Day 5: The "Aliyah" Day

It's 7:34am the day after the ride. I'm awake because I went to bed at 9pm. I went to bed at 9pm because I was so physically exhausted that I was starting to get grumpy and whiney. So I went to bed. And now its 7:34 and I'm awake. Fabulous.

What hurts:
-my calves
-my stupid sunburned lips
-everything below my bellybutton
-my neck and shoulders
-my nose (stuffy)
-my throat (sore)
-my ears (just hurts)

What I need to do today:
-take my laundry in
-get a massage (12:15)
-get my haircut (1:30)
-finish writing my thank you notes and buy stamps
-get all the work I missed
-and on and on

How am I feeling NOT physically?
-exhilarated
-"the highest high I'll ever need" -me after going down the biggest hill
-SO SO SO proud of myself
-kind of amazed that I did it all. Some walking. NO riding the bus. Mostly biking. I rode myself all over Israel and most of the time I had a smile on my face.
-like I met some really amazing people-- from my classmates who I bonded with on a totally new level, to my classmates who I didn't really know before, to my future colleagues to the men and women who inspired me, motivated me and kept me going when the going got tough.
-my muscles ache, but I feel really really good physically and know that I'll feel even better physically when I'm recovered a bit.
-I climbed up that road in that picture. Yes, that tiny one in the distance. I still can't believe it.

The last day [bum bum bum bum BUM-- appropriate theme music]
So I had heard over and over and over again how tough the last day was going to be. How the climb into Jerusalem was going to be like anything I had ever done before. Blah blah blah. After Thursday afternoon I was pretty sure that I could handle anything they put before me. Ok, that works...until I saw the climb. It was a very very long hill...that just kept going and going and going. It didn't want to end. I rode most of the way with Neil and Claire who were *amazing* biking buddies. Finally, after the "main" climb, we had to ride up another big hill that almost seemed like it was going to be the end of me. Finally (after about 4 1/2 hours of riding) we got to Mivaseret Zion, the congregation outside of Jerusalem where we had lunch and heard about their community. One of our riders, Michael is a member there and told us all about it including their amazing Rabbi Mya who won a Supreme Court case to buy land from the government to build a building. Now their building (which I visited earlier in the semester) is built, but isn't finished yet.

We had lunch and then got back on the road so we would arrive at HUC exactly at 3:30 for the welcoming and closing ceremony. We had a police escort all the way into town and even though the final hour was tough and my body was hurting including my knees (which was a common problem since Claire and Rachael already had taped knees) I kept going-- adrenalin or just plain excitement- I don't know which. And then suddenly, we were done. We came through the tunnel and then were on Betzalel, then King George, then Hillel then Yaffo then King David and then 13 King David Street. Home. We ended up being a few minutes early so we got to hang out and hug each other before cutting the ribbon and running into the courtyard. Rachel and Bekah were playing "Heveinu Shalom Alecheim" and "Simin Tov U'Mazel Tov" and everyone was singing. From there it was kind of a blur but at one point all the HUC riders who had been away from their significant others for the week were kissing- I hope someone got a picture of it. It was priceless. Everyone also got roses and flags from the kids at the gan who were also waiting for us.

Anyway, after all the hugging we sat down for the closing ceremony and everyone who spoke on the first day spoke today. Michael Marmur told jewish biking jokes (the "chain" of tradition," and that the month of Nissan was named after a Japanese car company!). We got all received certificates and had our names called so people could cheer for us. Then there was cake (with a biker on it) and then a group picture up at Mercaz Shimshon. Then I got my stuff and went home where I laid on my bed for about an hour before moving again.

That's my biking story and I'm sticking to it. Expect more post-ride reflections and pictures to come very soon. Rumor has it that we'll be getting a CD with 1000 pictures on it from the ride and then I can pick and choose the ones I want to put up.

Thanks to everyone who has supported me through this entire adventure! Very soon I'll have a fundraising total and I'll be sure to post that right away. For now, it's 8:38 and I'm gonna have some breakfast and get ready for my recovery day. Happy Friday to all!

Day 4: The "Long" Day

This is from yesterday, but we didn't have internet at the kibbutz, so I'll post it as if it were yesterday. Enjoy! And pictures will be up in a couple days-

Today was day 4. After 2 days of “easier” riding, we had heard that today was finally going to hard. We started off with some easy riding along the highway and moved into some off road riding. We took a few short breaks and only about an hour for lunch- certainly the longest of any day so far. After lunch we road to Modiin where we met with congregation Yozma- one of the newest Progressive congregations in Israel. One of their board members welcomed us and the schoolchildren in the Gan gave us medals that said “kol haKavod” on them. After the presentation by the guy we had a choice to either bike to Neve Shalom, or to ride in the truck. I heard it was hills with a steep uphill at the end. Yeah…that’s right…it was the hardest thing I have ever ridden- today and ever. It was one hill after another with almost no rest between them. I rode with Oded and Rachel C., who were great supports especially after my heavy breathing and slight hysteria caught up with me. Oded said I sounded like I was giving birth. Ouch. I told him that, similarly to giving birth, I was at the end, and I wanted it to be over. That’s why I was making those noises.

Now we’re at Neve Shalom for the night, our last night before the last day-- the hardest day, the day we’ve all heard about and dreaded. The ascent back into Jerusalem. All day we had aliyah jokes-- “its not called aliyah for nothing!” and “we’ll show them what it means to make aliyah.” And on and on. I also think that something started rubbing today during the afternoon which is making it hard to sit, stand, walk etc. Not such a fun feeling. But, depite the very long day and the killer hills, I actually feel ok. I think the two days of “recovery” riding really helped prepare my body for what we did today. And what we’re going to do tomorrow. I seriously can’t believe that tomorrow is the last day of the ride…after so many months of prep…its going to be over. Everyone is already talking about next year. Next year? How about next week- or next month when I will complete my first year of Rabbinical school. Or the month after that when I go to camp. Or two months after that when I move to NY…and here I go again. Time to focus.

Tomorrow is the last day of the ride when we’ll ascend into Jerusalem via Mevaseret Tzion and will complete our ride at 13 King David Street where, hopefully, lots of my classmates and friends will be waiting for us. Then, I want to go home where I want to take a very hot shower and get an amazing night of sleep.

At one point Howie said to Josh that he couldn’t believe that he had thought about not doing ride. Translation: He was really glad that he had decided to do the ride. And I am too. I am feeling really good about my decision to come on the ride and to ride all four days so far (and I’m thinking day 5 is gonna also be a 100% riding kinda day.) Time to shower, have some dinner and get to sleep in preparation for day 5. Laila laila!

Day 3: The "Easy" Day

GO TEAM HUC!

I am writing to you from Kibbutz Shefayim near Neyanya. It's been a exciting and busy three days. Since it's 10:15pm and we have to get up at 6am, this post will be short and hopefully they'll be time for more later.

First of all, this is not easy. Even today, on our "easy" day, we still ride about 65 kilometes (39 miles) over about 9 hours. (Sunday and Monday we did about 75 km- 50 miles) The days are long. Wake up at 6am. Breakfast at 6:30. Services at 7:15. Start biking around 8am. Breaks at 9:30, 10:30, 11:30, 12:30. Lunch at 1:30. Riding at 2:30. Breaks at 3:30, 4:30. Finish around 5:30 more or less (actually the entire schedule is more or less since the first day we had lunch at 3pm and today we had lunch at 12:30. oh well). Whenever they say we're going to be there, we usually arrive about 45 minutes after that.

I've been going to bed around 9:30 and getting about 8 1/2 hours of sleep. This, plus tons of food and water is what has gotten me through the days. Oh, and sunscreen- except yesterday I forgot my lips and now they're a little burned :(

Today, while attempting a little water stunt, I fell into a pool of water-- causing everything I was wearing to be soaking wet including my *cell phone* which was in my bike bag. It's curently drying with the hopes that it will work again soon. My shoes, shorts and biking jersey are also drying in my room.

Tomorrow and Thursday are supposed to be hard days as we begin to ascend back into Jerusalem. The longest hill will be about 750 meters with several 400 meter hills along the way. Woah.

Sorry to those who have written that I haven't gotten back to yet- I must must get to sleep and let my advil kick in so I have the strength to do it again tomorrow!

Love to all and thanks to everyone who has supported me thus far! Love to everyone!

PRE-RIDE EVERYTHING

For 7 months I have been planning, training, working out, writing letters, making phone calls, entering information onto spreadsheets, going to meetings and talking about the

[insert appropriate pre-ride sound effects here]

RIDE 4 REFORM [wahooooo!]

The ride starts this Sunday, March 26th and I will return on Thursday, March 30th. I'll ride 220 miles through some of the most beautiful parts of Israel. I'll be sore, tired and hopefully, very very proud of myself.

Personally, I've raised $3000 [thats what you get when you send out 80 fundraising letters!] for the World Union for Progressive Judaism. The HUC team has raised about $11,000. I don't know what the entire ride has raised, but I can only imagine that its a big number.

There are ten of us: Ross, Matt, Howie, Neil, Oded, Josh, Claire, Jean, Rachael and myself. We represent 3 classes of future Rabbis and Cantors, HUC in New York, Los Angeles, Cincinatti and Jerusalem and a variety of ages (some of us just graduated college, some of us have children about to enter college).

How to keep up with me on the ride:

First, check out the riding4reform blog:

Second, check out the riding4reform website:

I am bringing my camera and computer, but I don't know what kind of internet I'll have. Hopefully I will be able to post every day, both on the r4r blog and my own-- feel free to leave comments on either blog so I know that you're reading.

How am I feeling?

I'm feeling good. I'm in the best shape that I can remember, I think, and I know that my body is physically ready to handle thing. However, one's physical abilities are often linked with mental focus and self confidence. Mentally I am feeling kind of scared and nervous about what I'm about to take on. I'm excited to meet the other riders and to see what all of our time and money is going to. I'm excited and proud to be doing something for the IMPJ-- a cause that I really support.

I love the feeling of riding and being so awed by the nature- the mountains, the green, the trees-- all of it. Riding my bike in Israel makes me fall in love all over again with this land, and in turn makes me fall in love with what I want to do with my life. I'm really looking forward to the stillness of the mornings and the sense of anticipation that I know I'll feel.

I know that I'm going to be sore, and that I'll hurt here and there. But I'm prepared with my bike shorts, comfy socks, special food bandaids, lots of ibprofin and my cool new bike helmet. So even if I'm super sore, I'll still look good.

Here's a pic from one of my first days of riding. Check back for pictures from my week of riding to come!

Thank you thank you to everyone who contibuted to this cause and helped me prepare- I am in debt to you. Feel free to comment and email during the week! Here I go!

bike? check. helmet? check. riding gloves? check. padded-butt riding shorts? check. tons of snacks? check. books, homework and knitting for the evenings? check. feeling of Oh my G-d, I can't believe its really here and I'm about to do this? check. i think i'm set.

Week Update

This week was really busy- I'm not sure why exactly, but it seemed like every night was later than the next. A quick recep:

Sunday: class, voice lesson, dinner and NY Orientation with Rabbi Aaron Panken, the Dean of the NY Campus. Totally overwhelming with info on classes, working, living in NY (and paying for it!), finding an apartment, whicih neighborhoods to live in, financial aid and health insurance. Yep, it was pretty overwhelming. I sort of can't really believe that I am actually moving to New York next year.

Monday: Class, Reflection Groups, dinner with Jill.

Tuesday: Class, gym, choir.

Wednesday: Israel seminar all day, a visit from Shira Z., my old youthgrouper and friend.

Thursday: class, voice lesson, meeting up with Shira and her family, lunch with Rena, food shopping, cooking for Mexican night, Mexican night with Mel and friends followed by the L Word Season 2 finale. [Thank G-d Tina finally had the baby and she and Bette are back together], drinks on Rivkin, sleep.

Today: I took my bike to school in preparation for the Ride (more to come!), went to the bank, had breakfast with Rachel, cooked tofu and vegegtables for Shabbat dinner and am now enjoying some SATC and a quiet apartment.

Shabbat is also going to be busy: tonight I'm going to HUC to see my 4th yr. friends Howie and Jen lead services and drash. I'm having dinner at Ross and Rachael's wit the other HUC riders. Tomorrow I'm going back to HUC to hear Edie's sermon and then to have lunch at her house. Post- Shabbat I'll be packing for the ride and getting a *very* good night's sleep

I am going to try and post these Purim pictures from last week AGAIN. Let's see if it works this time. [15 minutes later] Doesn't look like its going to work. Oh well.

A pre-ride post and pictures will be up next. Love to all!

Purim Pictures Part Two

Ok, I just spent an hour trying to post the pictures...so i'm going to post this and try the pictures in a little while. Until then, enjoy!

Ok, Purim, Take Two.

After spending most of Tuesday recovering from Monday night's adventures, I finally got up and dressed in time for Megillah reading at school.

I went as a red-headed Rabbinical student...or just me wearing a red wig (see pictures above)

The Megillah reading was done by our professors...dressed up of course! Eli was a wizzard of some kind, Tamar was wearing a sign that said "Laila Tov Yareach- Good Night Moon" and Naamah was a clown, I think. Rabbi Marmur's impressions of a first year student were especially entertaining.

After the reading, Mel, Sandi, Jill and I went to Joy Express for dinner and met up with Rena before getting some drinks at a bar on Rivlin. There we ran into an entire barful of HUC people...see the picture above of Neil, Claire, Rachael and myself-- Riders4Reform doing some "training."

Following the bar, a bunch of us went back to Shushan for dancing and fun. We left the bar late and woke up on Wednesday morning, er, afternoon. I did some homework, cleaned up the apartment and caught up on emails.

When I woke up on Wednesday, I received an email that the two-day encounter trip I was taking on Thursday and Friday had been cancelled. The trip was into the West Bank to visit with Palestineans in a safe environment and to learn about life on the other side of the "kav hayarok-- the green line" However, after the week's earlier incidents in Jerico, the organizers didn't feel so confident in bringing 45 Jewish tourists into the WB. Truthfully, I was not so sad as I was feeling kind of overwhelmed about schoolwork and some previous committments. The trip is supposed to be rescheduled when things calm down a bit, but I am quickly realizing that I don't have too many free weekends- between the ride, our Negev tiyul, Pesach break and finals.

Shabbat was a little busy-- I helped lead a Shabbaton for college students studying abroad- I led services, did the Torah reading and led Havdallah. I also attended the Bar Mitzvah of my friend Sean this afternoon. Plus, my usual Shabbat nap was moved so I could do history work with Rachel. I said I was going to go to bed early, but I'm not sure thats going to happen anymore.

6 days and counting until the RIDE! YAY! I can't believe it's so soon! Time to finally get to work- Shavuah Tov, Happy Weekend and love to all!

Purim Pictures Part One

Purim was an all week party here...no seriously, Jerusalemites love to party and a holiday that commands one to "drink until you don't know the difference between Haman and Mordechi" is right up their alley. Or as my friend Mel says, "Ad-DeLow- Yodeah" Until DeLowe knows.

So Monday night, my friend Matt and all of us on the Ride4Reform team had a fundraiser/pre-Purim Party entitled, "Matt gets by with a little help from his friends." Matt has written a bunch of new music this year that he wanted to play for people- so there was a concert, dinner cooked by Rachael, drinks made by Nathaniel, a Purim Shpeal written and performed by a few of us and lots of Matt's friends who performed with him.

The first picture is of the shpeal- Howie is playing a first year and is holding a sign that says "I'm a First Year at HUC- everything is perfect and I trust the process" and I'm leading "faux" services. We got lots of laughs.

Next is me performing-- I played "What do you hear in these sounds?" by Dar Williams-- i love that song. Sean taped the whole show, so soon I will have an MP3 if you want to have a listen.

Next is David Segal as the real Texan inside him.

Finally, Matt and Jen- perhaps the most adorable couple in the world singing Babylon. Can I hear an awwwwww?

After the show, a bunch of us went to Shushan, an appropriately named club off BY street for a little Purim fun. There was drinking, dancing and a whole lot of Purim festivities. Certainly a night to remember.

Part two to come...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!

Happy Birthday to the Dad with the best advice, worst jokes and coolest hair. Hope you have a wonderful day! Love from your favorite daughter~

Pictures- finally

Here are some some long overdue pictures from The Vagina Monologues- As you see I had some pretty dramatic costume changes! Mel also got some video from "My Short Skirt," but I haven't figured out how to let you see it yet- soon, I hope.

I'm finally home today after my Hazal (Rabbinic Literature) midterm, which was very fair, but very very long- my hand hurt from writing! I also just got my take home Liturgy Midterm and duedates for my Liturgy, Bible and History papers. Luckily, we have two days off for Purim this week and I hope that I can get something done then.

Time to go eat New Deli with Mel. Yumm.

Some things I've been thinking about

I've been doing a lot of thinking lately. And not so much sharing. But then I remembered that I have a blog where I can write whatever I want, and, everyone knows that writing things done is the best way to process things. So here we go- a random rambling of my thoughts at the moment...

1. Life in NY next year- specifically religious/observance. Do I want to continue to not drive, not travel, not spend money, not use my computer and not use my phone next year? Why am I doing (or not doing as the case may be...) these things at all? Is it meaningful for me? Will I want to be able to go uptown to BJ for services or meet a friend for lunch or coffee? Can Shabbat be something else? How am I going to work this out? Who should I talk to? (suggestions...please)

1b. Kosher life- I love keeping kosher- it’s something that is such a part of my life that I can't imagine it any other way. But is it still going to be easy and meaningful there- should I just become (return to, really) a vegetarian- Am I healthier for eating meat?

2. If I'm really putting in all my effort- I feel as if I've become a tad complacent and lazy here- it takes me days (ok, weeks) to return emails and I am terrible about answering my phone- when I am suddenly faced with all of my family and friends having instant contact with me whenever they want- will I revert back to the old me? Can I say that I like not being immediately available to everyone whenever they want?

3. I have totally lost my passion for Social Action and Social Justice- last night at Joe's, I heard a teaching by my good friend David Segal who spoke on the ideas of "doing"- that it is so important for us to be doing things to change, improve and repair our world. Being a Jewish community leader means doing just that. Getting off our tushes and going out and doing things. He also passed out copies of one of my most favorite poems, "To be of Use."

"...I want to be with people who submerge
in the task, who go into the fields to harvest,
and work in a row and pass the bags along,
who stand in line and haul in their places,
who are not parlor generals or field deserters
but move in a common rhythm
when the food must come in or the fire be put out..."

So why am I not doing these things? Why I am in school for so long when i culd be helping people? How can I help people the best?

4. Being Alone- Since I got to Jerusalem in July, I have not really had to be alone- ever. There is always someone to talk to, get lunch with, walk home with...It is somewhat exhausting sometimes...and being alone is something I really used to like to do. Now I don't like it so much. But I'm working on it...if I decide to live alone next year; I'm going to have to get good at it.

5. I am a (pretty) good fundraiser I sent out 80 letters asking for sponsorship for the Ride4Reform bike ride I'm doing at the end of March. I've received over $1000 already from just 10% of the letters! And, I helped to raise 14,000 NIS from the Vagina Monologues. It’s a nice feeling knowing that I'm going to have to do this one day as a part of my job and that I kind of know the beginning of what I'm doing.

6. I can watch the same 6 movies and still be entertained. Notting Hill, Center Stage, Garden State, Love Actually, Best In Show, Almost Famous. I love 'em all.

7. I am really excited to go home. Not that I want to go home right now, but when it's time to go I'll be very sad, but I'll also be really excited to see my family and friends and be at camp and then be in New York. I think I'm ready for the next phase.

8. I am a grown up (sort of). I have been avoiding that word for some time, but given my recent birthday and entrance into my mid-twenties, I think I'm game. I may not have "grown up" yet, but I feel like one sometimes.

It is freezing here- something about Purim that causes contant rain and freezing temperature-- I am off have some lunch, study for Hazal and get ready for services tonight- Love to all!

What Temple?

This morning, I joined 30 of my classmates for a guided tour of Mount Moriah aka The Temple Mount. This is the place that Jews believe the First and Second Temples stood. It was a special for us to be up there because non-Muslim tourists are only allowed on certain days and at certain times. We were only allowed today from 8:15-10:15.

If you're planning on visiting the Temple Mount, follow these easy rules:
1. Women- wear long skirts, long sleaves and cover your head.
2. Don't bring any Jewish ritual items- tallit, tefilin.
3. Dont bring any books that are written in Hebrew.
4. Stick with your guide.
5. When you ask your Palestinean guide where the Temple used to stand, don't look shocked when he says: "What Temple?"

Um...ok. I'm standing on a piece of land owned by Israel, controlled by Jordan and the Palestineans, policed by the IDF and I just had a Palestinean tell me that no Temple was ever here...only in Jerusalem.

After the tour, Lev and I went to the Kotel for a little shacharit action and then I had breakfast at Coffeeshop. I think it was the first meal all semester that I've eaten alone. It was wonderful.
Julia and I studied over lunch for our Hazal midterm on Sunday and then I went to the gym before Israel Seminar.

Tomorrow we have a makeup liturgy class and Rachel and I have service rehearsal for our Kabbalat Shabbat this Friday. After rehearsal I'm going over to Joe's for a reception/evening of learning in honor of his grandfather who passed away last week. He was one of the oldest living alumni of HUC and we'll be honoring his memory by doing some learning together and eating together- of course!

Then, I'm going to Rena's to pick up Asher, whom I'm puppysitting for this weekend- we're going to have lots of fun- long walks around the city, playtime in the park and some snuggletime.

It's been a long week- but a busy and fun weekend to come! Love to everyone!

Creation Redemption Revelation

So this weekend was our V-weekend- The Vagina Monologues on Thursday night, Shabbat lunch and text study on Ashet Chayil on Saturday afternoon, another performance on Saturday night and a lunch and learn with Nehama from the Religious Women's Crisis Center on Monday.

It's been quite a week for those involved in the show, especially those on the "other side"- aka production. As one of the two "producers," it was my job to make sure that all of the non-directorial elements of the show went smoothly including the set, programs, seating arrangement, tables for intermission etc.

To be honest, as much as I loved it, it was a hell of a lot of work. I was at school on Monday night from 6:30-10:30pm, Tuesday from 4:15-7pm, Wednesday night from 6:30-10pm, Thursday night from 1:30-5 and 6-11 and Saturday night from 6-10. Woosh. I felt (and am still feeling) a little frustrated at some of the women I worked with-- no names, but one person in particular who never said thank you for the immense amounts of time I put into the programs, specifically. They were a huge job-- and I just felt kind of unappreciated. Oh well. Such is life. I was proud of me, and I guess that will have to be enough.

And although the pre-show stuff was kind of annoying and stressful, the shows themselves went off without a hitch. Everyone was amazing- I was in three monologues, one of which, I got assigned a week before the show because one of our actresses had to go home suddenly. It was entitled "My Short Skirt" and is one woman's post-angry response to the idea that wearing a "short skirt" means that a woman is interested in sex, money, is looking to be raped, or is overcompensating for something else. It's an emotionally charged monologue- I don't really know how I feel about it-- especially because I'm not sure I totally agree with it. You see, I think there is a connection between how someone dresses and what kind of message they are giving off-- ESPECIALLY in positions of power/authority ie. the Rabbinate.

I am waiting to get Mel's pictures that she took during the show, but then you'll be able to see
how I was dressed...short skirt...boots...high ponytail- totally not me. But it was kind of nice to not be me for 2 1/2 minutes.

On Monday, after the lunch and learn with Nehama from the Religious Women's Crisis Center we presented her with our total fundraising amounts...drum roll please...

We raised a total of 14,097.30 NIS ($2997.41)

12,687.50 NIS ($2697.17) to the Women's Crisis Center here in Jerusalem

And 1,409.80 NIS ($300.24) to the VDAY spotlight campaign, Comfort Women.

That means that our small campus of only around 100 students raised half of the VDAY fundraising goal for large college campuses across America- in other words, we totally rock.

After the show was over I couldn't help but breathe a HUGE sigh of relief- this project has really consumed the last month of my life and I am excited to return to some normalcy.

I'll leave you with some words from my Vagina Monologues experience.
"My short skirt is happiness- I can feel myself on the ground- I am here... i am hot..."

OPENING NIGHT

Tonight, we, the Vagina Warriors of the Hebrew Union College- Jewish Institute of Religion performed Eve Ensler's THE VAGINA MONOLOGUES in front of a sold-out house on campus.

I performed Hair, When I was 12 my Mother Slapped Me and My Short Skirt.

I am exhausted, exhilerated and really really proud of myself. I rock.

And now I'm going to sleep. I think I've earned to sleep in.

Look for pictures and more things to come!