Thanks to all those who take the time to read my BLOGALOGALOGA!
The past week has been ultra amazing as usual. For a day I took part in this program called Discovery that made a lovely attempt to prove that G-d gave the Torah to the Jews at Mount Sinai. As I said, it was a lovely attempt as the program itself, while full of incredible speakers, did not tie together in a cogent manner.
What was interesting was the Bible Code speaker. Using trigonometry and rearranging, several statisticians found related words close together in Genesis (the first book). For example, they found the words (when they did a computer search) in close proximity to each other: September 11, Arabs, Towers, and Plane. Of course you ask, "How would the Bible know about all of those things?" Well the theory is that G-d created the world from the Torah, the Torah came before the creation of everything! Another example, they found over 35 famous Rabbi's in Genesis along with their respective birth and death dates! I need to do a little more research into this phenomenon, but one atheist statistician saw the results, put on a Kippah and became observant because he concluded that man could not create such a phenomenon.
As for my life, I started pre-Intermediate today. Now that I have an actual class schedule...
613 Mitzvos (Commandments, yes, there are a lot more than 10)
Jewish History
Spirituality
Ethics
Path of the Just
Philosophy
I only had one day, but so far so goooooood. Since I plan to be here for some time, I have to apply for a student visa. Somehow that requires proof that I'm Jewish (shhhh don't tell anyone), which means I have to prove that my mother is Jewish. This will be very interesting because I'm not sure that we have the paper work. And apparently circumcision is not considered proof. So fun times ahead but not to worry, I have two months to figure it out.
Also, I'm trying to get Skype to work on my computer. It refuses to connect. But once I do maybe there'll be a couple of you out there who might be willing to talk with me.
Again, thanks for the comments. Peace out players!!!
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Saturday, February 14, 2009
You Scratch My Back, I'll Call You God
Can hardly believe it has been only one week! Feels a lot longer and if you don't believe, come visit. We'll go get some fallafel. Is that even how you spell fallafel?
I realize that a lot of you out there are asking the question: Why the hell are you Israel? Well maybe now is a good time to explain.
The reason I'm in Israel is because of, can you guess, MONEY! Ha, well that's only half of it. (My Gentilian brothers (Gentile=not Jewish) are smiling about that Jewishness of the money comment).
When I went out to California at the end of the summer 08, I had the intentions of carrying out research at UC-San Diego in order to build up a repertoire as a research assistant before applying to UC-Santa Barbara neuroscience program. Hopefully, I'd have a job at night in order to stay alive while I volunteered in the lab. Well I was successful in finding a lab to work at with Professor Jean Townsend and Professor Marissa Westerfield studying the brainwaves of autistic subjects in attention experiments. However, given that I have the WORST TIMING IN THE WORLD, the economy decided to take a turn for the worst. Had I decided to go outside the college bubble and read a newspaper, I might have been able to predict the oncoming collapse of the multi-faceted economic downfall.
Well, I couldn't find a job. I didn't know anyone in California who could've helped me out so I became licensed to repair Windows computers. By word of mouth, I found the occassional client, but people, out of fear, preferred dealing with their broken computers than paying someone to repair them. So I was losing money, but like a small hole in a jug of water, slowly losing. From an economic standpoint, it's amazing I still have money.
So while I was doing research at UC-SD, I met a young rabbi who took me under his wing. At first I was hesitant with meeting him (like I want to hang out with Jews), but slowly I gave into the Jewishness and agreed to learn a little about Judaism. Surprisingly, I know more about Christianity than Judaism and more than most Chrisitans.
Moving on. I met a father and son real estate team that opened my eyes to spirituality. I began reading about the power of G-d and how you can use the energy to serve your desires. Several months ago, I would've rolled my eyes to that comment, but not anymore. The reason I'm here is because I began believing that I'm supposed to do something important and I asked how.
Well the father and son took me under their wing as well and taught me about people, business, and G-d. That was the catalyst for the events that followed.
One weekend I was invited (sorry for the passive action english majors) to a meeting of Jewish minds in LA where I met this incredible individual named Richard Horowitz. He sat me down and said "We NEED to send you to Israel." My immediate response: Ha, no thanks. But I was losing money, no job, nothing tying me down and I didn't take any brain-washing bullshit. In Richard's words, I was the "Perfect candidate."
In a matter of two weeks, I received full scholarship, got rid of my possessions (including a car), my room and closed all business relationships. Before I knew it, I was on a trans-Atlantic flight across the US. But before that, I had an awesome weekend with the boys on Carmelina Ave who really know how to do a send-off.
So here I am. Sitting on a bench in the square, looking at the beautiful Israeli women (apparently they're better in Tel Aviv) and my battery is about to quit on me. In a mere week, my intellect grew exponentially. Love to all those in the US. I will be different when I return, but the best parts of me, the one that brought me to all of you will remain.
Please take care of America for me until I return
I realize that a lot of you out there are asking the question: Why the hell are you Israel? Well maybe now is a good time to explain.
The reason I'm in Israel is because of, can you guess, MONEY! Ha, well that's only half of it. (My Gentilian brothers (Gentile=not Jewish) are smiling about that Jewishness of the money comment).
When I went out to California at the end of the summer 08, I had the intentions of carrying out research at UC-San Diego in order to build up a repertoire as a research assistant before applying to UC-Santa Barbara neuroscience program. Hopefully, I'd have a job at night in order to stay alive while I volunteered in the lab. Well I was successful in finding a lab to work at with Professor Jean Townsend and Professor Marissa Westerfield studying the brainwaves of autistic subjects in attention experiments. However, given that I have the WORST TIMING IN THE WORLD, the economy decided to take a turn for the worst. Had I decided to go outside the college bubble and read a newspaper, I might have been able to predict the oncoming collapse of the multi-faceted economic downfall.
Well, I couldn't find a job. I didn't know anyone in California who could've helped me out so I became licensed to repair Windows computers. By word of mouth, I found the occassional client, but people, out of fear, preferred dealing with their broken computers than paying someone to repair them. So I was losing money, but like a small hole in a jug of water, slowly losing. From an economic standpoint, it's amazing I still have money.
So while I was doing research at UC-SD, I met a young rabbi who took me under his wing. At first I was hesitant with meeting him (like I want to hang out with Jews), but slowly I gave into the Jewishness and agreed to learn a little about Judaism. Surprisingly, I know more about Christianity than Judaism and more than most Chrisitans.
Moving on. I met a father and son real estate team that opened my eyes to spirituality. I began reading about the power of G-d and how you can use the energy to serve your desires. Several months ago, I would've rolled my eyes to that comment, but not anymore. The reason I'm here is because I began believing that I'm supposed to do something important and I asked how.
Well the father and son took me under their wing as well and taught me about people, business, and G-d. That was the catalyst for the events that followed.
One weekend I was invited (sorry for the passive action english majors) to a meeting of Jewish minds in LA where I met this incredible individual named Richard Horowitz. He sat me down and said "We NEED to send you to Israel." My immediate response: Ha, no thanks. But I was losing money, no job, nothing tying me down and I didn't take any brain-washing bullshit. In Richard's words, I was the "Perfect candidate."
In a matter of two weeks, I received full scholarship, got rid of my possessions (including a car), my room and closed all business relationships. Before I knew it, I was on a trans-Atlantic flight across the US. But before that, I had an awesome weekend with the boys on Carmelina Ave who really know how to do a send-off.
So here I am. Sitting on a bench in the square, looking at the beautiful Israeli women (apparently they're better in Tel Aviv) and my battery is about to quit on me. In a mere week, my intellect grew exponentially. Love to all those in the US. I will be different when I return, but the best parts of me, the one that brought me to all of you will remain.
Please take care of America for me until I return
Saturday, February 7, 2009
First 72 hours
Well, I'm in the Holy Land! Since it's been a couple of days, let me spend some time reviewing...
16 hour flight=!!!!!! Especially if you have gas and don't wish for people to run to the exits on the airplane. Well maybe a few I wouldn't have minded. Seriously, no reason to be blowing a shofar 30,000 feet up in the air. Vicky Christina Barcelona was the best movie I watched out of the three and I have seen better Woody Allen movies. Sorry for the negativity, I didn't sleep well on the flight because I kept laughing at the fact that if the plane crashed in the ocean, I'd probably die from gas poisoning if I had to use my cushion as a personal flotation device.
When I first landed, I was impressed with the view of Tel Aviv, but didn't stick around as I didn't know exactly where I was going and wanted to have plenty of time in case I got lost. It was during my time in the van ride out of hell (Jews do have a Hell apparently, but it's more like purgatory, meaning for only a short time--not an eternity) that I realized (a) how beautiful several thousand year old ruins look, and (b) more people die from Israeli drivers than from military actions.
So as expected, I get lost toting heavy luggage around cobble stone streets, not really appreciating the sites as much as I do now, but as they say, getting lost begets city intimacy.
My housemates aren't too shabby and for the most part are welcoming. Of course there are 13 of us living in a 1.5 bath with 3 rooms upstairs and 1 room and 4 in sleeping quarters created out of the downstairs living room. So yea, living situation kind of tight but we do our best and everyone has a contagious case of optimism about it. Apparently this is better than before. HA! Joking aside, everyone is pretty cool (but there's the occasional jew with a stick up his ass, but that's anywhere).
Here's where the crazyiness begins. So I arrived Wednesday and my first day of class is Thursday. I get up early for morning services and at the following breakfast we received horrible news that the head rabbi, the one who started this school, everything related to it, responsible for the jewish education of thousands of people, had passed away after a year of battling lung cancer. He was 79 when he died and started the school in 1978. Well slap my silly and call me Jenny!
For those of you who don't quite recognize the magnitude of the situation, there were over 2,000 people at his wake and around 5,000 at his funeral. If they had waited one day, that number would've tripled (since Jews like to bury the deceased ASAP). I didn't get to see the funeral because as a Cohanim, I can't go into cemeteries, be 10 feet or closer to a body, go under a tree that also branches or is planted in a cemetery. Feel free to Wikipedia Cohen to understand more as it's all pretty amazing stuff. Back to the story, classes were cancelled that day out of respect. The amazing this is, people are not sad. You're not supposed to be sad during the sabbath (Friday to Saturday night). He was such a respected man of wisdom and touched a countless number of people I'm only sorry I couldn't see him myself.
The following night it hits me where I am. When I first got here, I only felt like I was looking at pictures out of a travel catalog. Well maybe the pictures were prettier (cough *photoshop* cough). But Thursday night I realized where I was and become overpowered by emotion and wept. I'm not afraid to admit because I don't feel like a stranger here anymore. Sure I don't speak hebrew or know where to do my laundry, yet I feel strangely comfortable. Kind of like when you're with someone and you can both be quiet without if feeling awkward (thanks Pulp Fiction for putting it perfectly).
As far as the weekend goes, I can summarize it with lots of food and dancing and prayer. But tomorrow (Sunday) I begin classes and my education. I can't wait and people around me are quite excited for me.
That's all I feel like typing now but I plan to do what I can with no cell phone and having to find a wireless spot in the old city. If you want to know where I am, my school looks upon the Western/Wailing Wall which is less than a quarter of a mile from one side of the school. You stay classy USA.
16 hour flight=!!!!!! Especially if you have gas and don't wish for people to run to the exits on the airplane. Well maybe a few I wouldn't have minded. Seriously, no reason to be blowing a shofar 30,000 feet up in the air. Vicky Christina Barcelona was the best movie I watched out of the three and I have seen better Woody Allen movies. Sorry for the negativity, I didn't sleep well on the flight because I kept laughing at the fact that if the plane crashed in the ocean, I'd probably die from gas poisoning if I had to use my cushion as a personal flotation device.
When I first landed, I was impressed with the view of Tel Aviv, but didn't stick around as I didn't know exactly where I was going and wanted to have plenty of time in case I got lost. It was during my time in the van ride out of hell (Jews do have a Hell apparently, but it's more like purgatory, meaning for only a short time--not an eternity) that I realized (a) how beautiful several thousand year old ruins look, and (b) more people die from Israeli drivers than from military actions.
So as expected, I get lost toting heavy luggage around cobble stone streets, not really appreciating the sites as much as I do now, but as they say, getting lost begets city intimacy.
My housemates aren't too shabby and for the most part are welcoming. Of course there are 13 of us living in a 1.5 bath with 3 rooms upstairs and 1 room and 4 in sleeping quarters created out of the downstairs living room. So yea, living situation kind of tight but we do our best and everyone has a contagious case of optimism about it. Apparently this is better than before. HA! Joking aside, everyone is pretty cool (but there's the occasional jew with a stick up his ass, but that's anywhere).
Here's where the crazyiness begins. So I arrived Wednesday and my first day of class is Thursday. I get up early for morning services and at the following breakfast we received horrible news that the head rabbi, the one who started this school, everything related to it, responsible for the jewish education of thousands of people, had passed away after a year of battling lung cancer. He was 79 when he died and started the school in 1978. Well slap my silly and call me Jenny!
For those of you who don't quite recognize the magnitude of the situation, there were over 2,000 people at his wake and around 5,000 at his funeral. If they had waited one day, that number would've tripled (since Jews like to bury the deceased ASAP). I didn't get to see the funeral because as a Cohanim, I can't go into cemeteries, be 10 feet or closer to a body, go under a tree that also branches or is planted in a cemetery. Feel free to Wikipedia Cohen to understand more as it's all pretty amazing stuff. Back to the story, classes were cancelled that day out of respect. The amazing this is, people are not sad. You're not supposed to be sad during the sabbath (Friday to Saturday night). He was such a respected man of wisdom and touched a countless number of people I'm only sorry I couldn't see him myself.
The following night it hits me where I am. When I first got here, I only felt like I was looking at pictures out of a travel catalog. Well maybe the pictures were prettier (cough *photoshop* cough). But Thursday night I realized where I was and become overpowered by emotion and wept. I'm not afraid to admit because I don't feel like a stranger here anymore. Sure I don't speak hebrew or know where to do my laundry, yet I feel strangely comfortable. Kind of like when you're with someone and you can both be quiet without if feeling awkward (thanks Pulp Fiction for putting it perfectly).
As far as the weekend goes, I can summarize it with lots of food and dancing and prayer. But tomorrow (Sunday) I begin classes and my education. I can't wait and people around me are quite excited for me.
That's all I feel like typing now but I plan to do what I can with no cell phone and having to find a wireless spot in the old city. If you want to know where I am, my school looks upon the Western/Wailing Wall which is less than a quarter of a mile from one side of the school. You stay classy USA.
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