Flash Forward

I believe this week is the official 2 month marker of my program here in Israel. It is crazy to think that I have done so much in that time but it feels like it has flown by so quickly. I am so lucky to be here and I am reminded of it all the time. This week I attended my first “Discussion of current events in Israel” led by new found friend Ari Solomon. He holds them weekly where a group of us International students get together with our Israeli madrichim(counselors) and talk about what is going on in the state right now. This week was a hot topic one since it was just announced by Bibi(PM of Israel) that over 1,000 new homes were planned to be built in the area of the settlements in the West Bank. This caused a huge Balagan in Israel and incited the “Day of Rage” by the Arabs. There were riots in east Jerusalem as well as a call to the temple mount to defend it. Protests were held all around campus calling for the immediate cease of the invasion. It seemed like this could be the spark the will light the powder keg.

On a happier note this week held the Tekes of Katja Edelmen(Nativ 27) for entering basic training for the unit of the Israeli Army called Oketz(police dogs). It was held down in Sde Boker and was attended by family and friends. Her parents flew in from America; JP, Elkana, and Judy all attended to support her; It was a very momentous occasion for her and another step in her support of this country. It was a long day for as soon as it was over back in Jerusalem was a reunion of old friends since Abby and Lauren(Nativ 27) were here on alternative spring break. We all went out to Timyul Shilshom(bookstore turned into a café) and grabbed some coffee while catching up. It was great to see them and hear all about their exciting college lives. I had not seen either one in 2 years and it was a nice surprise. Afterwards I received even better news as JP called me up and wanted to sleep over since he planned on staying in Jerusalem for the night. I am always excited to get the opportunity to spend time with him since it is seldom. When he arrived I took him out to the bar downtown where Alex was DJ-ing for the night. He felt awkward in his army clothes and would have rather changed but I told him that all the girls think it is sexy and he should keep it on. We got a beer together and just relaxed not worrying about life or the army. We stayed up late reminiscing about fun times we had in the past and how stupid we were back then. He left super early in the morning and I had a coffee appointment with my Wheelnik Leah who was leaving Israel that day since her program USY High was over. She told me about how incredible her time her was and how she was sad to go. I told her that she would be missed and all the memories she will take with her. The time comes always when we have to move on to the next phase in life.

Back in America, Spring break is beginning for some universities at this point. I was lucky enough to have Syracuse be one of them and that meant that Bettina had time to talk to me. She was staying with Ari in Manhattan and we were actually online at the same time which never happens. We talked for hours until she forced me to go to bed since it was 4 in the morning. We got to catch up about everything. I told about my time here, what i had been up to, and all the exciting tales of my adventure. She shared with me her time at the Olympics, being home for a little, Internships at Cuse, and of course volleyball and skiing. It was great to talk to her sicne I have definitely missed her a lot here. It’s funny if you think about the fact that I was abroad for a year, then she went abroad, and now I am back again abroad. For some reason fate keeps putting us on the opposite ends of the world. It was reassuring to know that she is doing well and having a great time right now in life. It makes me reflect and be secure in the fact that my life is fantastic and I am lucky to be here and have family here that cares about me.