I've Arrived!

Dear Everyone,
I'm sorry that I haven't gotten back to everyone's personal emails yet - I've had very spotty internet access thus far. However - I'm in Israel!

After a crazy few days of packing and packing and more packing (which I never would have finished without Shoshanah's help), I left Greensboro at 5am on Sunday morning. I flew uneventfully to Washington DC and then to Boston. I wandered around Boston with my friend Aaron for a while, and then got on a flight to Paris. From Paris I flew on to Tel Aviv and I finally arrived on Monday at 4pm local time in Tel Aviv!

I got to my new apartment that evening, met one of my roommates, dropped off my bags, jumped in the shower, and went out to dinner with two friends! Boy, did I sleep well that night. The next morning was registration at Hebrew University which went well. I spent that afternoon downtown getting some necessities (you know, like a new power adapter that doesn't work) and began classes the next morning. (Ulpan = intensive Hebrew language instruction)

My first ulpan: I was placed in level one and argued myself up to level two.
My second ulpan: I was placed in level one and argued myself up to level three.
This ulpan: I was placed in level two and argued myself up to level three.

This level seems perfect for me. A lot is review, but I'm still learning a lot and forcing myself to spend at least an hour and a half on review and homework each night - at this rate I may actually learn Hebrew!

On Wednesday I took the bus home from class as usual (my new apartment is quite close to where my classes will be in September, but a forty-ish minute bus ride from where my classes are this summer). But all of a sudden the bus veered off of its normal route. I had no idea what was going on and, knowing the neighborhood somewhat well, I
realized it was completely skipping my stop. I got off, walked a few blocks back, and got to my apartment. I left my apartment a bit later to run some errands (remember that broken power adapter?) and woa! There was a street fair going on down the road! It was Hebrew Book Week this past week all over Israel, and one of the many events that was going on was a huge street fair in my neighborhood! I spent some time there during the two afternoons and evening that it was going on and ran into nearly a dozen people - old friends, new friends, classmates, roommates, everyone was out! It was so wonderful to see so many people out enjoying the beautiful weather and the art and foods and books and social-ness.

I had lots of exciting adventures yesterday, too, but I'll share those in another email.

Shabbat Shalom!
sarah

Off she goes again!

Dear Friends and Family,

I know I have been horribly remiss about updating you on what has been going on in my life. If I haven't spoken with you directly then you probably haven't heard from me since last August. I'm sorry about that, but life's been quite boring these past few months.

I spent the past ten months or so working at the American Hebrew Academy in Greensboro, NC. I discovered that I love teaching, especially these high school students. I lived in a house of sophomore girls (and all the drama that ensues when you put fifteen fifteen-year-olds in one 'house' for nine months). I taught 9th grade
Comparative Judaism and 10th grade Jewish Faith and Values. Although there was constant excitement, it's not really the type that makes for good mass emails. I'm not sure anyone else cares about who Rachel is dating, what events we won at the final track and field meet, or which students with 'behavioral problems' were thriving in the classroom. I love North Carolina; the geography and the climate probably make it one of the best places I've ever lived, location-wise.

And yet I'm off again. To most of you who know me, that's no surprise either. Where to? Jerusalem, of course!

In less than a week I will begin the very next leg in my educational journey. I am beginning the Pardes Educators Program, a joint program for a Masters in Jewish education with the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and the Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies.

To those of you new to my list, welcome! Last year, while volunteering in Israel on Otzma I tried to send out weekly updates about my life on the other side of the world. They started out as little "yep, still alive" memos and got quite lengthy and out of hand as the months went by. I doubt I'll be having adventures of the caliber I had last time 'round, but I'll still try to keep everyone updated. (If you're
curious, all the old emails are still hanging around at http://otzma.blogspot.com)

To those of you who received my emails last year, welcome back! I can't promise that these emails will be as interesting as the last batch, but I'll do my best. Remember, I love hearing how you're doing, too, and will do my best to respond back to your emails in a timely and personal manner.

And, once again, I'll begin by leaving you with my contact information, effective Monday, June 20th.

Sarah Hendel
12/11 Chaim Bajayo
Jerusalem 93145
Israel

cell - from the US - 011-972-54-647-8536
(That's 054-647-8536 for everyone in Israel.)
[I'll probably be getting a new cell phone in the future but I'll start out with that one.]

PS - If you'd rather I send this to a different email address, please, let me know!

PPS - If you don't want to get weekly-ish emails, just let me know and I'll be happy to take you off the list!

PPPS - If you think I may have forgotten someone, I'd be happy to addhim or her.

PPPPS - Should I put these emails up on a blog, too? Any thoughts?