Sukkot 1

The problem with having lots of events to blog about is that you are usually busy doing said events! So, some day I will try and catch every one up on last month.

Now, it is Sukkot. Probably the main reason I wanted to be in Israel. And it is amazing. I sat in the sukkah with friends today and listened to three different groups singing prayers in the afternoon, simultaneously, on different street corners, at the top of their lungs and full of joy. Then this evening I helped prepare food for a small dinner party. Anyone who knows me, knows how much I love making food. And if not, just read some of the archives on here. I learned a new dessert--shredded halva, whipped cream, fold together and freeze--amazing. So all in all, I feel utterly complete.

This is going to be the best week.

Dance, Dance

I finally went Israeli folk dancing Jerusalem! After making several planning attempts for the past two months, both my energy level and work schedule coincided to make it happen. It did require eexploring yet another corner of Jerusalem that I had not yet been--French Hill, or northeast Jerusalem.

After forgetting how to say French in Hebrew and hoping the people who seemed to understand me actually were talking about the same thing, my brother and I, and 3 friends made our way through the compounds of apartment buildings to the "community council."

Though security was lax compared to most JCCs in the states, we still couldn't figure out which floor to page to let us in for dancing. A few tips from a guy catching a breather at the ground floor gym solved that problem. Then it was like walking into my own home.

The music, the people, the dances! I had such an overwhelming sense of belonging, and that has been something I've needed lately. I even understood all the Hebrew used to teach!

Going dancing at the French Hill Community Center is on the repeat list for sure.

Sundays, 7pm (beg) 25NIS,
13 Rehov HaHagannah