Shabbat and the 4th of July!

Yom Huledet Sameach America!

Shabbat for me started off with a dinner with a tour group from the Boston JCRC- an inferfaith group that came to Israel to learn together. It was a beautiful shabbat experience. I never thought I would say this, but I had the most spiritual Shabbat so far in a room full of non-Jews. Imagine that! I have already mentioned how I love hearing people's first time Israel experiences, but combine that with a non-Jewish perspective and it made for great conversation.

Shabbat morning I attended services at HUC led by the new Year in Israel Director Rabbi Yoshi Zweiback. The service was complete with a rousing rendition of Adon Olam sung to the tune of "America the Beautiful". After services, I came home and had some much deserved Shabbat Menucha (rest) in the form of a 4 hour nap. In the evening, we gathered in the garden at HUC overlooking the old city to celebrate the 4th of July. It was very interesting to celebrate America's independence (and, independence of all kinds) while looking at the walls of the old city and the tower of David. 4th of July is one of my favorite holidays, and I was unsure that it would measure up while in Israel. However, even though it was very different from those in years past, it was very enjoyable.

Motzei Shabbat (Saturday night) was also very fun. We went to the grand opening of a new bar called "mike's kitchen" which was supposedly mexican food, although I saw hamburgers and chicken wings with Israeli beer on tap- but there was talk of enchiladas. More of the Year in Israel Students are arriving and it has been very fun to get to know everyone. However, it is a little difficult since 8 of us are in class and the rest of the students are off having fun late into the nights- but once official classes start things will even out. This is the last week of Pre-Ulpan, and then we have a few days of break before Orientation and regular Ulpan.