Tom Kenning

On Tuesday, after Hebrew I hopped on a bus to Jerusalem and met my awesome friend Tom and his friend Justin.  Tom taught with me last year at Portage High School.  We walked about the market place in the old city and I helped them buy some souvenirs for their sister/girlfriend/mom...etc...then we hiked up to the modern market with fruits and vegetables and candies, etc. and things for every day use. Then we went to Ben Yehuda Street and I taught them how to play backgammon. (and I lost both games...hmm...) We ate dinner at Rimon and had ice cream after. It was so nice to catch up and see such a great friend from the states!

Now they are heading to the Dead Sea, then Petra and then Cairo. They will have a really awesome trip!

Also, my grandma will be in Israel in three days!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Incredible! I can't wait for her to get here!!

Some of my beautiful friends with a beautiful Kinneret sunset!

Maura =)

Avi, Hannah, and Samara

Molly and May

Hannah, Elif, and Colby!

Golan Shabbat

Before Shabbat we hiked down to this beautiful waterfall and went for a dip. =) We also went kayaking, but do to obvious reasons of it being wet, I didn't have my camera. But it was so much fun!!

Sunset....jealous?

Relaxing on Shabbat. Hila kicked my butt!!!!!!!!

Israelis play this all the time. They just hit the ball back and forth, it's good exercise.

Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Erdogan has really done everything in his power to ruin relations with Israel, and he may have finally succeeded.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/01/world/middleeast/01turkey.html

Raid Jeopardizes Turkey Relations

By SABRINA TAVERNISE

Published: May 31, 2010

ISTANBUL — The Israeli commando raid Monday on an aid flotilla, which left at least nine Turkish citizens dead, has dragged relations between Israel and Turkey to a new low, political experts here say, threatening to derail diplomatic relations between two close American allies.

Turkey, a NATO member, has long been Israel’s closest friend in the Muslim world, with $3 billion in trade and strong ties between the countries’ militaries and governments. But relations began to deteriorate during Israel’s war inGaza, when Turkey’s prime minister, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, publicly sparred with Israel’s president, Shimon Peres, at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

Monday’s raid prompted street protests in Turkey and a strong official reaction, with Ankara recalling its ambassador from Israel, summoning Israel’s ambassador and canceling planned joint military exercises. That was enough to raise alarms among analysts here, who said it could seriously jeopardize already battered diplomatic relations between the countries.

“This will be perceived as a kind of declaration of war on Turkey,” said Cengiz Candar, a columnist for Radikal, a Turkish daily. “Political dialogue will cease. It’s not possible to contain the deterioration in relations anymore.”

But it was not yet clear how broad the implications would be. As of Monday evening, Israel’s Ambassador to Turkey had not been asked to leave the country, and Turkey’s foreign minister spoke by phone to Israel’s defense minister — evidence that, at least at some level, diplomatic channels remained open. The leaders of the two countries’ militaries also spoke by telephone, the Turkish military said.

A senior Turkish official, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly on the matter, said it was possible that Turkey would cut off diplomatic relations, but that it would depend on Israel’s next steps. Turkey expects the immediate release of the activists, the official said, as well as a strong apology from the Israeli government. Neither have been forthcoming, and there were reports late Monday that Israel had arrested some people from the ship.

A senior Israeli official said that it had tried for two weeks to persuade Turkey to stop the flotilla, but that Turkey said it was a non-governmental action that it was powerless to stop. Israel’s ambassador in Turkey, Gabi Levy, did not return a call for comment.

One wild card is Mr. Erdogan, a strong-willed former Islamist who is the driving force behind Turkey’s criticism of Israel and its policy toward the Palestinians. He has pushed a new foreign policy that has taken a more active role in the region, serving as mediator between Israel and Syria. But not all his efforts have been appreciated by the United States, like his recent attempt with Brazil to broker a nuclear deal with Iran.

In a press conference in Santiago, Chile, where he cut short a trip to return to Turkey, he called the raid “inhumane state terrorism,” and said that Israel’s contentions that there had been weapons on the ship were “lies.”

“This attack has clearly shown that Israeli government has no desire for peace in the region,” he said in remarks that were broadcast on Turkish television. But he also called for calm, saying that Jews in Turkey “are our citizens,” and adding that “I want my people to be very sensitive about this.”

The situation is difficult for the United States, which has close relations with both countries and is now in the awkward position of crafting a reaction that avoids alienating either side. Both the United States and Israel use Turkish air space for military exercises. The United States supplies the majority of its Iraq effort from a military base in southern Turkey.

Mr. Erdogan is seen favorably by many in Turkey’s small Jewish community. He encouraged the relationship with Israel, visiting in 2005 with a group of Turkish businessmen and becoming the first Turkish prime minister to visit the office of Turkey’s chief rabbi after a synagogue was bombed in 2003.

But when it comes to Hamas, which controls Gaza, they disagree. Israel views it as a terrorist group and focuses on its doctrinal commitment to destroy the Zionist state. Mr. Erdogan sees other aspects: Hamas began as a grass-roots Islamic movement, and like his own Justice and Development party, also Islamic-inspired, was democratically elected against overwhelming odds.

One Turkish tactic will be to try to garner international condemnation in order to change Israel policies toward Gaza, namely its blockade, Turkish analysts said. Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, flew to New York to spearhead Turkey’s efforts to call for a vote on the matter in the United Nations. Turkey became a member of the Security Council last year.

Mr. Candar views the future of relations grimly. The raid provoked outrage among the Turkish public, who thronged Istanbul’s Taksim square and the Israeli consulate, sentiment that Mr. Erdogan could capitalize on in national elections next year. The current governments in Israel and Turkey seem stuck in a cycle of hostility, and Mr. Candar does not see that changing.

The result, he said, is “a huge country of 72 million people that will be transformed into the main anti-Israel power in the region.”

Reporting contributed by Sebnem Arsu in Istanbul and Ethan Bronner in Washington.

Israeli mistakes

With the Gaza flotilla incident I think Israel made two mistake. They entered the ships in international waters. Secondly, they ended up killing 10 people, mostly Turks. Yes, I understand that the soldiers were attacked when they got on the ships, but I think the killing could have been avoided. They should have let the boats enter into Israeli water. Or even let them land like they did when the boats came two years ago. I understand that this greatly provoked the Israeli government, but I still feel that something else should have been done.  

This is a very bad incident and I'm very sad that so many people have been killed.  Turkey is also my home and I wish this incident did not occur.

There are a lot of problems in Israel, just like there are in many places in the world.

For my mom

So, my mom obviously enjoys taking pictures. She really likes taking pictures of the moon too. Sometimes we'll be at home, and my mom will see the moon and run and get her camera and leave my dad and I sitting in the living room wondering what happened.

Last night was a full moon. It was really beautiful. Roi and I played around with my camera and tried to take some pictures. Most of them we let in too much light into the camera. But a couple of the pictures were okay. My mom's are always much better!

Grandma!

My grandma is coming to Israel really soon! We're talking about plans and when and where and how to meet! It's so soon! I'm getting really excited! I can't wait to see her!!

Love you grandma!! xoxo!

Yom Ha'student

In Israel, towards the end of the year, they have a HUGE party for the university.  It celebrates the students, studying, etc.  It's really awesome. Of course I went. We danced and had a great time. To get an idea of how big it is, you can watch this video! There is a pool party the next day that was also great!

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=1348983122753

Tel Aviv to see the Northwest Indiana Jewish Federation

Sunset in Tel Aviv




Michael Steinberg, who is the head of teh NW Jewish Federation led a group to Israel and invited me to meet them for dinner. I was really excited to find out that I knew a lot of the group. Naomi, who was my Hebrew teacher when I was little, was there. And Rachel Stern, who is my foot doctor, and her husband. It was such a great dinner. Also, I met the shaliach for next year. She's really great. I am excited about what she'll do next year for our community!

Day in Jerusalem

Today my Conflict Resolution class went on a trip/tour of Jerusalem. I really learned a lot and took a ton of pictures which will be on Facebook, but they are mostly of borders and landscapes and probably look all the same. But I thought you don't get to see enough pictures of me, so here I am.

With al-Aqsa/Dome of the Rock in the background. I am standing on Mt. of Olives. It was a gorgeous day today in Jerusalem. (and obviously windy!)

Parade o babies.

At Kibbutz Naan they have a really cute traditions that all the babies who were born to people from the kibbutz get announced on Shavuot. So Yuval, Hila's husband, who grew up on the kibbutz went on stage with Carmel, with all the rest of the babies!

Yay Carmel!!

They announced her name!!!! The white dress she is wearing was made by her great-grandma for her mom! She looked great in it!

Throw your baby in the air!!!

Shavuot

For Shavuot (the holiday that celebrates the Jewish people receiving the Torah from Mt. Sinai) I went to Kibbutz Naan. It was really a nice little celebration and it was nice to see how the "natives" enjoy the holiday.

Yay for John Deer in Israel...it was like never leaving home.

People like to have their pictures taken in the fields. Shavuot is also a harvest holiday and about rebirth, so I guess it's appropriate. So I took Hila, her husband, and their little baby, Carmel's picture in the field.

All the children from the kibbutz put on a program, it was so cute. The colors were so beautiful with the fields in the background.

Photo contest winners.

Really beautiful pictures.

http://www.bgu4u.co.il/articles/article.aspx?ArticleId=1431

Couple of announcements.

Actually, I think just one announcement. I decided that I am going to take ulpan (Hebrew language) starting in October in  in Haifa, which is in the north, by WATER!!! It's about 3 hours north of where I live now, and Roi (by direct train). Which really isn't far, because it's a train and I can get things done during the ride, but it's far enough that I won't see him everyday (and he can study) and I will be forced to establish my own life and meet my own people. I have to be able to live and work here independently, then I can be with Roi.  Plus, it'll really help improve my Hebrew which was a major concern.  And it's only for college graduates between 22-35, so it's people who are my age, etc.  


http://www.jewishagency.org/JewishAgency/English/Aliyah/Absorpton+Options/Absorption+Centers/Haifa+15.htm


I was really anxious the past few weeks because I didn't really know what I was going to be doing when I first arrive back in Israel, but this really makes sense and I feel good about the choice.  I will be able to learn about a new part of the country. The ulpan is from 8-1 (5 hours a day) 5 days a week for 5 months. So I can get a part time job in the afternoon/evenings.  

Also, I got a lot of mail this week, from my grandma and from Nelly and my mom and sister...I love mail. Thanks for thinking about me!!

Michaels Creative Moms!!

This is the correct link to vote for my mom!! http://apps.facebook.com/creativemom/profile.php?id=1254&page=1&search=paula+wiese

She needs a lot of votes to win! She is doing great so far! So keep voting! You can vote once a day until the contest ends!!

How she is creative:
Growing up a child doesn't always realize that their mother is creative. They just enjoy getting homemade cards, drawings on their lunch bag, custom made Beanie Baby holders, sewn Halloween customs, and love to help creating bunny shaped Easter cakes, crafting Hanukkah menorahs from clay, and constructing Thanksgiving hat place cards out of small plant pots. These are just a few creative things my sister and I got to enjoy as a part of our everyday lives. Now that we are both out of the house, my mom uses her creativity in other ways. She established the "Empty Bowls Project" at her high school where she is an art teacher. The faculty teaches the students in Art Club to make bowls using a potter's wheel, and then all the students make bowls that are going to be sold at the big event. The bowls are sold for $10 each and include a bowl of hot soup that is donated from local church groups. (Panera Bread donates bread and Starbucks donates coffee.) The whole community is involved: students, churches, businesses, and non-for-profits. This year, they even brought in a women's quartet group to sing while people enjoyed their meal. The bowls are there not just to be purchased as beautiful artwork, but also as a reminder that there are many people in the community who do not have food to fill their bowls. This was the third year of the "Empty Bowls Project" and they raised over $1500 for the local food pantry. My mom is an incredible woman who always puts others before her. She puts so much time and effort into this creative and giving project, but does not see a bit of sweat because she is so passionate about the cause. When I was younger she told me that she had to be an art teacher because it was the only profession that she could have fun, be different, and be creative every day. The best part of growing up is realizing how blessed I was to have a mother who truly could make nothing into something beautiful, or a lump of clay into a philanthropic extravaganza.

Nothing exciting!!!!

So...I was a little sick this weekend, sore throat and pretty dizzy and really tired, I'm not sure what all those symptoms are about, but it made it pretty difficult to study. Despite that, I got some work done.  I turned in my article summary for historiography and I did some Hebrew, although, not as much as I should!

Also, I really started to get going on my paper for International Conflict Resolution.  I am writing about female suicide bomber and how they have impacted Israeli Palestinian relations.  Always uplifting topics when writing a Middle East studies masters...always......

And...Happy Mother's Day to everyone who is lucky enough to have children!! Today is Katie's first Mother's Day and of course my mom's first Mother's Day as a grandma!! It's really a wonderful day to everyone!! I wish I  could be there with them, especially because I bet my dad is grilling!! MMMMMMMM!!!

Boo

Just doing homework..this sucks. =(

Vote for my mom!

Vote for my mom!! http://apps.facebook.com/creativemom/profile.php?id=1254


It is a contest from Michaels for being the most creative mom and my mom could win $1000!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 


I don't know about the photo contest yet, but I heard 1200 people voted! CRAZY! So they are taking a lot longer than they thought to tally the votes.  There is no way I won. But I will let you know when the results are in! 


I ate a Toblerone today, it was delicious! Just thought you should know! 


ANDDDDDDDDDDD...a bird pooped on me today!!! On the strap of my backpack!! I thought i wasn't in Istanbul anymore!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This is the 3rd time in my life that I have been pooped on!! At least Mandy and Sevgi weren't here to laugh at me this time!! JK!! I wish they were!!!!!!!!!! 

I love this quote.

I will not play at tug o' war. I'd rather play at hug o' war, Where everyone hugs Instead of tugs, Where everyone giggles And rolls on the rug, Where everyone kisses, And everyone grins, And everyone cuddles, And everyone wins.

Jack in another Israeli onesie!!