The experience of a lifetime's curtain call.

My time in Israel has come to a close, sadly. Before I get to the ending I must tell you about the past month....

When we left off, It was the week before Chanukah. That week we had a field trip with my political communication class to Tel Aviv. We first went to Galei Tzahal (Army radio) where we met with people who showed us around the studio. After that, we went to Haaretz, a major Israeli newspaper where we me with a reporter who broke a story about a sweedish newspaper having an anti-semetic cartoon which caused an international incident. She didn't think that's how it would turn out but it did. Then we met with a guy who used to work for Prime Minister Netanyahu, I don't remember much of what he said because we were supposed to have lunch then and we didn't get anything so we were all tired and hungry and the guy went on for about an hour. After that we went to channel 10 and talked with an anchor there who said the TV industry in Israel is hurting.

We then drove home and I talked with Kathryne, well more wrote to her on a notepad since I lost my voice from a cold which was Alma's fault since she had a sore throat.

The next day I had classes and still had no voice so I wrote down everything that I said all day on a notepad which was quite amusing. At night, we had Annie rehearsal and I mouthed the words to everything since I couldn't talk.

That Thursday I went in to tutor Amir, and then had a Thursday Annie Rehearsal. My voice started to come back on this day.

The next day I was supposed to be on the bus to go to the Negev at 5:45am and instead I woke up at that time, and my roommates weren't up either so I called Eric to wake him up and Alma decided not to go since she was sick. So luckily the bus was still there and we were off.

That day we hiked through the Machtesh Katan (little canyon). We hiked down the canyon which was tough to manuveur but not that bad since the wheater was nice, unlike the Gamla hike back in August. We got to the bottom and then our tour guide left us and told us to find our way to the end. So, we walked across the Machtesh which seemed like Mars. At the end we had lunch and then had to rush to our hostel because shabbat was coming in soon.

We got there, checked in and then went to our room...It was me, Ryan, Eric, Gershom from Holland, Brandon, and Matiyas from my Hebrew class all together. After we all were in we went down to light the Chanukiyah and eat Sufganiyot (jelly doughnuts). We then went to services which was very sephardi...I remember being really confused and feeling bad because I was trying to help other people along and I myself was confused since I wasn't used to the Sephardi (spanish) davening. I think the people were French Sephardi, but I'm not sure.

After that we had dinner and went back to our rooms where I told my roommates about Chanukah and how I was excited that it was the first time that I could say "a great miracle happened HERE" since the miracles of Chanukah happend in Eretz Yisrael!! I once again found myself being the odd Jew out, however Ryan was there to help me along and Eric as well. After hanging out with me all semester the two of them knew a lot about Judaism.

That night we had a pajama party with a game attached, that was a lot of fun...afterwards we played taboo and went to bed.

In the morning we had breakfast and I read the Tanakh while the other did homework. We then went on a tour of the nearby zoo saw a porcupine among other things. Then we had lunch, which was followed by the Israeli bureacracy challange...

We all aparently made Aliyah in this game... so myself (the grandfather), Devorah (the mother), Ryan (the father), and Eric (the son) had to go through the process of it. We went to the ID station first who told us we had to open a bank account so we did and after that we opened a phone account. Then Ryan enlisted in the army and Devorah was exempted. After that, Eric took his matriculation exam and graduated high school. Then Ryan and Devorah went to the Rabbinate and got married followed by Eric getting married to Shira who's parents had to get married beforehand... then Ryan got his lisence after taking a hot wheels driving test but got in a accident so he had to get medical insurance and go to the hospital and get a band-aid. I think that was all...it was a lot of fun.

So then after that we made Havdalah and had dinner. At night we star gazed, I think it was the most stars I'd ever seen since the desert is so dark. After that we played more taboo and then there was a karaoke night. so much fun!!!

The next day we woke up, had breakfast and did a little hike to a waterfall and then saw a Nabatean city. At the end we went to David Ben-Gurion (the first PM of Israel)'s grave and saw a movie about him...that was a strange game show.

That weekend was so much fun, probably the best trip we went on.

After all of that it was then opening week of Annie.

Opening night was amazing...had a lot of friends come. Most of the girls and Eric... It was a great audience that gave us a lot of energy. Before the show we light the Chanukiyah, ate sufganiyot, and said the shehechiyanu (prayer for a start of something new...or a special moment). I usually say that to myself before opening night and it was so cool to say it with a group since it was THEATER IN ISRAEL!!!

After the show I didn't see my friends who came so I called Kathryne who OF COURSE DIDN'T ANSWER HER PHONE!!!! so then I called Sam who answered the phone..." OMG IT'S BUNDLES! BUNDLES IS CALLING ME!" in the background I heard much happiness and with that I scolded them for not saying hi to me after the show.

Later on, a few of us went to dinner afterwards. Then on Thursday we had 2 performances... the first one went ok until the president forgot his cue and I had to wheel him out. The night performance went much better.

Then Friday, Ryan and I took one last trip to Efrat to visit my family. It was nice to see them again, we talked a lot. Also, my cousin Asher had just gotten enagaged so that was exciting. The next day we all played basketball and some card games.

Then it was the last week of Annie and the last week of Hebrew all in one. We had a performance every night Monday-Thursday. The first night my cousin Batsheva came along with Jenny, Alma, and Rhyan "the girl." Alma took many pictures.

Tuesday a bunch of Rothbergers came and then we all went out to Burger's bar afterwards.

Wednesday Ryan,Shira, Esti, John and his family came. I don't remember anything out of the ordinary happening that night.

Thurday was closing night and also christmas eve. We sang "silent night" before the show along with "jingle bells". Afterwards we all said our goodbyes.

The play was so much fun...tyring but a lot of fun. I met so many great people doing it and I'm greatful to all of my friends who came and showed their support! Their energy added so much to the performance.

Then I went back to my apartment and Eric and Alma had gotten back from Bethlehem, Alma and I then started singing Christmas carols. Then, I had to study for my Hebrew final.

The next day I spent chinese restauraunt day taking my Hebrew final. It went well and then Hebrew was over.

For Shabbat Ryan, Eric, and I went to the Kotel for services. It was so crowded and it was awesome to take it all in. I looked around and saw Birthright people enjoying their first shabbat in Israel, haredim, a carlebach minyan, a family from America saying the first bracha they knew in front of the Kotel. It was amazing to be at the center of judaism and see many Jews from every walk of life in front of it. It was as if all Jews were represented.

Afterwards we walked to a Rabbi's house who opened his home to anyone. So many people came, probably about 200 and we all fit. It was interesting to meet people from all over the place. It was a balagan to get the food out but it was worth it. It was incredible to see a family feel all those people...It was a great way to bring the spirit of Shabbat to Jerusalem for anyone to share.

The next week was so weird since there was no Hebrew and no Annie. So, I started working on my 20 page paper ever so slowly. Thanks for all the facebook encouragment everyone! had my last conflict class where we all debriefed. I also went on a mission with ENP. We met a family of donors from Phili who came to see what ENP was all about, I also talked with one of the leaders of the organization. I also saw a video of Operation:Moses. The first flight which flew Ethiopian Jews to Israel. It was acutal footage from it which was really cool.

The next day was New Year's Eve. Eric, Alma, and I had some people over. Some came and left while others stayed. In the end, we joined John's party where we played a fun game "3 people on a couch"...very complicated game. In the end, we rang in the New Year and sang auld lang syne.

2010!!!

The next day Eric and I went to Kibbutz Ein Tzurim to visit my cousin. It was a nice visit talked a lot with them, they took us around the Kibbutz once more. It was so nice to spend time with family.

Then it was the final week. I wrote papers, said see you later to many friends who were leaving. so sad...but we will meet again. I finshed my 20 pager on Wednseday, went to dinner with Ryan and Eric and then stayed up to 3am writing 2 more, oy what a night. Thursday I handed in my papers. I was done!!!

Then Eric and I went to study with my study partner from the Beit Midrash.

We read the story of David and Jonathan and discussed friendship, a great way to sum up my Israel experience. The friends I made in Israel are friends for life...you're all awseome!!! At night, I went to dinner with Jenny,Alma, and Eric at the same place I went after opening night of Annie.

Friday night had dinner over my apartment with Alma, Eric, Atziri, Ryan, and Gershom. We talked and reminisced.

Saturday, Eric and I met Ryan's dad and Ryan cooked us lunch we talked for a while and then took him on a tour of French Hill. We brought him to his hotel and then found a lookout point on Jerusalem from Mount Scopus.

It then hit me...my time was almost over...soon I would have to bid farewell to Jerusalem. I walked back from there upset, It was ending...the experience of a lifetime was ending. I lost it that night...not only because I was leaving Israel and Jerusalem but because I had to say goodbye to many of my friends who grew to be more like family over the 5 months. We were thousands of miles from home so we were each other's family in Israel. We shared many stories and experiences together which could not be duplicated:

we had many laughs, had many adventures through Israel and even Egypt...endured Ulpan together... spent Shabbatot together, shared stories, shared thoughts, davened together, went to each other's places of worship, dealt with Bezeq together, traveled Eretz Yisrael together.

We were family more than friends and that's what I'll miss... and will always remember. That is why I love Israel and loved these 5 months... because of my family away from my family.

The next day I cleaned my room, had it inspected and checked out. I also said "see you later" to Alma...she was moving out that day as well. we prayed together, I said the Shechyanu and then Eric and Alma said a few words. In the end, we accepted each other's differences. If only the rest of the world could be like that.

In this, we all expressed our hopes for each other to continue to grow after this Israel experience.

For dinner I went to Burger's Bar for one last time with Eric and Jenny joined us to say "see you later." Kathryne joined us later along with Ryan. I remember it was more laughter that I will always remember. We then walked back to my apartment and they helped me with my luggage. the four of us then waited for the taxi which would take myself along with Brandon and Gershom to the airport. I then said "see you later" to Ryan, Eric, and Kathryne. It was painful...but I know we will all be united again. It was then as I got on the taxi that this chapter of my life came to a close. I looked out and waved to the 3 of them while wishing them all the best.

I didn't want it to end, but end it must "Every new beggining comes from some other begginings end" -Semisonic.

It's been quite the experience...I remember 5 months ago wondering what the experince would be like. What would I do? who would my friends be? In the end, what I did and who my friends were were more than I could ever ask for. It truly was the experience of a lifetime. I learned so much from the people and places I went to. Above all, I learned what true friendship was...and that is what encapsulated my experience...not the places I went to or the sights I saw, but the friends I made. I love you all and miss you!!!!!!!!!!

In the end, I know that after all this we will all go on to do great things... B'hatzlacha!

Next up in my life is my last semester of college...I'm thinking of starting a new blog discussing this and what my life will be like after graduation. until then, L'hitraot.

Thanks to everyone who read my blog and followed me on this journey of a lifetime and especially thanks to everyone I met at Rothberg, you guys were amazing and I would never ask for anyone else who could have shared this experince with! Todah Rabah! B'hatzlacha!!!

"If I forget you Jerusalem, Let my right hand wither; let my tounge stick to my palate if I cease to think of you, if I do not keep Jerusalem in memory even at my happiest hour." -Psalm 137:5-6