Matchmaker, matchmaker...

I have been slacking on my posts...again.

A few months ago (I know, I've been slacking), I attended an IDF ceremony for my cousin, a paratrooper. The ceremony was where, after an 80km overnight trek, he was awarded his red beret (upgrading from his green). It was really powerful to attend and I'm grateful my cousins invited me to come along. A funny thing happened at this ceremony: an an Orthodox Israeli woman asked if I was looking for a shittah (match)! I have to tell you I was dressed pretty conservatively because my cousins are Orthodox and I wanted to dress appropriately for the ceremony. As a result, this woman thought I was Orthodox too. I was so caught off guard by her question that I (perhaps a little too curtly) said, no, I wasn't interested. However, I didn't go so far as to correct her misconception of me as a non-Orthodox Jew! Well, a few minutes later, she decided she clearly needed to investigate why I wasn't interested (it's a mitzvah to make a match...three matches puts you in heaven according to Jewish "custom"). The conversation resulted in her learning that I wasn't engaged but had moved to Israel for my boyfriend. A TOTAL horror. She said a prayer for me and proceeded to give my cousin her telephone number in case things don't work out for me because she needs a shittah for a young man. It was so entertaining, and a little scary.

Shuk Cart Elbow

I have diagnosed myself (thanks to Ethan's medical know-how) with shuk cart elbow. Web MD does not discuss this particular ailment. So, here's the definition: Shuk cart elbow develops as a result of overloading your shuk cart and pulling it for too long with an extended arm.

Symptoms: Soreness in your elbow.

Recovery process:

1. Switch pulling arms frequently.
2. Flex your elbow often.
3. Ice, if necessary (fortunately, it wasn't)
   

Planning for the future:

• Think about how much food is too much to buy in one shuk shopping.

• Don't go to the shuk alone. Always make sure Ethan is available to pull the cart.

Yummm

Kanafeh is delicious! When we visited my Seeds of Peace friend Raya and her husband Mymoon in their Druze village, Isifya, yesterday, we were in for a real treat. Raya and Mymoon's families have lived in Isifya for generations. They toured us all around the village, with a stop at the shuk, the Old Village, and at Raya's parent's home for some tea and chatting. They were so warm and welcoming. I'm always amazed by how people here whip up food and snacks for whomever and however many enter into their homes. Raya's mom was no exception. Afterward, we returned to Raya's beautiful home (it's traditional for the husband's parents to build the young couple a new home) where we had a Druze feast followed by still warm kanafeh. YUM!

Ethan and Ana (Hilla's mom) eat Kanafeh

The Druze are a really interesting, special people. One of the things I find most interesting is how fiercely Raya and Mymoon respect and cherish their roots. The Druze serve in the IDF (The Druze fought for Israel in the War of Independence in 1948 but conscription wasn't required until Raya's grandfather signed this agreement with Israel in 1953.) They spoke about how many Druze lose a sense of identity when they serve in the IDF and so they have started an organization to help young Druze retain their identity and reconcile it with living and serving in the IDF. Mymoon served in the IDF for 9 years so he is a great role model. Retaining a sense of Druze identity is especially important because it is essentially forbidden to intermarry and any Druze who does is cast out of the village. Plus, a Druze child must be born to two Druze parents and since there is no conversion in the religion, it would be very hard for the Druze to survive if young Druze lost their connection to their religion.


Me, Raya, Mymoom, my mom, and Ana

We had a wonderful weekend up north with the Mellers and Azmis!! We are so lucky to have friends we can visit in Israel.


At the Bahai gardens in Haifa the day before our Druze feast

Only in Israel

Wow! Two HR people just came into my office passing out gifts for Passover!! They walked the hall like little elves with big boxes for every single person saying "Chag Sameach." Not only is that just amazing as an experience and totally unique to Israel (or maybe it happens in Jewish organizations in the other countries?) but let me tell you, the gift boxes are from Sabon--this completely fancy soap/body shop style store. They have stores in Israel, New York, London, Tokyo--you get the idea. Their products are gorgeous and I have resisted buying anything from there since I've arrived in Israel (a true feat since one shop opened on Emek Refaim a few months ago, meaning I walk by it almost daily). Wow wow wow! An early Chag Sameach!

PS. I know my blogging has been lax. I am going to try to do better!

Visitors Galore!

It's so much fun to have friends visit! It helps us take advantage of all the wonderful things there are to do while living here.

When Caryn and Amanda visited last week, we rented a car and drove to the Judean Hills for the day. Even with a few wrong turns, we were able to visit a tiny goat cheese farm inside the Peace forest past Abu Gosh. Specifically, we had to drive into the Peace forest and then down a dirt road through the Polish Jewry Memorial. Ethan off-roaded like a pro and once there, the only thing that gave away the goat cheese farm was all the goat cries (some combo of "bah" and human whining). We approached a little tent and inside, found farm workers who offered us samples of goat cheese. Yum!


This is a baby goat that was born the night before. They make such human-like crying noises. I fell in love.

After the goat cheese farm and some "creative driving," we went to a wonderful restaurant in moshav Nes Harim where we sat overlooking the Judean hills and then found our way to Katlav winery where Yossi, the vinter himself, gave us a tour of the winery and sat with us having a taste-testing. We bought a delicious bottle of cabernet sauvignon blend!


Caryn and I at Katlav

We also visited the Temple Mount. Unfortunately, we mistimed it thinking we could go from 1:30-2:30 but it turned out to only be open from 12:30-1:30. We got there at 1:15 so we had a quick look around before being asked to leave. Only Muslims are allowed to be up there during the off-times. I really want to go back for a proper tour. I was shocked by how big the complex is and also, how peaceful. There are lots of benches to sit on and garden areas that feels very park-like in a way.

Caryn and I in front of Dome of the Rock

My sister has also "visited" all the way from Tel Aviv! It's great to have her so close by. This past weekend, she came for Shabbat and we also had Ethan's college roommate Cara and her boyfriend stay with us for a few nights on their travels through the Middle East. On Saturday, we took a tour of Yemen Moshe, now a beautiful artist community overlooking the Old City. We also explored the Old City and I visited the Church of the Holy Sepulchre for the first time. It's really impressive. Something like 6 denominations of Christians have worship areas within the Church. We spied on some sort of Greek Orthodox Mass and watched as people exited the Edicule (Tomb of Christ) crying and displaying lots of emotion. I wish we had brought a guide book because the Church was SO big it was impossible to know what was going on in each area.

Very excited for our next visitor (my dad) at the end of this week!!!!

Painting Pottery in Jerusalem & Other Observations

On Tuesday, I painted pottery with Nani. I know, not so culturally Jewish/Israeli on the surface but wait! You wouldn't believe what our options were of things to make. Our options included a kiddush cup (large or xlarge), a menorah, a seder plate, a hand washing jug, a mezuzah, and Shabbat candle sticks. Oh make-your-own Judaica. In case you're wondering, I made an extra large Kiddush cup. Perhaps I will post a picture after I reclaim it next week (but only if it's pretty!)

Also, on my bus ride home from work today, we got stopped at a construction site. Ahead of us was a construction worker kneeling for afternoon prayer on the pavement in the middle of the construction. We didn't have to stop for his praying...we had to stop because only one lane could get by at a time but as a byproduct, I got to witness his praying. This is a pretty neat place.

Speaking of neat, last week at my all women's gym, there was a sheitel hanging on the coat rack alongside some sweatshirts. Now that is NOT something I saw at my Boston Sports Club!

My best friend from Pinecliffe, Caryn, (see http://stuffjewishyoungadultslike.wordpress.com/2008/08/04/43-having-multiple-best-friends/), is visiting for two days starting tomorrow! She's been on Birthright and is extending her stay. I can't wait to show her around!

Everywhere you go...

...there's always someone Jewish. Yes, a great song and applicable to Jerusalem but actually, one of things that I find really amazing about Jerusalem is that "everywhere you go," there are ancient pieces of history. Yesterday afternoon, Ethan and I took a walk over to the Tayelet. The Tayelet is a promenade in Talpiot with fantastic views of Jerusalem. The weather was also clear enough to see to Jordan. It was so peaceful to stroll through the olive trees and see so many others taking advantage of the great weather as well. As we climbed to the top of the hill, we came to a sign post that explained that we were standing at the spot where Abraham first saw Mt. Moriah on his journey there to sacrifice Isaac. I went back to the Tayelet on my run this morning...it's still a bit surreal to see the Old City with the glistening Dome of the Rock as I ran and I want to keep reminding myself how unique the experience of living here is.

In other news, Ethan did an amazing job posting pictures of our trip on his blog so those out at http://kotel6.blogspot.com

Salaam aleichem

Well, we've returned from Egypt! I managed to pick up a few phrases (salaam aleichem among them) and only drop Hebrew once (nothing like a little "todah" to thank the passport agent for stamping my passport to let me into the country. Oops)

Ethan's parents treated us to an incredible vacation. Over the course of our week away, we spent three nights in Cairo, one in Luxor, and three on a cruise from Luxor to Aswan. Cairo is the craziest city I've ever been to. The driving is really as described--horrendous! There are no traffic lanes, hardly any stop lights (the few we saw seemed "optional" at best), and no crosswalks. The one pedestrian crossing signal we saw literally had the green "walkman" running. It was hysterical. People cross the street in front of traffic. We successfully did so twice and each time felt very accomplished. The first time we crossed the street, I took Ethan's hand without resisting and he valiantly led us. However, the second time, I took the lead and you wouldn't believe the resistance I got as I dragged him in front of traffic. Unbelievable. I recommend camp-style trust games move to the Cairo streets if you really want to test your partner's trust. Beyond the traffic, Cairo is really fascinating. We visited the Mosque of Muhammad Ali, the Khan el-Khalili market, Sakkara with step pyramid, Giza with the pyramids and sphynix (including a climb inside the Great Pyramid), Memphis, and the Cairo Museum (cataloged like the old Natural History Museum with typewriter written notes and handwritten ones on index cards and post-in notes. Also with King Tut's tomb exhibit!)

In Luxor, we visited the Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple and took a day trip to Dendara to see the Temple of Hathor and to Abydos to see the Temple of Seti. We also visited the Valley of the Kings, Valley of the Queens, Deir al-Bahri (Funeray Temple of Hatshepsut), and Colossi of Memnon. Heading south (though technically north on the Nile--it flows from north to south so Aswan and Luxor are part of Upper Egypt and Cairo and Alexandria are part of Lower Egypt), we came to a floating market on the Nile! Suddenly, we heard screaming from below and when we peered over the railing to see what all the commotion was, we encountered numerous rowboats with men selling all sorts of goods. They started throwing things--shirts, dresses, and linens up to the top deck where we could take a look to see if we liked anything and bargain with them for an item. Out of nowhere, a tablecloth and napkins set got thrown up to us. After some serious bargaining, we became proud owners of a white and blue duck and lotus blossom tablecloth. Pretty cool. Soon after, we went through the Esna lock, my first lock, and onto Edfu where we docked overnight before visiting the Temple of Horus. Sailing further up the Nile, we visited Kom Ombo and then Aswan. We had such an incredible vacation but it has been really nice to come back to Israel.

Finally, I have a new favorite Egyptian goddess. Her name is Nut (pronounced "newt") and she is the goddess of the sky. The story goes that the sun passes along her body during the day until she swallows it (signifying the start to the evening). The moon passes the other away along her body until it is sunny again (ie morning). We saw an amazing drawing of this legend in the Temple of Hathor.

Oh, and one final, final note...I'm currently accepting bids higher than 5,000,000 camels as my brideprice since that's what was offered for me at the Step Pyramid.

Photos to come!

Happy New Year!

The end of 2009 was full of adventure and visits--a trip to Paris with my mom and sister (I am still salivating over the endless breads, pastries, and cheeses); a too-quick visit in Tel Aviv with my uncle and aunt from London; a two-day adventure with my cousin from London where I got to show off my increasing ability to navigate the Old City and other parts of Jerusalem with only a few map checks; a visit from friends Taryn and Christoph who amaze me with their sense of adventure, spirit, commitment to their faith, and love of one another; and finally, a visit from Wendy and Jim, Ethan's parents.

Leading up to New Year's Eve, we took a trip down to Qumran (where the Dead Sea scrolls were found), a hike in Ein Gedi (beautiful national park), and a cable car ride up Masada, where Ethan showed off his impressive knowledge of the second temple period (he is on track to be a stellar rabbi!) At night, we made an Indian feast and lit sparklers with Taryn and Christoph to ring in 2010!


there aren't too many options for Indian in Israel so it's fun to think we made edible Indian.

For Shabbat preparations, Wendy, Jim, Ethan, and I ventured to Mahane Yehudah. The shuk is usually overcrowded on Friday mornings but with tourist season in full swing (I guess I'm discounting myself from the tourist lot), the shuk was exceptionally nuts. We still managed to buy all the necessary ingredients for a great shabbat dinner though before Ethan called it quits:) Even though the crowds could make anyone claustrophobic, I still love seeing people from all walks of Jerusalem going about pre-Shabbat preparations. Plus, I am still amazed by the variety and beauty of all the food for sale.

We tried two new recipes for Shabbat from the Kol Haneshamah cookbook that were delicious and worth sharing:

Salmon

1-2 large pieces of salmon
6 cloves garlic, crushed
1/2 c honey
1/2 c brown sugar
1 c soy sauce
1/4 cup sherry (we substituted red wine)
2 tbsp freshly grated ginger

4 green onions, sliced

Mix together all the ingredients for the marinade. Pour over the salmon. Bake for 20-25 minutes in 325F (we cooked the fish for about 30-40 mins...just watch the fish). Can be served warm or room temperature.

Quinoa Pilaf

2 c veg stock
1 c quinoa, rinsed
1/2 c dried apricots, diced
1 c fennel, diced
1/4 c dried cranberries
1 c green pepper, diced
1 c red pepper, diced

Dressing:
2 tbsp raspberry or balsamic vinegar
2 tbsp orange juice concentrate
1 tbsp honey
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp garlic, minced

Bring the stock to a boil over high heat and add quinoa. Reduce heat to medium low. Cook covered for 15 minutes (took ours a bit longer). Transfer to a serving bowl and allow to cool. Add fennel, peppers, apricots, and dried cranberries. Combine the dressing ingredients in a small bowl. Whisk well. Pour dressing over salad and toss to coat.

We are leaving on Wednesday for Egypt for a week with Ethan's parents. I am SO excited. I will be sure to report back when we return.

Happy New Year! Best wishes for a happy, healthy 2010.
Love, Arielle