Yesterday I visited Jericho, Ramallah and Bethlehem. We had a Palestinian guide. I took notes so here goes some random thoughts and information. First facts. You can tell which were the Jewish settlements because there were many succahs in the balconies. Hebron is the biggest city in the West Bank. Israel controls 60% of the… Read More West Bank

Went on a tour of Hebron. For those of you who are concerned, I was in a bullet proof bus. The tour was sponsored by the settlers in Hebron as a fund raiser. On the way to Hebron we stopped at Rachel’s tomb. The way into Rachel’s tomb has a high wall on each side… Read More Hebron

On Sunday morning I took the bus to Raanana to visit my cousins. They put up a really nice succah which I got to eat in. I learned more about what it means to live in an Orthodox home. I enjoyed getting to know my family better and look forward to other visits. On Tuesday,… Read More Raanana and Tel Aviv

Being here for the holidays is truly amazing. Very different than being in the states. On erev Yom Kippur, everything became very quiet, no cars to be seen anywhere. People go out and purposefully walk in the streets. I went to a Masorti shul that was an easy walk from my apartment. They had a… Read More Jerusalem 

On Thursday evening I got to go to an Indian music concert. My landlords’ daughter plays the bakla (Indian drum). The center was just down the street from my place and on the same block as Netanyahu’s house. They have the street blocked to vehicle traffic but we just walked through after telling the guard… Read More Shabbat Shalom

On the second day of Rosh Hashanah I went to a conservative shul within easy walking distance. There was a cantor who led most of the service little participation by congregants. There was more English so I was able to follow along. Not a very welcoming place. However they do allow visitors for Kol Nidre.… Read More Back in Hebrew school

Had a really wonderful day. Went to Ma’ayanot for services. They were all in Hebrew which made it a little difficult at times but my neighbors helped me find the place in the Matzor. Found out where Nehama learned the melody for Aleinu. After I was invited to join a group for lunch. They all… Read More 1st day Rosh Hashanah

I have made contact  with someone at a synagogue called Ma’ayanot. Even though it is modern orthodox it has an equalitarian minyan. I am planning on going there for Rosh Hashanah services tomorrow. Erev Rosh Hashanah services are very short, 30 minutes, in Israel so I skipped them since it is not that easy for… Read More L’shana tova tikatevu v’techatemu

I arrived in Jerusalem on Monday night. I spent my first day, Tuesday, unpacking and going grocery shopping. The markets are mostly small stores that have no fresh produce, etc.  The supermarkets are bigger but nothing like the ones we have. Produce and meats are limited. Things are identified in Hebrew with little or no… Read More In Jerusalem