First Shabbat

We celebrated out first Shabbat in Israel! This first Shabbat was so super special because 1. it was our first one in Israel and 2. we went to the Kotel!!!! As soon as we got to the Old City, it was like I had never left from last year.  I walked right in alongside my friends and immediately began recognizing the shops and streets.  Then, we made our way to the place on the wall where it is "acceptable" for men and women to pray together.  This is where we held our very first Shabbat services as EIE Aviv '16.  Yes, I know so super cool.  Even though we were sitting freezing our butts off at the service (we sat on cold concrete steps ha ha) (not funny), the feeling of being at the wall for our first Shabbat was indescribable.  Post Shabbat services, we went to the other section of the Kotel where the men and the women have to be separated.  Let me paint you a picture, the men's side is a Gucci purse and the women's side is a satchel from Walmart.  If you aren't picking up what I'm putting down, the men's side of the wall is about double the size and quality as the women's (not even salty lol).  But that didn't diminish the great first of many Shabbats I will experience with my new, but already best friends. 

Honestly, seeing the men's side being so much bigger does kind of make me personally feel bad.  I understand that in traditional Judaism, it seems slightly out dated and misogynistic that the wall is still unequal.  Anat Hoffman, a known fighter for women's rights in Israel and leader of Women of the Wall, is an inspiration for me as a reformed Jewish woman.   

Hi everyone!! So as many of you know, I am studying in Israel with a program called NFTY-EIE for the spring semester of my junior year.  My plane landed at Ben Gurion Airport on Monday around 2:30pm Israeli time (so back on the East Coast it would be 7:30am).  However, not everyone from the program was there the first day due to many plane cancellations after the snowpocolypse.  Anyway, not a big deal the rest of the people arrived by Wednesday.  So, now we are all settled and together on Kibbutz Tzuba, our home for the next four months.  

Since we were waiting for people to arrive, we have not really done very much so far.  On Monday, since everyone was completely exhausted, we just did a couple ice breaker games with our fellow EIEers and then were free to go to bed.  Tuesday, we woke up and headed to breakfast.  Breakfast is pretty cool since it’s not the standard “pancakes and bacon”.  They serve many things, including salads with cucumbers and tomatoes (Israeli Salad), pita bread, and chocolate filled croissants.  After, we prepared some posters for some of the people arriving that day.  Lunch is also an interesting experience.  So far, I have basically eaten the same things for lunch and dinner.  I usually eat schnitzel, rice, and hummus.  I would say it’s excellent.  However, one of the nights we were served pizza with corn on it!! It was super weird; I would not say it’s my favorite.  

Wednesday, we were given an orientation to our classes.  First, we were placed into Hebrew classes.  The range of Hebrew skills is from fluent to not knowing anything.  We had our first Jewish History class Wednesday, too.  It seems pretty tough, but our teacher said as long as we put in a lot of effort we will be fine. :-)  We were given our general studies schedule and introduced to our teachers.  They all seem super nice and classes start on Thursday.  Sooooo excited (lol not)!!!!!!!!!

Well, everything is so super fun so far, and I am ecstatic to be here.  I have made so many new friends and memories already, and I cannot wait to make more!  I can’t wait to tell y’all (as my new Texas friend says) more and especially about our first trip, which is coming up soon!!

The idea of being surrounded by so many people just like me is surreal. I have never been in an area which is so densely populated by people that share and hold the same beliefs and values as me. The new things I have experienced within just the past couple days are countless, and I am sure they will only increase. The people here are great and I am so excited to continue with the rest of my adventures.

Shalom (for now :-)) ,

Amber Soffer