On Tuesday, we had ICC (Israel Core Course) where we learned about Israel and Israeli Society. We had a project where we had to re enact the elections that took place in Israel. I represented the Shas party (the ultra-orthodox party). I learned a lot about Israeli politics, although it is quite complex. We got to write and perform a song, recite a speech, present a poster, and a bumper sticker about why everyone should vote for Shas.
Although our groups presentation went well, our party was of the ultra-orthodox sect and had very specific parts of government that they'd like. We didn't get any votes. Forming a coalition in order to get the majority of the seats was extremely stressful and everyone kept yelling at each other.
Today-Thursday we walked in the foot steps of Jesus! We visited two churches. We went to the room of the last supper where Jesus ate his last meal, and under that room, we visited the tomb of king David where we held Mincha (although we all really know that King David is not really buried there). We also got to walk on the rampart of one of the walls in the old city and had some free time at Mamilla mall!
Ein Karim
This Shabbat we had a couple of choices; between staying at the Chava, going to a mifgash family, and staying at family or friends houses. I was invited to stay at my friend Rivkas house in Bet Shemesh. Rivka and I were both counsellors at Kids World this summer in Toronto. Her cousin Talya (who was also a counsellor at Kids World) from Zichron Yaakov also stayed with her this weekend. I took a train to Bet Shemesh, which was probably the nicest train ride that I have ever been on. It went through the mountains and around archaeological sites! This weekend was a very different experience for me. Rivkas family is orthodox, the previous weekends I've stayed at people's houses that don't observe Shabbat. I think this was my first time in awhile actually keeping Shabbat. Being in Bet Shemesh made me realize how different Israel is from anywhere in North America. Kids were playing on the street, there must have been over 200 people at the park that we went to in Ramat Bet Shemesh, and everyone was saying Shabbat Shalom to each other. Everyone was so friendly. I didn't realize how American Bet Shemesh was until I met all of Rivkas friends. The people that I met there were all from Baltimore, New York or St Louis. I don't know if the news traveled to North America, but there was this whole scandal with the charaidi mayor being elected in Bet Shemesh. They are having a re-election this Tuesday, which is the first re-election that Israel has ever had. I made my way back to Jerusalem around 8, as we had a Saturday night return. I ended up taking the intercity bus back to Jerusalem. I promised myself that I would never take it again, but the train wasn't going to leave until 9. Next weekend I'm going to my cousins house in Zichron a yaakov, which I'm really looking forward too!!!!!!
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