This week was definitely a bit more relaxing than last. In one of our lectures, we listened to former IDF spokesperson Jonathon Concrius. He shared with us the inside scoop on what tactical steps the IDF is taking in the war between Israel and Hamas. It was fascinating. Honestly, I had no idea how important each decision is that Israel has to make.  I hear my parents talk about it all the time and I see stupid things that pop up on my social media, but it doesn’t compare to what’s really happening. Most of my group agreed that their social media is their main source of news and Concrius pointed out different ways we can get a more accurate depiction of what’s really happening. As much as I hear everyone around me talk about how anti-semetic our world is, I’ve never really believed it until today.  My take away – as a teenage Jew (or really any age) living in a heightened anti-semetic world, we have to use multiple sources to get our information, we need to always question, we need to speak up and we must always support each other.  Writing this I feel like my parents are actually saying this,  but TRUTH, I really felt that way today. 

Later in the week we headed back to Jerusalem which is about an hour from Hod Hasharon. We went to one of my favorite places in the world – the Mache Yeududah Shuk. The Shuk is one of the biggest markets in Israel and there are all sorts of spices, fruits, candies, and of course my favorite falafel. The first thing my friends and I bought when we arrived was falafel in pita bread. It is beyond delicious. You can’t get falafel like that in the states and certainly not in Park City. After we stuffed our faces, we shopped and I picked out a gift for the fam and as well as I picked up more spices. I’m obsessed with the spices and flavors Israeli food has. You’re suppose to use the spices when you cook but they’re so good that sometimes I just eat handfuls and snack on them. They’re sooooooo good. It’s funny, when you’re in the shuk you not only walk through a sea of people but the smells, I can’t begin to describe how they literally make you salivate. No joke. They’re so strong that sometimes I feel like I’m tasting something when in reality I’m walking by just smelling something totally and utterly delicious.

If we’re not eating, tasting and smelling, we’re touring, volunteering and learning everything there is to know about Israel and the Jewish people. Earlier in the week we had met a former IDF intelligence officer and then they took us to the United Hatzala where we were able to see the place where all emergency phone calls go to in Israel. Anything reported, suspected or seen goes through this central bank which is the Hatzala. Inside they gave us a tour and pointed out the many different jobs people have and how they’re able to ensure Israel’s safety.

One of my favorite things I am experiencing while on this crazy adventure is learning languages. I love it. I love learning to speak another language. I love being able to order in a restaurant in the native tongue, I love laughing hysterically with my friends as I quickly pull out my google translate because I have no idea what they’re saying. I love it all!!! This week’s shabbat was one for the books. I stayed with my friend Bella and Delia at Bella’s long lost family close to Tel Aviv. The three of us were dropped off at Bella’s great-aunt and uncle’s house who btw do not speak English. My Hebrew is still a work in progress but out of the 3 of us, mine is the strongest and Google Translate became our best-friend this weekend.

Anyway, the family we stayed with kept Shabbat which means we couldn’t use electricity and we weren’t watching tv. We had a delicious Syrian Shabbas dinner which was probably the first home cooked meal we have had this whole trip. We spent almost 3 hours eating course after course of delicious Syrian food. Since they keep Shabbat, the electricity shuts off, so at 11:30pm all lights and outlets turn off forcing us to go to sleep right away. I’m not used to that but in reality we’ve been on the go so much that I think it was a blessing in disguise because we were so tired.

Unfortunately, we woke up to my friend Delia throwing up. She was extremely sick so she had to go back to campus early. Apparently there was a “muss crud” going around as everyone was throwing up that weekend, but fortunately for me, I avoided getting sick again. At least half the kids in my program were sent to the doctor. After we knew Delia was ok, Bella and I ventured out into Tel Aviv to meet up with some of my other friends. We planted ourselves in the sand and enjoyed acai bowls by the beach. We had originally planned on swimming in the ocean, however the weather was windy and cold so we opted out.

Everything seems to revolve around food here. Like everything. We’re planning our next meals as we’re literally ordering this meal. Before we headed back to campus, my friends and I grabbed dinner at our favorite Italian restaurant in the HOD which is slang for Hod Hasharon, the town we’re in. We probably order take out from here at least once a week. We love it that much. And after devouring almost everything on the menu, we headed back to campus to prepare for the next week. I’m stuffed while writing this, but yes, I am planning our next delicious meal in my head. 🙂

Stay tuned for my next adventures!

Xoxo,