Sunday
Today was a pretty typical day on Nativ. I had Yeshiva
classes, and really enjoyed them. It’s been basically a week straight of
enjoying Yeshiva classes, so I think I’m getting settled in. I’m glad I didn’t
get too worked up last week and switch tracks, because I really do like the
Yeshiva most of the time.
After class I hung out with my friend Ilana. She’s from
Cleveland, so I knew her through my USY region throughout high school, but we
were never really friends. We’ve been getting a lot closer on Nativ, so we
spent basically the whole night together. For dinner, we went to Nativ’s Beit
Midrash program, which is basically a once a week Yeshiva class taught by a
past Nativer that allows non Yeshiva students to get a taste of the Yeshiva. At
Beit Midrash, they had free pizza, which was nice because it meant not paying
for a meal. After that, we walked to Aroma for iced coffee. We got there right
as they were closing, but they still served us which was nice. We finished off
the night watching clueless, which is one of Ilana’s favorite movies, but I’ve
never seen it. I really liked it, even though it was stupid.
Monday
Today was my shortest day at the Yeshiva. I got out of class
at 12:45, which gave me lots of time to get stuff done. After some lunch, I
dedicated my time to doing laundry, a long overdue task. I realized I haven’t
done laundry since before tiyul, which means about three weeks. I was almost
out of a lot of necessities, so it was good that I got it done. The rest of the day was pretty boring, just
watching TV on my laptop and hanging out with friends.
Tuesday
Today at Yeshiva we had our second round of Nativ classes.
In our Halacha class, we got into a heated debate about appropriate dress and
actions for women. Some people’s comments were a lot more extreme then I
expected, and it really frustrated me. It was especially frustrating being
someone who falls in the middle of the debate. I don’t think women need to have
their shoulders, elbows, knees, and elbows covered all the time, but I also
understand that there is a time and place for everything. I also don’t take it
as a personal offense that some men think women should be covered. There is a
certain aspect of being dressed modestly that I can respect.
After class we had Erev Nativ. Tonight we went on a
scavenger hunt on Ben Yehuda. We had to take pictures and videos of ourselves
completing ridiculous tasks including talking to tourists, dancing with
Israeli’s and taking pictures in stereotypical facebook poses. It was tons of
fun, and gave me a chance to hang out with some people that I’m not typically
around.
Wednesday
Today was an interesting day at Yeshiva. We started out the
morning with a whole Yeshiva Shiur (lesson). Rabbi Levy told us that the intent
of the morning was to take a step back and look at what we have been learning
as a whole instead of the nitty gritty details. It sounds like a great idea,
but ended up being mostly the rabbis arguing with each other, while the rest of
us zoned in and out. On the flip side, my evening class, which I usually hate,
I really enjoyed today.
After class my friend Cara and I walked to a school supply
store to get an accordion folder for my papers. Then we got bagels on Ben
Yehuda for dinner. I got a pizza bagel, which was delicious. Then we came back
and watched the Pretty Little Liars Halloween special with Angela and Miriam. I
finished off the night with the David Project, our weekly optional class about
the issues that are currently facing Israel. Tonight we learned about the peace
process, specifically the two state solution. It was interesting to hear about
the situation, but one thing I always wonder is what the story would sound like
from the other side. It also got me interested in seeing a movie called Unsettled,
about the evacuation of settlements in the West Bank. Hopefully I’ll be able to
see it sometime soon.
Thursday
This morning the Yeshiva started with some special
excitement. Josh Kulp’s (one of our teachers at the Yeshiva) daughter had her
Bat Mitzvah this morning. It was fun to get to celebrate with him and his
family, and also helped me feel like I knew one of my teachers on a more
personal level.
Other then that it was a typical Thursday at the
Conservative Yeshiva. Just when I’m losing focus and motivation I am
rejuvenated by Kehilla Midaberet. As always, our discussions inspired me to
focus and work hard on my studies at the Yeshiva.
Thursday night was the start of our Conservative Judaism
seminar. Essentially, this is an entire Shabbos dedicated to learning about the
movement, the problems facing it, specifically Halachic concerns (issues
pertaining to Jewish law). We started off with a session with Jules Gutin, the
former International Director of USY (the high school youth group for the
conservative movement). He spoke to us about our view on Conservative Judaism,
based on the results of a survey we filled out. It was very interesting to hear
people’s views about our movement, and really inspired me to research and
understand my Judaism’s foundations.
Friday and
Saturday (Shabbat)
This was one of my favorites Shabbotots in Israel by far. On
Friday before Shabbat started Ilana and I hung out with a few of our USY
friends that are in Israel on different programs. It was really great to see
them, and even though I wasn’t that close with them in High School just being
in Israel brought us together. We spent the whole rest of the weekend learning
about Conservative Judaism. We had multiplte sessions with Jules about
Halachah, specifically the process the movement uses to change the laws, and
the laws concerning Shabbat. We also had a session with Mark Lazar, who will be
teaching a night class called Jewish Educators Training. I was debating whether
or not to participate, but his opening session made it seem fun and beneficial.
It also brought a wave of confusion over me, in my process of trying to decide
what I want to do with my life. I have been leaning away from education, but
things like this always make me question. It’s confusing, and I always feel
like I’m going in circles, but I also know I don’t have to decide right now. So
for the time being, I’m left with happy confusion.
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