Back by popular demand: Missed out a huge chunk of my life where prob should have blogged but guess better late then never. (and I couldn’t sleep last night so the result below:)
So quick update:
Jlem, Hebrew U, Second Week of my Masters:
Will start with my course… I have to say I’m loving it! I have two classes particularly interesting. The one is on the Pychosocial aspects of conflict. It focuses on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict but when doing my reading I constantly find myself applying the concepts to all the wars going on in Africa etc. Last week we began with discussing the adjustments societies undergoing intractable conflicts make in order to cope and adapt to the stresses of living in a constant state of conflict. Then looked at how it is exactly these necessary adjustments that contribute to making conflicts intractable and all the more difficult to solve. We have to do a presentation and research paper for this class which I’ve chosen to do on the psychology of conflict resolution and reconciliation. I’m thinking to do a comparison with SA and Rwanda, not exactly an original idea but want to bring in my experiences in someway.
The other class which I’m really loving is called ‘the Multiple voices in Israeli Society.’ The lectured apparently uses the ‘Berkeley Style’ of teaching in that the classes are 100% discussion based. Every other week we have to write a reaction paper on the week’s readings and each week a student leads a discussion based on the papers submitted with the lecturer adding her points here and there. Feel like this is 1st time been forced to use my brain and having to write papers so regularly can only improve my writing skills which is something I definitely feel I need. (I’m also not finding the reading load as bad as I expected so there is hope for B-com convertsJ)
Other classes also pretty interesting, I take a political theory class which is perhaps a bit too theoretical for me but still interesting, and a class on the Social and Political history of Israel which is a good historical refresh and filling in a lot of gaps. Although the lecturer asked me this week if I’m taking half my courses at the University of Jenin based on the questions I’ve been asking- If you don’t ask you never know!)
Also been keeping myself busy in other areas joined the debating club which does one debate each week in English. Started last week and was great getting back into debating which I haven’t actually done since school.
Next Week I’m scheduled to go to a workshop run by Palestinians in East Jerusalem with Benjamin Pogrund. I got in touch with him by chance when I landed up at his son for a succot meal. The week I arrived I also went with him to a panel on Human Security for the next edition of the Palestinian-Israel Journal which Benjamin moderated- very interesting.
So,yes keeping myself busy really enjoying it here, socially also having a lot of fun met some great people from all over (my classes are like the United Nations). Also working on my Hebrew which is coming on slowly, slowly or “cow,cow” ( I recently learned the phrase: "Ani lomedeted ivrat parah parah." Which means I learn hebrew cow, cow. It apparently comes from time of the first pioneers who built the land "one cow at a time" and no one really uses it anymore but the reaction I get from Israeli is so wonderful I use it all the time!! )
So academically that’s my update also just loving life here. The month before University began was absolutely wonderful. I really didn’t know what I’d be doing for the month and in retrospect was crazy coming so far in advance with no where to stay but luckily worked out perfectly. The 1st week I spent in Tsfat which was awesome. I’m not usually into these mystical airyfairy stuff but must say did get into the whole Tsfat Kabbalisticy vibe. I stayed at this crazy Chabbad run youth hostel, took some classes and actually made some really good friend from the various travelers passing through in the week that I was there who I have remained close with.
I spent Yom Kippur in Tsfat and the night before we did Kapparot-but the real thing with live chickens! It was the most surreal experience like going back 1000 years in time. Arrived at the slaughter place where there just 100s of black hatters and long-dressed girls and peyered boys with chickens everywhere! Trucks with crates and crates of chickens and in true Israeli style everyone trying to sell you there particular chickens. Once acclimatized to the craziness of the situation we began swinging our chickens ( I was with a bunch of over zealous middle-aged ladies also staying at the hostel who had recently re-found their Judaism). I decided someone needs to take the initiative so I got my chicken and a little slip of paper with the prayer and began swinging. Crazy sensation having this warm, squirmy bird in your hands, half way through my chicken started squawking and I interrupted my recitation to tell it “OK baby, don’t work baby,” ( the way I used to talk to my horse or my dog). Truth is it wasn’t going to be so ok for this guy who would be slaughtered shortly. One lady’s chicken actually died in the process and she had to go buy another one- not a very good omen since the chickens are meant to be absorbing your sins…. Definitely not a sight Id bring and SPCA representative in hurry but quite an experience.
While up North I also went with one of the girls I met horse riding in the Golan Heights. Was such a great experience beautiful horses, in MY beautiful country and even out there so much history both and ancient and modern. The guide kept pointing out things like the Canaf (Wing) village and Ancient temple from the time of the bible and at the same time showed us areas of the land that would go back to Syria should a peace deal come through. Was a great day, ending with a picnic on the Kinneret. (See facebook for Pics).
Next I headed for Jerusalem where Id managed to get my dorm room early. I arrived in Jlem on the day of Succot which was amazing. Everywhere there are succus, people manage to fit them in every nook and crany: balconeys, out of windows, everywhere. All of the restaurant put up succos too and Ben Yehuda is transformed into a type of shanty town. I spent most of Succot with a new Tsfat friend who I have since become very close to. After Yom Tov we went to every Succah party in the City and there were plenty. Chol Hamoed the whole city goes on holiday there are concerts every night, singing and dancing in the streets, candyfloss and popcorn being sold all over the old City and a huge green, environmentally friendly Succah at the Municipality with concerts happening every night. Was a great way to start my life in Jlem.
Now at University but still taking advantage of all that happening. I still haven’t had one night I’m home before 10 always something happening and suffering from severe FOMA as I do I cant say “no!” to going out. Its going to become problematic but so far enjoying. Discovered some great bars in the city (actually a hippy friend I met also in Tsfat showed them to me), last week went with some people to the biblical Zoo- where tried to learn the animals in Hebrew. (Hebrew is the biggest challenge at moment really want to speak it but just not there so struggling through and embarrassing myself along the way), last shabbas took a 1,5 hour walk across the City to Katamon where a bunch of us organized a shababas meal and this week going with a friend to some New Olim Shabbaton on a KIbbuts somewhere.
So ye keeping myself busy. Its now 6:30 so will try the sleep thing again
Tell next time:)
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