So Much Bread

Sorry for going 2 weeks without a post.  I’ve simply been living life and not keeping track of what I’m doing.  Yesterday, I looked back upon the last 2 weeks, so here are some interesting things, not in chronological order.

I’ve had meetings to prepare for going to Poland in January. We’re learning events during the Holocaust and past life in Poland. Three of my grandparents had one parent who came to the U.S. from Poland, and I’ve asked them where my family used to live and for any other information they may have.

I donated blood.  I had been meaning to for a while.  It was different from donating in the U.S.- there are many fewer questions and they make you drink water or juice while donating.

One Friday night, I went to Kol Rina with a few friends, and we got hosted for dinner by a woman, Simcha, who brings many people to her home every Shabbat.  They spoke mostly Hebrew, so we didn’t talk much except to each other.  More people kept on coming as dinner went on.  Different people gave divrei Torah.  And there was a ton of bread!  First, there was some bread for motzi.  Then more bread.  Then more bread.  It was passed around the table, left on plates, and one challah was cut.  There were homemade breads, grainy breads, burnt-ish breads, white breads.  So much bread!!!

Another Friday night I went to a Sephardi synagogue for what turned out to be one of the shortest services ever!  It was interesting how instead of everyone singing most things, one person would read for everyone.

I went to Roz’s minyan for the past two Shabbat mornings (one because I quickly discovered I did not want to stay in Yeshurun).  The atmosphere there is incredible!  You can tell that everyone truly wants to be there.

I’ve spent a lot of time hanging out with friends in my building, watching funny videos and playing with bouncy balls.  It’s a lot of fun.

I got sweatpants of 25 shekels! 

One Erev Nativ we Kfarmers had individuality-unity programming.  For part of it we ran around in the park putting paint handprints on each other.  It was fun, but a very underdeveloped program (we did not learn anything about individuality or unity from this, but our madrichim liked to say we did).  After this, Barry, Deena, and I went for a run covered in paint.

This past Erev Nativ we watched “Trembling Before G-D” with the Karmielevators.  This is a documentary about the struggles of Orthodox Jewish homosexuals in halacha (law) and life in their communities in general.  It was very interesting.

I found out that my Aunt Trudy is friends with my friend Sarah’s parents.  I love Jewish Geography and can’t wait for how great I will be able to play this game after Nativ.

Trivia: SO MUCH BREAD