Just Whistle While You Work

And the winner is...laundry. Yep. That's right. I'm folding laundry for the next 5 months for the entire kibbutz; clothes, towels, sheets, tableclothes, name a scrap of fabric and I'll probably be folding it throughout my stay here. Actually, though, I've already had 4 days on the job and I have been entrusted with the illustrious job of distribuing as well. I like to think of it as a promotion of sorts, tho the pay is still the same. Here's more or less how it works. Every member of the kibbutz is assigned a number which goes on any article you want laundered. Some of my classmates are in the wash room part and they sort laundry by color and content and then put in/pull out from the washer and dryer. Once that's done, it's bro't over to my side and we are responsible for folding the items in such a way that the number is either visible or easily accessible so that the ladies who distribute can quickly determine it's home. Trust me, if you don't fold it right the first time you will the second as a nice woman who speaks to you as if you are fluent in Hebrew will show you what you did wrong! Once you have a cart full of nicely folded laundry it is taken to the distribution room that consists of shelving units divided into cubby holes with that oh so important number. The kibbutzniks pop in and out throughout the day and check their shelf to pick up any items that are ready.

The ladies that I work with are very nice and actually some do speak a little english. However, one in particular was insistent that all of them speak to me in Hebrew only so most of them comply. I appreciate this as it's the only practice I get for the moment. L-RD willing, I hope to make friends with the kibbutzniks here so I can expand my opportunities to practice and plus get to know the locals.

Kibbutz Tzuba is really beautiful. If you go to the top of a nearby hill that has a Crusaders fort ruin you can see the outskirts of Jerusalem. I am so amazed that G-d has allowed me this awesome opportunity. Thank you so much to all of you who have supported me in this dream. I love y'all and please keep sending emails!

Shalom!