Hi everyone! Just a few updates for you from the Holy Land.
First, thank you for all the birthday wishes. Matt and I had a nice, relaxing evening and went to a great seafood restaurant, followed up by ice cream. He also came home from class with roses which was very sweet.
Also, some good news - I think I have managed to obtain a part-time job! I will be working for the World Union of Progressive Judiasm (WUPJ) helping them plan a huge convention that is coming here in March. Rabbis, lay-leaders and other BIPs (big important people) from all over the world will attend. I will mostly be dealing with their office in NY, hence why it is not an issue that I don't speak Hebrew. Its perfect for me because I love event planning and I think it will be a great experience. The pay is minimal, of course, but I think it will be a great project for me to work on. More on that once I start, which I think will be next week.
Matt continues to work very hard in school. His classes are going well. The work load is very heavy and there are no more breaks until the last two weeks of December. But he is learning a lot and soaking in as much as possible.
Tomorrow evening we are going to get the chance to spend Shabbat with fellow Akronites! The Akron Federation trip is here this week and they arrive in Jerusalem today. Mike Wise invited us to join them for Shabbat dinner at their hotel. I am looking forward to seeing everyone!
Our big 3-year anniversary is today! After Matt is done with class for the day and I am back from my afternoon outing at Mount of Olives, (as I mentioned at the beginning of this blog, once a month a rabbi at HUC takes the SO's on an outing to various historical sites. This afternoon is our second trip. I'm sure I will have more to say after I get back!) we will have dinner and gear up for our yearly tradition - watching our wedding video! Once a year, we pull out the dvd and watch all three hours worth of our fabulous day.
That's all for now. Keep in touch, we love getting your comments and emails!
Love,
Erin &Matt
Thursday, October 26, 2006
Friday, October 13, 2006
Succot Vacation
Shalom family and friends,
We just got back from an incredible vacation and this is our attempt at putting our countless experiences into words. Along with our words are many pictures attached below. Enjoy.
Our vacation began with a quick visit to my sister Rachelle and her husband Tamir, in Hertzyliya (about a 30 minute bus-ride from Jerusalem). It was Erin's first time seeing where they lived and meeting the entire family over Shabbat dinner at Tamir's parents home. It was a beautiful Shabbat filled with lots of laughter, joy, and food. His parents speak very little English and I was put to the test to be the interpreter for Erin. I felt pretty good about my progress from the first time I met them in the summer (pre-Hebrew Ulpan). It is so comforting to know that half-way around the world away from home, we have family within a short bus ride from us. Being with family again really made us miss all of you back home. We spent the night at Rachelle and Tamir's (not to mention Zoey, their beautiful and loving dog) apartment and then came home to pack for the Dead Sea.
We arrived at the Ein Gedi Kibbutz, also known as the "Desert Oasis," and as we were about to find out, it truly was just that. As you can see from the photos, the grounds of the kibbutz were absolutely beautiful. Green, green and more green - something we don't see in Jerusalem, especially now that the weather is changing.
We wasted no time upon our arrival and headed straight to the Ein Gedi Spa, where we soaked in the sulfur pools and floated in the calming Dead Sea. For those who are not familiar, the mud from the Dead Sea is supposed to be one of the finest skin treatments in the world! As you can see, we covered ourselves in the magic mud, and when we rinsed it off, our skin was left feeling soft and smooth.
Following a delicious "all-you-can-eat" dinner at the Kibbutz we decided to take advantage of the Kibbutz's 18 hole mini-golf course. After finding our way out to the course, with our Ping putters in hand, we found ourselves in the middle of the dark. The excitement and anticipation to soon enjoy a round of a familiar "home-like" game grew and once we found the light switch we were amid a course with all sorts of fun and challenging obstacles. The most challenging obstacle to the course was that the greens were really fast, as fast as if one were putting on concrete. Yep, after some very funny moments on the concrete course, many failed attempts at hitting the ball in the hole, and lost balls due to hitting the ball a bit too hard we decided that this wasn't quite what we were used to (nothing comes easy in Israel as we have found out). We then made our way to the pub (our typical evening ritual there) and enjoyed a few beers over Euchre and backgammon.
The next day, we decided to go hiking in the Ein Gedi Nature Reserve. There were several paths to choose from, ranging in difficulty and length and we chose a fairly challenging hike that lasted about 4 hours, including stops at the caves and all natural waterfalls and springs. The views were simply breathtaking and the springs were incredibly refreshing (as you can see in the photos). We felt quite accomplished after the hike and rewarded ourselves by a refreshing dip in the Kibbutz swimming pool.
That evening we found a nice spot overlooking the Dead Sea and made a small camp-fire (thanks to Josh for literally shlepping all the wood, newspaper, starter coals, and matches from Jerusalem. We're not sure he packed many clothes in his duffel bag). We enjoyed each others company with songs, s'mores, and stories.
The third day included a "girly" trip to the Ahava factory where there is always a deal or a special sale going on for the infamous Ahava Dead Sea skin care products. The boys sat this one out, but Emily and Erin came back with enough for everyone! Then, we treated ourselves to massages which was a fabulous way to end they day...
...However, the day never really ended because we were keeping ourselves up for the most anticipated part of the vacation. The David Broza sunrise concert on Masada. The experience was indescribable, and as you can see below, the pictures really say it all. It was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
The concert was a perfect end to a perfect vacation. Chag Sa-mey-ach (happy holidays) everyone.
Its back to school on Sunday!
We just got back from an incredible vacation and this is our attempt at putting our countless experiences into words. Along with our words are many pictures attached below. Enjoy.
Our vacation began with a quick visit to my sister Rachelle and her husband Tamir, in Hertzyliya (about a 30 minute bus-ride from Jerusalem). It was Erin's first time seeing where they lived and meeting the entire family over Shabbat dinner at Tamir's parents home. It was a beautiful Shabbat filled with lots of laughter, joy, and food. His parents speak very little English and I was put to the test to be the interpreter for Erin. I felt pretty good about my progress from the first time I met them in the summer (pre-Hebrew Ulpan). It is so comforting to know that half-way around the world away from home, we have family within a short bus ride from us. Being with family again really made us miss all of you back home. We spent the night at Rachelle and Tamir's (not to mention Zoey, their beautiful and loving dog) apartment and then came home to pack for the Dead Sea.
We arrived at the Ein Gedi Kibbutz, also known as the "Desert Oasis," and as we were about to find out, it truly was just that. As you can see from the photos, the grounds of the kibbutz were absolutely beautiful. Green, green and more green - something we don't see in Jerusalem, especially now that the weather is changing.
We wasted no time upon our arrival and headed straight to the Ein Gedi Spa, where we soaked in the sulfur pools and floated in the calming Dead Sea. For those who are not familiar, the mud from the Dead Sea is supposed to be one of the finest skin treatments in the world! As you can see, we covered ourselves in the magic mud, and when we rinsed it off, our skin was left feeling soft and smooth.
Following a delicious "all-you-can-eat" dinner at the Kibbutz we decided to take advantage of the Kibbutz's 18 hole mini-golf course. After finding our way out to the course, with our Ping putters in hand, we found ourselves in the middle of the dark. The excitement and anticipation to soon enjoy a round of a familiar "home-like" game grew and once we found the light switch we were amid a course with all sorts of fun and challenging obstacles. The most challenging obstacle to the course was that the greens were really fast, as fast as if one were putting on concrete. Yep, after some very funny moments on the concrete course, many failed attempts at hitting the ball in the hole, and lost balls due to hitting the ball a bit too hard we decided that this wasn't quite what we were used to (nothing comes easy in Israel as we have found out). We then made our way to the pub (our typical evening ritual there) and enjoyed a few beers over Euchre and backgammon.
The next day, we decided to go hiking in the Ein Gedi Nature Reserve. There were several paths to choose from, ranging in difficulty and length and we chose a fairly challenging hike that lasted about 4 hours, including stops at the caves and all natural waterfalls and springs. The views were simply breathtaking and the springs were incredibly refreshing (as you can see in the photos). We felt quite accomplished after the hike and rewarded ourselves by a refreshing dip in the Kibbutz swimming pool.
That evening we found a nice spot overlooking the Dead Sea and made a small camp-fire (thanks to Josh for literally shlepping all the wood, newspaper, starter coals, and matches from Jerusalem. We're not sure he packed many clothes in his duffel bag). We enjoyed each others company with songs, s'mores, and stories.
The third day included a "girly" trip to the Ahava factory where there is always a deal or a special sale going on for the infamous Ahava Dead Sea skin care products. The boys sat this one out, but Emily and Erin came back with enough for everyone! Then, we treated ourselves to massages which was a fabulous way to end they day...
...However, the day never really ended because we were keeping ourselves up for the most anticipated part of the vacation. The David Broza sunrise concert on Masada. The experience was indescribable, and as you can see below, the pictures really say it all. It was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
The concert was a perfect end to a perfect vacation. Chag Sa-mey-ach (happy holidays) everyone.
Its back to school on Sunday!
Thursday, October 12, 2006
Pictures from Succot Vacation
Shabbat in Ra'a nana with Matt's sister, Rachelle, and her family.
From Left to Right: Shmuel & Neomi (Tamir's Parents), Erin, Tamir (Rachelle's husband), Rachelle, Matt.
The Cohen family: Rachelle, Tamir, and Zoey
Matt and Tamir's sister Efrat
Happy Birthday! Tamir's sister Meirav with her husband Yosi, son Gal, and daughter (birthday-girl) Sapir.
Day 1: At the Ein Gedi Spa
Dave, Erin, Matt, Josh, & Emily playing in the mud
Sandra floating in the Dead Sea.
Pictures of Ein Gedi Kibbutz (where we stayed)
Day 2: Hiking in the Ein Gedi Nature Reserve
Thanks for clearing the boulder from the path Josh!
Dave demonstrating the ancient changing-room technique.
After a long day of hiking we ate smores, sang songs, and told stories around the camp-fire.
Look below for day 3 pictures!!!
From Left to Right: Shmuel & Neomi (Tamir's Parents), Erin, Tamir (Rachelle's husband), Rachelle, Matt.
The Cohen family: Rachelle, Tamir, and Zoey
Matt and Tamir's sister Efrat
Happy Birthday! Tamir's sister Meirav with her husband Yosi, son Gal, and daughter (birthday-girl) Sapir.
Day 1: At the Ein Gedi Spa
Dave, Erin, Matt, Josh, & Emily playing in the mud
Sandra floating in the Dead Sea.
Pictures of Ein Gedi Kibbutz (where we stayed)
Day 2: Hiking in the Ein Gedi Nature Reserve
Thanks for clearing the boulder from the path Josh!
Dave demonstrating the ancient changing-room technique.
After a long day of hiking we ate smores, sang songs, and told stories around the camp-fire.
Look below for day 3 pictures!!!
Sunrise David Broza Concert on Masada
Because words cannot describe this experience, we thought we would take you with on a visual journey of a Sunrise concert on Masada...Enjoy!
2 A.M. arrival to the cable car
2:30 waiting for the concert on Masada
The crew!
3:45 A.M. concert begins
4 A.M.
4:30 A.M.
5:15 A.M.
5:20 A.M.
5:30 A.M.
The emergence of the sun over the Dead Sea.
6 A.M.
6:45 A.M. (tired? We thought so!)
2 A.M. arrival to the cable car
2:30 waiting for the concert on Masada
The crew!
3:45 A.M. concert begins
4 A.M.
4:30 A.M.
5:15 A.M.
5:20 A.M.
5:30 A.M.
The emergence of the sun over the Dead Sea.
6 A.M.
6:45 A.M. (tired? We thought so!)
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