Since it’s the week of Pesach, life at the ulpan has slowed to a subtle crawl. Many of the students are away celebrating with friends and family either somewhere in Israel, or for the Europeans, London, Paris, Italy, and Berlin. I celebrated Pesach Seder with this nice British family who I met through friends. During these last few weeks, I have been attempting to identity with the upcoming holiday. Truth be told, I didn’t have to search too far. I haven’t felt this free in such a long time. Grant it, it’s rather liberating living one day at a time and studying Hebrew. The hardest decision is where to eat for lunch. The above mention just means I’m lazy and without problems; it doesn’t mean I’m truly free, which is the real meaning of Pesach; the liberation of Egyptian slavery for G-d’s chosen few, the Jews. I am free this year because I don’t have to explain my Judaism to anyone. Last year I had to beg my boss for the 1st 2 days of Passover off. Even though I had plenty of vacation time, I was almost forced to work the 1st two days of chag. It became quickly apparent that I had no future with that company and my patience for life outside of Israel had worn very thin. I will never again feel like an outside when I walk down the street with a kippah (yarmulke) on the top of my head. Issues like these don’t exist in a free Jewish state like Israel, but then again Israel exists because we will never allow the world to turn its back on the Jewish people, NEVER AGAIN. I am blessed to be living in Jerusalem where I can explore Judaism freely with other young Jews my own age.
Over the last few days, I’ve been engaged in more raw, real, intimate conversations with the few students remaining her at Ulpan. In trying to put my finger on the international pulse of Etzion, I have realized some stark, harsh realities about how the world views the United States and its citizens. People whole heartedly acknowledge the amazing gifts the United States have given the World: Madonna, loads of cash in the form of strings attached grants, Levi jeans, and Coca-Cola. However our recent follies in Iraq, the falling dollar, and the image of the obese, lazy, tv dinner eating American trumps all the medical, technological, educational, and theatrical advancements we have produced since our empirical rise shortly after World War II. In talking to some friends from France, Argentina, and Russia, the World really despises us. There is a lot of merit in their blunt, brutally honest criticism of my native land. Our economy is in the middle of a downward, adjustable mortgage interest rate spiral, the dollar is weak, our army is mired in Iraq, and Iran is thumbing its nuclear nose at us. I couldn’t argue with any of these facts, even though it kills me to admit fault and imperfection, but doesn’t every country have issues? We have done so much for the World, probably as much as the Roman Empire had done to the known world during the height of Pax Romana. I shouldn’t have to remind my American readers, but for those few ignorant Europeans who fail to remember a world before the Euro: we liberated Europe no more than 63 years ago, spent countless millions of dollars in rebuilding her, and then spent the next 50 years and countless billions of dollars defending Europe from Soviet aggression. So many medical advancements and scientific research have been accomplished by the United States. We created: the internet, Hollywood (long before WWII), and the first modern democracy/republic. I feel as though much of world not only hopes for the failure of America, each individual country is licking their chops to be the next global super power. The world has benefited so much from our creation, invention, and ideas. Can someone show us a little fuckin gratitude??
I’m not even talking about the Arab world, which despite their oil, I couldn’t give a shit about. I’m talking about Central & Southern America, Europe, and Asia, which for years loved American dollars, the free market trade, and U.S./NATO protection against countless security threats. I have come to the conclusion that the world is a whore who will screw your brains out for a cost, and then screw you over the first chance something better comes around. I don’t know if America’s dominance has climaxed, but let this be a warning to those jealous, brazen new kids on the block: Brazil, China, India, and the E.U: what comes around goes around, and you too will be loved and then left.
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Duck and Cover
Shalom Kulom,
All is well here live from Jerusalem.
Lately, I have been finding myself connecting to the American, British, and larger Anglo-speaking community in Israel and greater Jerusalem. Thanks to my friend Richard, from Manchester/London, I have been introduced to many, new lovely English speaking Israelis, most olim chadashim. It's a breath of fresh air to be surrounded by native English speakers many of whom are highly observant. Over the last few Shabbatot, I haven’t had to explain my observant lifestyle nor have I had to explain, interpret, or translate my thoughts and ideas into Hebrew. It’s a pleasant distraction from my non-stop Hebrew speaking, learning environment.
As previously noted, many of my new acquaintances are religious which provide a nice, different reassuring atmosphere. With all due respect, this is Israel and Jerusalem of all places, where it seems most Jews are dati (observant) to some extent. However, at Ulpan Etzion, that’s just simply not that case. I have had to explain, defend, or fight for my religion at every junction so far. I thought living here would finally offer me a chance to be among Jews who understood Judaism. Instead of being comfortable on Shabbos, I am made to feel like the outsider. I have consistently met road blocks in regards to people :watching the football match on tv during Shabbat dinner, listening to loud music, running computers, playing guitars and pianos in public areas such as the Heder Ochal (dinning room area), and people who fail to acknowledge the sanctity of Kiddish by refusing to stand and wait for us to eat. I am having nightmare like visions of trying to keep my room and general living quarters kosher for Peasch, which require even stricter standards during the 7 or 8 day upcoming holiday.
Now most would say, “David it’s unfair, unreasonable, and borderline offensive to expect others to conform to your religious standards. Israel is a democracy and religion is a free choice.” I couldn’t agree more with those statements. I wasn’t always shomer Shabbat. There was a very distinct time a few years ago when I would drive on Shabbat, turn lights on, and watch the Sox game on Friday nights.
However, I always respected and even elevated my personal religious behavior around those more observant so as to not offend anyone. Is it absurd to expect the same in Jerusalem of all places? I can’t nor would want to control what others do in the privacy of their own rooms, but there must be a code of conduct in public ulpan areas. I beg those around, out of common respect not for me but for themselves and their own Jewish history, to be more thoughtful before they answer a cell phone, play their trumpet, or watch Eyes Wide Shut in common areas during Shabbos.
In other news, I spent last Shabbat, compared to most of my other ones, on a beautiful religious kibbutz up north in Bet Shean. I couldn’t get over just how peaceful life seemed for the members. The kibbutz was filled with some of the most gorgeous vegetation, colorful tress and plants I had never seen before. I could see myself retiring or even raising a family on one of these kibbutzes. Families feel comfortable to allow their children to play outside in the countryside, leave their doors open on Shabbat so neighbors can visit, and leave the windows unlocked at nights. Kibbutzism are no longer a hippy commune-fest but rather a serious adventure in free capitalism enterprise with various precise industries. If you're interested in learning more about the kibbutz movement, which many believe helped build Israel up from the ground during the early days of the county between 1880-1930; feel free to visit the wikipedia link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kibbutz
As previously mentioned, this Saturday at sundown marks the beginning of Pesach or Passover, the Jewish holiday commemorateing the Israelite’s mass exodus from the Egyptian slavery into our desert freedom. I have already purchased my kosher for Passover food/health supplies, which were so much easier this year, and I will begin cleaning my room in search of chametz (forbidden bread products) tomorrow. For more information on Passover/Pesach, please feel free to visit the wikipedia site for holiday details : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Passover. With the next two weeks off from school, I hope to study more, see a few movies, catch up on my non-Hebrew reading, and visit some museums. More details to follow as the holiday comes closer!
Last week, in preparation for any potential national emergency, we had an air raid drill. Yes, you read my words correctly. We had a fuckin air raid! For some of my older readers, you may or may not remember the good old duck and cover air raid drills under your school desk in the 1950's and 1960's. Apparently, this was the only civil deterrence we had against Soviets if they every decided to drop “the big one” on the U.S. We had an army spokeswoman inform us what to do in case of an “Earthquake,” but we all knew what they meant: Syrian and Iranian missile attacks which may or may not include chemical, nuclear, or biological warfare. Don’t worry; the government hopes to disperse gas masks to the entire civilian population by 2010. Welcome to Israel!
Chag Samech everyone,
David
All is well here live from Jerusalem.
Lately, I have been finding myself connecting to the American, British, and larger Anglo-speaking community in Israel and greater Jerusalem. Thanks to my friend Richard, from Manchester/London, I have been introduced to many, new lovely English speaking Israelis, most olim chadashim. It's a breath of fresh air to be surrounded by native English speakers many of whom are highly observant. Over the last few Shabbatot, I haven’t had to explain my observant lifestyle nor have I had to explain, interpret, or translate my thoughts and ideas into Hebrew. It’s a pleasant distraction from my non-stop Hebrew speaking, learning environment.
As previously noted, many of my new acquaintances are religious which provide a nice, different reassuring atmosphere. With all due respect, this is Israel and Jerusalem of all places, where it seems most Jews are dati (observant) to some extent. However, at Ulpan Etzion, that’s just simply not that case. I have had to explain, defend, or fight for my religion at every junction so far. I thought living here would finally offer me a chance to be among Jews who understood Judaism. Instead of being comfortable on Shabbos, I am made to feel like the outsider. I have consistently met road blocks in regards to people :watching the football match on tv during Shabbat dinner, listening to loud music, running computers, playing guitars and pianos in public areas such as the Heder Ochal (dinning room area), and people who fail to acknowledge the sanctity of Kiddish by refusing to stand and wait for us to eat. I am having nightmare like visions of trying to keep my room and general living quarters kosher for Peasch, which require even stricter standards during the 7 or 8 day upcoming holiday.
Now most would say, “David it’s unfair, unreasonable, and borderline offensive to expect others to conform to your religious standards. Israel is a democracy and religion is a free choice.” I couldn’t agree more with those statements. I wasn’t always shomer Shabbat. There was a very distinct time a few years ago when I would drive on Shabbat, turn lights on, and watch the Sox game on Friday nights.
However, I always respected and even elevated my personal religious behavior around those more observant so as to not offend anyone. Is it absurd to expect the same in Jerusalem of all places? I can’t nor would want to control what others do in the privacy of their own rooms, but there must be a code of conduct in public ulpan areas. I beg those around, out of common respect not for me but for themselves and their own Jewish history, to be more thoughtful before they answer a cell phone, play their trumpet, or watch Eyes Wide Shut in common areas during Shabbos.
In other news, I spent last Shabbat, compared to most of my other ones, on a beautiful religious kibbutz up north in Bet Shean. I couldn’t get over just how peaceful life seemed for the members. The kibbutz was filled with some of the most gorgeous vegetation, colorful tress and plants I had never seen before. I could see myself retiring or even raising a family on one of these kibbutzes. Families feel comfortable to allow their children to play outside in the countryside, leave their doors open on Shabbat so neighbors can visit, and leave the windows unlocked at nights. Kibbutzism are no longer a hippy commune-fest but rather a serious adventure in free capitalism enterprise with various precise industries. If you're interested in learning more about the kibbutz movement, which many believe helped build Israel up from the ground during the early days of the county between 1880-1930; feel free to visit the wikipedia link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kibbutz
As previously mentioned, this Saturday at sundown marks the beginning of Pesach or Passover, the Jewish holiday commemorateing the Israelite’s mass exodus from the Egyptian slavery into our desert freedom. I have already purchased my kosher for Passover food/health supplies, which were so much easier this year, and I will begin cleaning my room in search of chametz (forbidden bread products) tomorrow. For more information on Passover/Pesach, please feel free to visit the wikipedia site for holiday details : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Passover. With the next two weeks off from school, I hope to study more, see a few movies, catch up on my non-Hebrew reading, and visit some museums. More details to follow as the holiday comes closer!
Last week, in preparation for any potential national emergency, we had an air raid drill. Yes, you read my words correctly. We had a fuckin air raid! For some of my older readers, you may or may not remember the good old duck and cover air raid drills under your school desk in the 1950's and 1960's. Apparently, this was the only civil deterrence we had against Soviets if they every decided to drop “the big one” on the U.S. We had an army spokeswoman inform us what to do in case of an “Earthquake,” but we all knew what they meant: Syrian and Iranian missile attacks which may or may not include chemical, nuclear, or biological warfare. Don’t worry; the government hopes to disperse gas masks to the entire civilian population by 2010. Welcome to Israel!
Chag Samech everyone,
David
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)