Mountains, Seas, and Waterfalls

The past few days have been something else. We just passed the one month mark here and it's clear to see that the relationships we've all formed together are changing. We're not just 33 people from around the world who happen to have this program in common. We've bonded and discovered that everyone here is unique and can bring something special to the table. However, with this newfound closeness, we're also discovering that it's hard to live together for such a long time. This week in particular, there have been more arguments and more drama than during the entire rest of the program. You would think that a good teambuilding experience would solve the problem, but our hike up Masada, while beautiful, did little to alleviate the stress. Our subsequent trip down to the Dead Sea also did little to ease tensions. Even though our day was packed with beautiful experiences, tempers were still high and many people went to bed cranky.

Shabbat was what brought the change. I led our morning service and it was very easy to tell that at the beginning, the group was apprehensive about sitting and singing together. But, by the end, the mood had changed and friends begrudgingly put their arms around one another for the closing song. Things still weren't one hundred percent back to normal though. That took something different. In the middle of the day, we went on a hike through the Ein Gedi Nature Reserve on the Wadi David trail. What started as trekking across dry desert rock slowly became wading through a fresh water stream. We followed the path until we came to a beautiful waterfall. 

Now, if you've never seen the people you're close to play under a waterfall, then you are missing out on a beautiful experience. After a brief pause, everyone ran into the pool to be close to and under the waterfall. Stress visibly melted away, swept under our feet by the roaring waterfall. Friends were laughing together, yelling and singing together, and throwing their arms around each other for pictures. Heads tilted back, everyone wore huge smiles that had seemed absent the week before. The hike back was joyous and exuberant and the bus ride back to our youth hostel showed the change in atmosphere perfectly. 

The next day we said goodbye to one another as we left to spend Sukkot with host families. People shouted out, "I'll miss you!" with the utmost sincerity, even though we were only going to be apart for a day and a half. It was clear that the trouble of the previous week had left us. So if you're ever having a bad day, or a bad week, take the people you love to your own waterfall, whatever that means to you. It's amazing what a waterfall can do. 

Wandering in the Desert

First off, Shanah Tova!
It's been a while since the last post, but there's a good reason, I promise. School keeps me busy and regular life is jam packed, but for the last 5 days, we have been in the south of Israel around Eilat and the Jordanian border for our desert experience. On Shabbat we spent the night in a Beduin tent after spending the day at various agricultural sites learning how the desert has been tamed to support farms and villages. On Saturday, we began with camel rides and services led by yours truly, and then it was off to learn about bee-keeping, another thriving industry in the desert. The day ended with a brief swim in the Red Sea and then we spent the night in a youth hostel overlooking Eilat. Monday morning began with the sunrise and a hike up Mount Tzfachot. Then came snorkeling in the Red Sea and relaxation and Erev Rosh Hashanah services at Kibbutz Yahel, south of Eilat. Monday brought the holiday and a completely free day at Yahel, which was a blessing. Today, we woke up early to hear a seminar about the relatively new emergence of Judaism in West Africa, which you can learn more about by looking up William Miles, proffessor of political-science at Northeastern University, and what he has to say on the topic. We spent the rest of the day learning about agriculture and how to be environmentally sustainable in the desert at Kibbutz Lotan. Finally, I am writing this from the bus back to Kibbutz Tzuba. We spent 3 hours driving through a sandstorm/thunderstorm/lightning/rainstorm and I cannot be happier to be going back to Jerusalem.
Chag Sameach and Shanah Tova to everyone!

Spiritual Moments

It has been a long, tiring week. It was our first week of classes and tiyyulim (field trips). The days are ridiculously long and when you have homework in every class, the days get even longer. But my one saving grace this week is that I am now a member of our T'fillah committee. This means that for the rest of the semester, a few others and I are responsible for planning and leading all the services we have during the week. Last night and this morning were our first attempts, and tonight we have our first teen led Havdallah. The responses have been really positive and I can't wait to help create more spiritual moments here on EIE. Shabbat Shalom!