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!
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Saturday, January 23, 2010
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
In other news, Ethan did an amazing job posting pictures of our trip on his blog so those out at http://kotel6.blogspot.com
Sunday, January 17, 2010
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!
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!
Monday, January 4, 2010
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.
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:
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.
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.
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 salmon6 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
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.
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
Love, Arielle
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