Shana Tova…almost

Happy “almost” new year everybody, I just came back from Ulpan class and am sitting outside on this gorgeous Israeli Sunday. The new year starts Wednesday and I’m very excited to see the differences between how Israeli’s and Jewish Americans celebrate the holidays. I’ve already started to see that a lot of the traditions and customs that I thought were universally Jewish are really just American Jewish, but more on that later. My friend Daya’s family volunteered to be my host family so I will be spending the holidays with her family. Just because I’m in Israel, I don’t think that means I should change the way I celebrate holidays. So I’m planning on doing my normal custom of doing nothing to help out, show up when dinner is ready and eat until I can’t fit anything else in my mouth.

Had a very nice Shabbat weekend, my friend Dan and I rode bikes to the beach on Friday afternoon before dinner. It’s been a long time since I got on a bike but it was a good time until his bike got a flat tire about an hour away from the house. We walked to the closest gas station but couldn’t get the tire fixed so he had to take a taxi home and I rode back by myself. For Shabbat dinner, Daya’s friend Tal’s parents invited us to dinner. With out a doubt the best meal I’ve had in Israel so far. Four different types of chicken, humus, rice, potatoes, tons of deserts and a lot more that I’m missing. Had a really nice time meeting and hanging out with their family. I’m definitely going to hold them up on their offer that I can come over any time for dinner.

As for some of the differences between American Jews and Israelis, on the way to dinner I saw ton’s of men walking back from shul. All the men were wearing flip flops, jeans and a polo/tshirt. I was told that services on Friday night last for about an hour and most men go, even though they consider themselves secular Jews. I also saw pictures of Tal’s brother bar mitzvah in which he was wearing black shoes, jeans and a dress shirt untucked. Just a little different than the tux I had on for my Bar Mitzvah. Went back to Tel Aviv yesterday and hung out at the beach. Tried to stay up for the first college football weekend but the sun really wore me out yesterday. I’m pretty sure this is the tannest I’ve ever been. I had such a good time on the bikes on Friday I’m going for another ride now, I think to Rehovot to do a little shopping and buy some souvenirs. Check out me in front of the cinema park dinosaurs before the flat tire and Tal’s mom and I after dinner. She’s very nice but I certainly wouldn’t trade!