I am officially leaving Misrad Hachinuch [the Ministry of Education] at the end of this school year. It's not really built/designed for new therapists, especially those who weren't trained in the system here.
I worked in the school system in NYC, and it's very, VERY different. For starters, not every kid in special ed is eligible for every service the school provides. There is also a list of students who are supposed to receive each service, and they have become eligible for that service after having an evaluation by that kind of therapist. Once the student becomes eligible for that service, he/she is mandated to receive that service for a specified amount of time, a specific number of times per week. If the student does not receive services in the school because there is no therapist who can treat the student, the Board of Ed (BOE) sends home a letter that gives permission for the student to be treated outside of the school, in a private clinic that has an agreement with the BOE.
There is also an expectation that therapists act as teachers and many principals want the therapist to treat at least the entire class as a group once a week-- problem, when you have two hours for a class and 6 kids in the class who all need individual therapy or max in a pair. The kids can be treated in a group as a class, but it might not be as effective and won't address the students needs the best (note: I am talking about students who are in separate special ed schools because they cannot be in mainstream schools, either part-time or even in self-contained classes in a general ed school).
Do the kids gain from the class lesson? Yes. As much? I don't know.
So the job hunt is in progress. If anyone has any leads, let me know!
Thursday, June 21, 2012
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Employer/Empoyee Attitudes
Normally I do not post anything other than very generic information about my workplaces. I work in schools with students who have varying levels of disabilities and handicaps, and that's all I'm going to say-- not where my schools are, not what the names are, and not the types of disabilities and handicaps that my students have.
Yesterday I was driving back with Eli and his mom and we were discussing work and being an employee and how employers treat employees and expectations, etc.
I am now going to vent about a principal I know-- not necessarily a principal at a school that I work in or have worked in, but a principal that I know in a professional relationship. When I saw her school I was impressed by her attitude-- she seemed to care and be interested in developing the OT program at her school and seemed to value the therapists and her staff-- spoke highly of them and reflected pride. I now know her from the inside-- therapists talk.
She yells at staff members, has clear favorites, takes out her temper on staff, and does not project an attitude of growth in the school. From what I understand, she has pushed, and is really pushing, for the school to be more "normal"-- standard subjects should be taught, and more emphasis should be placed on academic learning rather than more functional things for the students. Great. But that's really on the side. The point of this post was to discuss employer's/supervisor's attitudes and employees attitudes.
A few examples:
There was a meeting that had been scheduled and the day of it was pushed to a slightly earlier time. That day a representative from the Teachers Union had come to the school to answer questions about a new contract that was signed for the schools system. One of the staff members from the school was in the teacher's lounge with a couple other people, talking to the representative about five minutes before the meeting was supposed to start. The principal came in and said to the staff member, "Don't you have a meeting?" The staff member replied, "Yes, it starts at ____, in five minutes." The principal snapped back, "Maybe you should have your feet on the ground and know when you have meetings!" and went into the bathroom. When the principal came out the staff member said to her, "[Principal's name], I did not deserve that." And the principal responded, "I had it up to here today!"
...to be continued...
Yesterday I was driving back with Eli and his mom and we were discussing work and being an employee and how employers treat employees and expectations, etc.
I am now going to vent about a principal I know-- not necessarily a principal at a school that I work in or have worked in, but a principal that I know in a professional relationship. When I saw her school I was impressed by her attitude-- she seemed to care and be interested in developing the OT program at her school and seemed to value the therapists and her staff-- spoke highly of them and reflected pride. I now know her from the inside-- therapists talk.
She yells at staff members, has clear favorites, takes out her temper on staff, and does not project an attitude of growth in the school. From what I understand, she has pushed, and is really pushing, for the school to be more "normal"-- standard subjects should be taught, and more emphasis should be placed on academic learning rather than more functional things for the students. Great. But that's really on the side. The point of this post was to discuss employer's/supervisor's attitudes and employees attitudes.
A few examples:
There was a meeting that had been scheduled and the day of it was pushed to a slightly earlier time. That day a representative from the Teachers Union had come to the school to answer questions about a new contract that was signed for the schools system. One of the staff members from the school was in the teacher's lounge with a couple other people, talking to the representative about five minutes before the meeting was supposed to start. The principal came in and said to the staff member, "Don't you have a meeting?" The staff member replied, "Yes, it starts at ____, in five minutes." The principal snapped back, "Maybe you should have your feet on the ground and know when you have meetings!" and went into the bathroom. When the principal came out the staff member said to her, "[Principal's name], I did not deserve that." And the principal responded, "I had it up to here today!"
...to be continued...
Sunday, May 20, 2012
Hi. Back again.
Well it's been a long...well, I haven't really been unpdating properly since about when I got engaged, so let's say...oh. Seven months. It's been a long seven months.
Which it actually has been. There have been a lot of changes in my life, aside from getting married and moving; that's only part of it.
Where to begin...
We're past the engagement.
Let's start with moving, because that's next. Eli slipped when he was helping me move and hurt his back, which semi-put him out of comission for a couple of weeks, at which point my mother came in. We moved my stuff to our apartment and had a lot of boxes for a while. (note: we are now down to 9, which are mostly/all books. Go us.) We also bought a closet and a bedroom set (bed, 2 nighttables)-- more on that later.
Oh, wait, interruption-- I was doing coverage one day a week at one of my school until December and that ended so I kept that day free to do wedding stuff.Back to moving.
.
Moving into our apartment was kind of interesting. It was raining pretty hard, which was why Eli slipped, but aside from that the current tenant hadn't yet moved out. Fun! We agreed with the landlord that we were going to get the apartment on the first of the month; I had intended on moving in slowly over a couple of weeks until my mom came in, but my roommates and I found someone to replace me in the apartment starting the first of the month, so I moved out on the first. We spoke to the guy living in the apartment when we went to show it to Eli's mom (the month before we were supposed to move in) and the guy said, "Oh...I don't have a place to live yet, so if I need can I stay a little longer?" We told him no, and he said, "Well I don't know if I'll have a place, I'm looking but nothing's come up, etc...." and we called the landlord and said this guy didn't seem like he was planning on moving out on time, and that we were moving in on the first. So the night before the first we called the guy living in the apartment to make sure he left/would be out by the first and he said he was still there and wasn't planning on leaving until sometime on the first, at least. We immediately called the landlord and told him that we just spoke to the guy and he wasn't planning on leaving until sometime on the first (and that we could move in from midnight, if we wanted, seeing as we technically had the apartment from then...). Fast forward to about 9:30-10 when we arrive at the apartment with my stuff and see...the landlord using HIS OWN truck to help this guy move out. Seriously?! Well, anyway-- we got the apartment in a horrible mess, dirt everywhere, cigarette butts lying around-- the guy's UNDERPANTS hanging in the bathroom (which we told him about and he took, thank goodness). Giant, giant mess. Which we semi-organized, etc., until my mom came.
Bedroom set: We wanted an in-between size bed that separates (standard beds in Israel are 80 cm wide, standard beds in America are about a meter wide, and we wanted a 90 cm bed because we decided that 80 cm is too narrow, but we would have a hard time fitting 1 meter beds in many Israeli bedrooms because they're all built smaller. So we went for the middle size, and we are happy with it :) ) We actually found the one we wanted in the size we wanted that separates on display so we asked about buying it and the store said ok. So we got it for less-- there were a couple of scratches that the store repaired-- and so we got a great bedroom set for under standard price. And they built one of the nightstands new for us because they only had one on display. We ordered mattresses from the same store. When we went to try out mattresses, the store had mattresses that were different on either side; they were very close and both comfortable and Eli said, "Too bad they don't come like this [meaning one side one thing and one side another]. The guy in the store was like, "Well, actually, I can order them like that for you." So we got cool mattresses! They delivered our bed when the mattresses were ready but not the nightstands so we called and asked where they were. In the end we got them-- and one was broken and we finally got the second one a week or two ago.
Family arriving/Pre-Wedding: My mom came in about ten days before the wedding and we went for the tasting with Eli's parents and his younger sister and youngest brother. My mom kind of hung out a lot until the rest of my family (dad, sisters, brother-in-law, and nieces) came in. My parents and younger sister stayed in the apartment with me, and my older sister and her family stayed with family friends.
The shabbat before the wedding: In Ashkenazi [Eastern European] Jewish tradition, the shabbat before the wedding there are two separate celebrations: the groom has an "aufruf," where he is called up to the Torah and candies are thrown at him, and the bride has a "shabbat kallah" where she celebrates with her female friends and family members. My shabbat kallah was at my old apartment, and my sisters and nieces came; my mom went to Eli's aufruf (there weren't really going to be people there for my mom to hang out/talk to who weren't my age-ish, and she would have felt kind of awkward).
Day before the wedding: Took off from work and ran around. Don't remember much of what I did. I went to my friends' apartment in the afternoon to get ready for the mikva-- before a Jewish woman gets married she goes to the mikva to make herself spiritually pure (not physically clean-- you do that before you go to the mikva!). Yay for jacuzzi tubs. And then that night went to the mikva with my friend for moral support (she took me to a mikva near her and her husband's apartment. More explanation on mikva here: mikvah.org) and stayed over at her and her husband's apartment with my younger sister.
Day of the wedding: My friends who I stayed over at took me to the Kotel in the morning. Something really cool that not too many people know about is that a bride and groom can drive straight up to the Kotel [Western Wall] and park in a parking area near the Kotel (provided there is enough space, say the guards). I came back to Eli's and my apartment and I had lots of free time until makeup and the siyur (when the photographer takes you on a photo tour thing and takes pictures of you). So I sewed the sleeves up and the buttons on. My younger sister did my hair (and it took all of a half hour, extra hair spraying included) and someone who lives nearby came and did my makeup, as well as my mom's, Eli's mom's, my sisters', and my best friend who came from NY for the wedding (thank you Sara!). Then I went for the siyur and to the hall.
Despite how much we wanted to have the chuppah on time it didn't happen. It was a half-hour late. On the upside, it was not due to either of us. What else is there to say? It was wonderful.
..To Be Continued...
Well it's been a long...well, I haven't really been unpdating properly since about when I got engaged, so let's say...oh. Seven months. It's been a long seven months.
Which it actually has been. There have been a lot of changes in my life, aside from getting married and moving; that's only part of it.
Where to begin...
We're past the engagement.
Let's start with moving, because that's next. Eli slipped when he was helping me move and hurt his back, which semi-put him out of comission for a couple of weeks, at which point my mother came in. We moved my stuff to our apartment and had a lot of boxes for a while. (note: we are now down to 9, which are mostly/all books. Go us.) We also bought a closet and a bedroom set (bed, 2 nighttables)-- more on that later.
Oh, wait, interruption-- I was doing coverage one day a week at one of my school until December and that ended so I kept that day free to do wedding stuff.Back to moving.
.
Moving into our apartment was kind of interesting. It was raining pretty hard, which was why Eli slipped, but aside from that the current tenant hadn't yet moved out. Fun! We agreed with the landlord that we were going to get the apartment on the first of the month; I had intended on moving in slowly over a couple of weeks until my mom came in, but my roommates and I found someone to replace me in the apartment starting the first of the month, so I moved out on the first. We spoke to the guy living in the apartment when we went to show it to Eli's mom (the month before we were supposed to move in) and the guy said, "Oh...I don't have a place to live yet, so if I need can I stay a little longer?" We told him no, and he said, "Well I don't know if I'll have a place, I'm looking but nothing's come up, etc...." and we called the landlord and said this guy didn't seem like he was planning on moving out on time, and that we were moving in on the first. So the night before the first we called the guy living in the apartment to make sure he left/would be out by the first and he said he was still there and wasn't planning on leaving until sometime on the first, at least. We immediately called the landlord and told him that we just spoke to the guy and he wasn't planning on leaving until sometime on the first (and that we could move in from midnight, if we wanted, seeing as we technically had the apartment from then...). Fast forward to about 9:30-10 when we arrive at the apartment with my stuff and see...the landlord using HIS OWN truck to help this guy move out. Seriously?! Well, anyway-- we got the apartment in a horrible mess, dirt everywhere, cigarette butts lying around-- the guy's UNDERPANTS hanging in the bathroom (which we told him about and he took, thank goodness). Giant, giant mess. Which we semi-organized, etc., until my mom came.
Bedroom set: We wanted an in-between size bed that separates (standard beds in Israel are 80 cm wide, standard beds in America are about a meter wide, and we wanted a 90 cm bed because we decided that 80 cm is too narrow, but we would have a hard time fitting 1 meter beds in many Israeli bedrooms because they're all built smaller. So we went for the middle size, and we are happy with it :) ) We actually found the one we wanted in the size we wanted that separates on display so we asked about buying it and the store said ok. So we got it for less-- there were a couple of scratches that the store repaired-- and so we got a great bedroom set for under standard price. And they built one of the nightstands new for us because they only had one on display. We ordered mattresses from the same store. When we went to try out mattresses, the store had mattresses that were different on either side; they were very close and both comfortable and Eli said, "Too bad they don't come like this [meaning one side one thing and one side another]. The guy in the store was like, "Well, actually, I can order them like that for you." So we got cool mattresses! They delivered our bed when the mattresses were ready but not the nightstands so we called and asked where they were. In the end we got them-- and one was broken and we finally got the second one a week or two ago.
Family arriving/Pre-Wedding: My mom came in about ten days before the wedding and we went for the tasting with Eli's parents and his younger sister and youngest brother. My mom kind of hung out a lot until the rest of my family (dad, sisters, brother-in-law, and nieces) came in. My parents and younger sister stayed in the apartment with me, and my older sister and her family stayed with family friends.
The shabbat before the wedding: In Ashkenazi [Eastern European] Jewish tradition, the shabbat before the wedding there are two separate celebrations: the groom has an "aufruf," where he is called up to the Torah and candies are thrown at him, and the bride has a "shabbat kallah" where she celebrates with her female friends and family members. My shabbat kallah was at my old apartment, and my sisters and nieces came; my mom went to Eli's aufruf (there weren't really going to be people there for my mom to hang out/talk to who weren't my age-ish, and she would have felt kind of awkward).
Day before the wedding: Took off from work and ran around. Don't remember much of what I did. I went to my friends' apartment in the afternoon to get ready for the mikva-- before a Jewish woman gets married she goes to the mikva to make herself spiritually pure (not physically clean-- you do that before you go to the mikva!). Yay for jacuzzi tubs. And then that night went to the mikva with my friend for moral support (she took me to a mikva near her and her husband's apartment. More explanation on mikva here: mikvah.org) and stayed over at her and her husband's apartment with my younger sister.
Day of the wedding: My friends who I stayed over at took me to the Kotel in the morning. Something really cool that not too many people know about is that a bride and groom can drive straight up to the Kotel [Western Wall] and park in a parking area near the Kotel (provided there is enough space, say the guards). I came back to Eli's and my apartment and I had lots of free time until makeup and the siyur (when the photographer takes you on a photo tour thing and takes pictures of you). So I sewed the sleeves up and the buttons on. My younger sister did my hair (and it took all of a half hour, extra hair spraying included) and someone who lives nearby came and did my makeup, as well as my mom's, Eli's mom's, my sisters', and my best friend who came from NY for the wedding (thank you Sara!). Then I went for the siyur and to the hall.
Despite how much we wanted to have the chuppah on time it didn't happen. It was a half-hour late. On the upside, it was not due to either of us. What else is there to say? It was wonderful.
..To Be Continued...
Thursday, April 5, 2012
Post-Wedding Post
Well, we did it. Too late now...
Things went pretty well, I'd say. We're married. The last details got worked out, and eventually everyone got to the wedding hall. Pictures ran late, the chuppah started late, but the hasa'ah left on time at least :)
I need to do a proper post, but it's been such a whirlwind since the days before the wedding and until now-- it's Pesach in two days and I don't even have time to organize and clean tomorrow because I'm doing coverage in a skilled nursing facility!
We've both been sick, which isn't helpful, but b"H we are slowly getting better. More later.
Saturday, March 24, 2012
Very frustrated and stressed
I am getting married in 2 days and (as far as I know) the caterer still doesn't have a number. He thinks 12 tables inside and 12 outside, but we're not going to need that many I think.
This is a little ridiculous. I know it's Israel and all, but still-- we need to give the caterer a number.
Next. Mikva.
In Judaism, there is something called "Taharat Hamishpacha," or the laws of family purity. One of the things involved in this is the woman going to the mikva (ritual bath). Before her wedding, every bride (even if she has been married before) goes to the mikva. Women generally go at night, except in America, brides generally go in the daytime (so the mikva is empty and it's relaxed, etc.). In Israel, brides go at night, with an appointment. So I am doing that. I am going to a mikva that my friend goes to, she said the mikva ladies are nice and it's not the nicest mikva in the world, but it's nice. So I is going at night.
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
And counting...
All I need is to arrange the hasa'ah. The bouquet I have an idea, and I think the rest is done.
For the shabbat kallah I have to just cook, and the shower is tomorrow. Things are coming together.
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Finding My Place as an OT
In NY-- wait, let me back up.
How I became an OT (occupational therapist) starts before my older sister started college-- or maybe grad school, I don't remember which. She wanted to be a physical therapist (a PT), so I said, "Yeah, that sounds good. I'll be a physical therapist, too." So I decided to study physical therapy (PT) (not knowing much about it, just that people who hurt themselves or had strokes went. Like my Grandma, after she had a stroke).
I applied for a joint 5-year undergrad/graduate program in PT and got in. But I would have to take physics. People who know me know that math and I don't get along too well, and I won't do math if I can avoid it. Physics...math...pass. So I looked into occupational therapy (OT), because I didn't really know what the difference was (OT, PT-- there's a difference?) so I started talking to people and one OT told me that she had never met any OTs who wanted to be PTs but had met PTs who wanted to be OTs. That was a powerful statement to me so I decided to do OT. Volunteered, etc., got into OT school.
During OT school I decided that I wasn't going to work with kids, because I worked had with them enough and even though I was really good at it, enough. So I did my specialty in hand therapy and liked. I also really, REALLY liked working with stroke patients.
Fast forward to 2008, when I pass my OT exam and have to start looking for work. Decide to work in the school system because I get summers off, and it's with kids...and I work well with kids. I went to my first school and the other para-professional (OT, PT, SLPs) were fantastic to work with. The building not so fantastic to work in (as in, I got sick from the building). I transferred to two other schools and I was finally starting to find my place as an OT and feel like I knew something and I decided to make aliyah in the middle of the year. I went to ulpan and decided that for the next school year I wanted to work in the school system-- after all, I liked it in NY.
I tried to get in touch with the body of misrad hachinuch that deals with therapist placement but and all they said was, "Send a resume." So I went directly to misrad hachinuch to talk to them and got sent to a supervisor for special education. I explained to her what I did in NY and asked her about OTs in regular schools and she said that didn't exist and there were only special-ed only schools. So I went to a couple of schools. Didn't fit in too well, and it was just very tough to get into the system-- totally different than I was used to and thought. I stayed in one of the schools for this year and went to another school also.
I'm still not fitting in-- the principals don't see me differentiating myself as an OT in the school, bringing my qualities and.... I'm going to look into kupot cholim for next year, but I really want to work with special ed classes in regular schools.
...to be continued...
How I became an OT (occupational therapist) starts before my older sister started college-- or maybe grad school, I don't remember which. She wanted to be a physical therapist (a PT), so I said, "Yeah, that sounds good. I'll be a physical therapist, too." So I decided to study physical therapy (PT) (not knowing much about it, just that people who hurt themselves or had strokes went. Like my Grandma, after she had a stroke).
I applied for a joint 5-year undergrad/graduate program in PT and got in. But I would have to take physics. People who know me know that math and I don't get along too well, and I won't do math if I can avoid it. Physics...math...pass. So I looked into occupational therapy (OT), because I didn't really know what the difference was (OT, PT-- there's a difference?) so I started talking to people and one OT told me that she had never met any OTs who wanted to be PTs but had met PTs who wanted to be OTs. That was a powerful statement to me so I decided to do OT. Volunteered, etc., got into OT school.
During OT school I decided that I wasn't going to work with kids, because I worked had with them enough and even though I was really good at it, enough. So I did my specialty in hand therapy and liked. I also really, REALLY liked working with stroke patients.
Fast forward to 2008, when I pass my OT exam and have to start looking for work. Decide to work in the school system because I get summers off, and it's with kids...and I work well with kids. I went to my first school and the other para-professional (OT, PT, SLPs) were fantastic to work with. The building not so fantastic to work in (as in, I got sick from the building). I transferred to two other schools and I was finally starting to find my place as an OT and feel like I knew something and I decided to make aliyah in the middle of the year. I went to ulpan and decided that for the next school year I wanted to work in the school system-- after all, I liked it in NY.
I tried to get in touch with the body of misrad hachinuch that deals with therapist placement but and all they said was, "Send a resume." So I went directly to misrad hachinuch to talk to them and got sent to a supervisor for special education. I explained to her what I did in NY and asked her about OTs in regular schools and she said that didn't exist and there were only special-ed only schools. So I went to a couple of schools. Didn't fit in too well, and it was just very tough to get into the system-- totally different than I was used to and thought. I stayed in one of the schools for this year and went to another school also.
I'm still not fitting in-- the principals don't see me differentiating myself as an OT in the school, bringing my qualities and.... I'm going to look into kupot cholim for next year, but I really want to work with special ed classes in regular schools.
...to be continued...
Monday, January 2, 2012
Shloofy time
It's after midnight. I'm tired. I need to go to sleep, considering I haven't done enough of that since I got back to Israel about 4 days ago.
But I haven't updated in a while, therefore I would like to update to let you all know that I am alive and kicking.
Real update when I can focus. But hi, everyone. I'm still here.
Rather, I'm back here.
But I haven't updated in a while, therefore I would like to update to let you all know that I am alive and kicking.
Real update when I can focus. But hi, everyone. I'm still here.
Rather, I'm back here.
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Wedding updates
So to goal is to have the major things set by Chanukah-- hall, band, photographer. Dress I'm going to work on in NY; I want to try my sister's.
We're getting there. The wedding is going to be a couple weeks before Pesach, apparently in continuation of his unofficial family tradition (his siblings got married also a couple weeks before Pesach).
So in Israel (and in the Jewish world in general, but in Israel it stands out even more) there are different Rabbis who give kosher certification. We have guests from all spectrums of Judaism, and we want to make sure that everyone can eat everything at the wedding. Which is a lot of fun (and I say that with a heavy dose of sarcasm, in case you missed that). So...yeah...that's a huge stressor, because we need to find a place that everyone can eat at.
Photographer and band-- there are so many great options. We know that we really want the pictures to be good, because that's what's going to last. Band-- neither of us really have a strong opinion either way. There is someone who his mom got in touch with who they like and I heard a few clips and it sounds fine. There are two otehr bands I want to check out, but as long as the band doesn't sound BAD-- I'm fine with it.
And so it continues.
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Wedding Planning part II
Last week Eli and I went with his mom to look at a few places in Beit Shemesh. But if we're going to have to get a ha'sa'ah (bus) anyway, we might as well go to Mitzpe Yericho, which I think is beautiful and already like. And it's near-ish to Jerusalem. We're going to look at some halls in Talpiyot, but the catch is there is a minhag that his family holds by to not have live music within Jerusalem because of a plague...anyway, but Talpiyot is considered outside of Jerusalem for that purpose, so there is fine.
We need to find a photographer, a band, and I need a hair/makeup person (or people). Suggestions are welcome.
Wow. I'm getting married.
We went to a store today because I found these really awesome dishracks that I got for my apartment, and we got them. Our first purchase for our home. Milchig and fleishig-- we want to get a different kind (fold-up) for pareve.
We need to find a photographer, a band, and I need a hair/makeup person (or people). Suggestions are welcome.
Wow. I'm getting married.
We went to a store today because I found these really awesome dishracks that I got for my apartment, and we got them. Our first purchase for our home. Milchig and fleishig-- we want to get a different kind (fold-up) for pareve.
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Weddings, Israeli style
I called my house in NY today and talked to my mom about flights to NY over Chanukah. She asked me if Eli was going to bring a suit to NY, and I told her that we had discussed it and...we're Israeli. Israelis don't do suits. But Eli actually is thinking about getting one in NY, because they're better quality there.
I should probably back up now and explain who Eli is. Eli is my-- ok, big word here-- chatan [fiancee]. It's hitting me slowly...I'm getting married.
We're so right. His sister is the one who set us up, and as she put it, "You get him and he gets you." Everyone else saw this but us. Isn't that fantastic?
I'm whelmed.
More on this later when I can process and as I go through this next stage in my aliyah and klitah: Getting Married and Building a Bayit Ne'eman B'Yisrael B'Yisrael [A True House of Israel in Israel].
Here goes.
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Kever Rachel
In commemoration of Rachel Imenu's [our foremother Rachel's] yahrtzeit, there have been lots of buses running to Kever Rachel [Rachel's tomb]. So I went with a couple of my co-workers after we finished work.
It wasn't as packed as I thought it would be-- there was actually some room to walk around. When we left there was a giant truck with cold drinks and a station for coffee and rugelach. I wasn't able to take a picture, but next to each drink (you know the drink machines that you open the spout and just put your cup under? -well, maybe reverse the order- Those.) there was a sign of what/who to have in mind as you made the bracha [blessing]-- for example, a speedy recovery for so-and-so, etc.. Only in Israel.
There were tons of people handing out leaflets and small prayer booklets and asking for tzedekah.
Monday, October 31, 2011
Happy Moments in The Life of an Olah
#758324972: Hearing people in your school speak in Hebrew and it not being strange or feeling the least bit odd.
That makes me smile.
That makes me smile.
Monday, October 24, 2011
What Would You Do?
There is a letter going around, written by a naval commando:
It's a funny thing...people go to the army knowing in the back of their minds that-- they could die. But that doesn't happen to most people, so it is able to go to the back.
I think that everyone in Israel knows someone or is someone who has lost a relative or friend in an act of war or terrorism. That's a pretty sobering thought when you actually stop and think about it.
I know that I would want everything done for me if I was, G-d forbid, captured and held. But...I think...I would rather be held, and, yes, die than let terrorists with blood on their hands go free and go kill more than they have already killed. On the other hand, my family and friends would probably want anything to be done in order to get me out and they probably would not like my stance.
נכנס עייפות, יוצא כל מיני...לילה טוב, עולם. Good night, world.
It's a funny thing...people go to the army knowing in the back of their minds that-- they could die. But that doesn't happen to most people, so it is able to go to the back.
I think that everyone in Israel knows someone or is someone who has lost a relative or friend in an act of war or terrorism. That's a pretty sobering thought when you actually stop and think about it.
I know that I would want everything done for me if I was, G-d forbid, captured and held. But...I think...I would rather be held, and, yes, die than let terrorists with blood on their hands go free and go kill more than they have already killed. On the other hand, my family and friends would probably want anything to be done in order to get me out and they probably would not like my stance.
נכנס עייפות, יוצא כל מיני...לילה טוב, עולם. Good night, world.
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Overwhelmed by emotion and don't know what to do
I am so overwhelmed by conflicting emotions and I can't...separate them.
Gilad is home. After five and a half years, he is home. He has been welcomed by everyone, and no one is angry at Gilad for the trade that happened. Amazing, isn't it? Everyone is happy that he's home, alive.
Terrorists with actual blood on their hands were let free to redeem one person, one soldier, one Israeli. No one is mad at Gilad, no one is angry at him. At the government, at the army, at the president and prime minister for letting out mass murderers who will kill again, and are already inciting and planning to kill more Jews and Israelis-- yes. But I don't think there is anyone who is not happy that Gilad is back home.
I sent an sms to an Arab former coworker (he switched areas of practice), who lives in Silwan, asking him what it was like in his neighborhood. He said that it was crazy, and he wasn't sure if he was going to be able to get home (he was at work). Nothing like that here-- people in Mitzpe Hila I'm sure had lots of street closures, but no riots.
I'm terrified of what is going to happen now that these 1027 terrorists have been let out and while not all of them have been allowed back to where they came from, they will still do their evil work from wherever they are.
That's the conflict: Joy over Gilad being back; Anger at the government for allowing so many murderers to go free; Fear of what will happen now that these terrorists are free and able to get back to attacking freely.
I pray that Gilad will be able to sleep tonight, in his own bed, peacefully, back in his home. May he be able to move past the hell that was the past 1,941 days and nights and continue his life in health, happiness, and peace from here on.
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Feeling...unknown quantity
There is another post in the queue, but that one is going to take a little longer than this one.
Gilah Shalit is coming home. After 5 years, he is finally going to be home. And in exchange, Israel is releasing 1000 terrorists.
I am so happy he's coming home (the cynic in me is waiting to rejoice until he is actually back), and the other part of me is going, "So this is the new tactic...kidnap an Israeli, wait 5 years, then get 1000 prisoners released to go kill again."
I don't know what I feel. I do, actually: Confused.
Monday, October 10, 2011
Love and the Country
Please note the poorly executed play on "Sex and the City." I admit-- not that good. I try...no, I didn't try that hard.
I talk with my friends, friends of friends, random people, read other blogs, follow my friend's Facebooks. One thing that has been coming up a lot lately is the topic of love and relationships and the existences or lack thereof.
I live in "the Beitzah," which means "the swamp" and is how people refer to the Katamon area with lots and lots of singles, both Israeli and Anglo. It's kind of equivalent to the Upper West Side or Washington Heights in NY. And it is swampy, implying the getting stuck in and hard to get out of.
One of the things that has been insanely frustrating is, as always, "the same people are at everything." But in order to "get in" you have to know someone." And then you are friends with that person, and unfortunately too often have meals, go to parties, and hang out with the same peopel. Friends have friends, but often it's the same people. Also, the Israeli and Anglo worlds often are separate. Frustrating.
I don't know how to expand my circle-- people don't necessarily go up and say hi to people they don't know, or invite randome people over.
As I continue in my meals with the same people, I leave you with...challah. At least that's what I claim as my specialty and bring to...well..most meals becasue...well...people know it and like it.
Onwards.
I don't know how to expand my circle-- people don't necessarily go up and say hi to people they don't know, or invite randome people over.
As I continue in my meals with the same people, I leave you with...challah. At least that's what I claim as my specialty and bring to...well..most meals becasue...well...people know it and like it.
Onwards.
Saturday, October 8, 2011
Yom Kippur Thoughts
Erev Yom Kippur night there were selichot [special prayers that are recited, asking for forgiveness] at the Kotel [Western Wall] with HaRav Shlomo Amar and Harav Ovadiah Yosef [Chief Sephardi Rabbi of Israel and former Chief Sephardi Rabbi of Israel/current spiritual leader of the Shas political party in Israel]. The place was PACKED. I was there on shift with Magen David Adom and from about midnight on it was hopping-- I know I took out about 3 people, plus was treating in the tent. The annoying thing was that my ambulance left without me, which meant that I got home at 4 instead of 2:30-ish. Meh.
So-- Yom Kippur. I don't know how successful it was from G-d's perspective, but when YK ended I felt...good.
And one of the best parts? Between Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur the buses said "Chatimah tovah," which is the traditional greeting for that time period.
Saturday, October 1, 2011
Rosh Hashana thoughts
First thought: Thank goodness we don't have 3-day chagim here, besides Rosh Hashana.
Now for the more serious, reflective thoughts.
On Wednesday, Erev Rosh Hashana, before I left Jerusalem for the holiday, I went to the Kotel [the Western Wall], which is actually part of the retaining wall around the Temple courtyard, and the physical remnant that we have today of what was. It's a holy place, a very holy place. On the way there, something strange happened to me. People always talk about Jerusalem air feeling different, or there being a different atmosphere/feeling in Jerusalem on Shabbat [the Sabbath] and holidays, but I don't really feel it (maybe I'm spoiled because I live here?). This year I wasn't feeling the whole "ok, Rosh Hashana is coming" thing-- really, until Wednesday. When I walked out of my building I felt something-- almost like an anticipation in the air. And when I got to the Old City, as I walked into the Jewish quarter, I actually felt a change. Like I walked through an invisible barrier that nobody told me about and the atmosphere felt different. Holier, waiting, anticipating, a little more busy somehow.
I walked to the Kotel with that feeling and it struck me as strange that the Kotel was so empty. Ok, it was-- what? 12:30 on Erev Rosh Hashana-- but still...On the upside, I found a spot by the Kotel quickly. I davened. I just needed to be there-- I hadn't been since I got back from NY, and I missed it.
I feel like I kind of wonder, "Where did Rosh Hashana go?" It kind of just...passed.
So a bracha [blessing] for this new year that has just begun: May we be blessed with health, happiness, financial stability, the realization of dreams that we didn't even know existed, the strength to overcome the challenges that come our way, and-- peace. Both in the world overall, and within ourselves. May my small country be blessed with peace, safety, the ability to defend ourselves without international criticism (until peace happens) appropriate rainfall and may all the captives be returned home.
Shana tova u'metuka, u'mevorachat [a good, sweet, and blessed year].
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
