Hillel Happenings Blog

Hillel's Alternative Break to Nicaragua January 9th to 15th

2012-02-07T18:45:00.000-08:00

The students in Nicaragua did not have any computers or electronics with them on the trip therefore these blog entries were written in the group notebook and typed and entered here later. Enjoy!

Monday Jan 9

Tonight, the group went over our “rose and thorns” of the day. My rose was getting to go to the village and meeting everyone we would be working with. The awkward silence turned into playful bantering as everybody, workers and Hillel, got to know one another. My thorn, however, is one I will never forget. Considering my small stature, I was happy with my digging progress so far. The trench seemed to be growing! However, my shovel kept getting taken away in order to hasten the process. I was given a pickaxe, go figure, me with a pickaxe. Cuidado,” be careful, Atruro told me. Not three minutes later, I had managed to cut a tube, with water running through it, in half. Water rapidly hit me in the face as I the community began to laugh. Trying to cover it with soil did nothing to help the cause. I was so embarrassed, I will never pick axe again!...until tomorrow! Great experience. Can’t wait for another wonderful day here in Nicaragua.
-Sydney Sarfan

Tuesday Jan 10

Today I continued to work on digging the trenched so the community can have running water. The first half was uncomfortable because the locals who I was near weren’t very friendly. They would not talk much or smile. After our break I moved to be near people closer in age to me who were much nicer. I tried speaking to them in Spanish that Lom taught me. They were very nice and willing to try to communicate with me. Raphael, who is one of the other workers, told me he is studying to be a maestro, or foreman. Manuel said he is not in school. They were also very curious how much money Andrew made and how much his gloves cost. After lunch we are walking 30 minutes to a hibiscus distribution plant.
-Abby S.

Wednesday Jan 11

This place is hit with poverty that causes sadness, but then if you step back you can see the beauty. During the day, there is a spectacular view of the volcano and lively conversation with friends. At night, a light breeze flows through the place accompanied by the gentle hum of insects. This is the beauty of the place. It lies in the spirit of the people and the land they inhabit. It is amazing to hear the young children talk about their aspirations, fun to laugh with people my own age, and humbling to converse with adults about how they work for survival.
But about today, we saw the well that serves the entire community. On the way there from the work site, we saw he length of trench yet to be accomplished. I can’t believe how much farther the pipe needs to go. It will take months before the community can use the well as a resource. It is sad to see a community without the things I take for granted at home, but I am happy to see that these troubles have not diminished the fight of the human spirit.
-Robin Roston

Wednesday Jan 11

Today was my first experience walking through the markets and the town square. Here was a variety of fruits, vegetables, and other products available for sale as we went on our scavenger hunt. I took several photos and enjoyed the local architecture. One particular example was the church we (me, Sydney, Izzy, and Liana) walked through that was built in the 1800’s in a colonial Spanish manner. Our third day at the digging site was far more enjoyable as well. My back did not hurt as much as before and my ability with a pickaxe has developed. His experience in Nicaragua has been enjoyable, and I look forward to further trip with Hillel.
-Max G.

Thursday Jan 12

Today has probably been our busiest day, but we saw a lot in the community so it was worth it. After a couple more tough, but conversation-filled hours of digging, we split into two groups to venture deeper into the community. We saw the well that currently provides water for the 200 or so families in Los Castillos and is powered by a pair of oxen. It was eye opening to see the amount of work that went into producing just one bucket of water, and how one liter of water costs a family 2 Cordoba, which can really add up when you think about how much water a family of 5 or 6 uses. It really made me stop and think about how much water I use at home and how accessible it is. I will definitely remember this experience the next time I want to take a really long shower.
In the afternoon we visited a nearby medical clinic in Nandaime. I thought it was really interesting how the public clinic offered all of its services, including immunizations, a pharmacy, and a maternity ward, to the community for free because it really shows that they are trying to make health care accessible to people who don’t have enough money to go to a private clinic. It was a little awkward walking through the clinic and seeing sick people in their rooms, but overall, I really enjoyed the experience.
-Liana

Thursday Jan 12

This morning we worked on the trench again. Sue and I worked with a man names Portfil and learned that he has a brother who lives in LA and owns his own rental car company. Portfil knows a little English and he plans to leave for the United States in a couple of years. This afternoon we visited the homes of people within a community and it was surprising to see how little these people live with. We also got to see the baca pulled apparatus for lifting water from the well.
Tonight we had a discussion about the reason why we are here and why AJWS organizes these trips. I learned that the trips are not necessarily for the communities but for us to learn about the culture and bring the information back in order to cause change. This makes me want to go back and work towards creating products that will serve a purpose in communities like Los Castillos.
-Robin Roston

Friday Jan 13

Friday. 5:18PM. The challah is braiding and baking in the oven. We will light the candles when the sun does down in a few minutes.
It was our last day of work in Los Castillos. We dug 344 m and there are 282 m left. The mayor promised to bring in a machine to finish the digging because the land is getting hard and dry.
Around noon we joined the community for a closing ceremony they had planned for us. We each prepared a few sentences to share in Spanish. The community members presented us with gifts. The first was a doll made of sugarcane base, crafted by hand. As we stood to accept the dolls, I began to feel incredibly uncomfortable. I was taking a gift from people who do not even have half of the things I do. It was so thoughtful of them, but I could feel myself sweating even more. As unnecessary as the dolls were, the community members went on to present us with beans, lentils, rice, corn, dried, hibiscus, sugarcane, sweet lemons, and a few other pieces of food. The hardest part of this tri was accepting this gift basket…I had a conversation with an 83-year-old man earlier today about how so many people are starving. So the follow up of taking food was really difficult. Of course, not to accept it is even worse. Being in this situation motivates me to be much more conscience of the resources I use to avoid wasting anything. I also want to make better consumer choices, such as buying organic products. This week has taken our group far out of our comfort zones and what we’ve learned from it will help us to be better people in the future.
-Izzy Shockit

Saturday Jan 14

Today was a rather relaxed day. It was good to be able to slow down and appreciate all of the work we have accomplished this week. It has been grueling, but nonetheless, looking back, it was worth it. We went to the marker and to a peaceful garden. We saw natural medicine plants and learned about a series of useful plants and how they are essential for the peoples’ daily lives here. The walk was hot and long, but well worth the effort. Since it is our last day, it is important to look back and reflect on our experience both to see how we were impacted and how we impacted the community. While it is going to be sad to leave, Nicaragua holds a special place in our hearts.
-Sydney Sarfan and David Umansky

Saturday Jan 14

Last night we celebrated the Shabbat. We spent part of the day each preparing something such as decorating the room or baking challah. We invited all of the people who work at Nochari to come and celebrate Shabbat with us. We all said the prayers over the wine and bread together, then enjoyed dinner side by side. The employees told us that whenever a Jewish group comes to stay here they always know to expect something special on Friday night. We spent the night talking over dinner, dancing to Nicaraguan music, and playing piñata. It meant a lot to me that we were able to share something from our culture and traditions with them. This whole week they have been so open in sharing their culture and welcoming us into their community, it was special to share ours with them. It was great to be able to bring all of us together and celebrate Shabbat as one.
-Amy

Sunday Jan 15

We sleep on thin mattresses on the floor. We bathe under a cold trickle of water. We eat bland food we’re not used to. We struggle to communicate with people those who do not speak our language. We are caked in dirt, we smell, we sweat. There are no cells, laptops, movie theatres. We can’t drink the water. We are not comfortable. But what is comfort anyway? It is the safe. The known. The familiar. The constant. But where does comfort move us? It keeps us one place, the same, assured of the status quo. It is easy, too easy to be comfortable. The hard part is to be comfortable in discomfort. But what is discomfort? It is the scary, the unknown, the insecure. It can be unpredictable and strange. But discomfort exposes us to new things. It moves us in directions we never though we could go. It is productive. Discomfort makes us grow as human beings. It allows us to reflect upon what we can and cannot do, and most of the time, it surprises us. I challenge everyone to put themselves into discomfort as often as possible and to realize the good that it can accomplish. Because before we know it, the thin mattresses will become beds, thin trickles showers, bland food feasts, Spanish understandable, and the technology we once had, an afterthought. And then, we’ll be comfortable again.
-Andrew
Sunday Jan 15

Today is the last day of the trip. We woke up this morning slightly earlier than normal, to eat breakfast at 6:15am so we would have time to say good-bye to the staff at Nochari and have enough time to visit an artisanal market and volcano national park. Our breakfast was simple and yummy; yogurt, fruit, and bread (plus some untouched rice and beans!). We had an emotional good-bye to the kitchen staff Marion and Adela, who we have grown close to over the week. I definitely felt most connected with Cecilia and Lola, plus Lola’s young son Christian.
After a bus ride, we arrived at the marked to find just the kind of souvenir we had been looking for: crafty. I bought a bracelet, a leather bound journal, a woven coin purse and a decorated wooden “R,” for my middle name. Others got t-shirts, musical instruments, wooden carved boxes, wooden figurines, and other objects. We only had thirty minutes before hopping back on the bus to the national park to see the volcano. The volcano park smelled strongly of brimstone, and was so steep, that we had to turn off the A/C in order for the bus to make it up. Once we got to the top we all exited the bus to climb stairs that were cut into the volcano to take us up even higher. At the top, we could see for miles while our hair was whipped in the strong winds. It was an incredible last stop of the journey to get to appreciate the natural beauty of Nicaragua. It is sad to me that because the entrance fee to the park is five U.S. dollars per person, many locals can probably not afford to visit, since it would be 1.5 days wages cutting cane just to enter. II hope they have some days when it free to visit, because natural resources belong to us all.
After that we all hopped back onto the bus one last time to hear to the airport. We arrived with 3.5 hours until our flight and we all immediately ran to the food court to buy meat. Amy, Liana and I all got subway, which had a few more veggie options than we are used to at home. There were also more gift/souvenir shops at the airport that we all got stuff at to use up the rest of our Cordoba. I bought a bottle of water and another of ice tea, which I saves for the flight but were then confiscated prior to boarding in a surprise security check, weird and really annoying. Our first flight was relatively smooth, we all felt good until we landed in Atlanta and no gates were open so we had to sit on the tarmac waiting. And waiting. When we finally got in we had forty five minutes until boarding time on the next flight. Very luckily, customs was very smooth, no one confiscated my sugar lady, and we had time to buy food. The flight we were supposed to be boarding was late arriving form Cabo San Lucas which gave us time to wolf down our food sitting on the floor of the Atlanta airport. Too soon it was time to say goodbye to Andrew (We love you!) and get on the flight.
Now I am sitting here, watching the golden globes on our personal TV. screen and excited to be going home tonight. I am really glad that I was able to do this program, I feel extremely grateful for my life at home and at school. I really do want to be part of a positive change in the world and I feel ready to contribute and take initiative.
Thank you to Sue, Andrew, Lon and all the other VT students for sharing this journey with me. We are all bonded for life in a special way now.
-Abby S.

Monday January 2, 2012

2012-01-02T13:24:00.000-08:00

Today was a very different day from all the rest! Unfortunately, it was the first day we faced the elements and whipped out our rain slickers, for it was coming down like cats and dogs! We were scheduled to go to a nature preserve in the Golan Heights and have a short hike, but we were foiled. Instead, we took a long driving tour of the Heights and watched a movie about the Valley of Tears battle that took place there. It was a battle against Syria where the Israeli army was vastly outnumbered and still came out victorious.
Then we had a short activity to start the goodbyes to our Israeli Soldiers. Everybody wrote a short little note about how our new friends affected us in their short time on our trip. The word awesome was thrown around almost excessively.
We then went to Mount Bental where there was an old bunker and lots of interesting artwork created by a local artist to represent the events that took place there and also the lives of the Israeli civilians that live in the area. We got stuck in the bunker behind a loud group of cheering Italians and ended up yelling “Lets Go/Hokies” out of restlessness.
After Mount Bental, we had lunch at a mall in the Golan Heights where the primary customers in the food court were Birthrighters. There was a falafel stand claiming it was “The Best Falafel in the World/Welcome Taglit”. The proprietor was a loud man wearing a Taglit Birthright t-shirt; he is doing great business.
We were headed to an overlook where you can see the border of Lebanon from Israel but the rain was continuing to pour down. Yoav, Amanda and Lauren made a game time decision to take us on a tour of a local Winery! This was a great surprise and went over well with the group. The winery was fun and we tasted three wines and took a stroll around the store. Many people bought gifts to take home to their parents so cross your fingers! You may be getting something tasty and very Israeli, Parents!
Finally, we headed to the bus station in Tiberius to bid our soldiers farewell. Everyone hugged and kissed and made promises to see each other in the future. We are all bummed that they’re gone – we had an absolutely amazing time getting to know our Israeli peers. Personally, I felt they were one of the most beneficial aspects of the entire Birthright trip. Meeting people our own age who are being forced to grow up much quicker for the sake of their country was extremely moving. It put my life in perspective and is giving me a much greater appreciation of all the blessings in my life.
Tonight we’re going to write postcards and enjoy some tea and cookies. The trip is beginning to wind down but I don’t want it to be over any time soon.
L’Hitra’ot,
Nikki Kosnett

Sunday, 01/01/12

2012-01-02T11:48:00.000-08:00

"Yes Hamefachedet!" So began a traumatizing 5 minute introduction of what it's like on the first day of IDF bootcamp. Led by our supposed soldier friends who seemed to derive a little too much fun from making us stand attention in rows of three (and do pushups when we failed), we were incredibly relieved when they broke character from their "Full Metal Jacket" routine and we segued into a discussion of the powerful challenges presented to soldiers every day in the Israeli military. Tackling questions like "how do you disarm a terrorist holding a child?" revealed how impossible many of the decisions these soldiers--some of them younger than us--have to address with lightning fast reflexes on a regular basis. To me personally it was the culmination of an emotional day that highlighted how critical it is to be aware of the fact that the status quo simply isn't acceptable; nothing upsets me more than to think of how the burden of this fight rests upon the shoulders of young adults.

To backtrack, we began our day at the Supreme Court. While perhaps not the most exciting stop of our trip, we did get to sit in on a hearing that involved five Supreme Court justices, and while I understood approximately nothing said during the trial, the entire event (as well as the very architecture of the building) suggested an approachability and transparency that is admirable. After the courtroom, we learned about the differing judicial systems within the Israeli government (including criminal, civil, and religious court systems).

From the Supreme Court, we left for our central activity of the day, visiting Mount Herzl. We began by a discussion of Theodor Herzl and his dream of an Israeli state, and from there went to visit Herzl's tombstone. Though Herzl was unable to see his idea become a reality, it is pretty incredible to conceive that a mere half century transpired between conception and reality.

We moved on to the graves of former Prime Ministers, and paused specifically at the headstone of Yitzhak Rabin, where Yoav spoke to us about his own memory of Rabin and the assassination by right-wing extremists. I have always admired his passionate pursuit for peace throughout his life, and he ultimately died for what I believe was a faith in a common goodness.

Finally we visited multiple sections dedicated to the fallen of various wars, from old battles to an American citizen, Michael Levin, who lost his life during the Second Lebanon War. Two incidents stuck out monumentally in my mind. First was the children's story we read at the gravestone of Guni Harnik, a war hero who is buried at the 'brothers grave.' Written by his mother, it opens with the line, "Once upon a time, I had a son." No mother should ever have to author such a thought, and those simple and almost innocent words echoed long-after in my mind. Secondly were the numbers; on every gravestone, conspicuous amongst a field of (for me) unreadable Hebrew characters, were numbers: 21, 20, 21, 18, 18, 19, 22, 39, 24, 20, 31, 27, 18. These were, of course, the ages of each fallen member, and was the most sober and profound reminder of the true cost of war. These ages matched my age, and more importantly, they matched the ages of our Israeli friends who were the peers of those who now were passed. We closed our time at Mount Herzl with the singing of Hatikvah, and then left for the marketplace.

As somber and beautiful as Mount Herzl was, the shuk was in every way the opposite: loud, exciting, colorful, and loud. Fishmongers, spice sellers, and every kitschy shop imaginable lined the narrow, covered streets. For about two hours we split up, tasting and taking in the sights and sounds of a Jerusalem marketplace. Returning to the bus, we drove two hours north to the hostel (and partied a bit on the bus) and then enjoyed a nice dinner before the soldiers took over the evening show!

Shabbat/New Years Eve - the three Rs (Rest, Relaxation, Rage)

2012-01-02T07:57:00.000-08:00

Saturday (shabbat) morning was a slow start for most of Group 121. With a late rise and late breakfast everyone was able to recover from the night before. Our day started at 11:30am with an activity where we picked from a list about what we thought best described our perceptions of judaism. There was some obvious discrepancies between the Israelis and Americans for example marrying a Jew in Israel is a lot like shooting fish in a barrel, you're bound to hit one. Yet in the states the dating game is not so simple. After some interesting discussion we had ourselves a nice Shabbat lunch at the hotel.

The next activity for the day was the Bat Mitzvah of our own Sarah Montgomery. Rabbi Rich lead a beautiful ceremony and emphasized the importance of love between siblings which Sarah's Torah portion touched on. Candy was thrown, songs were sung, and Sarah came away giddy with self content. It's not every day you get to be Bat mitzvahed in Jerusalem.

As the day progressed so did the excitement of New Years. We met for a havdallah service where the soldiers pumped us up by teaching us the cheer of "A'him", or brotherhood, and setting the tone for the night. With everyone looking sharp we loaded up the bus at 7 o'clock and headed to Jerusalem's main strip, Ben Yehudah, to bring in the new year. Everyone dispersed to end their year to enjoy a night of great food, music, and fun by ringing in 2012 in one of the oldest cities on earth.

L'shana tovah from group 121,

Stacey Weinstock

Masada and Dead Sea!

2011-12-30T11:45:00.000-08:00

Masada and Dead Sea!

2011-12-30T11:42:00.000-08:00

Today we woke up at 4:30 am, had crackers and tea, then headed to Masada where we took a 15 minute hike to the top via the Roman ramp. We had some lectures about King Herad, saw the sun rise. There were Greek baths with mosaic tiles in them, saw a synagogue. We learned the story of the 900 Jews after the destruction of the second temple, who committed a heroic suicide. They wouldn’t throw rocks at the people building the ramp because there were Jewish slaves making it. There were 10 names in pottery, One of the names was Yoav. Other birthright groups were on top of Masada from England and other countries. We did an activity on Masada where we shouted Am Yisrael Chi over the valley to the mountain and listened to the echo. The walk down was about 45 minutes, while some people took the cable car.
Becca really enjoyed the peacefulness on Masada and having the chance to think about the archaeology and how the Romans had a tough job building the fortress. Seeing all the different parts of the palace was very amazing. I really felt connected to the Romans and Jews who lived on Masada in the past. Being an archaeology student, Masada was my favorite part of the trip so far.
We went to the Ahava shop for a bit, then to the dead sea and put some black mud on our bodies before going in the Dead Sea. Some people went in the sulphur pool. Lunch was a choice of three sandwiches, pears, water and chocolate.
Becca and Sarah M. had a great time at the Dead Sea collecting a variety of rocks that were incredible. The salt minerals incased a bunch of the rocks. Becca spent the majority of the time at the beach looking at and collecting rocks. The two geology students on the trip decided that the Dead Sea was a geologist’s dream place. While we were floating in the sea, we could look around and see the mountains.
We came back to Jerusalem, to the Yehuda Youth Hostel, dressed up for Shabbat and had a group service and dinner. We did a massage game and then introduced all the Israeli soldiers with songs and skits. For Oneg we had dates and poprock chocolates.
We are looking forward to sleeping in tomorrow.
Alex Greene and Becca Siegal

Day 4!!!

2011-12-30T06:15:00.000-08:00

After yesterday’s subduing visit to Yad V’shem we could feel the mood change as we prepared to meet our eight Israeli soldiers. We picked them up on the side of the highway. Tara got to sit next to one of them, Oz, on the bus and had the opportuinity to talk to him about his future plans for college in America at Florida State.
Later, after several of us got to know the soldiers better, we visited Sederot, a city that has been attacked many times over the last several years from the Gaza Stip. Seeing the houses that had dents in them from missal shrapnel was moving and I’m glad that we were able to visit it despite the turmoil. There were missal shelters everywhere. The most notable of these were in a children’s playground. It was disheartening to see that something as innocent as a playground had bomb-shelters built into it as giant caterpillars. We got lunch in Sederot then drove to a hill where we could see into the Gaza Strip. After that it was off to the Bedouin tents to enjoy a recreation of old Bedouin hospitality. On the way Yoav, our awesome guide, told us about how the Bedouins are no longer nomadic because there are borders and water is now more accessible.
The camels were the first thing we saw after we passed through the stunning scenery of the desert. Almost everyone was excited to ride the camels, but a few of us were apprehensive. Getting on the camel wasn’t a problem, it was not freaking out as the camel stood up and got back down that was the real issue. There were several screams as the camels pitched forward from kneeling to standing and then back again. We gathered in a warm tent and drank authentic tea and coffee while learning about Bedouin culture. At several points during the night a chatul ashpatote(a stray “dumpster” cat, something we as a group have been somewhat obsessed with) dropped by and distracted us. The dinner we ate on floor with our hands was delicious.
After dinner we walked into the dessert in the dark. The stars were brilliant, we could see more than we ever have before. We had some more circle time we branched off and sat/lay in the dark by ourselves and appreciate the Negev dessert and contemplate everything. Tara in particular felt a deep connection to one of the stars and thought about her family members who have passed away, and about everything else that was out there.
As I’m writing this I’m sitting on the floor of our Bedouin tent, which is scattered with mats, backpacks, and sleeping bags. The electric heater is warming the tent and some of us are getting ready for bed. I’m so excited to hike Masada tomorrow morning, but not as thrilled to be waking up before 5 a.m. Tomorrow is going to be another great adventure!
--Alex Ross and Tara Fialkow

Day 3 in Israel!

2011-12-28T10:58:00.000-08:00

Today began with a trip to Yad Vashem which is the Holocaust museum of Jerusalem. We spent the morning learning about the Holocaust. The museum connected on a very personal level with many of our group members especially when we were shown a testimonial by a Jewish man from Greece. After having a group discussion which brought up comparisons between this museum and the one in Washington, DC, we stopped for a homemade lunch in a small community center. The lunch was made by a feminist group who train Israeli women to start businesses involving cooking. Following lunch, we participated in an act of Tikun Olam involving mulching the paths of a community garden located in Jerusalem. This activity led in to a discussion of what we thought were the most important Jewish values to enact in the future. Finally, we ended the day with dinner at a mall and free time to explore the shops. We are so excited for tomorrow!

Sophie and Alex

Day 2!

2011-12-27T11:43:00.000-08:00

Hi Everyone,
I hope you all had a nice Chanukah and that you miss us all terribly! We had an amazing day today and are just finishing up our last activity of the night. After a lovely breakfast at the Kibbutz hotel we drove to a lookout point in Jerusalem to take pictures and talk about the city layout and history. We took a group picture, walked to another point, and then drove to the archeological park in the old city. We walked through and talked about the site, traditions and layout of the old city. Then we went to the Western Wall. We separated men and women and walked to the wall to pray and put notes while we reflected. It was beautiful and an amazing experience to see this site that we had heard so much about. Feeling the energy and emotion associated with it was indescribable.

After our time at the wall we ate lunch and explored the old city's Jewish Quarter. The group i was in had falafel! We went shopping and took pictures and had a great afternoon. After returning to the hotel and eating dinner we made and painted mezuzahs with a local Israeli artist. Overall it was an amazing day and had a blast exploring the old city and learning from our guide Yoav. Its absolutely surreal being here.
-Signing off from Jerusalem,
Anna Isserow
p.s. miss you mom, dad, jesse and bandit <3

Arrival in Israel!

2011-12-27T07:51:00.000-08:00

Hello All. We are now blogging from Jerusalem! Yay! Today we arrived after a long flight. The food on the plane was delicious. They served us Chinese chicken with rice for dinner and bagels with eggs for breakfast. I slept for about an hour on the whole flight. After landing we met our tour guide Yoav! That's Y-O-A-V. And we met Pini! Who is our personal medic and security. His family is from Jerusalem, but Yoav is from northern Israel. Yoav claims he is a great basketball player but we are yet to confirm this. We then headed from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. In Jerusalem we had a little bit of time to explore the old city and see Hanukah lights. There are cats everywhere. They are like the squirrels of Jerusalem. Yoav took us through these alleys that seemed very secret but in fact it was the center of the old city. There were menorahs in every window which is a very cool sight to see. It was absolutely amazing but we were all exhausted from the flight and ready to go to sleep. We headed to meet the bus where we saw our first Israeli soldiers. They looked like they were about 18 carrying M16's but wearing sweatpants and tennis shoes. They weren't really in a specific uniform. The 3 soldiers had their hands full with a very drunk arab man. Finally we headed back to the hotel and were able to go to sleep.
The words of the day were Bavakasha - please
Toda - Thank you
Slicha - Excuse me
Mike Swartz and Sarah Dagon

Reflections Taglit Birthright Israel Bus 120

2011-12-26T13:01:00.000-08:00

The Five Senses of Israel

Ashley Marx

Sight: “I lift my eyes to the mountains, where will my help come from, my help will come from God,” (Psalm 121).

This morning our group, KESHER 120, climbed the historical mountain, Masada. Watching the sunrise from the top, gazing across the dead sea was truly phenomenal. Learning about the heroic strength of these people has brought new meaning to this psalm; this summer when singing it at camp I will look at our own mountain and be reminded of our connection to Israel.

Taste: ”God said, “See, I give you every seed-bearing plant that is upon all the earth, and every tree that has seed-bearing fruit; they shall be yours for food.” (Genesis 1:27-29)

In addition to fruits, such as pomegranates, we have been sampling some incredible delicacies. Last night we were treated to a Bedouin feast in the Negev desert; the food is served family style and everyone shares from a communal dish. The Bedouin hospitality was delicious and is only a sample of the delicious food we have tasted including falafel, schwarma, many vegetable dishes and shakshuka, a Israeli breakfast dish.

Smell: ”We smell the spices and taste the wine as the stars above begin to shine,” (Shavua Tov, Klepper).

On Saturday, Sam and I had the pleasure of leading havdallah services for the group. From the patio of the hotel, it was incredible to see the lights of Jerusalem hillside beneath the stars. When we began to sing this song, we were the only ones in the group singing. There is a wide breadth of Jewish knowledge on our trip; some are active in the URJ or at their Hillel, while others did not have a bar or bat mitzvah. Yet each one of us is an important member of our group and just as Sam and I shared this song, we all bring something that can be learned. An hour after we had smelled the spices our week was made sweet when we spent a night with two Kalsman mishlacat members, Chen and Shir. There was no better way to start the second week of our trip.

Sound: “and the streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in the streets,” ( Zechariah Viii 3)

On our tour of the old city of Jerusalem, our tour guide Itai, showed us the place within the main square, where it is written on the wall. As he was explaining the significance of the prophecy we were interrupted by the voices of school children running through the square. Seeing the prophecy come to life before our eyes and hearing the laughter of the children is the greatest hope that the land of Israel, despite challenges, will continue to prosper.

Touch: “Jerusalem, if I forget you, let my right hand forget what it’s supposed to do,” – Jerusalem, Matisyahu (referencing Psalm 137).

This song, in addition to being extremely popular on our bus, represents the connection that after 5 days we feel to the land of Israel. There was no moment more powerful than placing my hand on the western wall. Feeling the stones representing the history of the Jewish people was an incredible spiritual experience and although I was touching the wall, I felt completely separate from the world. Matisyahu is saying that it is essential to the soul to remember Israel; this trip is impacting my Jewish identity and connections to my faith, I know it is the beginning of a lifelong relationship with Israel.

2011-12-22T14:27:00.001-08:00

Connections to Judaism and Israel

2011-12-19T12:14:00.000-08:00

My connection to Judaism from this birthright trip has certainly been a gradual, but definitely present, process. The land of Israel is so different from the lush, green geography of the American east coast that the first experiences were moments of awe in scenery and architecture. The first moment where I finally felt connected was when touring the port of Jaffa. Some sort of chilling feeling came when staring out of this ancient port, where some of the first Israeli Jews has arrived in the early 20th century, not to mention those of ancient times.

Touring each ancient location had given a similar chill, though it was a different feeling of connection to Judaism than those brought by family and tradition. The connection was and is certain present in a more communal and historical way, almost mystical at times. Going to the Western Wall and seeing Orthodox, reform, and cultural Jews, all praying as one in a way, was an unforgettable sight. Joining them was an unforgettable experience. Walking around the excavation site on the southwest corner of the Temple Mount brought some eerie feeling of a historical connection to Judaism for which I have never felt before. I feel as if all of these joint feelings and connections are building to a complete connection not to just Judaism, but rather a connection between Judaism, Israel, and myself. It has truly been a rewarding experience thus far.

-Maxwell Alpert

2011-12-16T14:22:00.001-08:00

Jerusalem

2011-12-16T14:20:00.000-08:00

"Jerusalem if I forget you..."

What a way to begin our Israel adventure. The history of our people, the sounds of prayer coming from the streets, the sun reflecting off the coblestone... as we placed our hands on the western wall, recited our thoughts or prayers, folded our notes and found a place for them among the cracks where thousandsw of others have left their own prayers. In the old city of Jerusalem, we are walking beside a history of two, three, four, five thousand years... as we are just beginning to create our own histories. What a way to begin our Israel adventure. Shelbi

Birthright Trip!

2011-12-10T14:47:00.001-08:00

The second bus of hokies leave for Israel in 15 days!!! We are so excited!

Kesher Bus 120 Taglit Birthright Israel

2011-12-10T08:43:00.000-08:00

4 DAYS UNTIL WE LEAVE FOR ISRAEL

2011-12-10T08:41:00.000-08:00

SIX DAYS UNTIL WE LEAVE FOR ISRAEL!!!!

2011-12-08T17:34:00.000-08:00

Spent all day today getting ready for the trip. Planning conversations and looking over the itinerary and agenda. Take plenty of vitamins and get plenty of sleep! This is going to be an awesome journey that I can't wait to share with you all. Sue

2011-05-27T17:55:00.000-07:00

This year instead of going to the beach and partying for spring break, I went on the Jewish National Fund's Alternative Spring Break with my fellow Hokies from Hillel! I raised money over winter break by asking my family, teachers, and friends to donate to the JNF on my behalf instead of giving me Chanukah presents or birthday presents. Other people on the trip sold raffle tickets, and one student raised all his money doing challah bake sales for his temple!

I wanted to go on this trip because Taglit Birthright Israel made a huge impact on me and I love Israel, but I felt like such a tourist. I wanted to see to see how less fortunate citizens of Israel lived, and I wanted to give back to the land I love. Our first day on the trip we got off the plane at Ben Gurion and drove to Yerucham near Be'er Sheba in the Negev. This was not going to be a touristy trip, we were staying in a youth hostel in a residential town with nothing to do. We spent our first full day painting government housing projects to make them look better. It was hard work chipping away at all the flaking paint and painting all the hard to reach areas like the ceiling. As residents began to come home from their days work, they saw how nice their building looked, and they cheered us on, and in some cases they helped or brought us food. It was great to see the joy on their faces. These people don't have much, and just seeing that someone cares about them made a big impact on their day.

Each day we worked on a different project, and saw where other JNF groups had been before us. We saw other JNF projects, like the indoor playground in Sderot where children can play without fear of a rocket attack. We saw the water project in Be'er Sheva. We worked at an Ethiopian absorption center, on an olive tree farm in the Negev, on river terraces near Jerusalem, at Yad Sarah (the largest medical supplier in Israel), and on forest fire prevention in the Carmel region near Haifa. We met many project coordinators; Israelis who were working hard every day to make their country a better place. There was one project we visited that was an after school program for elementary schoolers in composting. They made their own compost facility, and the local neighborhoods all used this compost center that the children made and maintained! We also had many deep discussions about the value of service work for the participant and for the community involved. I grew very close to my bus members, and I will take this experience with me much further than a week of tanning in Miami. Thank you Hillel, and thank you JNF for an amazing Spring Break!

Chiddy Bang Concert by Dayna Guadagno

2011-05-27T17:47:00.000-07:00

On March 22, 2011 the Hillel concert chair, Izzy Shocket, and I ran our first Daniel Pearl Music Day concert in Burruss Auditorium. Performing was The Illiance, an undercover rap group from New York, The White Panda, a mash up DJ group, and Chiddy Bang, a quickly up and coming rap group that is popular with many college students.

Daniel Pearl Music Day celebrates the power of music to reaffirm our commitment to tolerance and humanity.

Overall, we were very pleased with the turnout of the night. This was The Illiances' first show and they started the concert out with a great performance. The White Panda was up next and started the dance party. Last up was Chiddy Bang. There was a bit of a problem when this time came because one of the two group members, Chiddy, had missed two flights that day and was running late. Thankfully, he arrived after only a few minutes of stalling and Chiddy finished the concert with a "bang" and pleased their fans. We are looking forward to putting on our next concert this fall!

Alternative Spring Break in Los Angeles!!!

2011-03-08T23:08:00.000-08:00

At the elementary school we got to tutor children. I was assigned to a first grade girl named Pearl. The whole time I was helping her with her homework she seemed very reserved and shy. I tried to read to her and make a connection, but she just didn'te seem interested. I was convinced she just didn't like me. I was disappointed and a bit hurt. When we finished her homework I moved on to help another boy and left her with some other tutors. When we all piled together again to move outside to the playground, I noticed one of the other tutors was holding her child's hand. I naturally lookd for Pearl and saw her, but she wasn't looking for me and it just reassured me of our lack of conneciton and brought back my disappointment. I looked away. Less than 10 seconds later I heard my name being spoken out loud and looked down.

There was Pearl with her hand outstretched waiting for me to grab it. That definitely was an experience I felt with my heart. I was so surprised that she had apparently bonded with me enough to want me with her for the next activity.

Sophie DeWaal

While at the Jewish Home for the Aging the senior I spoke with was from Czechoslovakia. She was close to turning 100 yeas old. She was fluent in five languages. I asked her to teach me a phrase in the Czech language. The words she taught me were "very good". She told me without learning - life would be very dull and boring. She kept saying how she wanted to learn Spanish and keep on learning and learning until she dies. This 100 year old lady impressed me with how positive she was.

Meredith Frank

Kosher Sex?

2011-02-08T12:35:00.000-08:00

On Monday's Munch this week, students learned about and discussed the Jewish laws pertaining sex, protection, abortion, homosexuality, and masturbation. An awkward topic to say the least, the students handled the subject with maturity, and asked provoking questions.

Jewish laws about sex and intimacy are stated in both the Torah and Talmud, and all of which specify no physical interactions before marriage. The female students got a kick out of learning that sex is the women's right, not the mans. In fact, if a man withholds intimacy from the women it is grounds for divorce.

The talmud also offers more comical interpretations of the rules. When examining masturbation, "The hand that moves below the navel should be cut off."

Freshman, Simon Hallerman, was "shocked to know that the hole in the bed sheet was just an urban legend." Other students seemed just as perplexed to know that condoms are not permitted, but the pill is allowed.

It was an educational afternoon, which gave the students a lot to think about, and hopefully empowered them to make responsible choices.

Don't forget to check out our website. www.hillel.org.vt.edu

Birthright Highlights

2011-02-08T12:19:00.000-08:00

By Izzy Shocket

One highlight from my Taglit Birthright israel trip was our visit to the Southern part of the Western Wall. First, seeing all of the rocks and boulders that had been pushed from the top of the wall shows the determination of one group to destroy the Jews. I think it left an impression on me because it was the first site of destruction that we had been taken to. I felt a sense of pride knowing that the Jewish people survived such hatred. This is when it hit me that I was in Israel, in Jerusalem, in the holy city. I was standing where my ancestors stood years and years ago. Hearing the story behind the fallen rocks connected me to the land and the people in my group.

Second, I thought it was very interesting to learn about the current
issues that are being debated. We were told that the women met at the
Southern part of the Wall to pray together, because the Orthodox men
complained that when the women prayed at the women’s section of the
Western Wall, they were too loud. To me, it seems like a silly thing
to complain about. I would appreciate their devotion to Judaism and
their dedication to prayer. I enjoyed hearing about the differing
political views.

I loved the trip and I can’t wait to go back to Israel!

Don't forget to check out our website. www.hillel.org.vt.edu

Day 3 in Israel Tired but full of energy! David Umansky

2011-01-10T16:27:00.000-08:00

Today was our second full day in Israel. I have had less than six hours of sleep in two days yet I have more energy than ever. We started the day very early waking up at 5am to head over from our Beduin Campsite to Mount Masada. This is my second time visiting Israel and Masada but the experience this time gives new, refreshing feeling. Still dark, we hiked up the plateau to catch an Israeli sunrise over the mountains. Once reaching to top of the Masada, it was quite a site. We walked all around the top of it learning interesting facts about all the ancient architecture and history behind this national treasure. By 9am we began to head back to eat breakfast back at the campsite.

Following breakfast, which was delicious, we continued to the next part of the morning and one of the most anticipated parts of the trip, camel riding. Everyone in our group was so excited when we saw all the camels lined up and connected to one another in fours. We paired up and prepared to get aboard. Upon getting on top of a seated camel, the Beduin herder kicked the side of the camel and it got up one side at a time - front to back. It was a humorous beginning envisioning the worst possible scenario of falling off the large creature. Everyone got on their camels and named them, which was just another way of entertaining ourselves. We did half a lap around the campsite to get an astonishing view of the desert around us. We turned around and headed back as a pack to our starting point. Getting off the camel was rather terrifying. The herder hits the camel’s neck to get the camel to sit down. It begins to sit down front to back, but our camel decided to stay with it's rear end up for a minute or two. My camel partner and I were laughing very hard after envisioning the same beginning scenario. I am writing this to you on our bus on our way back to Jerusalem to see what happens next. Over one hundred pictures later...it was a very memorable morning.

Greetings from Israel!

2010-12-22T10:43:00.001-08:00

Hello everyone! Be sure to check out our travel blog, or click here, and follow the adventures of your friends from Virginia Tech, as they traverse the land of Israel. Comment on their posts, and let them know how much you miss them. We'll be back soon with lots of stories to share, but until then. SHALOM!

Don't forget to check out our website. www.hillel.org.vt.edu

Spend Winter Break in L.A.

2010-12-16T09:57:00.000-08:00

Apply now for Virginia Tech Hillel's Alternative Service Trip to L.A.!

City Year in L.A.
Spring Break, March 6-13, 2011.
Cost: $200 plus travel.
Applications open until Wednesday, January 31st.
Apply today! Click here to register.
City Year is a national organization that believes in making a difference in the life of a community through citizen service. Participants in this City Year service experience will tutor and mentor children, reclaim public spaces, and/or organize after-school programs. As a group, we will discuss the connection between social justice and poverty and address key social issues such as poverty and education. Sue Kurtz, Executive Director, is thrilled to staff this experience. Virginia Tech students will be joined by College of Central Florida Hillel, College of Charleston JSU, Hillel at the University of Connecticut, Hillel at the University of Vermont, Lester and Jewell Morris Hillel Jewish Student Center (Michigan State University), Old Dominion University Hillel, Penn State Hillel for this week-long experience.

This program is a product of Hillel's Alternative Break partnership with City Year, which has also established a relationship with Alpha Epsilon Pi. For more information, email vthillel@gmail.com.

Don't forget to check out our website. www.hillel.org.vt.edu

Congratulations to the 2011 Hillel Student Board

2010-12-15T12:25:00.000-08:00

The task of the leader is to get his people from where they are to where they have not been.
~Henry Kissinger

The new Hillel @ Virginia Tech student board:

President
Amanda Herring

Special Events Coordinator
Shay Nevo

VP Major Programming
Dayna Guadango
Concert Chair
Isabel Shocket
Leadership Chair
Michael Goodwin

Rebecca Smoot

VP Minor Programming

Laura Shoemaker

Jake Gardner

Social Chair

Meredith Frank

Nick Friedman

FYSH

Heather Rosen

Stephanie Mahoney

Rosh Chodesh

Abby Sinshiemer

VP Religion and Cultural Affairs

Mark Moskowitz

Holiday Chair

Anna Isserow
Shabbat Chair
Sam Weinzimer

VP Tzedek
Rachel Adell

VP Finance
Nick Basciano

Grant Chair
Michel Greco
Phonathon
Elyssa Bernstein
Lindsey Kelley

VP Administrative Affairs
Tanya Secor

Newsletter
Simon Hallerman
Public Relations
Abby Forman
Marketing
Matt Bernat

Hokies for Israel holiday Chair
Rachel Dilles

Members at Large
Dan Goldeen
Avi Friedman
Jason Moskowitz
Alex Hall
Hannah Roth

Don't forget to check out our website. www.hillel.org.vt.edu

Students Freeze Trying To Keep The Hanukkah Tradition Ablaze.

2010-12-06T10:47:00.000-08:00

This Thursday, Hillel students gathered in the freezing snow to light hanukkah candles, in accordance with their tradition. The second night of Hanukkah proved to be the coldest, as the students huddled outside the Student Center lighting their menorahs and attempting to stay warm. The university has a strict no fire policy, forcing the students out into the cold. Students are not even able to light and stay with the flames, in order to celebrate their holiday tradition. For over an hour the students battled the freezing conditions, in a hopeful attempt to keep their candles lit. Freshman interior design major, Heather Rosen, was among the shivering students. "I really wish we had a building to celebrate Hanukkah in. The dorms won't let us light candles, but I still feel it's important to light the menorah. I'm worried about catching a cold, but at least I'm with friends." The chilly weather however did nothing to reduce spirits, as the students huddled singing festive songs, and spinning dreidals on the snow covered tables.

Don't forget to check out our website. www.hillel.org.vt.edu

Introducing The Chicken Soup Hotline

2010-11-19T10:37:00.000-08:00

Feeling sick? Ill? Under the Weather?

Hillel to the rescue! That's right. If you're not feeling well, all you have to do is call or text 540-808-9243, and we will deliver soup right to your dorm.

Hillel understands how difficult it is to be sick at college. Classes are still happening whether you attend or not. But we're here to help. Just give us a call, and we'll deliver right to you, the most delicious soup you've ever had!

Every slurp is filled with love, because we care!

Don't hesitate, just call or text 540-808-9243!

Don't forget to check out our website. www.hillel.org.vt.edu

Self-defense class hits home

2010-11-16T07:00:00.000-08:00

By Matthew Borysewicz, Collegiate Times

This past Thursday, I punched myself in the face.

This wasn’t anything I had planned or even intended to do. It wasn’t some attempt to make a friend laugh. It was merely a rude reminder of my own lack of coordination during my first Krav Maga self-defense course.

The only time I had heard of Krav Maga before this week was an episode of “Manswers,” which was trying to answer the question, “Can you kill a bear with your bare hands?”

I learned Krav Maga is an Israeli martial art developed by Imi Lichtenfeld and employed by special forces and police units around the world. It is an effective close combat fighting technique which, unlike most eastern martial arts, focuses on function over form with staggering results.

Hokies for Israel invited Krav Maga instructor Moshe Katz from Israel to teach self-defense classes to Virginia Tech students. There were a few specialized classes for women and the Corps of Cadets, but I was fortunate to make it to one of the open sessions.

We started out by learning how to defend ourselves if we were ever to be knocked onto our backs. Katz revealed a lot about Krav Maga with a single sentence. He let us know they had a saying, that a Krav Maga practitioner is never “down and out” but “down and dangerous.”

We learned how to protect our heads from attacks while being able to retaliate with our legs. It was at this point I realized how very out of shape I had become.

When the mock firearms came out, I realized this was not the same kind of martial art I so fondly remembered from my elementary school stint in Tae Kwon Do.

Katz began showing us how to disarm someone holding a gun to you. We learned it from a variety of positions — standing, seated, pointed at your chest, head and back.

Two things ran through my head at this point. First, I was glad I was never mugged in my many nights spent walking to 7-Eleven in Richmond. Second, if someone did have a gun pointed at me, I would probably hand them anything they asked for, likely with a side of unintentional fear-leakage.

This is something Katz endorsed; if someone is after your wallet, just give it to them. However, the reality of the situation, especially in Israel, is that a Krav Maga practitioner has to be ready to defend his life, not just his bank account.

This is about when I punched myself in the face. The fluid motions Katz was pulling off require years of practice to execute perfectly.

In my hour-and-15-minute Krav Maga career, I didn’t master any of the techniques. However, Katz armed me with knowledge and more importantly a non-victim attitude as well as a desire to learn more about this uniquely Israeli style of self defense. There aren’t any Krav Maga centers close by — at least none I have been able to find — but I’m positive I’ll be joining one if I ever move to the appropriate area.

Don't forget to check out our website. www.hillel.org.vt.edu

Future Updates to come...

2010-11-12T21:09:00.000-08:00

Here's a quick list of what to expect in the future.

Hillel's new president: The exclusive interview.

Krav Maga: Kicking butt Israeli style.

Building updates.

TerraCylcling: Saving the Earth, one cookie at a time.

Alternative Spring Breaks: Give back while stepping out.

Keep checking back for these and other interesting articles. And if you're interested in guest writing, just let the Hillel staff know.

Till next time,

Lilah Tov!

Holocaust Survivor Irene Zisblat talks to Campus

2010-11-12T21:05:00.000-08:00

Virginia Tech was honored last month when Holocaust survivor, Irene Zisblat, came to speak with students about her miraculous survival of the Nazi massacre of the Jewish people. Over 200 people, including students, faculty, and community members crammed into the black cultural center in the Squires student Center to hear Zisblat’s chilling tale.

Born in Hungary, and thrown out of school for being a Jew, Zisblat and her family were quickly sent off to ghettos and concentration camps, where they were split up, tortured, and sadly, lost. Words cannot describe the tragedies faced by Zisblat, which included, medical experimentations, dehumanizing, and a near encounter with the gas chambers. The most memorable moment of her story was the connection to her Mother, who sewed diamonds into the Irene’s dress. Later when her clothes were taken away, Zisblat was forced to swallow the diamonds in order to keep the connection to her Mother alive.

Her torturous journey finally ended when she was liberated by American soldiers while on a death march, while she was still only 14. And she eventually arrived in America in 1947 to be with her Uncle.

She dedicated her speech to fellow holocaust survivor, hero, and victim of the Virginia Tech Aprl 16^th shooting, Liviu Librescu, who lost his life helping students escape. She urged the audience to never forget, the horrors of the past, and to not let them repeat themselves in the present. She spoke of Rowanda and Darfur, and of 9/11, and asked each person to stand out against racism and hatred. It “starts with you.”

A mix of emotions were visible as the room emptied out. Many students were wiping tears from their eyes, while others rushed to hug Zisblat. “Her story was so beautiful,” said freshman, Anna Isserow, of Fairfax, VA.

We want to thank Zisblat for visiting our campus and touching the lives of the students with her story. She has published her life's story into a book, The Fifth Diamaond, which can be purchased here: Fifth Diamon, Irene Zisblat.

(Irene Zisblat and Rachel Adell visiting the April 16 memorial.

One of the victims was Liviu Librescu, a fellow Holocaust survivor.)

(Irene Zisblat poses for a picture with Bianca Rosen Siegel, Hillel's Holocaust awareness chair.)

Who are these people?

2010-11-12T21:00:00.001-08:00

Testing the photo.

Who are these crazy students?

Welcome to Hillel's new blog

2010-11-12T20:59:00.001-08:00

Hello blog readers!
Welcome to the Hillel at Virginia Tech blog!
I wanted to take this opportunity to introduce the blog, and what you might find here.
This blog will include:

Program updates
Student Spotlights
Post event articles
Surveys
Global Jewish information
And much more!
This blog is my first, and is only in its infancy stages, so please bear with me, as I learn how to be the best blogger possible!

And PLEASE give feedback!
Thanks!

Hillel Staff