Chasing Alli

Societal reactions from Israeli media (sent to us by the director of our program)...
1) In the last week, 4,500 Israeli families in the center and north of the country have volunteered their homes to fellow citizens from the south. This is a trend that began during the second Lebanon war, in which Israelis signed up in… read more
Posted by on 01/05/09 at 06:02 AM | Comments (0)

Gaza. again.

Frustration.  Pure and utter, heart wrenching, hair pulling, foot stomping frustration.  So far three of my friends have been called for reserve duty and many of them are speculating they will be called soon. 
The retaliation attacks on Gaza have escalated the situation to the point where a prolonged exchange will be inevitable.  Hamas leaders are… read more
Posted by on 12/28/08 at 09:34 AM | Comments (0)

Parallel Lives

Part of MASA’s Building Future Leaders Seminar, I was able to participate in the Parallel Lives Program that aims to bring Israeli soldiers and Diaspora peers together to dialogue.  The Seminar is three weekends and the soldiers participate in all of the workshops in order to bring the Israeli perspective.  All of the soldiers except for one were… read more
Posted by on 12/20/08 at 06:06 PM | Comments (0)

Learning the Definition of Israeli

I sat across from Guy at dinner at the Roladin Café in the new posh Mamila Shopping area adjacent to the David Citadel Hotel.  It is clear from the stores- Tommy Hilfiger, North Face, Roledex- that the majority of the people who shop there are wealthy tourists.  Scattered between the tourist traps are some decent cafes that have… read more
Posted by on 12/16/08 at 06:04 AM | Comments (0)

Settling In

The effects of the evacuation of Jewish settlers from a house in Hebron last week were felt all over the country as heightened alerts were issued for all public areas in Jerusalem.  I was out for dinner with a friend in the city center when her phone started ringing off hook with phone calls from her roommates.  Apparently… read more
Posted by on 12/08/08 at 08:50 AM | Comments (0)

Disengagement

We visited Sderot last week.  In order to understand first hand the issues that are facing this country, my program planned a visit which included speakers from Peace Now, and resettled settlers from Gush Katif. 

The trip started with a video and talk about the evacuation of Gaza in 2005.  The community looked like something out of… read more
Posted by on 12/02/08 at 10:18 AM | Comments (1)

Election Results, the GA, BFL; Snippets from Last Week in Jtown

Quick(ish) update…

-Nir Barkat won!!!!!!!!

-I met Nir at the mall the day of the elections!  He was walking around with a few people campaigning for votes! It was like seeing a celebrity!

-The UJC’s General Assembly took place in Jerusalem this year. 

- I learned that the world is in a financial crisis at the GA… read more
Posted by on 11/24/08 at 04:51 AM | Comments (1)

The Last Lap of the Jerusalem Mayoral Race

Another major election is happening in Israel tomorrow; Mayor of Jerusalem.  Campaigners are out everyday with banners and hand outs to promote candidates.  This election will play a large roll in determining the future the poorest city in Israel.  With many of the city’s secular residents leaving due to the lack of economic opportunity, high housing costs and… read more
Posted by on 11/10/08 at 06:44 AM | Comments (2)

Election Fever

My friend woke up at 5:30 am this morning to go to an election party with some of people at her yeshiva.  The German intern went to a bar, waiting in anticipation.  A British coworker was out until 4:30 in the morning watching as the election results rolled in. The Israeli on the elliptical next to me at… read more
Posted by on 11/05/08 at 08:25 AM | Comments (1)

Baltimore in Israel 1 (1 because I’m sure there will be more..)

To strengthen the ties between native Baltimorean young adults in Israel with our sister city, Ashkelon, the ASSOCIATED and MASA cosponsored a night in the desert.  Baltimoreans, or more accurately, Pikesvillians from various MASA programs came together with peer alonim (people who immigrated to Israel) living in Ashkelon.  The idea was see if the group had chemistry and… read more
Posted by on 11/02/08 at 09:49 AM | Comments (0)