I was the first one up this morning, as always. It angered me how Josh and Sergio slept like logs instead of getting up and at it. It seemed arrogant to me. I davened Shacharit with Eldar, which was very special. We are all complaining about Sergio's rancid feet. The shock announcement came that they're collapsing one of the rooms, and Kirsh and ( Read more... )

Slept very late, by Nesiya standards. Sergio needs to shower, gravely. Our kiddush was nice, a lot of food but people weren't as ridiculously ravenous as they usually are, so we all got to have plenty. Then we went into the big room for a discussion of various views on Zionism and Israel from various historical Jewish authorities. I agreed most ( Read more... )

So this morning we went to the mountains on the outskirts of Jerusalem for a hike with Yishai, which the girls were excited about. The hike wasn't harsh, just HOT, and I was smart enough to have dressed in jeans (oops) which led to more fun. Tali and I complained about various things, which was fun. Then we arrived at a rest point and ran into an ( Read more... )

Tisha B'Av. David woke me up, and I hurriedly dressed (without shaving or washing), and ran downstairs. Technically, one should cover all mirrors on Tisha B'Av and not look in them, but, after a bit of decision, realised it was futile. I did brush my teeth, because I see no sin in THAT. We took taxis to a synagogue in Beer Sheva, and I was dismayed ( Read more... )

Woke up with the help of the Beastie Boys. Jamie tried to make us freeze dance for shaar, but nobody really cared enough to do it. We've had new misparei barzel numbers, which stupidly start at 74. I've decided Lea (David's Lea) does not like me very much. I'm not quite sure why. Ben sat near us at breakfast, and it was clear that really was ( Read more... )

After we stretched out for shaar, Uri told us in his small group that we'd be creating Sha'ar. He said I'd go tomorrow, but of course that's too soon, and I have absolutely no ideas, so I had to switch with Jamie. I went up to my room to daven Shacharit, and when I arrived in the breakfast room, all breakfast options had been eliminated, so I ( Read more... )

Packed up everything, got down a bit late to shaar, but no matter. Breakfast featured scary, drippy green eggs. We then went on to the Negev. I slept on the ride, and my ears hadn't popped from leaving the Jerusalem Hills, so when we arrived at the Bedouin Museum, I was dazed. The Bedouin kids were all together, almost entirely women. Eldar and I ( Read more... )

Slept until 10, choosing not to go to the 7:15 service with Rich. When I got upstairs the kids were gone. I ate breakfast (lots of milk...) with Rich and Sara, and we discussed the various food brachot, when they are applicable, and used them. We also discussed the possibility of me coming back to see them, and possibly bringing David, who wanted ( Read more... )

Woke up at 7:15, dressed, learnt how to say morning prayers (which is very useful). Then, went to shul. The service lasted until about 10:15, having started at 8. When I was younger, it always seemed twice as long. Now, I have more respect for the fact that it's not quite as bad as I used to think. It will, however, never cease to surprise me how ( Read more... )

Got up tired, and after shaar and breakfast, spent time planning the day with Zach S. The final announcement is that Eli (American) and Zach N. are being sent home. It makes me very sad for the both of them, I'll miss them tremendously. But, at the same time, I'm glad that the others are permitted to stay, though they are being guilted tremendously ( Read more... )