First day of Ulpan!

Today was my first day in Hebrew Ulpan (an intensive Hebrew course that we will be in for the next two months before we start the hard stuff). My roommates and I were so excited to get to class that we were ready to leave the apartment a full hour before we needed to. My earliness was partly due to the fact that I once again got up at 4am wide awake and starving. I am looking forward to being over jetlag! We took a leisurely walk across the street to a yummy coffee shop (there are about 5 to choose from on our block- Portlanders, it's ok to be jealous although it's not quite as good as stumptown, but cafe Aroma does give you a piece of chocolate with your drink).


Our first day was very relaxed, which was a good way to get back into the student routine! We had orientation and then a few hours of Hebrew- compared with the 6 hours that we will be having for the rest of the Ulpan. yes, 6 hours a day of only Hebrew. not to mention the Hebrew we speak outside of class. Yesterday I heard an American speaking English on the street and it was oddly settling. This was the first time that our Pre-Ulpan class was together, which is 8 of the 49 students who will be in Israel this year. Already we have a great vibe and had a lot of fun in class. I took some pictures on the way to school, and one of me at the front gates- mostly for my mom who wanted to see me on my first day of "rabbi school"!


Me at the park on the way to school. the lions are usually spitting water but it was too early in the boker (morning).



And this is me at the front gate to my school! those circles are the school's insignia. HUC's Jerusalem campus is enormous and beautiful, and I will try to post a lot of pictures as I spend more time around campus. On our campus tour today we all were very excited to be studying in such close proximity to the Old City of Jerusalem. The campus is in a very inspiring location and I can already tell that this is going to be an incredible year.