This month I neglected the cyber world (thus the lack of blog posts) in favor of travel, touring and Jewish observance...

I began March by welcoming my boyfriend, Grant, for a 10 day crash course in Eretz Israel. It was the first time I had the opportunity to play tour guide and I must say it was quite fun. After arriving to Ben Gurion on Friday afternoon, I whisked him off to the shook where he was bombarded with pungent  culinary and cultural firsts including everything from attempting to stand in line (anyone who's been to the shook knows there's no such thing as lines) to shovelling in berekas, rugelach and falafel I hurled at him in the form of welcome gifts. The poor boy was exhausted from his 15 hour (his flight was delayed in two different cities) excursion and his stomach was about to explode, but there wasn't any time for rest. Immediately after the shook we made our way to the old city where we experienced shabbat dinner at Aba and Pamela Claman's home in the old city. The generous couple live in the most beautiful home overlooking the Temple Mt. and after singing songs with female IDF soldiers on their balcony, we made our way to the Kotel where both Grant and I were overwhelmed with emotion.

It was Grant's first time seeing the symbolic site and every time I reflect on his reaction, I am reminded of the phrase from the movie "Hester Street"-"A jew, is a jew, is a jew". Despite the fact that Judaism never played a central role in Grant's life, the kotel is a symbol of our painful yet persevering existence as a peoplehood and I think it made him realize regardless of whether a Jew fulfills none or all 613 of the mitzvot, he/she is still a member of the potent community.  I was equally wrought with emotion and perhaps a sense of frustration that I still know so little about Judaism-it almost feels as if I am ignorant to a part of my identity. Perhaps, neither Grant nor I will ever fully understand why the Kotel affected us so profoundly but I am certain it will serve as an indelible memory I will always cherish.

After experiencing a moving, tranquil (and Grant's first) traditional shabbat, I flung into tour-guide mode, eager to show Grant as many of Israel's natural and cultural wonders as possible. We explored the stallegmite cave in the Jerusalem forest, ventured through the ruins of the stunning Caesaria port and climbed the same snake path up the Masada fortress that our ancestors valiantly died for many moons ago. We also floated in the dead sea, misted in the Ein Gedi's water falls and spent a lazy afternoon wandering through Tel Aviv's Jaffa Port, Sheiken St. and trendy Neve Tzedek. Along the way I tried to expose Grant to my favorite Jerusalem hot spots, neighborhoods and cafes. We ended our too short but wonderful vacation in the mystical foothills of Tzfat where we welcomed Shabbat with two minyans-one in the Breislav Carlbach synagogue-the most joyous I've ever been to, as well as one that was literally conducted in the street. I've never been to a city that puts observance on such a spiritually high pedestal. I  enjoyed showing Grant Israel through my eyes and observing it in a new way through his, and although I was sad to see him go, I didn't have time to wallow because my friend Rachel came the following week!

Being in school here means I actually have to study once in a while but I will share more of my recent experiences soon...

Shalom,

Nikki