Day 1 in Israel

Shalom from Israel!

I departed from JFK Airport on Saturday night, flew for 10 hours and landed safely at Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv last night. It was an emotional journey during which I reflected on my two past trips to Israel (I lived here for a year in 1999-2000, then visited again in 2005).

During the first trip, I learned so much - it was the first year of my rabbinical school training (which was five years total). I was engaged at the time, so much of the year was spent pining for my fiance at home (we split up soon after I returned to the States).

Last time I was here, it was very soon after my car accident. I was in so much pain the entire time, and there was so much I couldn't do. I spent much of the trip on the bus, waiting for the group to return.

I am going to post pics soon (it's not working right now, for some reason). Will update more tomorrow!!

This time - I'm healthy!!

When I arrived last night, I said a prayer of thanksgiving and gratitude. It felt like a homecoming. I was surrounded by people speaking Hebrew, I rented a "pelaphone" (Hebrew for cellphone), and I was on my way to Jerusalem. It was dark and rainy out, so I really didn't get to see much of the landscape.

I am here for our annual Central Conference of American Rabbis Convention (the main Reform rabbi professional organization). Last year was in Cincinnati, and this year is in Jerusalem. BIG DIFFERENCE!!! :)

Today, however, I took a day trip with some of my colleagues to the Galilee. Specifically, we visited a site called Beit Shearim, a very famous burial site in Jewish tradition (one of our Talmudic sages of the 2nd century, Judah HaNasi, is buried there). We then traveled to Tzippori, another famous town very close to Nazareth and Megiddo, where the Sanhedrin (the highest Jewish court during the first two centuries CE) once sat before moving to Tiberias.

In Tzippori, we saw the most incredible mosaics - they were found on the floors of excavated 6th century synagogues. They depict images of the Bible, such as Abraham's binding of Isaac, images of Aaron becoming the High Priest, as well as big ole Zodiac. I am fascinated by the Zodiac, because it shows that the Jews were quite influenced by the outside Hellenistic culture and that they adopted some its beliefs/art.

CCAR Convention

Hello! I hope you all had a lovely weekend.


I couldn't wait to tell you all about the CCAR Convention that I attended last week (see the photo in the last post). The CCAR is the Central Conference of American Rabbis - basically, it is the organization for all Reform Rabbis in North America. They hold a convention every year in a different part of the continent, and this year's was in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Why Cincinnati? In many ways, it is considered the birthplace of American Reform Judaism. Rabbi Isaac Mayer Wise established both the Union of American Hebrew Congregations (now known as the Union for Reform Judaism) in 1873, and the Hebrew Union College (a seminary for rabbis), in 1875, in Cincinnati. Rabbi Stephen Wise began the Jewish Institute of Religion, another seminary, in New York City in 1922. These two institutions merged in 1950, becoming HUC-JIR.
HUC-JIR is now the school for all who wish to become a Reform rabbi, cantor, educator, or other Jewish professional. There are two more campuses - one in Jerusalem, where all students must spend their first year, and one in Los Angeles.

I began school at HUC-JIR in the summer of 1999. I graduated in college in May, then left for Israel in June. It was the most incredible experience to live in Jerusalem for a year, and I am sure that I will tell you more about it at another time. All students then return to one of the stateside campuses. I came back to the NY campus for my remaining four years, and I was ordained as a rabbi in 2004.

All Reform rabbis become members of the CCAR upon ordination. Next year's convention is in Jerusalem - I hope that I can go!! I hope to be totally healthy and strong by then so that I can truly and fully enjoy the trip to Eretz Yisrael, the Land of Israel.

Hot-lanta, check it and see

Hello from Atlanta - I am surrounded by the nation's reform rabbis, and we are already having a wonderful time. I arrived around 1pm, had a bite to eat, and rested for a few minutes. I then attended a fascinating lecture, by Dr. Laurie L. Patton, about the influence of Eastern Religions on Judaism and the Jewish community. We discussed what is so enticing about Hinduism and Buddhism to today's Jews, and what we can learn from this. Apparently, Jews are drawn to Eastern religions for two main reasons: 1) the aesthetic qualities inherent in them (beautiful gardens, garb, etc.), and 2) what they think Judaism doesn't provide, such as a greater sense of spirituality and meditation practices. It looks like it is our job as rabbis to make sure to appreciate what other religions have to offer, and also to educate our congregants about what Judaism does indeed teach about meditation and the spirit.

Then, U.S. Senator Russ Feingold spoke for about 2 hours. WOW! He is an incredible, visionary leader. I was so inspired by his tenacity and willingness to take a stand for what he believes in. It turns out that he was raised an observant Reform Jew, and his children have gone to OSRUI. His sister is a rabbi! He spoke about our mandate as Jews to care for the stranger in our midst (illegal immigration policies), and for those made to feel like the stranger (African Americans, GLBTs, Latinos, Arab Americans). He spoke about accountability for the Iraq war, and our immediate need to create a course of action so that we can finally pull our troops out. We gave him at least three standing ovations!

Dinner was delightful (yummy peach cobbler!), as was the opportunity to catch up with classmates. I am now getting ready for bed, since we have a long shacharit service in the morning. Unfortunately, the hotel is under renovation, so there is no pool - the horror, the horror! I have been fantasizing about going in the hot tub for weeks - I am so disappointed. Darn you, Atlanta Marriott Marquis!

Okay, I shall update you more tomorrow. Good night!