And the Clock Begins to Tick....

Hi Everyone--- sorry I haven't written in a while...

It seems (from here) that live is pretty regular, with not a lot of changes, so it's hard to see what I would write about. However, my father has impressed upon me that I should write more.... THUS...

Life has been pretty good. For those who didn't hear, I officially passed the HUC Hebrew Exam (it's not actually a part of getting in.... it's just that you can't START until you have passed it...so it's just a nice hurdle out of the way). Anyhow, I was back in Jerusalem this last weekend, mostly to meet up with the head of admissions for Jerusalem (we met after services friday night...)

Services themselves were actually pretty amazing. They were at this Reform Shul in the middle of Jerusalem, "Kol Haneshemah" (voice of the soul, or some such like that). They were just beautiful....traditional yet radical. A more traditional approach than most reform shuls (it was more like CRC or Neve), but with the most beautiful singing. There was no cantor or figure such as that, and no instruments...just singing....and harmony. Was amazing.

Afterwards, I met with the head of admissions, and I think it was a pretty good talk; but I guess I'll find out about that in two weeks.

Speaking of which, it is exactly 2 weeks from right now that I will be about to go into the interview room (11:30, Jerusalem Time, Feb 1st).

That's the story with me...

The only other observation that I have is this:

It is a lot harder to understand the position of Europe and many in the US towards Israel once you are here...

When you understand what it truly feels like to get on a bus, in a western, democratic country, and not be sure if you are going to be blown up, it is pretty easy to justify almost any action...

And I firmly, firmly believe that in 20 years from now, when the suicide-bombs have struck the capitols of Europe and the cities of America, Historians will look back and marvel at the restraint and general regard for the other sides-civilians that Israel has shown.


Oh---last thing.

i went to the wall for the first time last weekend (went twice, actually), and I really didn't expect to feel much; there was so much anticipation of feeling something, that i expected a non-event.

When I walked up, I was struck by how SMALL the wall really is (and by how obnoxious it is that the women get 25% on their side, and the men 75% on theirs). I took a while, and eventually walked up to the wall itself, and really felt something.... not sure how to describe it, but felt something strong. Went back the next day, and felt the same thing (and two people, who will not be named, got healing prayers put in the wall for them; I've decided that I need to focus the healing prayers...dont' want to dillute them too much...so for a while these two are it (for those that don't understand, this is sort-of my sense of humor. sort of)).

Hope everyone is well.

Daniel