in Jerusalem. Enjoy a festive Shabbat meal & singing.
Overnight: Shalom Hotel - Jerusalem
Day 6: Mah Yafeh Hayom - Shabbat Shalom
T'filot/Worship Options
Discussion on Parashat Hashavua (Weekly Torah Portion)
Shabbat Lunch
Walking Tour of Jerusalem Neighborhoods
Havdallah
Travel South to the Dead Sea
Overnight: Masada Guest House
Day 7: Jewish Resistance and Persitence
Sunrise on Masada Hear the story of the heroic struggle of the Jewish People on Masada. Learn about the historical and contemporary significance.
Dead Sea Your chance to float in the Dead Sea - the lowest place on earth!
Sde Boker Visit the former home of David Ben Gurion, Israel's first Prime Minister. Learn about Ben Gurion and his passion for cultivating Israel's desert.
Desert Camel Trek On the back of a camel, enjoy the far reaches of the Negev desert.
Bedouin Hospitality Meal Enjoy a feast while learning about Bedouin life & culture.
Overnight: Ha'an Hashayarut Bedouin Tents
Day 8: Let the Desert Bloom...
Hike through the Natural Cliff Formations at JNF Ein Uvdat Preserve Learn about the ancient significance of this desert oasis, and prepare for a brief, but challenging ascent put of the gorge!
Rappelling in Machtesh Ramon - the largest naturally-formed crater in the world
Travel to Eilat
Um Rashrash Visit the site of the former Turkish outpost that would become the City of Eilat
Overnight: Kibbutz Eilot Guest House
Day 9: The Challenge of the Desert
Har Tzfachot Challenge yourself and work together as a group as you climb through the foothills of Israel's Southern Desert.
Swimming on the North Beach and relax on Eilat's famous Beach along the Red Sea.
Return to Jerusalem
Har Herzl Israeli peers lead you through Israel's military cemetery. They talk about the impact of army and war on their lives, and share stories of Israeli dignitaries, and of their own friends who are buried there.
Evening Cultural Program and Dinner
Overnight: Shalom Hotel - Jerusalem
Day 10: L'hitraot - Until We Meet Again...
Time to relax, shop, and say goodbye to friends
Final Discussion and Dinner
Return to the Old City and the Western Wall A chance to leave a final note of prayer and to see it again before you leave this special place.
Departure from Ben Gurion Airport - EL AL Flight 101 (12:05 a.m.)
Arrival to EWR (5:20 a.m.)
So that's the idea, it's going to be sweet. I need to make sure I get myself an extra memory card or two and an extra camera battery. I wonder if people bring chargers and stuff, and if so, should I bring mine, on the suggested packing list, it doesn't say anything about them, so I have no idea. All I know is I "can't" bring illegal drugs or alcohol, so I will just have to stock up the morning before leaving (just kidding mom).
Today's Entry:
Dubbelewed (pronounced Double-u-ed) - To over emphasize something odd/crazy/weird.
"To give that monkey a Humphery Bogart costume is a little strange, but to teach him to perform the entirety of Casablanca is just dubbelewed"
Well now it is really Halloween, and not only did I use my better openner yesterday, but I also used up most of my Halloween spirit on Friday (which I typed exhaustedly about yesterday). It's kind of sad really. Except for the Parade and the weekend before Halloween at various bars, you don't really see too much Halloween spirit around the city. I remember growing up, and people were in costumes all over the suburbs, but you walk around Manhattan, I didn't see a single person on the subway in costume, and maybe like 5 kids on the walk to work had costumes. I would hate being a kid and growing up in Manhattan, because I feel like my love of costumes would have gotten me picked on...more then I already was. Of course being an adult, you put in effort on a good/clever/funny costume, people priase you; so like everything else you may get picked on/made fun of for when you are younger, can only make you stronger and thusly better then everyone else as an adult. I just wish that the spirit were more alive in this city, and people wouldn't look at me funny just because I am walking around dressed as one of the Bratz.
Just kidding, but now you have a funny image in your head, either that or you have never felt sick to your stomach seeing toy commercials lately because you have no idea who the Bratz are.
But that is not why I am writing this post. I am writing this post because I finally heard back from Birthright, after waiting and worrying for so long. I mean why would have taken so long. I must have been one of the first people to complete signing up and send in my deposit, so the logistics would be that I would get my confirmation asap. Of course that was over a month ago. That's when I start to worry about why they haven't accepted me. Am I too handsome? Am I too cool? Am I too old? Am I too full of it? Maybe it's because of my sinister plans to [excerpt emitted for being far too wrong/not funny/probably get me in more trouble then make people laugh, but you can probably imagine what could have been put here]? Whatever the case, I was unreasonably worried...like a good Jew. Maybe they made me wait so as to bring out more of the Jew in me and prep me for the trip. Well the news finally came in last night, I am going on the trip. The dates of the trip are January 7th through January 18th, 2007, which is just the trip I wanted. I get to be around for the yet unplanned holidays, and before I am finally deflated into a sence of "Oh man, now I am going to be back at work for a while", I hop on a plane and disapear for 10 days, only to come back to work on a Friday, and then have another weekend to ease back into things at home (well I get home at 5am on thursday, giving me a full day to rest up post trip, so why waste the vacation day that friday when I could just spend my entire work day talking about my trip and not working). So yeah, needless to say, I am excited.
They haven't released my itinerary yet,
All times for arrival and departure are my exact times.
Departure
Departure from EWR (Newark) - EL AL 028 (1:30 p.m.) Check in at the Israir ticket counter (Terminal 4) at 10:30 a.m.
Day 1: Bruchim Habaim/Welcome to Israel
Arrival (6:45 am) Israeli participants welcome you. Together you travel south to the desert to begin your 10-day adventure on this incredible JNF Israel Adventure!
Travel North to the Galilee and Golan
Opening Ceremony at the JNF Swiss Forest Start off your trip with a ceremony at an overlook of the Sea of Galilee.
Check in and Relax at the Hotel
Har Bental Take a short hike to a peak of the Golan Heights, with an overview of the Israel/Syria border.
Orientation Program You and your Israeli peers begin to learn about each other and review the goals and highlights of the program.
Overnight: Kibbutz Merom Golan Guest House
Day 2: The Golan: Issues of Security and Ideology
Tzfat Wind through the blue-painted alleys of this mystical city and learn about the origins of the Kabballah, the famous rabbis that lived here, and artist community that remains.
Water Hike in the Jilaboon Hike along a stream in the Golan - an important tributary to the Sea of Galilee. Learn about the historic significance and the geological intricacies of the Golan.
Hamat Gader Relax in the natural hot springs along the Yarmuk River. Explore the ancient baths that date back to the second century.
Overnight: Kibbutz Merom Golan Guest House
Day 3: The People Who Made Modern Israel
Mitzpe Gadot Start the day with an overlook of the Hula Valley and learn about how the Zionist movement with the help of JNF transformed a swamp into fertile land. See a Syrian bunker that prior to 1967 served as a an outpost to fire at Kibbutzim below.
Hike down Mt. Arbel Lookout over the entire Galilee onto the Golan Heights and climb down the cliffs on the shores of the sea of Galilee, stopping to explore ancient caves along the way.
Travel to Tel Aviv
Independence Museum The site where David Ben Gurion declared the Independence of the State of Israel. Learn about the challenges and emotion of that historic moment.
Yitzhak Rabin Square Learn about the life & legacy of Israel's Former Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin. Israelis share with you their memories of his assassination and discuss the impact of his legacy on Israel.
Evening Walk through the Streets of Old Jaffa Stroll through the art galleries and eat some of Jaffa's famous humus.
Travel to Jerusalem
Overnight: Shalom Hotel - Jerusalem
Day 4: Yerushalayim shel Zahav - Jerusalem of Gold
Sataf Enjoy a leisurely hike through the JNF preserve on the outskirts of Jerusalem with many panoramic views.
Givat HaCampusim JNF Ecological activity in the forests outside of Jerusalem.
Old City of Jerusalem - Jewish Quarter Explore the vast history within the walls of the ancient city. Share in the legacy of Jewish life spanning generations.
Western Wall Visit the wall and leave a note of prayer. Continue on a walking tour of the Jewish Quarter of the Old City.
Western Wall Tunnels Visit the excavation of the Temple Mount hundreds of feet below the Old City.
Overnight: Shalom Hotel - Jerusalem
Day 5: Jewish Learning/Jewish Memory
Yad Vashem Israel's Holocaust Memorial on Mt. Herzl - Participants with relatives that are survivors share their stories. Israelis share the impact that the Holocaust has on their life in Israel. Learn about the collective and the individual ways that Holocaust memory is preserved in Israel.
Bikur Holim Community service activity at a local hospital in preparation for Shabbat.
Time for Shopping at the Jerusalem Pedestrian Mall
Kabbalat Shabbat Experience the uniqueness of Shabbat in Jerusalem. Enjoy a festive Shabbat meal & singing.
Overnight: Shalom Hotel - Jerusalem
Day 6: Mah Yafeh Hayom - Shabbat Shalom
T'filot/Worship Options
Discussion on Parashat Hashavua (Weekly Torah Portion)
Shabbat Lunch
Walking Tour of Jerusalem Neighborhoods
Havdallah
Travel South to the Dead Sea
Overnight: Masada Guest House
Day 7: Jewish Resistance and Persitence
Sunrise on Masada Hear the story of the heroic struggle of the Jewish People on Masada. Learn about the historical and contemporary significance.
Dead Sea Your chance to float in the Dead Sea - the lowest place on earth!
Sde Boker Visit the former home of David Ben Gurion, Israel's first Prime Minister. Learn about Ben Gurion and his passion for cultivating Israel's desert.
Desert Camel Trek On the back of a camel, enjoy the far reaches of the Negev desert.
Bedouin Hospitality Meal Enjoy a feast while learning about Bedouin life & culture.
Overnight: Ha'an Hashayarut Bedouin Tents
Day 8: Let the Desert Bloom...
Hike through the Natural Cliff Formations at JNF Ein Uvdat Preserve Learn about the ancient significance of this desert oasis, and prepare for a brief, but challenging ascent put of the gorge!
Rappelling in Machtesh Ramon - the largest naturally-formed crater in the world
Travel to Eilat
Um Rashrash Visit the site of the former Turkish outpost that would become the City of Eilat
Overnight: Kibbutz Eilot Guest House
Day 9: The Challenge of the Desert
Har Tzfachot Challenge yourself and work together as a group as you climb through the foothills of Israel's Southern Desert.
Swimming on the North Beach and relax on Eilat's famous Beach along the Red Sea.
Return to Jerusalem
Har Herzl Israeli peers lead you through Israel's military cemetery. They talk about the impact of army and war on their lives, and share stories of Israeli dignitaries, and of their own friends who are buried there.
Evening Cultural Program and Dinner
Overnight: Shalom Hotel - Jerusalem
Day 10: L'hitraot - Until We Meet Again...
Time to relax, shop, and say goodbye to friends
Final Discussion and Dinner
Return to the Old City and the Western Wall A chance to leave a final note of prayer and to see it again before you leave this special place.
Departure from Ben Gurion Airport - EL AL Flight 101 (12:05 a.m.)
Arrival to EWR (5:20 a.m.)
So that's the idea, it's going to be sweet. I need to make sure I get myself an extra memory card or two and an extra camera battery. I wonder if people bring chargers and stuff, and if so, should I bring mine, on the suggested packing list, it doesn't say anything about them, so I have no idea. All I know is I "can't" bring illegal drugs or alcohol, so I will just have to stock up the morning before leaving (just kidding mom).
Today's Entry:
Dubbelewed (pronounced Double-u-ed) - To over emphasize something odd/crazy/weird.
"To give that monkey a Humphery Bogart costume is a little strange, but to teach him to perform the entirety of Casablanca is just dubbelewed"