Oops - blogging from my Blackberry is a little challenging.
Anyway . . .
The Clamans hosted all 100 + of the JWRP women this evening, as well as a lovely couple from Florida who were in Israel celebrating their 50th anniversary. There was also a former soldier there as well. Both Pamela (pronounced Pa-may-la) and Aba spoke, and we all enjoyed delicious raw vegetables, hummus, salads, and challah rolls.
After dinner we went on the rooftop to end Shabbat with Havdalah. This is a beautiful service - and to experience it on the rooftop of the most incredible home in the Old City with views of all of Jerusalem was something we will never forget.
Singing and dancing followed. Singing Hatikvah, arm in arm with our new friends, was a very moving experience.
I haven't described Pamela yet. You really need to see her. I took tons of pictures tonight, so when I get home, I'll be able to show you. Pamela looks like an exotic movie star from another era. She's tiny, with a huge turban on her head and phenomenal clothes. Tonight she was wearing a gold brocade button-down robe. She has a very dramatic air about her, and she's like a celebrity. She's so passionate about their work with the soldiers and about her life. I'd love to have the opportunity to speak with her in a more intimate setting. Hopefully our paths will cross again.
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Saturday, November 6, 2010
What an experience!
I'm going a little out of order here, but I want to write about our experience at the ebd of Shabbat today. We went to the home of Pamela and Aba Claman for the third Shabbat meal and for Havdalah.
Pamela and Aba Claman are Americans who became religious later in life and moved to Israel. They live in the most incredible home in the Old City. There really are no words to describe their home, but I will try. They purchased an apartment building that would ordinarily be four apartments, and they renovated it into one fabulous home. Everything is in the Moorish style, with amazing details everywhere.
The Clamans have devoted themselves to the support of Israeli soldiers. They have an organization, Thank Israeli Soldiers, http://www.thankisraelisoldiers.org, that provides care packages to the soldiers and also provides other support. The Clamans open up their home to guests for Shabbat every weekend and
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
Pamela and Aba Claman are Americans who became religious later in life and moved to Israel. They live in the most incredible home in the Old City. There really are no words to describe their home, but I will try. They purchased an apartment building that would ordinarily be four apartments, and they renovated it into one fabulous home. Everything is in the Moorish style, with amazing details everywhere.
The Clamans have devoted themselves to the support of Israeli soldiers. They have an organization, Thank Israeli Soldiers, http://www.thankisraelisoldiers.org, that provides care packages to the soldiers and also provides other support. The Clamans open up their home to guests for Shabbat every weekend and
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Ben Yehuda
We've been to Ben Yehuda several times during this trip. I'm most excited about the lyre menorah I purchased!
Right now I'm sitting outside "King David Treasures" while Holly and her mom shop inside. Displayed outside are kippot, including a Chicago Bears kippah, Sponge Bob kippah, and even a Diego (from Dora the Explorer) kippah.
The street is alive with music from street performers and young adults enjoying the start to a new week. Shavuah Tov!
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Friday, November 5, 2010
Preparing for Shabbat
This morning, we went to the Aish HaTorah building for a class on challah baking. We each made a challah - mine was the traditional braided 6-strand, and Holly made a flower-shaped one. It was really fun to learn how to make challahn and we plan to get together at home to make challah as well. (You are all welcome to join us!)
After our class, everyone ran off to get in some shopping before Shabbat. We went with Holly's mom to Machane Yehuda, a great marketplace in Jerusalem. We could have spent hours there, but with Shabbat starting so early here (candle lighting is just after 4 pm), we had only a short time. The market is a fantastic experience - tons of stalls with foods (nuts, fruits, breads), clothing, Judaica, etc. I found the most awesome and random thing - a Rutgers Football kippah!
Now we are getting ourselves ready to welcome in Shabbat with singing and dancing. We'll be "unplugging" in honor of Shabbat, so no updates until Saturday night.
Shabbat Shalom!
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After our class, everyone ran off to get in some shopping before Shabbat. We went with Holly's mom to Machane Yehuda, a great marketplace in Jerusalem. We could have spent hours there, but with Shabbat starting so early here (candle lighting is just after 4 pm), we had only a short time. The market is a fantastic experience - tons of stalls with foods (nuts, fruits, breads), clothing, Judaica, etc. I found the most awesome and random thing - a Rutgers Football kippah!
Now we are getting ourselves ready to welcome in Shabbat with singing and dancing. We'll be "unplugging" in honor of Shabbat, so no updates until Saturday night.
Shabbat Shalom!
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Masada, the Dead Sea, and Abraham's Tent
My internet is slow tonight, and my computer is running out of power, but I wanted to give you a quick update on our day:
We left Jerusalem at 7:15 and headed south to Masada. What an incredible place! The last time I was there, Larry and I climbed up and made it to the top to see a gorgeous sunrise over Jordan. This time, we took the cable car up. We had a fantastic guide (he was also one of the speakers yesterday - here is his website: http://www.kenspiro.com).
After Masada, we took a short ride to the Dead Sea. We covered ourselves in mud, then floated in the salty dead sea. It was probably a hysterical sight -- 100 women, many religious, floating and laughing and having a fantastic time. (Note to Heidi -- I got mud on my white hat! I'll tell you the whole story of that when I get back.) Shopping for Ahava products and lunch followed!
We showered and dressed and got back on the bus for a ride to a very unique place. We went to Abraham's Tent for camel rides and dinner. Riding the camel is easy -- it's just when the camel stands up and sits down that's a bit freaky -- and we had some very funny moments. Dinner was nice, and then we headed home.
After a quick change, we headed out to Ben Yehuda street for some more shopping. It was a successful trip!
More tomorrow!
We left Jerusalem at 7:15 and headed south to Masada. What an incredible place! The last time I was there, Larry and I climbed up and made it to the top to see a gorgeous sunrise over Jordan. This time, we took the cable car up. We had a fantastic guide (he was also one of the speakers yesterday - here is his website: http://www.kenspiro.com).
After Masada, we took a short ride to the Dead Sea. We covered ourselves in mud, then floated in the salty dead sea. It was probably a hysterical sight -- 100 women, many religious, floating and laughing and having a fantastic time. (Note to Heidi -- I got mud on my white hat! I'll tell you the whole story of that when I get back.) Shopping for Ahava products and lunch followed!
We showered and dressed and got back on the bus for a ride to a very unique place. We went to Abraham's Tent for camel rides and dinner. Riding the camel is easy -- it's just when the camel stands up and sits down that's a bit freaky -- and we had some very funny moments. Dinner was nice, and then we headed home.
After a quick change, we headed out to Ben Yehuda street for some more shopping. It was a successful trip!
More tomorrow!
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Jerusalem - The Old City
What an incredible and exhausting day! One hundred women walked from the King Solomon Hotel to the Aish HaTorah building in the Old City. This spectacular building overlooks the wall and has the most spectacular views from the rooftop. Check out our picture posted in a post below.
We took two amazing classes -- first was Lori Palatnik teaching "The Kabbalah of You." I found it to be fascinating - she is an incredible speaker. The second class was with Rabbi Ken Spiro -- the class was called "WorldPerfect." I'm too tired to write about the details of the classes tonight, but I can't wait to buy his book when I get home.
After the classes, we were each given a gift from the JWRP -- a siddur (prayer book) with our name on the cover. Siddurim in hand, we headed out to Ha Kotel -- the Western Wall. What an incredibly moving experience to pray there with so many other women. I placed my prayer in a crevice among the thousands that are aleady there. I was also happy to deliver the written prayers from friends that I brought from home. (Funny story -- when going through the very tight security at El Al at JFK, I was asked "Did anyone give you anything to bring to Israel?" I mentioned the notes, and he had me pull them out of my bag to show them to him.)
After a short time at Ha Kotel, we had some free time for lunch and shopping. I bought something for J that I am very excited about. I'm not going to mention it here, because I hope he's reading my updates!
At 4 p.m., we met up with the rest of the DC group and half of another city's group to meet our tour guide for our tour of the Old City. The guide was extremely knowledgeable and passionate about Jerusalem. She's also an archeologist -- so our tour of the tunnel underneath the wall was truly special. (Those of you who know of my extreme claustrophobia probably wonder how I could possibly have done the tour . . . let's just say I was more than a little freaked out, but I'm so glad that I did it!).
Exhausted after all the touring, Holly, her mom, and I left the Old City for dinner and more shopping. We have to cut through a beautiful, high-end mall (Mamilla) on our way back to our hotel. :)
Tomorrow -- Masada and the Dead Sea.
We took two amazing classes -- first was Lori Palatnik teaching "The Kabbalah of You." I found it to be fascinating - she is an incredible speaker. The second class was with Rabbi Ken Spiro -- the class was called "WorldPerfect." I'm too tired to write about the details of the classes tonight, but I can't wait to buy his book when I get home.
After the classes, we were each given a gift from the JWRP -- a siddur (prayer book) with our name on the cover. Siddurim in hand, we headed out to Ha Kotel -- the Western Wall. What an incredibly moving experience to pray there with so many other women. I placed my prayer in a crevice among the thousands that are aleady there. I was also happy to deliver the written prayers from friends that I brought from home. (Funny story -- when going through the very tight security at El Al at JFK, I was asked "Did anyone give you anything to bring to Israel?" I mentioned the notes, and he had me pull them out of my bag to show them to him.)
After a short time at Ha Kotel, we had some free time for lunch and shopping. I bought something for J that I am very excited about. I'm not going to mention it here, because I hope he's reading my updates!
At 4 p.m., we met up with the rest of the DC group and half of another city's group to meet our tour guide for our tour of the Old City. The guide was extremely knowledgeable and passionate about Jerusalem. She's also an archeologist -- so our tour of the tunnel underneath the wall was truly special. (Those of you who know of my extreme claustrophobia probably wonder how I could possibly have done the tour . . . let's just say I was more than a little freaked out, but I'm so glad that I did it!).
Exhausted after all the touring, Holly, her mom, and I left the Old City for dinner and more shopping. We have to cut through a beautiful, high-end mall (Mamilla) on our way back to our hotel. :)
Tomorrow -- Masada and the Dead Sea.
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