To bring you up to date

So as promised we have posted some pictures of our caravan. There is a possibility that we may move to another caravan, one that is a bit nicer. It is where the furniture we purchased from someone leaving is located now, and it is too heavy to move, therefore we want to move us to the furniture.

This past week we have gone into Yerushalayim at least 3 times (in 4 days). We have bought Nate some new shoes for shabbat, Naomi some new scarves and of course the new oven- we are very excited about this. We found someone, as suggested by one of the other kollel couples here, who buys ovens, dishwashers, fridges, etc. used, fixes them and then sells them. He not only sold us a fixed oven and stove, but delivered and installed it, and best of all- It comes with a warranty that is renewable. On Friday we woke up early to try and see how long it would take Naomi to get to class each day, but forgot that the bus schedule on Friday is very different and ended up waiting for a bus for an hour and a half. When we finally got into Yerushalayim we made our way into Machane Yehuda- Naomi's first time ever, and found some very yummy Marzipan and some really inexpensive wine to bring to our hosts for Shabbat.

Shabbat was very nice, we ate out for all three meals, which were absolutely amazing. We made some great new friends, and Naomi seems to becoming best buddies with the other kollel families' children. We davened at the "Happy Minyan" on Shabbat morning, which we very much enjoyed and may even consider making it our minyan of choice. We took a walk in the afternoon and discovered some beautiful views and of course a water main break on our street that will most likely result in no water for the next few days. We also snuck some views through the windows of the new caravillas that are going to replace the caravans. They are quite nice, and very spacious.

Until next time... Shavuah Tov!

We're in Israel

So we made it. The Israir flight is best described as "You get what you pay for". I would highly suggest that anyone look elsewhere for cheap flights, but if you need to save some money this is a good way to save a lot. It was cramped and I missed the amenities that El Al provides.

We had a car service pick us up at the airport and took us directly to Efrat which was about 40 minutes away. The best part about this was that our 5th bag couldn't fit in the car, so the driver had his brother pick it up and brought it all the way to Efrat later for $5 more. Best $75 we've spent in a while.

We showed up at the Yeshiva and met two of the other couples, each of whom proceeded to fight over us for dinner that night. What a welcome (plus the cookies and drinks awaiting us at our door).

So we'll write some more about our adventures since then and post some pictures of our very empty caravan. We miss you all and hope you find a way to visit us soon.

Tisha B'Av and Moving to Israel

Tonight is erev Tisha B'Av. It's always been a very hard day for me; to understand the imagery that we find in Eicha. Two years ago I sat at the Kotel all day trying to feel the destruction - but I can't - it's so much easier for me to feel the destruction of the nation through the Holocaust, the descriptions provided in the megillah of what the populace went through during the siege. This is why most shuls watch Holocaust movies - because we cannot connect to the Temple - despite our best efforts most of us cannot do it.

XGH says that this phenomenon is proof that we don't really want the Temple back; I don't think so, it's been 2,000 hard years and we - today's Jews - don't really get it. So we take other aspects of Tisha B'Av the other calamities that have befallen us on this day and connect to those.

Is it bad to do so? No, I don't think so, since it's also an integral part of the day. But this year I'm going to make a concerted effort - like I've done in the past - to think about the Avoda in the Beit HaMikdash and what the Churban really was.

I found RWAC's post to be truly moving, because I feel that I will come out of Tisha B'Av feeling very like that. Today I will accept God's judgment, but I'm moving to Israel in a week. I have the pain of packing and moving boxes in my arms and legs; I can't forget that. There is a day after Tisha B'Av and on Tu B'Av I will move to Israel.

This year's Tisha B'Av promises to not be the average Tisha B'Av. It will be hard and special in it's own way.

packing update

So rumor has it that we have have been assigned a caravan in Efrat. We kind of heard it from someone leaving the area and coming back to the states, but we should know for sure tomorrow. In the meantime our lift leaves in 6 days and that means everything going to Israel must be sealed up soon. My parents and Nate's dad will be coming down this weekend to help us finish up the packing, and to help us move everything going to Israel to the place where the lift is leaving from and everything staying to my Aunt and Uncle's house where it is being stored. Looking around the apartment it seems we are almost ready for this Sunday, however when I sit down to try and finish packing all I can see is that there is a lot more.

On another note, we are considering getting Vonage so that way many of you will be able to call us as if you were just calling another American number and we will be able to call you as well. If anyone has any takes on this idea please send us an email. We have been doing some research, talking to people in Israel about it, but more input would be great before we go and order it. Thanks!

-Naomi

Naomi's first post

Hey All!

So I am very new to this blog concept but here goes. So the stress is starting to disappear, now that we have things worked out with where we are going and how we are getting there, and now reality is starting to settle in. On Friday we tried to get visas from the Israeli embassy in DC (we were unsuccessful because we had one way tickets and you need round trip to get it) and as I was davening before we left I started to tear a bit thinking how this was really happening. It is amazing and I am so happy that my dream, which this past year became our dream, is happening. I will finally get to go to Israel and learn Torah full time. I can not express to you enough how happy I am and how excited.

On the other hand though, as it gets closer there is a definite sadness that is setting in. No it is not because I am leaving America, or the luxury life that we have been living, and as much as I love my friends it is not even because we are leaving them, but rather it is because we are leaving family, and more importantly for me, because I am leaving my Mom. I love my family very much but as anyone who knows me well, for at least the past 6 years (sine I finished those annoying teenage years) and maybe even longer, my Mom has been my best friend. I will miss our three (or more) times a day phone calls just to check in (which we will not be able to afford) and I will miss the ability to go home and just hang out whenever. I will miss chag, or at least the pre-chag cooking that we do and I will miss going to the women's Seudah Shlishit with her during the summers (and a couple during the year). We are going to visit my family this weekend, and thanks to my parents there will be a kiddush in honor of our leaving (Hashkama minyan at Shomrai if you are in town btw), and it truly will be a hard weekend for me.

Anyway, so I guess that is how I am feeling. Yeah for me learning to post on a blog and yeah for our upcoming move! Until next time!

We're Finally Packing and Selling Furniture

We're packing all of our books that are coming with us; and all of the books that aren't coming with us. We're packing all of my CD's (3 boxes worth) that aren't coming with us; but I bought a harddrive so I can take the mp3's with me.

Dishes, Books, Pots and Pans, Appliances, Books, Clothing, did I mention books? It's all coming.

Anyway, I took some pictures of the mess - I mean - progress.

Alan Johnston is Free

Alan Johnston, the BBC reporter who was taken hostage in Gaza, has been freed by Hamas forces. I truly believe, and CNN speaks of it, that the only reason Hamas decided to do something was that they sorely need some good publicity.

The captors - the Army of Islam - have been connected to Fatah; which is curious since Abbas was not able to do anything about it. There is no mention of what the military operation to retrieve Johnston was like - probably because the media is grateful to Hamas and doesn't want to publicize the event.

Either way, I'm glad he's safe and unharmed.