more desert

Lianna and me in Eilat at the Red Sea


SABABA

Early in the hike...everyone is still happy!


Up up up!

NFTY water fun!

We kayaked in the Jordan River! This is Alison, another staff member and me!!!


We went banana boating too!! This is the staff boat! It was AWESOMEEEEEEEEEEEEE!! =)

NFTY digs Israel!

For four days, our camps split into chavayas or experiences. There was a culture one, tikkum olum (voluteering), Yom le Yom (hiking sea to sea), archaeology, and gadna (army).

I was in charge of archaeology for the four days (even though I signed up for all but that.) The kids had an incredible time for four days digging and finding ancient pottery and bones from 2000 years about near Beit Guvrin which is close to Kiriat Gat.


Our group in the bell caves!

Sunset at Neve Shalom.


Wasing off what they found.

After the last dig, bitter sweet. They were still happy!

NFTY made it to Israel!

Incredible sunset at Ma'ale Hachanmisha


Me explaining the finals of Birdie on a Perch to my campers.

Outside of the City of David and the water tunnels, which was so much fun!

Our group at the Wall!!!!!!!!

All over Europe

Outside Krakow castle with the famous dragon


Lunch relaxation in Warsaw

Saying bye to Rabbi Marcus!! =( He was AWESOME!!!

In the Krakow square with Hanan and Luba!

Ready for Europe!

NFTY office - ready for Session 2 to start!!!


We went to a hummus place in Jerusalem and I took a picture for Loren. They are making a hummus blog.

Some new friends, Julie, Rob, and Matt. It was our last dinner before flying to EUROPE tomorrow!!! The kids will arrive the next morning! It's going to be crazy, but very exciting!

Orientation

Orientation has been pretty intense. It's really long days and not a lot of sleep, particularly because I am still finishing this paper which is only on page 6. =(

But it's also a lot of fun and I am looking forward to going to Europe and meeting the kids in Munich! It's going to be awesome!

BUT, I miss Roi a lot and I wish he was here!

NFTY Orientation

I am in Jerusalem for orientation. I just arrived last night, and we start today at 11, which is in 5 minutes. My internet will be sporadic throughout the summer, but I will try to keep everyone posted on my progress and all the great adventures!

Birthday

Like so many previous birthdays, I spent my 25th birthday at the beach. 

Yesterday was my birthday. I am 25. I feel really old. Although I have never been one to follow traditional roles, it is hard to ignore them.  I think about having a real job and having kids, and even though I'm not really ready for those things, there are times when I want them. In a way it would be easier to follow normal roles, but I don't think I would be very happy. I don't know what I want. I know I want to travel and see as many different places and people as possible. I know I want to be with people I love and who love me and care about me. I know I want to be of some sort of benefit to the world and provide some sort of positive service to other people. But I still don't really know in what capacity I will be doing that.  Maybe I am suppose to know by the time I am 25, but then I see some people who decided and now they are miserable because they can't undue what they thought was right. So maybe not knowing is still okay.

It's hard to have a birthday far from home. But I got to talk to my family on Skype, and it was really nice. Also, Roi made my birthday really special. He's so so sweet.  I spent most of the day (after a birthday lunch with Maura) at the beach for the MAPMES going away party. We had a great time and I was with great friends. I will really miss them.

Our group at the beach!

Dinner with Grandma, Victor and Roi!

Beautiful.

The view from their room. The lovely Tel Aviv beach.

Too adorable.

Valparaiso and Grandma in Israel!

Ryan and I miss our moms!! I taught Ryan in my Sunday School class when he was 5 and now he's taller than me!

My grandma finally made it to Israel after many wars cancelling many attempts to get to the Holy Land!!

Vivian and Edie!!


Me and my grandma with Jerusalem in the background!

It was great that my grandma was here for our birthdays! Even though her just being here was a great present, she brought me a pair of beautiful white gold loop earrings!

Birthday cakes!

Cake one.

Cake two!!

So excitedddddddddddd!!!!


Everyone helped blow out the candles!!

Myrelle's 3rd birthday!

Myrelle is really good at opening presents!!!

Myrelle and her grandpa!!

Eythan and his grandma!!

Happy family! Obviously Semyon is more into the wine though!! ;-)

Article ranking BGU as the best university in Israel!! WOO HOO!

http://www.aabgu.org/media-center/news-releases/bgu-rated-best-university-in-israel.html

Jeff Seidel

Today was our last Jew Class. I will miss it. It was a nice open environment to discuss and learn. Penina and Shoshana were wonderful leaders. I will really miss them!

I finished another paper...one more to go, but I have a Hebrew final on Wednesday and a lot of things to get done, so I'm not sure how I will finish this last one, but I will.

My grandma is here, but I haven't had a chance to talk to her yet...still waiting!

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!