Tonight is the 8th night of the celebration of Chanukah. Yesterday I had the opportunity to attend the unveiling of the new temporary home of the Temple Institute’s Temple Menorah. The menorah was created approx. 8 years ago according to the strict regulations given forth in the Torah and other Jewish sources; thus, the menorah is kosher for service in the future 3rd Temple. The location is just off the staircase that leads from the Western Wall to the Jewish Quarter of the Old City. (Visit http://www.templeinstitute.org/ for more information regarding it and other vessels for Temple worship.)
I decided to attend this unveiling. True to Israeli culture it didn’t start when stated and as I had arrived early I had time to go and pray at the Kotel (Western Wall). While there my thoughts turned to Chanukah and I was struck by the fact that I was in the country where the miracle that we were commemorating actually took place. And not only was I in the country but the city and I was actually standing a relatively short distance from the actual location of the sanctuary where the temple menorah stood and the miracle occurred. To add to that I had an actual visual of what the menorah looked like as I had just seen it the week before in the Cardo and we were about to rejoice in the progression of the new menorah to its destined location. Oh, that you could hold on to understandings and awe like that for a little longer.
Saturday, December 15, 2007
Saturday, December 1, 2007
Mazel Tov!
As I mentioned earlier, apparently in Israel whenever one has good news to share, whether it directly affects the sharer or not, the listeners heartily rejoice in the good news with that person - so I want to share with all of you the good news of my brother's wedding that is going to take place in approx. 4 hours from the writing of this blog - I am so excited for him and his fiance. Proverbs says that he who finds a wife, finds good. So I rejoice with my beloved brother in his having found good and with my new sister-in-law in having been found. While distance separates me from physically being there my rejoicing is no less diminished in your shared good and desire for the richest of blessings on your new life together - let the adventure begin! Mazel Tov!!
About Kibbutz Tzuba
Kibbutz Tzuba was founded by young families just after the State of Israel was reestablished in 1948. One lady that I met recently is a child of one of the founders of the kibbutz. She has lived here most of her life and is now raising a son here. Dorit also has lived all but 4 years or so of her life on the kibbutz. Her parents arrived just after the kibbutz was started so aren’t considered founders but are definitely long-time members. The kibbutz has fruit orchards; vineyards; olive groves; a hotel; a glass factory that manufactures bulletproof glass (and I found out recently, they also produce dishware from the leftover glass products which are used in the hotel as well as sold to the public); dairy farm (this is located at another kibbutz as they share this endeavor with a few other kibbutzim); chicken barn; auto-mechanic shop; beauty shop; small clothing store; small grocery store; post office; pub; conference rooms; amusement park/game room for young children complete with a petting zoo; furniture store; gift shop; community dining hall; laundry room (where yours truly hangs out 3 days a week); and other ventures that I can’t think of at the moment. When Kibbutzim where first created it was with the idea of a socialist mentality - that everything would be shared on the kibbutz including cars, phones, etc. Nowadays, many are beginning to privatize which includes Kibbutz Tzuba so members are beginning to have to pay for certain services, albeit at a very minimal price.
To become a member of a kibbutz is a bit of a process. You must go through a medical examination of sorts to ensure your mental and physical health; have references; live on the kibbutz on a trial basis for two years in which you work at different jobs on the kibbutz in order for the members to get to know you and for you to familiarize yourself with the kibbutz and its members. After this trial period the kibbutz members will vote on your status to determine if you can become part. I guess if you don’t ‘pass’ you have to look elsewhere to live! I was informed that currently Tzuba is not accepting families due to lack of space. (I believe each kibbutz sets up its regulations independently so this information is specific to Tzuba.)
A kibbutz is its own small town community where everyone knows everyone else and everyone else's business! Being small town girl myself, I rather enjoy the camaraderie shared among the members. One of the reasons I like where I work in the folding department is that you get to see the people of the community come in and out and greet one another, ask about family, the latest news and share in each others' good. Talma, one of my co-workers, just celebrated the birth of a granddaughter and Mazel Tov's were heard all day! One other interesting and different factor, at least from what I've observed here, is how involved the father seems to be publicly with their children. Everywhere you see dads with kids on their shoulders, holding their hand, pushing the stroller, feeding the kids in the dining hall. I guess this is something notable to me coming from my work with children whose fathers were absent, imprisoned or just didn't want to be bothered. For me, it's a really powerful scene.
To become a member of a kibbutz is a bit of a process. You must go through a medical examination of sorts to ensure your mental and physical health; have references; live on the kibbutz on a trial basis for two years in which you work at different jobs on the kibbutz in order for the members to get to know you and for you to familiarize yourself with the kibbutz and its members. After this trial period the kibbutz members will vote on your status to determine if you can become part. I guess if you don’t ‘pass’ you have to look elsewhere to live! I was informed that currently Tzuba is not accepting families due to lack of space. (I believe each kibbutz sets up its regulations independently so this information is specific to Tzuba.)
A kibbutz is its own small town community where everyone knows everyone else and everyone else's business! Being small town girl myself, I rather enjoy the camaraderie shared among the members. One of the reasons I like where I work in the folding department is that you get to see the people of the community come in and out and greet one another, ask about family, the latest news and share in each others' good. Talma, one of my co-workers, just celebrated the birth of a granddaughter and Mazel Tov's were heard all day! One other interesting and different factor, at least from what I've observed here, is how involved the father seems to be publicly with their children. Everywhere you see dads with kids on their shoulders, holding their hand, pushing the stroller, feeding the kids in the dining hall. I guess this is something notable to me coming from my work with children whose fathers were absent, imprisoned or just didn't want to be bothered. For me, it's a really powerful scene.
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Meeting the Locals
I haven't written in a while as I don't know what to type – we’ve settled into a routine more or less and I don't have many news breaking stories to share. I think part of my delay is that I try to write well which takes longer so I'm just going to wing it and post so y'all will at least have more frequent updates! Aunt Becky - please excuse any grammatical errors!
2 weeks ago Shabbat was very nice as I was introduced to a family on the kibbutz who “adopted” me – the woman is from England and is both an English teacher and also writes textbooks. Her husband is from Finland (or Norway?) and they have 4 children, 3 are grown and the youngest is almost 13. The host mother wanted an English speaker in order to converse easily. While it’s nice for sake of relating it defeats the purpose of my coming to Israel for immersion into the language. However, little by little… I also spent this past Shabbat with them as well and met their oldest daughter and we had dinner together in the Heder-Ohel (dining room).
One highlight of my time here was that a woman whom I work with, Dorit, invited me to her parents' home for Shabbat dinner. I actually work with both her and her mother, Dalia. Dorit is 40 and lives in her own apartment but family time is priority so for Shabbat meals she spends time with them. Except for approx. 4 years, Dorit has lived her entire life here at Kibbutz Tzuba. Many kibbutz families once on a kibbutz tend to stay as do their children, grandchildren...you get the idea. However there are new individuals and families that move onto the kibbutz as well.
I hope to post an informational update about more kibbutz facts which will have to wait now as I have a Hebrew scrabble game to attend! Be well!
2 weeks ago Shabbat was very nice as I was introduced to a family on the kibbutz who “adopted” me – the woman is from England and is both an English teacher and also writes textbooks. Her husband is from Finland (or Norway?) and they have 4 children, 3 are grown and the youngest is almost 13. The host mother wanted an English speaker in order to converse easily. While it’s nice for sake of relating it defeats the purpose of my coming to Israel for immersion into the language. However, little by little… I also spent this past Shabbat with them as well and met their oldest daughter and we had dinner together in the Heder-Ohel (dining room).
One highlight of my time here was that a woman whom I work with, Dorit, invited me to her parents' home for Shabbat dinner. I actually work with both her and her mother, Dalia. Dorit is 40 and lives in her own apartment but family time is priority so for Shabbat meals she spends time with them. Except for approx. 4 years, Dorit has lived her entire life here at Kibbutz Tzuba. Many kibbutz families once on a kibbutz tend to stay as do their children, grandchildren...you get the idea. However there are new individuals and families that move onto the kibbutz as well.
I hope to post an informational update about more kibbutz facts which will have to wait now as I have a Hebrew scrabble game to attend! Be well!
Thursday, November 8, 2007
An answer or two
Apparently, I forgot to clarify a few things in my previous posts. Thanks to all who email and ask questions.
My classes began the same week as my work did. Roughly, a week and a half ago. There are 2 classes, Kita Alef (beginners who cannot read/write/speak/nada) and Kita Bet (those who can read and write and possibly speak). I'm in Kita Bet as I could read and write, altho' I didn't really know exactly what I was reading and writing! Kita Alef, the students are basically all on the same page. In Kita Bet, there is more of a range of ability. I'm actually on the lower end of skill level as several students have had Hebrew through grammar school and 1 or 2 thru high school. Others' parents are Israeli so they have a head's up that way. There's about 10 students in Kita Bet and 25 students in Alef.
As there is only one actual room for classes, the two have to alternate class time. So when Alef is working, Bet is in the classroom and vice versa. My work is approximately an 8 hour day 3 days a week. Class is from 7:30 am - 1:30 pm 3 days a week and at least once in the evening from 5-6:30 pm but it might eventually go to 2 evenings a week. However, each week the schedule is different as they just continue the pattern including Shabbat into the flow even tho' Shabbat we have off. So one week I may study Sun, Tues, Thurs and the next week I'll be working those days.
Well, I hope that clarifies some. I have to sign off as I've spent quite a bit of time online since I was blessed to have 2 people chat with me on yahoo messenger since I began this post. The first contact with friends back home since I've been here - oh how I needed that! Shalom paz peace,
Melinda :)
My classes began the same week as my work did. Roughly, a week and a half ago. There are 2 classes, Kita Alef (beginners who cannot read/write/speak/nada) and Kita Bet (those who can read and write and possibly speak). I'm in Kita Bet as I could read and write, altho' I didn't really know exactly what I was reading and writing! Kita Alef, the students are basically all on the same page. In Kita Bet, there is more of a range of ability. I'm actually on the lower end of skill level as several students have had Hebrew through grammar school and 1 or 2 thru high school. Others' parents are Israeli so they have a head's up that way. There's about 10 students in Kita Bet and 25 students in Alef.
As there is only one actual room for classes, the two have to alternate class time. So when Alef is working, Bet is in the classroom and vice versa. My work is approximately an 8 hour day 3 days a week. Class is from 7:30 am - 1:30 pm 3 days a week and at least once in the evening from 5-6:30 pm but it might eventually go to 2 evenings a week. However, each week the schedule is different as they just continue the pattern including Shabbat into the flow even tho' Shabbat we have off. So one week I may study Sun, Tues, Thurs and the next week I'll be working those days.
Well, I hope that clarifies some. I have to sign off as I've spent quite a bit of time online since I was blessed to have 2 people chat with me on yahoo messenger since I began this post. The first contact with friends back home since I've been here - oh how I needed that! Shalom paz peace,
Melinda :)
Why Israel? (to borrow a phrase, Jana!)
Well, there seems to be so much to share. I apologize for not having more entries as apparently I'm in more demand than I realized! This entry may not be so much of a journal as it is a friendly chat to all my wonderful friends and family who keep up with me.
Before I forget to include this bit of info - if any would like my contact info here in Israel just email me and I'll send it to you. For obvious reasons, I don't want to post it.
Well I finally got to go to the Western Wall, or Kotel. I hadn't expected to go on my last trip to Jerusalem as I had planned on it being more of an individual venture as opposed to a group outing. There was much I had wanted to prepare for but sometimes life isn't as we prepare for it. I traveled to town with some of my new friends here, Carlos, Drew and Scott. I had originally planned to just find a nice sidewalk cafe where I could journal and read some while they wandered around. However, I ended up tagging along to get better aquainted with the area. Carlos was our guide and he took us to the Kotel.
Now one of the main attractions and goal of this trip for me has been to go to the Kotel and the Temple Mount as that is the very place where G-d Himself chose to place His Holy Name. In fact, in Judiasm, it's taught that this is the one place that never loses its holiness. Not to go into too much detail but it has been a bit of a struggle here at times as I have felt distant from G-d since my arrival; which is utterly frustrating as I am in the very land and almost the city where His presence dwells. However, I had been reminded in the Torah portion two weeks ago (to think I've been here that long!) that on the temple mount, G-d will be seen.
So, after we went through security and read a brief overview of the western wall we approached the area where the entrance for men and women is located. Just standing behind the partition and taking it in was such an overwhelming experience. I don't know that I could justly describe it. My time was relatively short in the presence of the King, but I did petition on behalf of my family. Friends, I will definitely remember you the next trip! It is my desire to frequent the Kotel and His holy presence while I'm here.
A question that keeps circulating among my fellow ulpanists (students in the language program, ulpan) is why do you want to learn Hebrew? I have several but the one I want to share with you is because I want to be able to speak G-d's heart language to Him. Granted, G-d is outside of all of our concrete and metaphoric expressions we use to try and comprehend Him with. Nonetheless, there is much to be said about speaking to a person in the language that their heart understands and expresses in. I don't know if I can say why I want this except that it is a desire of my heart and that is why I'm here.
For you prayer warriors - pray for my safety from the crazy Israeli drivers! Kristen, if you're reading this, remember Mexico and pray hard! Thankfully, however, on the Kibbutz there's no traffic as it's all contained and not many people have a personal vehicle so it's mainly on ventures into town.
Thanks again for all your love, support and emails - they really help! G-d bless you.
Shalom paz peace,
Melinda
Before I forget to include this bit of info - if any would like my contact info here in Israel just email me and I'll send it to you. For obvious reasons, I don't want to post it.
Well I finally got to go to the Western Wall, or Kotel. I hadn't expected to go on my last trip to Jerusalem as I had planned on it being more of an individual venture as opposed to a group outing. There was much I had wanted to prepare for but sometimes life isn't as we prepare for it. I traveled to town with some of my new friends here, Carlos, Drew and Scott. I had originally planned to just find a nice sidewalk cafe where I could journal and read some while they wandered around. However, I ended up tagging along to get better aquainted with the area. Carlos was our guide and he took us to the Kotel.
Now one of the main attractions and goal of this trip for me has been to go to the Kotel and the Temple Mount as that is the very place where G-d Himself chose to place His Holy Name. In fact, in Judiasm, it's taught that this is the one place that never loses its holiness. Not to go into too much detail but it has been a bit of a struggle here at times as I have felt distant from G-d since my arrival; which is utterly frustrating as I am in the very land and almost the city where His presence dwells. However, I had been reminded in the Torah portion two weeks ago (to think I've been here that long!) that on the temple mount, G-d will be seen.
So, after we went through security and read a brief overview of the western wall we approached the area where the entrance for men and women is located. Just standing behind the partition and taking it in was such an overwhelming experience. I don't know that I could justly describe it. My time was relatively short in the presence of the King, but I did petition on behalf of my family. Friends, I will definitely remember you the next trip! It is my desire to frequent the Kotel and His holy presence while I'm here.
A question that keeps circulating among my fellow ulpanists (students in the language program, ulpan) is why do you want to learn Hebrew? I have several but the one I want to share with you is because I want to be able to speak G-d's heart language to Him. Granted, G-d is outside of all of our concrete and metaphoric expressions we use to try and comprehend Him with. Nonetheless, there is much to be said about speaking to a person in the language that their heart understands and expresses in. I don't know if I can say why I want this except that it is a desire of my heart and that is why I'm here.
For you prayer warriors - pray for my safety from the crazy Israeli drivers! Kristen, if you're reading this, remember Mexico and pray hard! Thankfully, however, on the Kibbutz there's no traffic as it's all contained and not many people have a personal vehicle so it's mainly on ventures into town.
Thanks again for all your love, support and emails - they really help! G-d bless you.
Shalom paz peace,
Melinda
Saturday, November 3, 2007
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!
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!
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