Today in sf I walked into my friends house who had a Palestinian roommate. This is how I felt
Friday, April 27, 2012
Artistè
I've been feeling very artistic lately. I've been spending some free time sketching pictures of IDF soldiers or expressing some thoughts.
Today in sf I walked into my friends house who had a Palestinian roommate. This is how I felt
Today in sf I walked into my friends house who had a Palestinian roommate. This is how I felt
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Happy 64th birthday!
In honor of Israel's 64th birthday one of my favorite Jewish comedians has written 64 reasons he loves Israel. Very funny and inspiring.
Here's his recent post 64 Things I Love About Israel
My favorite:
"25. I love that Apple chose to open their first overseas R&D center in Israel. Maybe the iPhone 5 will have a virtual assistant named Shiri who answers your questions and does your laundry when you come home from the army."
Here's his recent post 64 Things I Love About Israel
My favorite:
"25. I love that Apple chose to open their first overseas R&D center in Israel. Maybe the iPhone 5 will have a virtual assistant named Shiri who answers your questions and does your laundry when you come home from the army."
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
It's all starting to hit me!
Finally! It's finally here! I am finally an official Israeli citizen proven by my long awaited Israeli Passport! It's just an incredible feeling; it's one step further in my journey to becoming an Israeli fighting for the Jewish nation. I may not be "Israeli" just yet, so to speak, although I do feel Israeli. And what exactly does that feel like? Well this part of my journey couldn't have come at a more perfect time. This past week I've been longing to experience the indescribable emotions that a proud Zionist/Jew feels in Israel during Yom HaShoah, Yom HaZikaron, and Yom HaAtzmaut - as if my soul is parched, yearning to breathe the Zionism and wonder of Israel. Experiencing this week in Israel is the defining characteristic of Israel. Anywhere in the world you can fast on Yom Kippur, anywhere can you find matzah for Pesah, but NOWHERE will you find an entire country stop for two minutes to respect our brothers, sisters, fathers, mothers, friends, and heroes that have fallen to protect our homeland. Nowhere will you see cars speeding on a freeway slow to a halt, banks stop their transactions, or buses stop in their tracks so people can stand in the streets while a siren plays all across the country to remember our fallen comrades. That's what it means to feel Israeli - to embody Israel. Earlier today I was listening to Galgalatz and heard the siren sound for 2 minutes right at 20:00 Israeli time.
That siren sent my thoughts into a whirlwind of directions. Although I don't know anyone that was killed in battle, which is really blessing, I feel incredibly gifted to be able to join the IDF this coming fall and carry on the passion for Israel that these soldiers carried. The idea of moving to Israel makes me feel like a חלוץ leaving my home and established lifestyle to carry on the dream that connects every single Jew around the world. We recite the words "next year in Jerusalem" every Passover.This Pesach was especially meaningful for me as you could guess. As the words "השנה הבאה בירושלים" left my lips I felt incredibly empowered that I am able to make this journey just as my grandmother and grandfather courageously did at my age. At my seder I spoke of the need to unite as Jews in order to rise up and fight those who want to remove us from the map. I spoke how vital it is that we don't take our freedom for granted, especially as Jews.
That siren brought me back 3 years when I was in Israel standing before the Kotel surrounded by good looking, brave young men and women in that seductive olive green uniform wearing the three words on their chest that protect Israel and promise every Jew a flourishing and welcoming home: צבא הגנה לישראל. Watching the president speak in front of the kotel, the symbol that kept us fighting for Zion until proven successful in 1967, made me appreciate the indescribable nation I was born into: a nation of fighters, innovators, and zealots. I couldn't be more excited to join my forefathers in ensuring that עם ישראל חי! I am proud to call myself a Jew and a Zionist. My decision to make Aliyah is partly due to how hard it is to watch the young Jewish nation's history unfold before my eyes as a kid. I want to immerse myself into the rich culture and be a part of it's history.
That siren took me forward 4 months when I will be saying goodbye to my friends, my home, and hardest of all my beloved parents. I will be starting a new life, facing many challenges and making many new friends. The life experiences I will carry with me will be endless and the pride and joy will forever lay in my heart. This november baruch hasem I will be drafted in the IDF. As of now I can say that I will die a happy soul knowing I made my lifelong dream come true. I have never been so excited, emotional, or anxious to embark on a journey to accomplishing my dream. The truth is that it's coming so quickly and everything's getting pretty chaotic. I am happy to spend this summer at home enjoying every second I have to spend with my incredible family.
This past weekend I was on a retreat spending the weekend with some 20 other inspiring young souls moving to Israel with me. I couldn't be more excited to become great friends with these incredible kids. It's incredible how short of time we've known each other and how well we all get along, how open we are with each other, and how much we already care for each other. This is the type of community I love. Besides this group of friends I have to look forward to in Israel, I am also incredibly lucky to have my very own brother living there along side me. I know he will be there every step of the way to help me out and I couldn't feel more grateful. I look forward to seeing him at my graduation ceremonies congratulating me, as I will be there for him supporting him as he become a Doctor of Medicine from Tel Aviv U about the same time I will be discharged from the army! I am so happy for him, experiencing and appreciating the meaning of Israel first hand just as I did 3 years ago.
Well that's enough for now, though I can go on forever. Really, I can't stop thinking about it. Gosh if I wasn't to go now to Israel I think my thoughts would tear me apart.
Elan.
P.S. I'm doing what it takes to get into the unit I want to. As of now it's 669 - Commando Search and Rescue
P.P.S. I designed our group's shirts! What do you think?
A close up
That siren sent my thoughts into a whirlwind of directions. Although I don't know anyone that was killed in battle, which is really blessing, I feel incredibly gifted to be able to join the IDF this coming fall and carry on the passion for Israel that these soldiers carried. The idea of moving to Israel makes me feel like a חלוץ leaving my home and established lifestyle to carry on the dream that connects every single Jew around the world. We recite the words "next year in Jerusalem" every Passover.This Pesach was especially meaningful for me as you could guess. As the words "השנה הבאה בירושלים" left my lips I felt incredibly empowered that I am able to make this journey just as my grandmother and grandfather courageously did at my age. At my seder I spoke of the need to unite as Jews in order to rise up and fight those who want to remove us from the map. I spoke how vital it is that we don't take our freedom for granted, especially as Jews.
That siren brought me back 3 years when I was in Israel standing before the Kotel surrounded by good looking, brave young men and women in that seductive olive green uniform wearing the three words on their chest that protect Israel and promise every Jew a flourishing and welcoming home: צבא הגנה לישראל. Watching the president speak in front of the kotel, the symbol that kept us fighting for Zion until proven successful in 1967, made me appreciate the indescribable nation I was born into: a nation of fighters, innovators, and zealots. I couldn't be more excited to join my forefathers in ensuring that עם ישראל חי! I am proud to call myself a Jew and a Zionist. My decision to make Aliyah is partly due to how hard it is to watch the young Jewish nation's history unfold before my eyes as a kid. I want to immerse myself into the rich culture and be a part of it's history.
That siren took me forward 4 months when I will be saying goodbye to my friends, my home, and hardest of all my beloved parents. I will be starting a new life, facing many challenges and making many new friends. The life experiences I will carry with me will be endless and the pride and joy will forever lay in my heart. This november baruch hasem I will be drafted in the IDF. As of now I can say that I will die a happy soul knowing I made my lifelong dream come true. I have never been so excited, emotional, or anxious to embark on a journey to accomplishing my dream. The truth is that it's coming so quickly and everything's getting pretty chaotic. I am happy to spend this summer at home enjoying every second I have to spend with my incredible family.
This past weekend I was on a retreat spending the weekend with some 20 other inspiring young souls moving to Israel with me. I couldn't be more excited to become great friends with these incredible kids. It's incredible how short of time we've known each other and how well we all get along, how open we are with each other, and how much we already care for each other. This is the type of community I love. Besides this group of friends I have to look forward to in Israel, I am also incredibly lucky to have my very own brother living there along side me. I know he will be there every step of the way to help me out and I couldn't feel more grateful. I look forward to seeing him at my graduation ceremonies congratulating me, as I will be there for him supporting him as he become a Doctor of Medicine from Tel Aviv U about the same time I will be discharged from the army! I am so happy for him, experiencing and appreciating the meaning of Israel first hand just as I did 3 years ago.
Well that's enough for now, though I can go on forever. Really, I can't stop thinking about it. Gosh if I wasn't to go now to Israel I think my thoughts would tear me apart.
Elan.
P.S. I'm doing what it takes to get into the unit I want to. As of now it's 669 - Commando Search and Rescue
P.P.S. I designed our group's shirts! What do you think?
A close up
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Understanding Why
My decision to join the IDF became a whole lot more clear after we were forced to articulate our thoughts and emotions in my first seminar this past weekend! On top of that we had to form an art piece from play-doh to represent our ideas. This is what I learned (Refer to photo at bottom):
This story revolves around myself. This is about a personal decision and individual journey within a much greater context - a 2000 year old struggle for the Jewish Nation's survival. I don't want to sit back and watch history unfold before my eyes; I want to be a part of it. I want to know I did something in my life to build the Jewish Nation. This story is my personal journey. I am the center of the story/conflict, just as is Jerusalem in the metaphor of my story being similar to the Jewish struggle. The catalyst of personal growth and maturity (represented by the flower) is the IDF צה"ל. That is also my transition into Israel, the culture, and my Israeli Nationality. The flower in the photo represents myself: I will plant my roots in Israel and it will be up to external environmental factors to decide whether or not I will survive and stay there. The larger theme encompassing this whole story is Judaism, whether defined as a religion, nationality, or both. Regardless, the IDF guards a homeland for Jews around the world, ensuring the phrase "Never Again" remains true. That's the main reason for me joining the IDF.
My current inspiration:
This story revolves around myself. This is about a personal decision and individual journey within a much greater context - a 2000 year old struggle for the Jewish Nation's survival. I don't want to sit back and watch history unfold before my eyes; I want to be a part of it. I want to know I did something in my life to build the Jewish Nation. This story is my personal journey. I am the center of the story/conflict, just as is Jerusalem in the metaphor of my story being similar to the Jewish struggle. The catalyst of personal growth and maturity (represented by the flower) is the IDF צה"ל. That is also my transition into Israel, the culture, and my Israeli Nationality. The flower in the photo represents myself: I will plant my roots in Israel and it will be up to external environmental factors to decide whether or not I will survive and stay there. The larger theme encompassing this whole story is Judaism, whether defined as a religion, nationality, or both. Regardless, the IDF guards a homeland for Jews around the world, ensuring the phrase "Never Again" remains true. That's the main reason for me joining the IDF.
My current inspiration:
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
My First Post!
This blog will attempt to record my thoughts, feelings, and actions for the next few crucial, deciding years of my life, that is if I continue to blog. This blog is mainly for myself to come back in many years and vividly remember this time in my life, and for friends and family to peek inside my experience.
I have decided to embark on a journey to find myself.
The journey began a few months ago as a result of my decision to join the Israel Defense Force, and I have learned a ton about myself since. This upcoming August I will fly off to Israel to live on a kibbutz for three months and then join the IDF through the program Garin Tzabar. I will join my brothers and sisters in a millennium long fight to protect the Jews and their 63 year old homeland. But that's a while from now. Luckily I don't have to wait as long to meet the amazing boys and girls making the same brave leap as me. Come this Friday I will find myself in a hotel in SF meeting for the first time other passionately Zionist youth making Aliyah with me. I absolutely cannot wait for this weekend! I know a few kids in the same Garin as me, but for the most part I will be on my own. It's incredible to think that these kids will be my new family for the next three years, as we all struggle through the hardships and challenges of being in a foreign army. Although it is a new country, Israel is not exactly foreign. Many of us have spent time in Israel, have Israeli parents, and speak Hebrew. This is the country we feel at home. That is why we've all made the decision to uproot everything we've lived for the past 18 years and start a new life in a country of our brothers and sisters, the land we call home. I've never been more sure of a right decision in my life, especially something as drastic as this. I've never had more hopes, goals, and dreams than I currently hold and I've never felt as spiritually empowered or patriotic than I do now. For the past 3 years I've taken apart every possible aspect, benefit, and sacrifice of joining the army, and my heart, mind, and soul are all screaming yes!
If I've learned anything thus far, it's that you have to listen to yourself, not what others want you to do, even if it means disappointing some people. I learned in my Psychology class that dissatisfaction is due to a discrepancy between one's perceived self and one's actual self. Too often do we make ourselves out of what society tells us we should be - the perceived self - and we bottle up what makes us happy - our actual self. Lucky for me I grew up with parents that fostered independence and leadership. So now that I'm old enough to live on my own, I'm making my own decisions that make me happy: I'm moving to Israel and joining the IDF.
The journey began a few months ago as a result of my decision to join the Israel Defense Force, and I have learned a ton about myself since. This upcoming August I will fly off to Israel to live on a kibbutz for three months and then join the IDF through the program Garin Tzabar. I will join my brothers and sisters in a millennium long fight to protect the Jews and their 63 year old homeland. But that's a while from now. Luckily I don't have to wait as long to meet the amazing boys and girls making the same brave leap as me. Come this Friday I will find myself in a hotel in SF meeting for the first time other passionately Zionist youth making Aliyah with me. I absolutely cannot wait for this weekend! I know a few kids in the same Garin as me, but for the most part I will be on my own. It's incredible to think that these kids will be my new family for the next three years, as we all struggle through the hardships and challenges of being in a foreign army. Although it is a new country, Israel is not exactly foreign. Many of us have spent time in Israel, have Israeli parents, and speak Hebrew. This is the country we feel at home. That is why we've all made the decision to uproot everything we've lived for the past 18 years and start a new life in a country of our brothers and sisters, the land we call home. I've never been more sure of a right decision in my life, especially something as drastic as this. I've never had more hopes, goals, and dreams than I currently hold and I've never felt as spiritually empowered or patriotic than I do now. For the past 3 years I've taken apart every possible aspect, benefit, and sacrifice of joining the army, and my heart, mind, and soul are all screaming yes!
If I've learned anything thus far, it's that you have to listen to yourself, not what others want you to do, even if it means disappointing some people. I learned in my Psychology class that dissatisfaction is due to a discrepancy between one's perceived self and one's actual self. Too often do we make ourselves out of what society tells us we should be - the perceived self - and we bottle up what makes us happy - our actual self. Lucky for me I grew up with parents that fostered independence and leadership. So now that I'm old enough to live on my own, I'm making my own decisions that make me happy: I'm moving to Israel and joining the IDF.
My current inspiration:
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