Author: Eve Posen

Birthright,

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Alright, so I’m blogging instead of doing homework, but I think this is productive too. It seems like it is well into the second tourist season of the year here in Jerusalem. I am longing for the quiet days, but thrilled to see so many people taking over Ben Yehuda, the stores, the eateries, the cabs! I hear English all over the place, stores have great sales, and you never know who you know that will pop up around the next corner. But, I was walking home tonight, thinkinga buot Birthright, and the land of Israel. It seems that a hot topic of discussion lately is Judaism in Israel. Many of the speakers who have come to my school to talk with us about Israel and religion within the state have emphasized the fact that Israel is a Jewish state. that Jews can live freely here, more freely than they can anywhere else in the world. They talk about how the shabbat environment here is unbeatable, kosher food is all around, etc. But, I’m still wondering if this is really true. And, what is my birthright. Is by birthright to the land of Israel? is it to religious freedom in that land? Is it the tradition and law I live my life by?
I dont want to talk about politics, the land, etc. I want to talk about my “birthright” and the State of Israel. I want to talk about the contradictions in the “Jewish State.” It seems more and more that although the state is Jewish, it is a place where only certain types of Jews are welcome. Where, the speakers, former supreme court justice’s, politicians, rabbis, come and talk to us about how Israel welcomes all Jews, but in reality, my Judaism isn’t recognized here. I have actually found that it is easier to be the Jew that I am, to be Jewish and live my Jewish life outside of Israel. Kosher food all the time is nice, but when I am ostracized for showing my hair, or told what i believe in isn’t Judaism, told I can’t perform a marriage here, or someone who converts into my movement will not be considered a Jew; I am sad, upset, and angry. Israel may be a Jewish state, but lately, i’ve found that it is a long way from being a Jewish State who accepts every Jew for who they are, for their Birthright.

New Year, New Me?

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I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the “New Year,” especially living in Israel for the year, where, well, this isn’t exactly the begining of a new year, in fact, it’s not the middle of the year either. Right now, I’m just experiencing another day in my life. My official New Year as a Jew is at Rosh HaShanah, already 4 months ago. And I could just see tonight and tomorrow as just another day. While Israel is a Jewish State, I have enjoyed living a Jewish year cycle. There was no hype or excessive music, shopping, etc. over christmas, halloween or Thanksgiving. And, I have to say, I am enjoying it. My life is much less focused on commercial holidays, and I feel more focused on what is important to me, figuring out who I am!
And, so, I got to thinking. What does this New Year mean to me? I often think about how lucky I am to be in a world where I have more than one new year. My birthday is a new year, Rosh HaShanah is a new year, January first begins a new secular year, and I could go on. What I really focus on is a new start, a refresher, a new me. Having so many new beginnings, I am able to focus on little steps, and check in with myself along the way at each new begining.
So, what am I hoping for, wishing for, resolving for this new year? I think, I hope this year, to listen to my heart, and to find out who I am. I need to take some time for me, to figure out what i want, and do what is right for me. I need to take care of my heart, and nurture my soul. This year, I want to be in power of my life, make the changes I want to make. This year, I hope and pray for health and happiness for my family, my friends and all who are in my heart. This year, I hope for continued growth and learning for myself. This year, i want to be me!

Walking in a winter wonderland…

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Yes, that’s right, it snowed in Jerusalem, and then some. This is after all, always a question: when you are in Jerusalem for a winter, will it snow or not? The last time I lived in Jerusalem, it snowed one day, but I was in the desert and by the time we got back, it was gone. This time, i did not miss it. In fact, i document the entire occurance from begining to end. You see, yesterday they started to predict the possiblity of 1/2 an inch of snow today. It started as a nasty and not fun rain storm. This storm lasted all night last night, and when I awoke this morning, no snow. I did awake, however to some magnificent lightening, followed by watching the rain turn into hail and back. The power by the light at my house was out, and I will say, Israelis do not treat this situation as a 4 way stop. It was very much every person for themselves. I watched 2 of my classmates navigate the street and even took a picture of them from my window! Then, i watched as a police car showed up to direct traffic, but were too chicken to be outside. iw atched them suit up, get out of the car, get back in, get out again, get back in, and finally drove away. Just as they were driving away, traffic became very bad, so they had to turn around and come back, and finally got out of the car to direct traffic. Now, I understand that it is cold out, and wet, and I hate it as much as the next person if I had to stand in the middle of an Israeli intersection during rush hour, however, people’s lives’ were at stake, so I was happy to see them finally take the initiative to keep law and order to the roads!

My walk to school this morning was damp, but fun. i was all bundeled up, like I used to do when I was a kid. I had my rain pants on, my hat, hood, jacket, hood, scarf and mittens. I was ready to rock and roll. And dont’ forget my spiffy snow/ice shoes, I was ready for anything. School finished and it was still raining, no snow. I went home determined to do my work. Then, around 3pm i looked out the window and saw the most magnificent, beautiful, huge, pure white snow flakes fluttering down from the sky.

A shehechianu moment if I have ever had one. It was beautiful. I immediately grabbed my camera and started snapping pictures out of my window. When i realized it wasn’t going to let up for a while, i got bundled up again and headed out for an hour snapping pictures every way i looked. What a sight to be seen. This city is beautiful with it’s own special charm year round, but something about the pure, white snow blanketing the streets, trees, cars, makes this city even more holy, more special. Palm trees with snow on them. Children making snowballs, playing, laughing, care free. The mood lifted, people are smiling and enjoying the rare occurance.

Now, 7 hours later, it is still snowing and the trees are covered nicely. The night has made for a winter wonderland. I feel at home. I might be freezing in my cold apartment, but I am happy, peaceful staring at the white snow. I didn’t get my homework done, but I think that’s o.k. After all, how often will I have the opportunity to see Jerusalem covered in at least an inch of snow. I truly am in a winter wonderland!

All I want for Christmas…

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Where to begin!?! So, I have decided that this year is going to be my year of exploration, of myself, of my faith, and of other faiths. Afterall, what better place to learn and grow than in the Land of Israel. I have learned much more about myself since i have been here, and much more about my religion, both in my classes and in my experiences on the street, living in a “Jewish State.” I learned about Greek Jewry on a tip to Greece during Hannukah which seemed very fitting. So, I thought I shoudl continue this learning with a Christmas adventure. Ideally, I would have gone to Bethlehem for Christmas, however, with the rise in Palestinian violence and other security issues, and the fact that I am in school, this was not an option. A group of friends and I decided to do the next best thing, Christmas mass in Jerusalem’s old city. Last night, at 10pm I met iwth a group of cantorial and rabbinical students from HUC and JTS and began our journey!

Initially we were going to go to the Scottish Church in Jerusalem, a Presbyterian church where the service was in english, and there would be caroling throughout the evening. We began there, but at some point, a smaller group of us decided to make the trek to the Old City and see what was happening there! We arrived in the old City around 10:30pm, and began to figure out a plan. we tried the Chuch of the Holy Sepluchre, but it was closed, not their Christmas. Our next stop was the Dormition Abbey, a wonderful German Catholic (?) church in the old city. We had heard much about the church, the wardrobe of the priests, the monks, the beautiful chapel, i could go on. We found our way as we followed the masses of others going to Mass! =). We arrived and were lucky to be some of the first to be let into the Abbey, so we were able to get a space standing behind the last row of chairs. In our wait for the mass to begin (at midnight!) we took in the sights and talked with others who came to Mass. Mass began at midnight, with a beautiful ceremony, the monks walked in with the various instruments, books and ornaments for the service. The service because with a ritual involving incense which smelled divine, and much German. The service was set to go for 2 hours, and after about 45 minutes and an hour and a half of standing, we needed to go! I had school today!

So, my impressions. First of all, I felt as though it might be rude to invade or observe another religion’s holy day. I’m not sure how I would feel if a large group of non-Jews came to watch/take up space during our holy days. But, I was assured earlier in the evening that Mass in Jerusalem is actualyl a mostly Jewish/Israeli event. That is to say that only 2% of Israel’s population is Christian, and so, the majority of hte people who go to Mass are Jews or others who are there to observe and learn. The Churches open their doors to us, and welcome the opporutnity for an educational experience. The music, liturgy (although i didn’t understand it) and mood were very moving. The sermon, which was handed out in English focused on peace, and the need to live together in harmony, respecting each other.

For my first Midnight Mass, I was impressed, moved and welcomed! Merry Christmas to All, and to All a GOOD NIGHT!!

Sometimes in our life, we all have pain, we all have Sorrow

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But, friends, they help us through these times. I am so grateful and thankful for my friends! For those who make me smile, make me celebrate my life, celebrate what is important to me, and important to the world. I have those friends who I can lean on, those friends who will support me, send me love when I need it, hold me, make me smile when I feel alone. I am grateful for them! Grateful for the little messages in my inbox that say “I am thinking about you” “i miss you” “i hope you’re O.k.”.
I am happy to know that there are people in my world who care about me, who know when I need to smile and make it happen. Life throws me a lot of curve balls, a lot of unexpected turns, and I know who my friends are, who my true friends are, when they call me, text me, im me and tell me that they know i need their support and they are there for me. that is what friendship is all about. Friendship is about giving a hug when I need it, asking how I am, and listening to me when I am lost and uncertain about everything! for this, I am grateful! It is the hug at the end of the day, the smile and the laugh that help me make it through to the next!
Thank you, for being a friend, for helping me stand, for guiding me, and supporting me… youa re amazing!