Sushi in Israel? Lama Lo? (why not?)

Warning- I am about to write the most boring blog post yet, but such is life as a student.

My second shabbat in Jerusalem was lovely. I went with some other HUC students to the Reform Synagogue by my apartment- Kol Haneshamah- and I actually understood more of the Hebrew than the week before, which was really exciting! I am beginning to understand more and more words in people's conversations (eavesdropping is totally ok if it's for educational purposes!) and I am trying to use more Hebrew when I'm out and about, although it is difficult when I look so American! maybe I should get rid the camera around my neck and neon fanny pack- just kidding! Anyways, back to the point of my story, after services we went to another HUC student apartment to have shabbat dinner. It was wonderful! Kelly, Carolan, and Andrew made a delicious salmon dinner and we pot-lucked the side dishes and it was so fun! Some people back home have been asking to see pictures of my friends here, so I've included one below! Carolan, Kelly, Lauren, and I on Ben Yehuda Street

Saturday, Kelly and I were expert greeters at HUC shabbat services. Fortunately we did not end up giving the tour we were planning on; which was a plus since we have been here for a week and only know one classroom and the restrooms! But we got to have parts in the service, which was exciting. Kelly got to read the prayer for our country (we were told that "our country" is different here! how crazy! sometimes it's so easy to forget we are in Israel!) and I dressed the Torah.

Sunday was another day at school. I am still getting used to being in class on Sundays, although it is really nice to be free on Fridays! We got our first tests back and I did really well, which was a nice confirmation that my Hebrew is getting better. Although Hebrew on paper is much different than Hebrew in person.

Sunday evening we went on a search for good sushi and japanese food in Jerusalem. Surprisingly, there are a lot of japanese restaurants here, which is great because I love sushi! We found a yummy restaurant in downtown Jerusalem. It is so nice to be able to order anything of the menu at a sushi restaurant, and not have to ask for no crab or shrimp or anything like that. Although there is a non-kosher restaurant down the street where you can have a bacon cheeseburger on shabbat, but it is definitely a minority.

i'm going to quit boring you all and get to studying for my Hebrew test! l'hitraot!