Moving On to Holon

This is a picture of my friend Jody. She's been living in Petach Tikvah and volunteering at ELIYA (Israel Association for the Advancement of Blind and Visually Impaired Children).

Its the end of my 3 month Israeli Experience. Then I'm on the community service part, although I chose to also volunteer for the first 3 months. On the 28th I move to Holon, which is by Tel Aviv and Bat Yam.

I hope to volunteer at Save a Child's Heart and share an apartment with my friend Jody and other YCers.

Save a Child's Heart performs free cardiac surgery on needy children from the developing world and Palestinian Authority. SACH provides urgently needed pediatric cardiac surgery and advanced follow-up care for children from developing countries suffering congenital heart diseases. The children are from Ethiopia, Nigeria, Zanzibar, Congo, China, Viet Nam, Ghana, Jordan, Moldova, the Ukraine and the Palestinian Authority. Surgical and medical teams travel overseas to train and perform surgeries on site and screen children that will come to Israel for treatment. SACH also has a full outreach-training program for the medical personnel of the developing countries.

Haifa chanicha

Here is a picture with some of my Haifa Young Judaea Year Course friends:

Arielle, Danielle, Sophi, Anna, Judith, and others...

I volunteer at Beit Sefer Ofakim, a school for handicapped children. The Ofakim school in Haifa is considered one of the best schools in Israel for children with cerebral palsy and muscular dystrophy and provides special services such as speech therapy, physiotherapy and vocational therapy. I work with the oldest group who are 18-21 years old. They have a range of physical and other challenges. They represent all of the different peoples in the area, including non-Jewish Israelis, Arabs and Bedouins. Amazingly, all the students are "blind" to the differences in culture, background and even handicap between them.

I work with them on arts and crafts and cooking. All of them are happy to see me. They say "Boy Po, Joy" which means "Come here, Joy!"

I had no jewelry when I came here and now I have tons of jewelry which we made together. While I bead with the more advanced kids, the others are busy sorting beads into colors. They taught me all the colors in Hebrew.

Cooking covers a range of activities where I may help them cut food and they help each other. I say, "Yoffi" alot which is "wonderful!"

I truly experience how giving is the real gift, as I receive so much more than I can possibly give them.


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My friend, Arielle Adler, wrote a few sentences about her typical day on Year Course and she gave me permission to share it on my blog! Toda Raba, Arielle!

A Day in Paradise

The phone goes off at seven AM arousing me from my slumber. I quickly get ready and I'm out the door by twenty of eight. I get on the bus and sit down next to an old woman. By the end of the bus ride, I have learned the woman's entire life story because on busses in Israel everyone is friends with everyone. Before going into work, my roommate Danielle and I stop to get a cup of coffee. Yossi, the owner of the kiosk is expecting us. We go there often and he treats us as his own. With glass cups and chocolate, he attempts to speak to us in Hebrew about his son's success with running marathons.

After draining our cups, we walk into , I spend my days in "Hadas" a class for 12-14 year olds. With only a little bit of Hebrew in my brain, I begin to work with the children. My specialty is math. I draw shapes after shapes after shapes and have the kids add and subtract up to five. I help feed those who cannot feed themselves; I sit with them outside during "recess" while they talk to their boyfriends. I learn what it means to work with disabled children. Though exhausting, I am always happy at the end of the day. I have established relationships with the kids in my class as well as the teachers. I have made a difference in their lives, even if it was just moving their feet to make them more comfortable or helping them drink from their water bottle. I am no longer just a volunteer; I am part of their daily routine.

After school and a workout at the gym, I take the bus home to my apartment. We sit in our "Mac lounge" and figure out what we want to do for dinner. Do we want to walk to the German Colony, a great strip of restaurants five minutes from our house? Or should we stay in and eat some schnitzel or pasta? Maybe we'll go to the place we call "Shwarma Row" Here they have shwarma and falafel galore. Open twenty-four hours a day and on Shabbat, it is definitely one of our favorites, especially at 2 AM on a Friday night. We decide on the schnitzel because we're trying to save our money for other things. We talk about our day and scrape our plates clean before washing them. After dinner, the boys call us and want to know if we want to go to the Grand Canyon. No, it isn't the gorgeous place in Arizona. It's one of the biggest malls in Israel. We spend our evening there walking around, talking, and drinking our ice coffees from Aroma.

Lying in my bed that night, I think about my day. It was just an ordinary day on Year Course, but it was so much more than ordinary. It was life in Israel, my life in Israel. To me, it was a day in paradise.

Autumn in Israel

In Israel, the first week of November is still very much warm weather, sun shining and here and there we can take out our thin sweaters so as not to catch a chill...

It is the end of autumn now in Israel. The weather is getting a bit cooler, especially at night. We experience random rain and can watch the birds' migration on their way to the warmer south. As the days get shorter, the air is filled with the special scent of citrus trees.

Bedouin Tent in the Negev

Last weekend I went on Shabbat Beyachad where we all went to Mamshit, a Bedouin tent in the Negev desert.

We started Friday morning at a hot springs resort in the Negev. Than had a camel ride in the dessert and a real "Bedouin Hafla" and hospitality. We got to listen to the Bedouin way of life in Israel as it is today.

The Negev Bedouins (Arabic: Badawit an-Naqab) are traditionally pastoral semi-nomadic Arab tribes indigenous to the Negev region, who hold close ties to the Bedouins of the Sinai. Due to their lifestyle, the Negev Bedouins have remained largely unaffected by changes in the outside world until recently. Their society was often considered a "world without time".^[6] The Bedouin engaged primarily in nomadic herding, raiding and sometimes fishing. They also made income by transporting goods and people across the desert.^[4]
Today there are around 160,000 Bedouins living in the Negev, though the number is increasing fast; at 5.5%, their birthrate is amongst the highest in the world.^[11]

Before the founding of the State of Israel, Prime Minister to-be David Ben-Gurion saw Mamshit as the capital of the future country, which dovetailed with his dream of settling the Negev Desert. The reconstructed city gives the visitor a sense of how Mamshit once looked. The city covers ten acres and is the smallest but best restored city in the Negev Desert. Entire streets have survived intact, and there are also large groups of Nabatean buildings with open rooms, courtyards, and terraces. The stones are carefully chiseled and the arches that support the ceiling are remarkably well constructed.

Where I'm living

I go to the Kiryat Eliezer Stadium, at the foot of the Bahai Gardens, in the old German (Templar) Colony. The colony's main street Ben Gurion Boulevard boasts houses built of stone with red-shingled roofs. From here you can look up the mountain and see a unique view of the new Bahai terraced Gardens.

There is great transportation to get around. I pass the Bahai Garden daily. I'm always at Mt. Carmel where there is an Internet cafe. There is the Beit Egged bus lines running into and out of Haifa as well as the Bat Galim Railway Station, in walking distance, which is a central stop for all train lines running up the coast of the Mediterranean Sea.

"Haifa is the third largest city in Israel with a population of about 250,000 residents. Haifa is located between the green Carmel Mountains and the blue coastal plain and beautiful beaches of the Mediterranean Sea. Boasting a bustling seaport, airport, and rail line, Haifa serves as a national transportation center, a focus for commerce, tourism, and industry, and an international name in high tech. It is likewise a regional center for government offices, courts, hospitals, and cultural institutions, and home to a variety of institutions of higher education and professional training centers. "

Haifa Soccer

We went to a soccer game that was within walking distance. It was awsome! Maccabi Haifa won 2 to 1 and all the goals were scored right in front of our seats. I can't wait to attend another game. People really get into it here. Its not like the baseball games at home since you sit almost on the field. There are no big TV screens to watch on or see instant replays - if you miss it, that's it! Still, I'll never be able to enjoy watching it on TV again. I found it so exciting and got more into it then I ever got at baseball games....

There are 2 major soccer teams right here in Haifa. They are Hapoel Haifa Football Club and Maccabi Haifa Football Club. They both play at Kiryat Eliezer Stadium.

Succoth and Simchat Torah

This is from the Israel Experience Update sent to our families. You can register for these emails since I cannot always get to a computer to send emails (HINT, HINT I don't yet have my own notebook computer as everyone else does and it does hamper my ability to communicate more often..HINT, HINT, Mom....)

Just go to this link http://visitor.constantcontact.com/email.jsp?m=1101370266330 scroll down and enter your email and you will get the general info about what my program and other participants are involved with.


"As mentioned last week, this is a time in Israel when not much gets done due to the intense and long period of Holidays. We are in the midst of Hol Hamoed Succot, coming up to Simchat Torah and as I mentioned last week, for most of our chanichim, this is their opportunity to experience the unique feeling, only in Israel of the chagim. It was a new experience for many to see that on almost every balcony and every small building garden a succa was put up. It can almost be compared to Christmas lights abroad. Some chanichim were invited to their building succa for a meal, some went to their local Succot festivals, selling decorations and "arba'at haminim"- lulav, etrog, myrtle and willow. It is a tradition every year for Year Coursers to go up to Tzfat for Simchat Torah and spend this exciting holiday with a welcoming communiand see a different way of celebrating."

Call Me Toll Free!!!

This is my International Toll-Free number, that allows family members and friends overseas to dial my mobile phone in Israel is 1-866-717-0250 PIN number 029187#

Here's my phone number in Israel
011 972 52 602 9187

You can go here to see what time it is now in Haifa http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/personal.html

Yom Kippur in Petach Tikva

I had a great Yom Tov. I spent it in Petach Tikva with my friend Jodi that I met at orientation. We went to a Modern Orthodox Temple that is literally right next to her apartment. Its amazing here. Nobody drives. All the kids were riding bikes in the street. Jodi and I walked right in the middle of the main road going in the wrong way.

Petah Tikva, north-east of Tel Aviv, has the second largest industrial sector in Israel (after Haifa), divided into three industrial zones - Kiryat Arye, Kiryat Matalon, and Segula. Industries include textiles, metalwork, carpentry, plastics, processed foods, tires and other rubber products, and soap. In the last few years many high-tech enterprises and start-ups have moved into the Petah Tikva industrial zone, including the Israeli headquarters for the Oracle Corporation, IBM, Intel, SanDisk, ECI Telecom, and GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals.

Also, Osem, one of Israel's leading food processing corporations is headquartered there. They make vegetarian chicken soup powdered broth that my mother makes with matzah balls so my brother will have it!

Kibbutz Art Exhibit

I was taken to an art exhibition on a kibbutz. The stuff was beautiful!

There is a picture of the artist with Yuval- they have been friends since they were 5 years old.

It was the most relaxing vacation and incredible way to celebrate Rosh Hashanah.

Meeting in a Bomb Shelter

I made it back perfectly!

I went to the best meeting this morning. It was in the bomb shelter in Tel Aviv. It was in English and just a discussion meeting. So many people had great things to say about the holidays and family, etc.

Rosh Hoshana Dinner

Here are some pictures from my Rosh Hashanah dinner, including the family I'm staying with and of course, a picture of some food! I'm sitting next to Adam at the table. Susan has the short hair.

The cat's name is Lucky.

Happy New Year! May it be the best one yet!

Love and kisses and lots of hugs

from Raanana

Always,

Joy

Raanana

I am staying in Raanana now. I got here Tuesday. I went to a party with the other YJers in Tel Aviv which is about an hour away. I stayed the night in Ramat Gan and made it back to Raanana by lunch. All this by bus. I'm crazy, but my higher power is with me always.

It's so beautiful around here, I can't put it into words. It looks beautiful, smells beautiful and tastes amazing! I hope I can share it all with you one day.

If this is what the new year will bring I'm in for something beyond my wildest dreams! I love you so much and wish the same kind of year for you!

Love always and forever, Joy

September 10

We did our volunteer work for the first time today. I'm working with severely physically disabled kids. I kind of feel out of place because I know so little Hebrew, but I'm starting to pick up words. This one kid with severe cerebral palsy needs a book of pictures and words to communicate. She is helping me learn Hebrew through that book. It's the sweetest thing!

All the girls in the apartment and I are going to Tel Aviv tomorrow for Rosh Hashanah.

Love you, lots of hugs and kisses always,
Joy

Countdown

Two days until take off, too much to take.

I've put off unpacking and packing again as I want to take everything. I wish I had room to stick my younger brother and sister into my luggage also, not to mention my cat and one of our dogs...

I have a good bye book that I've been having people sign. Today I saw Michael, one of my best friends from high school and beyond. His mother and grandmother love me and don't understand how I can go so far away for so long. I had Michael sign my book and I have to go over to his house to say goodbye to his mom and grandmom.

My brother Stu started "college" at San Francisco State College of Extended Learning on Monday. My sister Tov started 8th grade at Albany Middle School on Wednesday. I live right between the high school and middle school and its weird to drive by them. I keep thinking I should be in school myself.

I don't have too many reservations about going to Israel, I've been trying to get there for so many years. This year, graduating, working, completing my high school education and experiences, has been all consuming. It has been easy to keep so busy and too distracted to feel other than excitement and anticipation. Certainly I'm sad to leave my familiar surroundings, the friends I've made, the routine I've become accustomed to, the roots I've worked on planting. I am used to things changing fairly often in our family living situation for various reasons. I was just talking with my mom about how this is the longest we've lived in one house since we moved to California 10 years ago - 4 years. My mother promised my youngest sister that she wouldn't move out of Albany until she graduates high school in 5 years. I wonder if she'll stay put in the same house, the one we consider home.

My brother is sad that he can't participate in the high school theater ensemble. Its a student run organization after school that most of his friends participate in. Since he's taking a full time course this semester at SFSU instead of attending 11th grade, its against the rules. I'm very proud of him. He's the youngest student ever taking this Digital Video Intensive. He's so awesome - I don't want to think of how much I'll miss him. He was gone for a month on a teen trip to Israel in July, but I was busy working and it went by so fast. We've gotten really close this year and I've tried to spend as much time with him as possible.

I'll miss my sister also. We've been sharing a room for the past couple of years. She is sooo funny and amazing for 13 years old. I'm already missing her changes...

I'm not going to miss my mom...NOT!!! We both agree we are looking forward to having space away from each other, but she's admitted to not wanting me to go at the same time it was her idea I choose this program over others. She's had a really hard time this year with everything going on with us kids, but I know she's going to pull through as soon as I step foot on the plane!

I'm flying down to LA by myself to meet with the group to fly to Israel. I've flown by myself to LA before, and to Seattle, and to Florida. I flew to Australia with a group after 6th grade. So I have no fears about getting myself around the airport. As a family we went to Florida almost every year and to New York.

I spoke at my meeting Monday night. I spent 2 hours talking with Jeremy and his sister last night after the meeting. Their mother died a couple of months ago and I know what its like to lose a parent...

Packing for Israel Young Judaea Year Course

I'm limited in what I can bring on El Al to Israel for 9 months. Out goes the special green rolling bag my Grandma Corinne sent from Florida and the large black rolling bag my mom bought in a tourist shop on the waterfront when we were spending quality time together in San Francisco. Both have dimensions too large for the restrictions. Ugh!!

I'm so glad I didn't wait to the last minute to pack. I've spent the last month organizing my things, purchasing items, deciding what I can bring and could lose, what I can't live without, what I don't care about, what I'm giving away. It's emotional, exciting and exhausting.

Here's the official limitations:
two pieces of checked luggage. The permitted total dimensions of the two pieces of luggage are 107 inches, with no one bag exceeding 62 inches. This total is calculated by adding the length, width and height of each bag. Thus, if one bag measures 62 total inches, the other cannot exceed 45 inches. The weight per bag is limited to 50 lbs.

Instead I'm taking the red rolling bag Grandma bought for my brother to take to Israel for 1 month in July and a rolling bag with organized compartments mom had in the garage.

Here's my inventory:
Red Roller
13
14
28

55

Compartment Roller
15
14
30

59

outer tops:
1 Eyor fleece pullover
1 fleece
1 short sleeve Blue sweater
1 long sleeve pullover
1 blue/grey fleece zipper jacket
1 black rain jacket
1 white jean jacket
2 sweat shirts
1 shrug
1 browh jacket

Bath:
1 yellow towel

Pants:
3 jeans
1 grey sweats
1 green sweats
2 black sweats

Dress up:
4 peasant skirts
1 plaid short skirt
1 jean long skirt
1 black short skirt
1 black short jacket
1 blue short skirt
1 blue short jacket
2 pairs black dress pants
1 blue peasant skirt


Underwear:
1 black underwear
3 short under
2 thermal tops
5 bras
12 panties


Other tops:
10 tank tops
14 tshirt
8 dress shirt
1 long tshirt

Bathing:
1 white skirt
2 bathing tops
3 bathing bottoms

Other:
17 pr socks
1 pr white shoes
1 black warm scarf


104 total inches