Thursday was spent dealing with a lot of minutea realtive to the house. While we continued laying out furniture and other items in the home (using newpapers and imagination) we also had to determine placement of bookcases, cabinets and other items...some small and some not so small. We also met with a man who will install screens and security bars in our place (NOT CHEAP!!). A VERY detailed walk-through of the place discussing security needs and comfort needs proved to be VERY educational and helpful! In addition, he is somewhat of an expert in the area of healthful eating (something I VERY much am "into") so we were able to glean pointers from him on that, as well. I don't know why, but it still thrills me that when I deal with someone like him or other people in trades that i am dealing with a fellow Jew who is also my neighbor. What a comfortable feeling...
We had one small humorous incident last evening...after visiting my in-laws in Neve Yaakov, we took a bus back to Ramat Eshkol to catch a bus back to Maale Adumim. We stood for 45 minutes until we saw our bus turn down the street JUSt before our's. After this happened TWICE, someone pointed out a sign to us (which was small enough that it might have well been in Braille) that the bus route for the evening changes after 9pm...Thank you very much....ok, a small frustration in the grand scheme!
This morning, Yom Yerushalayim, tefilla was extremely nice! In the middle of Chazarat haShatz, everyone sang V'lirooshalayim Ircha..." It was quite moving to see 100 people singing this in unison and LOOKING at the area of Midbar Yehuda and KNOWING I would be IN Yerushalayim in a couple of hours. It all comes together.
While being here has been an exhausting trip (with a few more days to go), it has been a welcome break from the packing up the house in Chicago. However, I have a sneaking feeling that when we return, we will NOT find that the rest of the house packed itself. oh, well...!
Now, it is off to J'lem for a restful Shabbat, before we being our last few days in Israel as non-Israelis!! Then, back to the "real world" and all that comes with it for the final prep in Chicago.
Shabbat Shalom from the City of Peace on the day that the City was Re-unified,
44 days....tick...tick...tick...
Friday, May 22, 2009
Thursday, May 21, 2009
We Had Our first "Guests"!
On Wednesday morning, we were about to go into our house to continue doing what we needed to do when suddenly, we saw a couple we knew who were in the process of checking out Maale Adumim! We invited them in to see our place to get an idea of what was available. When they entered the home, it occurred to me that they were our first "house guests" ever! We would have offered them food, but there is no fridge or food. Water? No running water yet. A place to sit? Nope, not just yet. But, DUST? You can have all that you want, and no extra charge! It was really nice to show someone around albeit with no amenities to share.
We also had another "bashert" moment when our immediate neighbor happened to stop by to do some things in his place. So nice to meet all of those with whom we will be living soon! In between wining and dining all of these "guests" we managed to get a lot done. I had to give in to Andy on certain items that we decided to bring based on placement and measurements and she had to give in to ME on a couple. So, all in all it was a productive day as we were able to make many decisions in various departments, so to speak. In the middle of it all, we borrowed a couple of chairs from a neighbor on which to sit while we discussed certain things. At one point, we took the chairs outside to sit on the patio of our "geena"/yard to talk. It was then, as I sat outside our home, gazing upon the beautiful mountains, homes and sky that it hit me...THIS is home. THIS is what my life will soon become. What a change and what a difference this will all mean, and I am certain it will in no way be easy. BUT, it will all be for the best IYH!
Last night, we were invited over to some (new) friends where we picked their brains and ate pizza (hmmm...what a combination). On the way home, we bumped into former Chicagoans (the Hirsch family) who invited us over to see their place here in Maale Adumim as well. Beautiful place and warm hosiptality...
One humorous note...this morning at Tefillah, at one point I could not hear the Torah reading...not because people were talking or because he was reading too softly. The reason? There seems to be some exercise going on in the IAF (Israel Air Force) and a number of fighter jets flew overhead and obscured the sounds of the Torah reading! Can't say that this has happened to me too often in Chicago :)
Ok, off to the house for more work and decisions including meeting someone to order screens, security bars and other fun stuff!
We also had another "bashert" moment when our immediate neighbor happened to stop by to do some things in his place. So nice to meet all of those with whom we will be living soon! In between wining and dining all of these "guests" we managed to get a lot done. I had to give in to Andy on certain items that we decided to bring based on placement and measurements and she had to give in to ME on a couple. So, all in all it was a productive day as we were able to make many decisions in various departments, so to speak. In the middle of it all, we borrowed a couple of chairs from a neighbor on which to sit while we discussed certain things. At one point, we took the chairs outside to sit on the patio of our "geena"/yard to talk. It was then, as I sat outside our home, gazing upon the beautiful mountains, homes and sky that it hit me...THIS is home. THIS is what my life will soon become. What a change and what a difference this will all mean, and I am certain it will in no way be easy. BUT, it will all be for the best IYH!
Last night, we were invited over to some (new) friends where we picked their brains and ate pizza (hmmm...what a combination). On the way home, we bumped into former Chicagoans (the Hirsch family) who invited us over to see their place here in Maale Adumim as well. Beautiful place and warm hosiptality...
One humorous note...this morning at Tefillah, at one point I could not hear the Torah reading...not because people were talking or because he was reading too softly. The reason? There seems to be some exercise going on in the IAF (Israel Air Force) and a number of fighter jets flew overhead and obscured the sounds of the Torah reading! Can't say that this has happened to me too often in Chicago :)
Ok, off to the house for more work and decisions including meeting someone to order screens, security bars and other fun stuff!
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
It's Been a LONG Day!
After an eight hour layover in Warsaw, we finally arrived in Israel at 5am today (Tuesday...I think). It was great to finally be back and to hear Ivrit instead of Polish! After a ride in a Nesher Taxi for a while through Yerushalayim, we arrived in Maale Adumim by 7:30...just in time for me to daven Shacharit at an 8:00am Minyan. My body was telling me to daven Maariv, but the clock on the wall disagreed.
Since we shlepped four FULL suitcases of stuff to leave in Maale Adumim until we move, my arms began to protest that idea by the time I was eating breakfast. The fatigue of the travel, the moving of all the bags and the heat of the day made our STARTING our day a bit challenging, but start it we did!
Straight away to our new home to check out how things were moving along. One thing is quite certain: no two tradesmen respect the workmanship of the other. So grouting belongs on the counter and the paint obviously is supposed to be on the inside of the cabinets...but, welcome to Israel!
We did a run through our place to help us determine what we CAN bring and would have a home for here and things we would need to leave behind in the "Old Country." In spite of the heat, the house itself is quite cool and pleasant. I keep looking out the window and saying, 'This is our's and we are going to live here B'erat Hashem," but the words do not sink in...they hang out there like a fog.
And speaking of fog, we are both IN a fog so a well deserved rest was followed by planning out our next few days and what needs to be done. Lists of lists and lists of other lists. I must say that so many people have been so wonderfully helpful with everything and encourage our questions and investigations. Walking to Maariv tonight under the starlit night, the cool breeze and the smells of living near Midbar Yehuda all combined to tell me that we have made the right decision.
Off to bed in order to begin another day IYH tomorrow. Strength, patience and fortitude with a sprinkling of good humor...all that will help us get through the next few days.
Layla tov from Maale Adumim!
Since we shlepped four FULL suitcases of stuff to leave in Maale Adumim until we move, my arms began to protest that idea by the time I was eating breakfast. The fatigue of the travel, the moving of all the bags and the heat of the day made our STARTING our day a bit challenging, but start it we did!
Straight away to our new home to check out how things were moving along. One thing is quite certain: no two tradesmen respect the workmanship of the other. So grouting belongs on the counter and the paint obviously is supposed to be on the inside of the cabinets...but, welcome to Israel!
We did a run through our place to help us determine what we CAN bring and would have a home for here and things we would need to leave behind in the "Old Country." In spite of the heat, the house itself is quite cool and pleasant. I keep looking out the window and saying, 'This is our's and we are going to live here B'erat Hashem," but the words do not sink in...they hang out there like a fog.
And speaking of fog, we are both IN a fog so a well deserved rest was followed by planning out our next few days and what needs to be done. Lists of lists and lists of other lists. I must say that so many people have been so wonderfully helpful with everything and encourage our questions and investigations. Walking to Maariv tonight under the starlit night, the cool breeze and the smells of living near Midbar Yehuda all combined to tell me that we have made the right decision.
Off to bed in order to begin another day IYH tomorrow. Strength, patience and fortitude with a sprinkling of good humor...all that will help us get through the next few days.
Layla tov from Maale Adumim!
Monday, May 18, 2009
Warsaw is nice this time of year...
So, here I sit on the way to Israel via Warsaw. The last time I was in this country, it was freezing and snowy. At least it is nice to look at from the windows in Spring. BUT...I certainly can not wait to get out of here (and LEAVE Poland!) and get home to Israel!
This trip holds a special significance...Assuming all goes well in July, this is the last trip to Israel that I wil make that I am not a citizen of Israel. NEXT trip, B"H, I will become a citizen and start a new chapter in the life of our family. How great is that!?!?
Our personal Sefirat HaOmer of 49 days until Aliya began yesterday. I almost feel like I should be counting with a Bracha!!!
Monday, May 18th...48 days...tick...tick...tick...
Finally, imagine the contrast: today I bring you greetings from the land that murdered millions of Jews and B"H tomorrow I will bring greetings from the one place on Earth that all Jews are welcome (once they get used to the red tape!!)...Baruch Hashem...
This trip holds a special significance...Assuming all goes well in July, this is the last trip to Israel that I wil make that I am not a citizen of Israel. NEXT trip, B"H, I will become a citizen and start a new chapter in the life of our family. How great is that!?!?
Our personal Sefirat HaOmer of 49 days until Aliya began yesterday. I almost feel like I should be counting with a Bracha!!!
Monday, May 18th...48 days...tick...tick...tick...
Finally, imagine the contrast: today I bring you greetings from the land that murdered millions of Jews and B"H tomorrow I will bring greetings from the one place on Earth that all Jews are welcome (once they get used to the red tape!!)...Baruch Hashem...
Sunday, May 17, 2009
The Week that Was...
As noted in my last post, this past week was to be a "tough" week due to the fact that I was ending a number of classes that I have been teaching. My Jewish History class ended Tuesday night. It was a sad moment to be sure but I am grateful that we accomplished nearly ALL of the time period in history that I planned out over two years ago.
The end of the Ladies Navi class was much more difficult as this class had been going for 10 years. Emotionally, it was a VERY tough moment to say good-bye to the class and its participants. We ended Sefer Melachim with the destruction of the Bet HaMikdash (temple) and with the prayer that we would all be reunited in the rebuilt Bet haMikdash soon! My thanks to the students in both the JH and the Navi class for attending, rain or shine!
Finally, it was also my last week teaching in Ida Crown for "normal" class. Every year for ten years, my custom has been to give some final words and a talk to the class I am teaching, whether in grammar school or high school. Each year, I find that "talk" a difficult one to give. However, this year was even more difficult given the fact that it was my good-bye to teaching in Chicago! But, at the same time, I am encouraged by the fact that this year's class at ICJA was able to accomplish a magnificent feat: We split up the 157 pages of Masechet Shabbat among all of the students in the grade and over the course of the school year, each student learned a specific section. By doing that, we were able to make a SIYUM ON ALL OF MASSECHET SHABBAT...for Juniors in High School! What a great accomplishment...one of which they and I can be proud of for a very long time!
As we look toward the short-term future, the next major step is the packing and shipping of our lift. We have been very fortunate to work with a wonderful company (Sonigo) and they have been a real class act! The process actually began a few months ago with a walk-through in our home determining what would and would not be packed by us...by them...or what would not be shipped at all. A second walk-through and more fine tuning took place last week, and then the moment of truth arrives in 22 days when they arrive to begin "the deed." I was considering by "crime scene tape" to cordon off the house so no one comes over to check on things as it will be a very intense couple of days. However, instead of the tape, maybe I will just get a couple of very big, scary dogs to sit outside our home to keep away the gawkers...we will have to see what works best!
OK...time to get ready for our trip!
Probably the next time I post, we will be in Israel IYH!
The end of the Ladies Navi class was much more difficult as this class had been going for 10 years. Emotionally, it was a VERY tough moment to say good-bye to the class and its participants. We ended Sefer Melachim with the destruction of the Bet HaMikdash (temple) and with the prayer that we would all be reunited in the rebuilt Bet haMikdash soon! My thanks to the students in both the JH and the Navi class for attending, rain or shine!
Finally, it was also my last week teaching in Ida Crown for "normal" class. Every year for ten years, my custom has been to give some final words and a talk to the class I am teaching, whether in grammar school or high school. Each year, I find that "talk" a difficult one to give. However, this year was even more difficult given the fact that it was my good-bye to teaching in Chicago! But, at the same time, I am encouraged by the fact that this year's class at ICJA was able to accomplish a magnificent feat: We split up the 157 pages of Masechet Shabbat among all of the students in the grade and over the course of the school year, each student learned a specific section. By doing that, we were able to make a SIYUM ON ALL OF MASSECHET SHABBAT...for Juniors in High School! What a great accomplishment...one of which they and I can be proud of for a very long time!
As we look toward the short-term future, the next major step is the packing and shipping of our lift. We have been very fortunate to work with a wonderful company (Sonigo) and they have been a real class act! The process actually began a few months ago with a walk-through in our home determining what would and would not be packed by us...by them...or what would not be shipped at all. A second walk-through and more fine tuning took place last week, and then the moment of truth arrives in 22 days when they arrive to begin "the deed." I was considering by "crime scene tape" to cordon off the house so no one comes over to check on things as it will be a very intense couple of days. However, instead of the tape, maybe I will just get a couple of very big, scary dogs to sit outside our home to keep away the gawkers...we will have to see what works best!
OK...time to get ready for our trip!
Probably the next time I post, we will be in Israel IYH!
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
DANGER: Week of Trepidation Ahead!
This week is one that will be filled with emotion and crunch-time. Let me explain. Emotion-filled because two of my long term classes come to an end this week. Ten years ago, in July 1999, I decided to run a class for women for 3 weeks. I figured if it worked we could continue the class, but if it did not work out, then after 3 weeks it would be cancelled and would try something else. Well, after TEN YEARS, this class ends this week. Every Wednesday morning for all these years, approximately 20-25 women come to KJBS for the Ladies Navi Class. This 45 minutes per week is a true highlight of the week for me personally. And how sad it is that it comes to an end this week. And even sadder is the fact that we are concluding Sefer Melachim with the destruction of the Bet HaMikdash! But, as they say, all good things come to an end, and I will miss the group tremendously!
Then, this week will also mark the end of the Jewish History class that has been going for a few years. We began in the time of Yochnanan ben Zackai and will conclude with the Six Day War in Israel. It has been a wonderful journey and my thanks to all of those who participated in the class, either in person or by listening to the audio sent out on the internet.
It will also be the last week of "normal" teaching for me at Ida Crown, to be followed by review for finals shortly.
Finally, this week marks our last full week to prepare, pack etc for the lift that we will be shipping to Israel. The sounds of packing tape being stretched across boxes, the sounds of boxes being assembled, the calls of "Do we keep this or give it away?" fill the house now more than ever before! It truly is crunch week.
Then, soon, we will have to make that final trip to (LO ALENU!) Ikea to make the final arrangements for the items we will be sending along to Israel. The thought that we will spend yet ANOTHER chunk of our lives in the cavernous building from Sweden makes me shake and get all nervous.
But, "gam zeh ya'avor," this too shall pass...
Oh, one more thing...I JUST got an email from Nefesh B'Nefesh--we are now 100% "officially" on the July 6th NBN flight out of JFK!!!!!!!!!!!! For anyone who will be in Israel on July 7th is invited to come to ben Gurion for the welcoming ceremonies. Once the registration for that opens up, I will let people know, since you have to register with NBN to be at the airport for the festivities. I am so excited...
56 Days...tick...tick...tick...
Then, this week will also mark the end of the Jewish History class that has been going for a few years. We began in the time of Yochnanan ben Zackai and will conclude with the Six Day War in Israel. It has been a wonderful journey and my thanks to all of those who participated in the class, either in person or by listening to the audio sent out on the internet.
It will also be the last week of "normal" teaching for me at Ida Crown, to be followed by review for finals shortly.
Finally, this week marks our last full week to prepare, pack etc for the lift that we will be shipping to Israel. The sounds of packing tape being stretched across boxes, the sounds of boxes being assembled, the calls of "Do we keep this or give it away?" fill the house now more than ever before! It truly is crunch week.
Then, soon, we will have to make that final trip to (LO ALENU!) Ikea to make the final arrangements for the items we will be sending along to Israel. The thought that we will spend yet ANOTHER chunk of our lives in the cavernous building from Sweden makes me shake and get all nervous.
But, "gam zeh ya'avor," this too shall pass...
Oh, one more thing...I JUST got an email from Nefesh B'Nefesh--we are now 100% "officially" on the July 6th NBN flight out of JFK!!!!!!!!!!!! For anyone who will be in Israel on July 7th is invited to come to ben Gurion for the welcoming ceremonies. Once the registration for that opens up, I will let people know, since you have to register with NBN to be at the airport for the festivities. I am so excited...
56 Days...tick...tick...tick...
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Dumpster Diving
So I THOUGHT we had enough boxes for packing the rest of our stuff. Ha! Silly me...I went to the local recycling facility near North Park to see if I could get any boxes (preferably large ones) before they went to the Big Brown Box in the sky. After all, why shouldn't these lucky boxes/cartons make Aliya with us!
I found the person running the show and asked for permission to take some boxes. Why did I ask, you may wonder? A few months ago, when I "took" them without asking, the guy running the place told me if I ever showed up again and "rescued" boxes without permission, he would throw me out! So, I learned my lesson and decided to ask nicely this time.
This very nice woman not only allowed me to retrieve some of the boxes, she even told me where to find the best ones for packing! Only one little problem...they were all inside this HUGE dumpster, and I would have to climb up a ladder to retrieve said boxes. Climb...up a ladder...and I am TERRIFIED of heights!!! Well, I took a deep breath, said Shema (not really, but it sounds good!) and climbed up to do my dumpster diving and get boxes for our move.
JACKPOT! Not only did I get some great ones, it turns out that someone was just bringing a bunch of boxes to the cardboard graveyard, and she gave them straight to me.
Who would have thought that a trip to a recycling center could provide so much adventure. (I think this packing business is getting to me...)
I found the person running the show and asked for permission to take some boxes. Why did I ask, you may wonder? A few months ago, when I "took" them without asking, the guy running the place told me if I ever showed up again and "rescued" boxes without permission, he would throw me out! So, I learned my lesson and decided to ask nicely this time.
This very nice woman not only allowed me to retrieve some of the boxes, she even told me where to find the best ones for packing! Only one little problem...they were all inside this HUGE dumpster, and I would have to climb up a ladder to retrieve said boxes. Climb...up a ladder...and I am TERRIFIED of heights!!! Well, I took a deep breath, said Shema (not really, but it sounds good!) and climbed up to do my dumpster diving and get boxes for our move.
JACKPOT! Not only did I get some great ones, it turns out that someone was just bringing a bunch of boxes to the cardboard graveyard, and she gave them straight to me.
Who would have thought that a trip to a recycling center could provide so much adventure. (I think this packing business is getting to me...)
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