What Does It Mean To Be Am Yisrael

      We are Jewish. What does that mean? Does it mean that we are good people? That we follow Jewish law, keep kosher, or shabbat? Does it mean that we have Jewish mothers? Or know Jewish history? One of the many beauties of Judaism is that there is no real definition. We adhere to it in whatever way we feel that the religion and culture will positively impact our lives the most. Being a part of Am Yisrael means that we can connect the Jewish people from all around the world in the same way simply because we are Jewish.  Our unfortunate past is what unites us together today. We feel the need to unite together to fight against future threats. Being a part of Am Yisrael means that we are connected to the international jewish community, and therefore must do our part for both Israel as well as for improving our Jewish community in America. We must be proud and embrace both our culture and people with open arms and unite in order to protect both our 

An experience to Remember

     With the end of EIE approaching, I have started to look back on my time in Israel. Although it is sad that I have to leave not only this amazing place, but also the friends I have made here, I am glad and thankful that I was able to go on this amazing experience. Not only have learned about Israel in the classroom, but I have learned why Israel is so special just from experience. This is a place for the jews, by the jews, and there is no other place like it. Not only that, but it is a safe haven for jews around the world, and will stand up to protect the rights of these jews. I sincerley hope that when, not if, I come back here, I will understand and be absorbed into the fast paced culture even more.
     When I went out with my family this past weekend, we went to the shook. But it was more than just the main street that EIE allows us on, it was the small channels which hold the hidden gems of the shook, and is why it is so popular. This really introduced me to the fact that even after 4 months here, there is still so much that I have not been able to do, even in such a small country. We were exposed to the "tourist Israel". I understand why we only did certain things, many for safety reasons, but I hope that later in my life I will come back and go to Bethlehem, see the ports of Ashdod, visit a Drews village, and go read a book in a Tel Aviv coffee shop after spending the day at the beach. Israel still has so much left to offer, and I can't wait to come back.

The Ethiopians and Their Place in Society

     I recently read an article which summarized the discrimination against Ethiopian jews in Israel, and how the government is attempting to fix the problem. The fact that there is discrimination in a place such as Israel astounds me. In a way, discrimination and reaction to change is natural. However, the fact that such an extreme version of this terrible social policy can occur in a state which was founded in order to escape discrimination astounds me. How can jews discriminate a race when they should know first hand what the other side feels like? Also, in the Tanakh, it repeatedly states that you should be welcoming to strangers, so why is Israel reacting to these Ethiopians? They already have lost their language and culture by moving to a foreign country, so they should not have to lose potential friends as well. These people made Aliyah to Israel for a reason, and Israelis are the people who are ruining their experience.

You can read the article at : http://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Politics-And-Diplomacy/Netanyahu-at-opening-Knesset-session-More-needs-to-be-done-to-fight-racism-in-Israel-402041

Israel > USA

     With AP Tests and finals coming up, I’ve realized how much time this trip has taken away from potential study time. I have been raised believing that the score you get reflects how much effort that has been put in. So, if you try your hardest every time, then most likely you will get a good grade. Now, even when I’m trying my hardest, I fear that my grade on AP Tests will be lower than average simply because of the lack of time on EIE. However, I must also take into account that this trip is an experience unlike anything else. I get to experience Judaism in the land created for Jews, which is something that many american Jews will never live through. Although there is less free time, wherever we go there is more history to be learned. Every step we take in Jerusalem could be when King David, Joshua, or Solomon once stood.

     This experience has made me realize that although school is important, it is not as important as America makes it seem. The focus in schools is constantly on tests and grades, and which student has the does the most extracurriculars. Everyone in your high school is a competitor, and you all compete for the Ivy Leagues or some other well known college. America has made education a monopoly: those students who want to go to college pay thousands of dollars for private tutors and SAT prep courses. This 4 month program has introduced me to the idea that there are more options than college after High School. It has also enhanced the idea that school should be about learning, not about the grade that comes from it. Israelis know this, and that probably contributes to their generally “non-caring” attitudes towards what other people, including teachers and professors, think.  Now that it is May, I’m glad that I’ve realized that school is important, but not as important as maturing and discovering who you are. 

BDS in Northern California

     UC Davis is located approximately one hour from my home. Recently, UC Davis, as well as the majority of California universities, have participated in BDS movements. UC Davis recently passed a BDS measure which demanded that the university divest it’s holdings from companies that “contribute to Israel’s occupation of Palestinian lands.”  After, students crowded in the front law waving “Free Palestine” flags, ecstatic over the recent decision. Unfortunately, these college students do not know the whole story, and I feel like that should be the first step when picking sides. Israel has become a safe-haven of sorts for jews internationally for those who are discriminated against in society. Without a state for the Jews, another Holocaust, or worse, could occur. Anti semitism is again rising in Europe, and violent actions have already taken place against the jews. All we can do is educate those who do not understand the importance of Israel, and what could happen if it disappeared. 

You can read about it here: http://www.jweekly.com/article/full/74495/lessons-learned-fighting-bds-at-uc-davis/

Terrorism or Heroism?

     Today in class it was discussed whether the jews involved in Etzel and Lehi should be considered terrorists. Although they did commit acts of terror, many suppose that the fact that these groups fought for the creation of a Jewish State made their form of terror defendable. However, even those who believe this have to acknowledge that these organization killed innocent people. By definition, the fact that they committed acts of terror makes them terrorists. But, without them, perhaps there would be no Israel today.  

     However, some may also argue, just as Isis and Hezbollah murder people in order to prove a point, Etzel and Lehi did as well. If Etzel and Lehi are similar to terrorist groups today, then Arabs at the time of Israel’s founding must have thought that Jews were our of their minds, fighting for an inconceivable cause that only harms people. Terrible events such as the King David Hotel bombing and the massacre in Deir Yassin are examples of how such an optimistic goal can become strikingly negative once people unnecessarily are put at risk or die. I acknowledge that without these organizations, perhaps Israel would not be as it is today, or perhaps would not have even existed. However, that does help buffer the fact that this country was created from death. 

"Todd"- The Story Within a Story

     Recently, I read a short story called "Todd" written by Etgar Keret. I was pleasantly surprised by its lack of strange circumstances, which usually comprise a short story by this author. The story describes a conversation between Keret and his single friend Todd, who wants Keret to write a story that will make women want to sleep with him. The majority of the plot characterizes how Keret tries many times, but fails to create such a story. However, a strange yet pleasant twist occurs at the end when the reader realizes that the story "Todd" the story that Keret's character tried to write.
     This short story gave me an insight to Israeli humor. Although it is subtle, a little goes a long way. The use of clever word tricks and dark ironic statements brings to life the Israeli humor. Honestly, I was surprised that the story did not contain more dark humor, which is evident in many of Keret's stories. "Todd" did however take place in Israel, which was a nice touch to a cute story.

Not Just a Land for the Jews

       This weekend I truly felt that I saw all of Israel, both in it's great and terrible areas. Usually when I think of Israel I think of the tourist-filled streets of Tel Aviv or Jerusalem, of the crowded areas of the Shook. However, this weekend my mother and I drove through areas of South Tel Aviv on our way to Shoham, and I saw what had been in hiding from the tourist books. The area was very run down, with lots of immigrants from different places. I saw shocked that this area was only a few minutes drive from  downtown Tel Aviv. For those who stayed at Tzuba this weekend there was an option to walk around in this area, and after seeing it for myself I would, without a doubt, want to go there and learn the history of how so many Somalian, Sudanian, Ethiopian, and other immigrants ended up in Israel.

Yom Ha-Shoah

       During this trip I had the honor of experiencing Yom Ha'Shoah in Israel. After visiting Poland, hearing the Siren and watching everyone, even those driving on the highway, completely stop and pay their respects for two minutes for the 6,000,000 who perished gave me chills. Not only that, but I found it pleasantly ironic that right after the Siren my Jewish History class had a "Zionist Congress" and discussed the start of the State of Israel. Of course hearing the Siren could not be emotionally compared to the weeklong trip to Poland, it did bring back many of the horrific memories of walking in, and out, of Auschwitz-Birkenau, seeing, but not quite believing, the huge pile of human ash at Majdanek, and hearing the confession of a person buried alive with her dead companions at Tikochin. However, it also reminded me how there were those in the Shoah who stood up against this racist and sadistic tyranny, such as Janush Korchuk, those who helped smuggle food into the ghettos, and  the participants in the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising. The strength and bravery of the Jewish People, even in times where there seems to be no hope, will never cease to amaze me. Yom Ha'Shoah is not simply a day to remember those who were murdered without cause in the Shoah, but also to reflect on how now there is a Jewish State which will protect us from any other source of anti-semitism in the future.

This Year in Jerusalem

     For Passover in the United States, many people say "next year in Jerusalem". This year, I was in Jerusalem. Being in Israel during a major holiday is so much different compared to the United States. Because Israel is a jewish state, most restaurants and stores are not allowed to sell Hametz. Because the US is enveloped in Christian culture, passover, as well as most holidays, excluding Hanukkah, are overlooked. Being in a country where the jewish culture surrounds everyone is not only different, but also invigorating and interesting. To make up for the lack of bread, a large amount of stores also sell "kosher for passover" bread and other foods. Many secular Israelis also ignore the food restrictions for passover and eat what they like. Israeli culture is unlike anything any american can experience in the US.
     I went to a seder at my grandmother's house with a few friends, as well as twenty family members who I was not aware I had. The seder itself was very fast. We started the seder late so everyone speed read at a pace that was almost impossible to follow. People simply wanted to eat. There were also several differences between the seder here and in the US, such as how everyone talked over each other and sang different versions of songs over each other. The Israeli spirit was strong and fun. During class today, someone pointed out how they used lettuce as a bitter herb which was strange for them, however I have always done that in my family and thought that using anything but lettuce would be strange. I was glad that I got this opportunity to spend time in Israel with my family.

The Pursuit of Happiness

     Voltaire once stated, “God gave us the gift of life; it is up to us to give ourselves the gift of living well.” Experiencing Poland and learning about the Jewish people in a land where we were slaughtered was life changing. In my opinion, every Jew should make the Masa to Poland because it reveals the unfathomable truth that everyone knows but does not seem to comprehend. The Shoah seems very distant and hazy in retrospect to everyday life, almost like a bad dream that vanishes after waking up. However, when l learned about the Shoah in Poland, I could not wake myself up from the reality of it. The six million people who were murdered appeared as shadows to me before the trip rather than the people and all of their attributes. 6 million was a number without meaning. This trip brought the six million people’s memory back to life, and they will forever remain honored and respected in the eyes of jews worldwide.

     Judaism is a religion based on life. Contrary to other beliefs, jews are told to not focus on what occurs before and after life. Rather, they are to simply focus on life itself. Tikochin was the place where jewish life spoke to me the strongest. The strong sense of jewish community was still prevalent seventy years after it had perished in the Shoah. The town square gave the village-like city a very comfortable and friendly feeling, as if jews were meant to return to it. Even the Beit Knesset in Tikochin was full of life by having prayers painted on the walls in case the prayer books were burned. The words on the walls will forever live on even though the people have disappeared. Praying and dancing in the Beit Knesset not only brought back jewish life and culture into the synagogue, but also exemplified how the jews who lived here felt joy, and genuine happiness. After dancing in the synagogue was when I realized that these were real people who died, who had feelings, friends, and families. They were no longer shadows without faces. Then, we went to the burial site for those who were murdered which was in the forest. The trees that surrounded us felt as if they too were alive, and had witnessed the horrors that occurred. The fact that at the burial site there were hundreds of jewish stars, israeli flags, and memorial candles, proves that even after such a tragedy, judaism has persevered and lives on today.

      Just as Tikochin represents life, Auschwitz-Birkenau without a doubt represents death. Even walking through the gate of the death camp made me feel sickened and disturbed, knowing everything that occurred here had to do with death. Here, jews were dehumanized in order to make it easier to kill them. Hair was shaved, possessions were taken, and less than 200 calories of food were handed out per day. Disease prevailed and affected many of the people who were skin and bones, and did not have the energy to fight off death. 15 people slept in a place meant for 5 without a blanket or a mattress. A Nazi would take away a life if he was in a bad mood, or simply felt like it.  To some, death was a gift because nothing was worse than being alive in Aushwitz. This was the place where 1.3 million jews were murdered. 3,000 jews a day were killed and incinerated. When visiting, we saw the ashes of our ancestors in small pools which pieces of bone were still visible. In Auchwitz-1, “medical research” was preformed on jews. They were put through, in some cases years, of twisted torture there preformed by “doctors”. The very idea of Auchwitz makes me feel sick even now because of the horrors that I witnessed there. Auchwitz is without a doubt hell on earth.

     Even though jews were forced to live through such terrible conditions, both in the ghettos and in concentration camps, somehow they managed to grab on to the last strands of hope. Yanush Korchuk was a man who, in the face of death, ran towards life. Korchuk was a jew who lived in the Warsaw ghetto, where jews were given less than 200 calories of food a day and was inhabited by both jews and diseases. Korchuk organized the orphans in the ghetto, and even through the more than harsh conditions he somehow taught the orphans to read, write, sing, and even created a court. He taught them order in a life of chaos. One day, the Nazis called both Korchuk and the orphans to the square where they would be sent to concentration camps. Korchuk knew this, and even so he did not let the children find out. Instead, he lead them to the square in song. They literally approached death with a smile. This story speaks to me it embodies how much hope they had, and resisted by enjoying there life as jews are suppose to do instead of acknowledging death. All of the children were shot, as well as Kochuk, but their memory will be honored and will be treated as heros. 

     Mordechai Anielewicz was another man who resisted by defying death. He was the man who lead the Warsaw ghetto revolt, and stood up against the Nazis while knowing he was going to die. He did not fight against the Nazis to save his life, but rather as a form of defiance. He gave a shred of hope to those who needed it and stood up for his people. He was a leader in all definitions of the word. Even though the Warsaw ghetto  harvested death, these revolutionaries fought against it and proved that they were people who were not going to accept a punishment that they did not deserve. They proved to the Nazis that they were people, as much as the Nazis would hate to admit it, and fought for what they believed in. These stories of the heroes of the Shoah are important to learn because they tell the stories of leaders who we should strive to be like in oder to fully live life as legendarily as they did.

     After such a tragedy, jews have a responsibility to show the world that we are strong and persevere through anything. The best thing that we can do to honor those who perished is to live and enjoy the life they were not able to. After this trip, I have without a doubt become more proud of my judaism. I hope that after I leave Israel that this trip will stay with me. At home, I will start going to more services and start assimilating into Israeli culture rather than American. I hope that I will learn hebrew fluently, as well as have a general knowledge of jewish history. I think that as jews we now have a responsibility to stand up for judaism when it is threatened in order to make sure that nothing like the Shoah will ever happen again.

Judaism is a culture and religion based on life. We focus on life rather than death, and live our lives in the present rather than the future. Therefore, rather than focusing on all of the death in the Shoah, I dedicate this paper to the lives of the 6 million people who were not able to fully live.

Hebrew Lessons for Dummies

     After listening to "Be Your Own Weatherman", a podcast recorded by StreetWise Hebrew, I now can successfully talk about weather in hebrew. Listening to this podcast made me realize how problematic not being able to speak Hebrew in Israel can be. As an American, I cannot expect every israeli to speak english. Although I am learning slowly, I fear that it will not be fast enough. Hebrew is the only languages that is spoken around the world that connects the jewish people. Not only that, but it also has been in use for thousands of years, and today, as reform jews, we have a responsibility to continue the jewish language and culture. If Hebrew was not continued, there would be no translation of the torah, the mishnah, or the talmud, which are the major texts that distinguish judaism from other monotheistic religions. Without Hebrew, the jewish people today would be much more scattered and unconnected compared to the jewish people today.

Islam v. Islamic Countries

      On Sunday the group went to a mosque in Ein Karem after being introduced to Islam. The Imam said very interesting things about islam, such as that muslims believe in all the profits, including Moses and Jesus, and also that many countries do not practice islam according to the sharia, or islamic law. The reason, according to the Imam, that so many arab countries are run by terrorist organizations or considered radical in general is because they do not follow this practice that all muslims are held to. The country closest to maintaining sharia would be Saudi Arabia, yet they still do not allow women to drive.   This was very interesting because many outsiders view Islam itself as radical, but it is really the people, not the religion.
     Yasmin and the Imam also emphasized how women are treated equally to men in islam, contrary to common belief. The reason why women pray behind the men is so that the men are not distracted while praying and women do not feel uncomfortable. If this is apart of Sharia, then, why do countries such as Saudi Arabia not allow women to drive if they are equal? And why do some countries require women to cover everything but there eyes when in public? A man should not be distracted by a woman's face, and if he is he should not be the reason she is forced to cover it. This is similar to the belief in the United States where a woman "was asking for it", "it" being rape, when wearing revealing clothing. Unlike this situation, a woman cannot change her face. These are not the policies of Islam, but rather of people who decided them. Who decides them, and why should they be able to dictate what a women, or rather why anyone, should or should not be aloud to do what they please?

Revitalizing Prayer

     Although I have attended the same sinagogue for over 10 years, I still have often had trouble praying. In the article "Revitalizing Prayer", Rabbi Nanci Flam responds to my problems. Usually, I find myself standing up for the Amidah while thinking about homework or weekend plans. I don't focus during prayer. This is mainly because I usually can't rely on myself to pray certain times of day. Rather, usually during certain times throughout the day I get a relaxed feeling in which I notice how wonderful the world around me is. I feel "gratitude, humility, awe, love", and other emotions that are perfect praying conditions. I cannot call on myself to pray at designated times because it won't be real, at least not to me. 
      Flam has noticed that many reform jews seem to have this problem. She suggests several ways to fix it which I will now take in to account. For example, she suggests that one should understand what they are praying for, adopt strategies, and be apart of a prayer community in order to make prayer " compelling and relevant to our lives". Some strategies for prayer could be, for example, body movement or concentration. In order for a prayer to ascend to heaven, your heart has to be in it. Flam also suggests talking to God at random times in order to create a more personal relationship. Although this does seem strange at first read, it does make sense because I seem to only be able to really pray at inconvenient times. This article has definitely helped me to realize how to fix my praying problem and continue on my religious journey. 

That's What Jesus Said

      Over the past few days, we have been discussing christianity in Jewish History class. Over this time, I have been contemplating my christian family and their beliefs. Because my dad was protestant before he married my mother, the majority of his side family still attends church regularly. During reunions, I sit through mass and sit at the table while they say grace. Now that I know some of their beliefs, I can consider how our religions are different. Before my parents got married, my dad's mom was against their marriage because of my mom's religion. However, after they were married in the US, because Israel did not allow them to, she slowly accepted the idea and soon my mother was embraced by the whole family. Studying christianity has really made me interested in our family and how different beliefs can come together, despite years of war and violence in history.

Palestinians Hold the Key to a Better Future

     Basseim Eid is one of a group of palestinians who believes that both Israel and Palestine must create peace with each other. Eid believes that Palestinians "missed many opportunities" to create peace with Israel, and that for the betterment of the world the time has come when it seems that either peace or full out war will soon be inevitable. Eid stated that it is time to stop the  "pointless, destructive, and immoral war with Israel". The article described how pro peace palestinians think of the arab israeli conflict. I found this opinion not only interesting but also inspiring. Although hamas uses "human shields", and the palestinian government "uses international funds to consolidate its own administration", the fact that civilians are fighting back against the regime gives me hope. I was also suprised by the opinion that "most Palestinians would prefer to live under Israeli rule".  In my opinion, this article showed a side to the conflict that not many Israelis are exposed to. In spite of Bibi's recent speech, this article is proof that perhaps arabs and persians alike may be willing to create peace. 
Heres the article: http://blogs.timesofisrael.com/we-palestinians-hold-the-key-to-a-better-future/

Gadnat a bad time

     Over the past ten days I have had one of the most meaningful experiences of my life. Our vacation took us through Masada, the Arava Valley, Gadna, and Eilat. Although all of it was amazing, the trip to Masada and going through Gadna, a one week Israeli army simulation, changed many of my opinions on Israel and it's history. Before we arrived at Gadna, I was genuinely scared, mostly because I did not know what to expect. Some friends had told me it was bearable, while others stated that it was comparable to hell. However, no one told me that I would have the time of my life. Although there were terrible conditions, such as no hot water, one inch mattresses, and moist uniforms, the bonding that my team and I went through created deep connections that I have never had with anyone else. We all crawled, ran, and shouted as a team, and all got closer because of it.

    Also, Gadna taught me not only about the army, but also about Israel itself. During our time in the army, we discussed why so many Israelis are excited to go to the army, as opposed to the USA, where those who go to the army are considered the few bravest of the american people. In Israel, society is proud to fight for their country, which is something about Israel that I prefer over the united states. In Israel, everyone seems much more communal and generally closer together. Perhaps it's because they feel connected by judaism or Eretz Yisrael. I hope that this trait will soon be encorporated in united states culture. I wish that I could smile at strangers and not feel uncomfortable doing so in the United States. 

A Needle in a Haystack

      In some communities, such as in the Helinistic era of Israel, Jewish communities are surrounded by other cultures. I feel that when this happens, it challenges our judaism. It does this by making us feel compromised about our religion as well as our culture. For example, in small jewish communities that are surrounded by christians, during the christmas season most feel uncomfortable celebrating Hanukkah. Because other religions are perhaps arguably more popular than judaism, like all things, jews feel a pressure to adapt to the social standard. For me, at least, I felt this pressure several times when I was younger. This challenged my jewish identity because I felt as if I lost myself. I felt ashamed of my judaism, and therefore was not me. However after going to jewish camps, as well as joining youth groups such as NFTY, I feel more connected to religion despite being surrounded by other religions and cultures.

Conflicts and Confusion

     This past weekend was the first time since the beginning of the semester that I left the kibbutz to visit family in Israel. Not only was I thrilled to see my grandma, uncle, and cousins that I had not seen for over two years, but also to reunite with all of them over a Shabbat dinner. The food, people, and conversation were all amazing, even though it was in Hebrew and I did not understand most of it. What I did understand consisted of stray words that I tried to piece together and form sentences. Surprisingly, a calm family dinner soon transformed into a heated conversation about politics. They all agreed that "Bibi" was a bad prime minister, but disagreed on what should change in the upcoming election. My 11 year old cousin even joined in. Because my family came from Iraq about 70 years ago, they have mixed feelings about a two state solution and the Arab Israeli conflict in general. 

     On the one hand, they feel that protecting Israeli Arabs is important because they will most likely make up future generations of Israelis. On the other hand, they have been subject to Jewish expulsion from Iraq, and are aware of the threats that radical Islamists pose to Israel. My younger cousins support avodah, the workers' party, mainly because they are friends with many Israeli Arabs. However, my uncle and grandma disagree completely. My grandma was young when she, her mother, and 6 siblings left Iraq, and yet she still remembers her life there. One of the main reasons she is against a two state solution is because of the terrors she witnessed in Iraq. She remembers how Jews were publicly hanged in town squares or other populous places. My younger cousins disagree with her stance by arguing that only radical Islamists believe in expelling Jews, and that there are close to none living in Israel. With both of these sides arguing, I'm not sure what to think. I feel that I don't know enough about the situation yet to have an accurate and educated opinion. I'm hoping that by the end of these 4 months I will have witnessed enough to develop my own.

Defensible Borders in the Age of IS

     The Arab Israeli conflict is arguably one of the most complicated issues between two races in history. The article "Defensible Borders in the Age of IS" is a clear example of this issue. Many people around the world simply believe that the two are fighting over land that was claimed over 60 years ago. However, there is much that they are unaware of. In many discussions, Israel is named the "bad guy", or "Goliath" because they have the power to retaliate. However, Israel is simply acting in defense. Many Israelis and Palistinians alike would like to have peace, but there are questions that can only be answered with action, and that is something not many are willing to take. If Israel pulls out there forces from the west bank, who is to say that Hamas will not attack immidiately after, taking advantage of an unprepared Israel. According to Dore Gold, head of the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs, Israel "needs to be prepared for any eventuality", even if one may or may not come. The majority of both parties desire peace, so why is it so hard to allow it? To many arabs, the IDF are the bad guys, as are arabs stereotyped by Israelis. In order to stop the chaos and simply achieve the peace that so many want, what must we do? Many politicians have had ideas, but none have been put into action. The idea of a two state solution is the most probable outcome, but is also vague. What would the jews living in arab areas do? What would happen to Jerusalem? For now, Israel will survive as it is, but soon a change must come.

The Important Things About Judiasm

       On the first day of Jewish History class, we labeled what being jewish means in Israel. To many native israelis, being religious can only mean practicing orthodox judaism. At first, this idea seemed irrational to me. I consider myself religious as a reform jew, and now Israelis are telling me that I'm not? Although I don't follow all of the commandments, I do follow the ones that I believe are morally and politically correct. I believe that Judaism should be up to interpretation, or at least reform judaism should be. There are reasons why there are so many holes that need to be filled in. They should be filled in with each person's beliefs to make the religion that much more personalized and real. Everyone has their own interpretations of the practiced religion, even those who are orthodox. I felt like the Israelis were unfairly labeling me without knowing why I practiced the religion. They didn't have the right to tell me who I am. I do.
     Then, last night, EIE took us to a reform temple in Tel Aviv. The sanctuary was full up to the brim with people of all shapes, colors, and sizes. This trip showed me that judaism can be practiced in any way, shape, or form, even in religious places such as Israel. These people had no correlation with anything religious, according to Israel, and yet they still came to temple. Their dedication inspired me. I decided that I don't care if I am labeled by others as "unreligious". If I believe that I am, then I am. My belief in myself is more important than any other beliefs that people have about me.
--A Religious Jew

Tel Gezer, Israel

Obsessive, Compulsive, and Indecisive

       In an article I recently read entitled "Obsessive, Compulsive, and Orthodox", Rebecca Klempner,  a jewish orthodox woman, confronts her OCD and how it affects her faith. While praying, she imagined visions of "renaissance era Jesus" and other religious figures. These images concerned her and made her feel like a traitor to her religion. Klempner "wanted to be a good jew", but she felt that her OCD prevented her from being one. This article made me question my own faith as a reform jew. What makes a "good prayer"? Should it be original and from the heart, or rather something more structured as directed in the Tanakh? I was raised in an environment which emphasized a "you do you" kind of environment. Of course the Rabbi directed the prayers, but the congregation was welcome to be silent or say the prayers in different ways. In orthodox temples, however, strict rules must be followed at all time. The congregation must dress modestly, pray in unity, and follow the rules stated in the Tanakh. Although there is no doubt that there are different interpretations of the Tanakh, should everyone follow all of it's commandments even if some are out dated? What should be modernized and what should remain untouched in this cherished book? In Israel, only the orthodox are considered religious, yet I still consider myself a jew. I am lost in my own mind trying to find the correct answer of what is right and what is wrong.

http://tabletmag.com/jewish-life-and-religion/188464/obsessive-compulsive-orthodox

Tel Me A Story

         Over the past few weeks in Jewish History class, we have been discussing if and how the Tanakh should be used as an accurate history source. Before coming to Israel, I would have stated that the bible stories are not true. I would have said that the stories are simply a way for all jews to identify with one past, one story. The story of the jews shows how even through violent ostrosisation we still stood tall and accepted our true beliefs, despite what our enemies thought. However, is that all it is? A story with morals that apply to modern day problems? Or is it a more--a telling of the story of the people of Israel, and how they preserved both their culture and language after over 2000 years of running from danger.
         Today we went on a "tiyuel", or a field trip to Tel Gezer. These few hours may have changed my mind about the Tanakh. In the holy book, it speaks of a town called Gezer, which is the only city identifiable in Israel that is spoken of in the Tanakh. Because the story corresponded so perfectly with the setting, I started to think how could these "stories" seem to become more and more nonfictional. For example, in Gezer, the Tanakh speaks of a prostitute that "lived in the wall" which was the city's greatest line of defense. At first this seems absurd, but once we arrived, we saw how it was a casemate wall, which has "rooms" constructed into it in order to save materials.
         Now, I'm not sure what I think. My scientific background begs me to believe in the fact that it would be close to impossible to have so many accurate stories in one book. Yet, after seeing the wonders that I have today, my gut tells me differently. All I know for sure is that the Tanakh is no longer "just a book" to me.

A New Meaning of Success

     On Saturday, January 24, 2015, I embarked on my journey to Kibbutz Tzuba, a kibbutz located near Jerusalem, Israel. The Kibbutz itself is unlike anything I have ever experienced. The small village-like land stands on the Judea Hills and has a vista point that must the definition of the word “extraordinary”. The beauty in the land must translate into the people as well, because the friendly group seem genuinely sincere and are extremely hospitable. All of the people in the condensed area live as one community. There are no uncommunicative neighbors nor are there excluding “cliques” that judge others. They live together, eat together, and work together. In this way, they act as a kind of team that’s primary rule is to stand as each other’s support system, rather than classmates that try to tare each other down in order to be accepted into the most prestigious university. There definition of "success" is not who makes the most money, but rather who is able to form bonds with others that are so strong they feel tangible. Even the children become friends at a young age and form lifelong relationships unlike almost any kind of friendship made in other commercial countries. The lively people and culture are one of the main attractions of my new lovely home, which has made me question my own lifestyle in the United States.

            My family, located in California, acts very differently that  those located in the Kibbutz. Because we woke up at all different times, I saw my parents only after they came home from work, which was  around seven or eight at night. The short time we had together was usually broken up by large amounts of homework or extracurriculars that went on until late in the evening. So many students in the USA compete to get into the best university, which usually inhibits their ability to show friendship and compassion. Their definition of "success" is one that involves monetary gain, rather than one involving social aspects.  After witnessing the close bonds within those on the Kibbutz, I have started to desire relationships that are more than just obligatory. In the United States, many people act nicely in order to be polite, however they feign it insincerely. The closer relationships enable lifelong bonds to be made, something that to those who are solely focused on monetary success seem to be lacking.