Blog Interrupted...

Right now I am sitting in my old home in Parma, Italy and cannot believe how much time has passed since my last entry. I am going to try my best to summarize the most important happenings of my last 6 months in Israel and bring you up to date on my travels this summer.

Living in Haifa still seems like a dream, and I really have grown a lot since having moved to Israel over a year ago. Presently, I have decided to convert to Judaism (big shocker for my friends and family) but feel that after this year in Israel I want to continue with the traditions I partook in and truly feel a part of the Israeli culture. I also have learned more Hebrew than when I originally came (being none at all) and have gained so many wonderful friends and family who I have truly come to love this past year.

So, when I last left you, my friend Katie had just come to visit me in January for my birthday, the New Year and for her first trip to Israel. Katie is my friend from Best Buddies who is getting married this August and I am so proud and excited to say that I will be in her wedding! After she left, I was so sad because we had such a good time together but was glad to learn that my grandmother had decided to come to Israel to visit me for a weeklong trip with the UJC in Bergen County.

This trip was so special for me because not only was it my grandmother’s first trip to Israel, but our first trip together outside of the US. My grandmother proved to be a wonderful traveler partner and I got to see so many things with her that I would have never had the chance to do otherwise. We also ate lots of good food and were able to meet people from Bergen County that we had never met before.

When my Grandmother first arrived in Tel Aviv I think she was more shocked to see me than she has ever been. She braved the 11 hour flight by herself and is my hero for taking so many chances and being so adventurous still! The day after she arrived we took a tour of Tel Aviv and I got to see Independence Hall, the place where the state of Israel was established by Ben Gurion in 1948. It was really interesting to see the building and to hear on the loudspeaker recorded clips from when Ben Gurion’s famous speech was delivered and the HaTikvah (Jewish National Anthem) was first sung.

Walking around Tel Aviv we got to see the oldest neighborhoods and also explore Jaffa, the mixed area of the city. I have to say that Jaffa is probably my favorite part of Tel Aviv because it a very special and diverse community that hold a lot of unique stores, restaurants, and places to see and walk around. Also, I think it boasts the best view of Tel Aviv and love taking anyone who comes to visit there.
For lunch my grandma and I got to eat at an amazing restaurant called “Dr. Shakshuka”, which is a legendary restaurant in Jaffa. We even got to meet Dr. Shakshuka himself and take a photo with him, which I will post. For all of you who know my grandma, I just want to add that this was the most food I have ever seen my grandmother eat in a one week period, and for a woman who could survive on black coffee, bread, and chocolate, this is saying A LOT!

After Tel Aviv we made our way to a great Kibbutz in the north and then were hosted for a dinner by Bergen County’s sister city Nahariya. The family that my grandmother and I got to stay at was amazing and the family was so wonderful and kind. It was a dinner I will never forget not only because the food was so good, but our host families were so kind and hospitable.

The next day, we visited the spiritual city of Tzfat and which is probably one of my favorite places to go in Israel. Next we visited Akko and had a great dinner in the Knights Hall with dancers and entertainers throughout the evening. It was amazing how much this tour put into a one week period and I have to say my grandmother never got tired even once, even though our schedule had us starting our day at 6AM and going to sleep at around 1AM every night!

Our last evening in Haifa, my friends Ofer and Kerstin met my grandmother in our hotel and we all had a great time talking and visiting together. This was the only free time we had the whole entire trip and it was from 11PM – 1AM at night! The following day my grandmother and I were able to plant a tree in Israel and see the famous city of Tel Hai.

One of my most memorable days of the trip was definitely attending the Batz Mitzvah of a girl Rebecca Joy at the top of Masada with all of her family and grandmother who was also Batz Mitzvah. This celebration was particularly meaningful and special because Rebecca has autism and is unable to speak. She, her brother, her parents, and her grandparents all took this trip together and everyone was touched by their love and unity as a family. We all got to help Rebecca with making the Challah and preparing the services for her Batz Mitzvah. It was so incredible as was the best Batz Mitzvah I have ever attended. While at Masada, my grandmother even ran into her friend from Hackensack, who I have heard so much about but never met. This friend walks with my grandmother and is very active. She also works at the Metropolitan Museum with my grandmother and it was a great surprise to run into her.

My grandmother and I spent the last days of her trip together in Jerusalem and had a great time and tour of the area. This truly was a once in a lifetime trip and I am so happy and blessed to have been able to experience it with her!

So in a nut shell, there you have February and now on to March!

January is the Best Time of the Year!

Hello avid blog readers,

I know I promised more updates, but January has proven to be a busy month and not only have I had some awesome visitors, but I have been able to see the amazing country of Jordan and tour all over Israel. Beginning with the end of my first semester at the University of Haifa, I found myself awoken in the middle of the night by my darling friend Katie who I thought was coming to visit me that night. After a good laugh, my friend Katie helped me prepare for my last final and we went over the logistics of our trip together. Starting the day after New Years we would be renting a car with my two other friends, Kerstin (who I spoke about and who is from Germany) and my guy friend Robin (who is Israeli and living in Haifa). After an amazing night at Club Ultrasound where I celebrated Sylvester (and not what I kept referring to as Lucifer), It was my first time celebrating the new year before the ball dropping in NYC, and I felt so happy to be surrounded by amazing friends.

On January 1st, the four amigos (and my roommate Laura) embarked on a five hour drive through the south of the country and to Eilat. This was also during the time of the war in Gaza which I will comment on later, so at one point of our drive we were literally only 25 km from where the Israeli army was dropping bombs and completing their air raids. It was really surreal to say it lightly and I am still in shock at how numb you become when you live in a country that is always under fear of attack or in conflict. Starting off the New year right, I promptly lost my wallet and camera right before a long trip with no wallet or money in sight. However, Robin, Katie, Laura, and Kerstin were amazing at making me feel better and paying for me the whole entire weekend. I honestly do not know what I would have done if I was with anyone else besides them and I am so thankful for everything that did to make me not feel as crappy as I did.

When we arrived to Eilat it was pretty late in the evening and we were planning on checking into a small hostel I had stayed at my last time in Eilat (in July). However, Laura lived in Eilat for 3 years and was staying with a woman who owned a hotel. She was nice enough to offer us a suite for a great price and we ended up having pretty amazing living accommodations for a fraction of the price. Eilat was amazing but not as warm as in the summer. I wasn’t able to strip down to a bikini but I did put my feet In the water and relax poolside for a little bit. While in Eilat, we were able to check out an amazing aquarium, ride camels, check out the beach, do a little shopping, and hear an amazing live band at one of my favorite bars in Eilat. Riding the camels had to be on the most fun things I have done and I found it fitting that my camel’s named with Oprah, and probably the most load of all the other camels.

After Eilat, we traveled back North through the Negev and stopped in Ramon Crater to see the large canyon that supposedly changed colors throughout the landscape. I am blown away by all of the natural beauty in Israel and the diversity in topography. We also made a quick stop at Ben Gurion’s house and got to see not only his home but his grave. After a long history lesson we headed to the city of Adav near the Dead Sea and planned to sleep at a youth hostel before waking up at 5 in the morning to hike Masada and see the sunrise.

Note to self and other’s planning on hiking Masada DO IT! It is by far one of the most beautiful and amazing things I have seen in Israel. Even for my second time there were things I missed and didn’t get to see at the top of the Palace. Also, I find it amazing how visiting sights with different people change the way you see and interpret that place. It was amazing to spend so much quality time with Katie and I am so excited for her wedding in August. After a long morning of hiking, we made our way to Ein Bokek and relaxed in the dead sea which was not as cold as one would expect in January. There were actually a lot of birthright trips at the time also venturing into the water, so I did not feel like the only way braving the cold to walk on water.

In Jerusalem Katie and I parted ways with Kerstin and Robin and met up with my friend Mollie, who let us stay with her for a few nights at Hebrew University. I never had seen or been to the University before but it is gorgeous. The new dorms especially are nicer than the ones in the states (and no I did not say than the ones at Scripps but really nice nonetheless). Katie and I also stayed with another one of my friends Brittany for a few nights at her place and were so wonderfully hosted by her and her boyfriend. Brittany is a Rotary Scholar like me, and has found true love in Israel and is now living with her boyfriend. He is one of the nicest guys and they have an amazing apartment together.

In the five days I was in Jerusalem with Katie, I saw and did more than I think I have ever done in the seven months I have been here. We did everything from the Old City to Via Dolorosa, The Church of the Holy Sepulcher, The Dome of the Rock, Ramparts Walk, The Western Wall, the Western Wall tunnels, and the City of David just to name a few. It was also probably more walking than two marathons and are legs were like rocks by the end of our time in Jerusalem. Katie is one of the easiest going people to be with/travel with and the whole entire trip we laughed and honestly enjoyed every moment together. I even got to meet up with a few friends and we went out one night with Rob Bond, a college friend stationed in Saudi Arabia and my friend Josh, when we attended a lecture on the current situation in Gaza. Jerusalem was by far the academic part of my vacation and I thoroughly enjoyed everything, sans wallet and all!

On Friday we left for Tel Aviv and got to stay with my friend who is also a Rotary Scholar, Allison. She got us a room at Tel Aviv University and Katie I felt as if we were in our own luxury hotel room after couch surfing for the last few days. In Tel Aviv we celebrated my birthday and walked around the city. I had a great time shopping at the art market and on my actual birthday we made a picnic in Hayarkon Park and walked to the Old Port. At night we had a party at Max Brenner’s and I met up with friends who came from Haifa and Tel Aviv to celebrate with me. It was a great night and I really felt so lucky to have so many wonderful people around me.
After Saturday we returned from Tel Aviv and relaxed in Haifa. For Katie’s last full day we went to Nazareth and met up with one of my friends who lives in the area and showed us around. The Church of the Annunciation was amazing and it was my second time walking around the city. After a two week trip I got so used to Katie being here I had to get adjusted to sleeping without her. However, right afterwards I had Thea and Albert’s grandson come and stay with me for two nights, and I was able to show him Haifa and give him a good feel of the city.

In the weeks working up to Ulpan, I relaxed, slept, caught up on some work and prepared a one week trip to Jordan that I took with a friend from college, Lindsay, who was visiting Israel. I had the most amazing week in Jordan and cannot tell enough people how incredible the people were and how safe I felt travelling in the country. While in Jordan I stayed with a friend in Amman for a few days and even got the chance to speak at a Roteract club in Jordan. While on the bus ride to Amman I also got to meet two Peace Core volunteers who actually knew my friend Greg that we were staying with. It was a hilarious strike of fate that made me realize once again how small the world is. After making our way around the North part of the country and seeing Jerash, Amman, the Baptism site of Christ, the Jordan River, the Sand Castles and being taken out by my new and amazing Jordanian friends, Lindsey and I made our way down to Kerak to stay with the Peace Core girls for a night before going to Petra for our last two days.

Petra was an unbelievable experience and I could write a book about all of the people I met and all the things that I did there. However, I think this blog has already become too long and so I will save the juicy details for the next post.
In recent news, my grandmother is coming to visit in a few weeks and I cannot wait to see her. I also started my last Hebrew Ulpan and will be only trying to speak in Hebrew as much as possible!

Everything is great in the Holy Land and I miss you all so much!

Much Love,
Annelise

Santa spotted….in Israel?

To anyone who has ever wondered where Santa really lives don’t be fooled, the North Pole is just a cover, I mean honestly who really wants to live all year round in sub zero temperatures…

I have documented Santa’s elves, workshop, and other incriminating pieces of evidence containing holiday cheer, ENJOY!

(Santa's Workshop)


(Santa's Band)


(The Man himself!)


(Santa impersonator)


(Christmas Cheer)


(Christmas Elf)


Happy Holidays!

Annelise

PS. To anyone who doesn't know, Channukah starts this Sunday, Ben's Birthday is the 22nd and he is 21, and Christmas is only 5 days away!

A Visit to the Prime Minister’s office, Hadera, and everything in between

Okay, before you get too excited, no, I did not meet Ehud Olmert, but I did get to see his office and even attend a meeting in the press/conference room of the Knesset! Monday the 15th was an amazing day that started at 5:00 AM when I woke up before the sun was even up and got myself to the train station to meet Rita, one of the women I work with at Isha L’Isha at 6:30 AM. Rita is head of the anti-trafficking project at Isha L’Isha and coordinates lobbying meetings in the Knesset as well as; advices other organizations on anti-trafficking policies, works with the local authorities, and coordinates a transition shelter for women who have been raped and abused. She is so amazing to work with and invited me to come with her, and see the work she gets to do on a day to day basis. This was extra special though because she was speaking in front of parliament members and important people in the community regarding the issue of trafficking in Israel. I got to meet one of the women that has served as Secretary for the last 12 Prime Minister’s of Israel and meet the women who is in charge of social services in Israel. All of the people who attended the meeting were so impressed with Rita’s presentation and all of the work Isha L’Isha is doing to stop trafficking in women.

Rita also showed a movie Lilja 4-ever (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lilya_4-ever) that I really recommend seeing for anyone that is interested in knowing about the reality of trafficking globally. It was an extremely moving and hard movie to watch because of, not only its subject, but the utter despair and distress women go through that are tricked into prostitution. I had really never studies the occurrences of sex trafficking globally, and have found it to be an increasingly interesting subject to learn about and try to combat. After the meeting at the Knesset, Rita took me to actually see a rehabilitation center in Tel Aviv, which is funded by the Israeli government, to help women who were former prostitutes. The center works as a half way home and transitional housing for around 11-15 women, who suffer from an array of addictions, emotional, and physical problems. I was able to meet with some former prostitutes, and after hearing about their situations and the position for women immigrants coming to Israel in search of a better life, I understand why it is so easy for women and children to fall prey to many traps.

These women were no different than you or I, and really were choosing to do
something positive with their life by agreeing to live at the shelter. There about five social workers oversee an array of activities, counseling sessions, and tend to the needs of all of the women in the center. They are allowed access to phones and outside contact, although they have to abide by a code of conduct that is fair and for the safety all of members of the house.

After doing some research I found that according to the United States State Department data, an "estimated 600,000 to 820,000 men, women, and children are trafficked across international borders each year, approximately 70 percent are women and girls and up to 50 percent are minors. The data also illustrates that the majority of transnational victims are trafficked into commercial sexual exploitation. The alarming enslavement of people for purposes of labor exploitation, often in their own countries, is a form of human trafficking that can be hard to track from afar." This figure is likely to be greatly underestimated. I also found that research conducted by University of California at Berkeley on behalf of the anti-trafficking organization ‘Free The Slaves’ found that less than half of people in slavery in the United States, about 46%, are forced into prostitution. Domestic servitude claims 27%, agriculture 10%, and other occupations 17%. I was appalled to see these numbers and feel while I am here in Israel; I want to continue to learn more about trafficking in women and work to end it.

After seeing Rita on Monday, I ended up going to a Birthday party that night for my friend Ofer. It was a surprise party with a few of his friends from the University and it was great to be invited to celebrate his birthday with him and surprise him! Then on Tuesday, I had another birthday party for a friend in Haifa, and had a really busy day cooking curry tofu and rice for the party. (Yes that’s right family and friends, brace yourself, I am cooking in Israel, so be prepared and watch it, I am learning how to make a mean carrot soufflé and plan on stuffing you all full next time I see you!)

On Wednesday, after classes I ended up going to Hadera to meet with Rotary members and prepare to address their rotary club at night. I had to take a train in Binyamina and then transfer to another train for Hadera. I ended up arriving at around 4:30 and met Mr. Katz of the Hadera Rotary Club who proved to be my tour guide extraordinaire and I am so in debt to the hospitality he and his wife showed me. He prepared a full itinerary for me, and first took me to a community center called Beit Eliezer. Hadera is a very interested community because of its diverse population. It is the fourth largest city in the country in terms of land jurisdiction. It also has one of the largest Russian and Ethiopian populations in Israel, and I was able to even go to an Ethiopian Children’s After School Program. I was amazed by the beauty and richness of culture in Hadera and all of the wonderful projects the city is doing. At Beit Eliezer community center, they not only have classes for the young and old in array of activities, but they also work with children with emotional and behavioral problems. Volunteers from all over come to be a part of Beit Eliezer, and I was fortunate enough to get a tour from the Director himself.

After seeing Hadera and being amazed by the city, I attended their Rotary meeting and gave a presentation about myself and what I was doing in Israel. I could actually talk about some of the things I have started and plan on accomplishing. I cannot believe I am approaching the 6 month mark on January 3rd!
This weekend I am going to be in Jerusalem seeing a famous Israeli writer, Etgar Keret, who writes short stories and in Haifa. I am also preparing for my friend Katie to come on December 30th, as well as Chanukah and Christmas! Here in Haifa, they have a Holiday of Holidays party every Saturday in Wadi Nis Nas, the Christian and Muslim Quarter that celebrates all of the world holidays. Haifa is a truly amazing city that hosts people from every race, ethnicity, religion, and socio-economic background. As classes are winding down, I am looking forward to traveling with Katie, Kerstin, and my friend Lindsay in January! Don't forget if you want to come visit let me know! My friend Anjali just bought her ticket to come in April and I am trying to convince my dad to come sometimes around Passover.

I hope you all know that I have a little menorah and Christmas tree in my room that makes me feel home away from home. This year will be the first year I have not gone home for Thanksgiving or Christmas I think ever, and I don’t know what I am going to do without my wonderful Eggnog and family of course. I am trying to find a low-fat recipe to make to drown my sorrows!

Lots of love, warmth, holiday wishes, and I miss you all so much!

Annelise

Thanksgiving Edition

I have to say that this year, I really feel extremely thankful for so many wonderful things, people, and new experiences in my life. Being away from your family and friends, on such an important holiday, is hard enough, but knowing that I have so many wonderful people here in Israel that take care and look after me, makes being away a little bit easier. My thanksgiving this year was a bit nontraditional, as it lacked DC Comics, the Levitz Family, Jasmine Lin, random diner adventures around NY/NJ with my friends, and over course Thanksgiving dinner with my family and my grandmother’s amazing cooking! I think I was in denial for most of the week, and probably won’t recognize the fact that Thanksgiving really happened until Christmas.

Luckily, a group of about 18 of us from the International School, plus my Israeli friend Gal, and new found friend Belkis (thanks to Precious) all packed into one apartment with enough food to keep us alive and fat for three months. My friend Jodie hosted the meal and spent two days baking Challah, cooking, and preparing a Turkey that was almost bigger than her oven. On the menu was of course Turkey, stuffing, carrot souffle (compliments of Kerstin), corn bread, sweet yams with marshmallows, cranberry sauce, green beans, salad, Korean pancakes, apple crisp, apple pie, chocolate ice cream, and even marble cake (Just to make you all a little jealous). Our meal was by far the best Thanksgiving meal in Haifa (I don’t care what anyone else says) and also included dancing, singing, and drinking copious amounts of wine. Afterwards, a few friends and I worked off our meal by dancing the night away and trying to pretend as if we had transported back home and were not so far away from everything familiar.

I have to say for all of the stress usually associated with not necessarily knowing what to do and where to go on thanksgiving when you are in a foreign place, this year I got really lucky and spent it with amazing friends and great food.

Being in Israel for over 5 months now, I realize how much has changed in my life, and how many new experiences I have had. I remember first arriving in July and thinking I am never going to be able to understand Hebrew or what the hell is written on any of these signs. I also remember my first time eating Falafel, and realizing how the food capital of the world might not be in Parma, but instead in Haifa. I remember spending Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and Succot with my friend Yamit’s family, and even attending a Druze wedding with my friend Maaly. A lot has happened since July, and none of it would have been possible without the kindness that strangers, who are now family, have shown me. This thanksgiving I truly feel blessed!

I am going to post some photos so please enjoy!

I hope you all had a Happy Thanksgiving and I love and miss you!

Annelise

And I’m back...

Just when you thought the blog was dead, secretly it has been in hiding, and I promise it will never go away again! So it’s been a month since I have actually had the time to sit down and write, which is horrible to say, but at least it has been because I am doing some pretty amazing things! I promise this blog will be less writing and more pictures, so feast your eyes and prepare yourself!



For starters after my mom left, I was invited by the Tel Aviv Rotary to go to this amazing party where I got to meet the German Ambassador and the Taiwanese ambassadors. Most of the Embassies are located in Tel Aviv, for political and other reasons so a lot of the members of the Rotary Clubs in Tel Aviv happen to be some pretty important people. One of the girls who also is a fellow Ambassador in Tel Aviv let me stay over with her one night in Tel Aviv, after the event, so I got to see more of one of the most loved cities in all of Israel. I also was able to meet some really nice Rotarians who even invited me out to lunch the next time I am in town.



Now that school is in full swing I am still taking Hebrew everyday and learning more and more le-ad le-ad (little by little). I am also doing an internship at Isha L’Isha, which is one of the largest and oldest Feminist Centers in all of Israel. I absolutely love it and find the women and the work they do to be completely fascinating! I have already been able to help out so much and feel a part of, for the first time, feminism and the feminist movement. I am also taking a class called the Social History or Israel, Arab-Israeli Relations, and auditing Contemporary Israeli Society. All the classes are interesting and although I would rather be outside than in class for 3 hours, the professors make it really interesting.



So, some firsts that I have experienced: Halloween in Israel….So, the Israeli’s almost got it right, they understood the basic concept of Halloween because it’s very much like their holiday Purim, where everyone gets dressed, but they decided to put their own twist on it. For Halloween I went to two parties; One at the dorms that was hilarious and the traditional American Halloween, with naughty nurses and some pretty amazing make-shift costumes. Then, I went to my friends house who was having a big party in honor of Halloween. However, they told everyone what to wear as a costume, and all the guys were supposed to dress up as “Gentlemen” and all the girls were supposed to dress up as “Ladies”. Needless to say it was hilarious and after wards we went to a club and danced the whole night. This was probably non-traditional Halloween’s I have had and I enjoyed every moment of it. Next year, wherever I am I am having an Israeli Halloween, where I make everyone wear the same costume (I’m sure my friends will love that). Although I have to say my friend Judith again had the best costume and not only that, had two different costumes that were so original and creative (like her) so big love to my Juditta, you need to start making Halloween costumes for the Israeli’s!



Then, we have the most amazing night in 8 years party, aka November 5th in Israel or November 4th in the USA. I stayed up all night watching the elections with about 100 other students at Haifa University. The school organized an election party for the international school and gave us food, coffee, and a professor from the Political Science Department to talk about the election and the difference between the American election and the Israeli one. It was amazing and everyone was celebrating at 7:30 in the morning when Obama gave his victory speech. For the first time in 8 years I felt really proud to be an American and so excited for the future of my country. THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO VOTED FOR CHANGE YOUR MESSAGE WAS HEARD!



Then, I had the Rotary District Conferences where I got to meet all of the other scholars who are studying in Israel. I had already met the majority of them, but it was really cool to all be together and all the Rotarians stood up and applauded us for being the first scholars to study in Israel in 5 years! It was a great weekend and I ended up staying in Tel Aviv after to have lunch with my friend Allison and a Rotary member. During our meal my LA Celebrity senses went off and I thought I saw someone vaguely familiar walk by our table and sit directly behind us. Of course it was MONTEL WILLIAMS and Allison and I were hilarious cracking-up about the fact we not only were in the same restaurant as Montel Williams in Tel Aviv, but that nobody recognized him except for us, We got our picture taken but it really doesn’t do justice to his amazing bedazzled shirt!



Since my mom left, I have also been able to go on some pretty amazing field trips to the Galilee, Golan, and areas surrounding Haifa. I got to go to the factory where they make Bamba, a famous Israeli treat, and even got free samples! Note to self: Go to the Bamba factory before I leave for all the free samples I can get my hands on!



Then, I am excited to say I launched for the first time this month, the first Best Buddies Haifa College Chapter. We volunteer every Wednesdays at a community Center, Nitsan, for people with Disabilities. It feels so good to be doing something with Best Buddies again, and I love and miss my Buddies so much! I got to talk to one of my friends Brian on the phone, after I called my friend Katie to congratulate her on her engagement! Katie is coming to visit me from December 30th to January 12th! I am so excited to show her around and cannot wait for her to get here!

Some other amazing people who are coming to visit: my cousin Georgia (love birthright), my friends Lindsey, Rachel , Matt, and most importantly my GRANDMA! That’s right my 85 year old amazingly fabulous grandma is doing a Jersey to Jerusalem trip and we are going to have an amazing week together! So, if you consider yourself my friend and don’t see yourself on this list please consult my vacation schedule and book your trip now!!

Then I went to Jerusalem with my friend Kerstin for the weekend to visit her host mom who is a Rabbi in Pittsburgh (HI DENNIS!!! We missed you, and thanks for the soy vey) and was in Israel for a Rabbi’s for Human Rights Tour. She was so amazing and interesting to be around. Kerstin and I got to spend a lot of time with her and our friend Reena in Jerusalem, exploring the Old City, walking around Ben Yehuda, and got to go to services Friday and Saturday with all the rabbi’s who came on the trip. It was amazing, and my first religious weekend since I have been in Israel. I also got to stay with my friend Brittney at Hebrew University and fell in love with the campus. I am definitely going back to visit as soon as I can.



Lastly, this past weekend, I attended a Feminist Conference in Nazareth and had such a blast. It was amazing to hear so many amazing women together and I got to even attend a protest in Nazareth for women against violence. I will include some great pictures from the weekend that I hope you enjoy!



Anyway don’t stop reading, I promise to write more soon!

Much Love,

Annelise

Mom, Welcome to Israel!

I still am in shock of how fast these past 12 days went with my mom and how much fun we had together. Being my mom’s first trip outside of the United States in 37 years I felt a pressure to perform, and show her not only a great time, but the Israel I know and love. She left the planning in my hands, which in retrospect was great, and allowed me full control to lead her in the right direction. If you had asked any of my friends whether or not this would be ideal, they would have said with my sense of direction we were either going to end up in Lebanon or Syria. However, I made our first stop Jerusalem for four days at a great little hotel on Agrippas Street, in the heart of Downtown Jerusalem right off of Kind George and near Ben Yehuda. Our room was wonderful and it had a large balcony that looked out onto the busy street and allowed in all the smells of fresh produce and perfume that got carried away with the wind. Our first adventure had to be getting all of our luggage from the airport and into our hotel. Being a Cohon, a woman, and now an Israeli, I do not pack light, never have and never will. My mother of course taught me almost everything I know about not packing light, and I still remember our trips to the municipal pool during the summer months, where before we would leave the house we had to have windbreakers, raincoats, ponchos, umbrellas, sweaters, and of course the always important and necessary two large coolers filled with more ice packs than actual food or beverages. I remember my mother, brother, and I struggling to carry all of our precious goods into the pool complex and then struggling to find a big enough space on the grass to put it all. I hope my mom and brother are both laughing when they read this because it’s a memory I had forgotten until I had to carry 3 suitcases, 2 backpacks, and 1 carry-on up two flights of stairs. My mom and I were in Jerusalem from Wednesday, when she arrived, until Sunday afternoon.

After unpacking some of our things and exploring our hotel we decided to take a walk around our neighborhood and get accustomed with the area. Being my third or fourth time in Jerusalem, I felt more comfortable with the lay of the land, but had to compete with my innate horrible sense of direction the majority of our trip. We ended up making our way to the Old City and getting lost in the cradle of civilization. We explored Rampart’s walk, a walk along the walled periphery of the Old City and then found ourselves in the Muslim Quarter near the Damascus Gate. My mom was blown away by the hustle and bustle of the Old City and was slowly starting to be introduced to the Israel I know and love. The Israel that has a synagogue, next to a mosque, next to a church, next to an Armenian tavern, in a mere 5 mile radius. Before sunset, we found ourselves at the Western Wall and I told my mom the tradition of writing a note to put in the wall. Being a true Cohon my mom wrote about 20 notes and handed 10 to me to help her put into the wall. So, family, friends, and dear loved ones, if you are reading this you probably had a note written for you by my mom that is now residing in the Western Wall. You can thank her, not me, although I might have stuffed half of you into some tiny cracks. I wanted to make sure we got back to our Hotel before the fasting began, and I told my mom, because this was Erev Yom Kipper (the evening before Yom Kippur) everything was going to close down and the Jewish fast would begin that would last 25 hours until the next day.

I thought I knew where I was going (famous last words) but eventually got us lost. We had to take our first taxi in Israel, which brings me to our second adventure, Israeli cab drivers. I told my mom in Israel anything can happen and usually does. Our cab driver, after greeting us and learning that we were from the USA, gave me and my mom a necklace, and then took us on a joy ride to his brother’s store to meet his entire family. I am sure my mom was more scared than she alluded to, but I sat comfortably in my passenger seat thinking, “Yep, this makes perfect sense, we got in a cab to go to our hotel, and instead we’re going where our driver wants to go”. After getting to our destination and getting out of the cab we made our way to a small shop, filled with Jewish artwork and souvenirs. Our cab driver then introduced us to his brothers and offered my mom and I to stay and have coffee with them. We were luckily saved by my mom’s jet lag and after some more talking (both in English and Hebrew) we realized we could be possibly related; our cab driver finally dropped us off at our hotel and I now had two family members in Jerusalem.

I made sure to bring enough food with me for two days, for her and me, and even though our first meals were in the Hotel, I am so glad I was in Jerusalem to experience such an amazing holiday. On Yom Kippur, My mom and I spent the day relaxing and walking around the city. It was amazing to see no one driving on the roads and everyone walking in the middle of the street. Jerusalem was completely shut down and the city has never looked more beautiful. I knew the Arab Quarters in the Old City would be open, but I was surprised by the number of tourists and people buying things and walking around. My mom had her first bargaining experience in the Muslim Quarter, and we were able to get such nice gifts for my family and friends. By the time we realized how long we had been shopping for, we found ourselves at the Western Wall again, right before the end of Yom Kippur. Being at the Kotel on Erez Yom Kippur and Yom Kippur is something I will always remember. There were over a thousand religious people at the wall from all over the world praying and singing. At one point it felt as if everyone was chanting the same thing and I have never been so moved by religion in this way.

After the fast was broken we followed the crowd out of the old city and into the streets of Jerusalem. By this point we knew are way well enough around the city not to get lost and I was amazed with how alive everyone was in the streets. People had told me that Jerusalem would be really boring with nothing to do for the holidays but I found it to be incredible, and the night of breaking the fast my mom and I couldn’t fall asleep until five in the morning because there was so much noise and action in the streets. On Friday, we took a guided tour of Jerusalem and saw all of the major and important sights. We were also able to see Yad Vashem and got back to our hotel after eight hours of strenuous sightseeing. Saturday was also a full day of excitement as we took another tour, but this time to the Dead Sea and Masada. It was very relaxing taking a cable car all the way to the top of the mountain, instead of hiking it up at 5:30 in the morning, and I am so glad my mom got to see one of my favorite places in all of Israel. Then after Masada we made our way to the Ein Gedi Spa, and got to not only float in the Dead Sea but give ourselves a full mud treatment. We met a really cute little girl who was in Jerusalem with her mom and her mom’s friend. We had a great time with our time guide and even got to stop at the Ahava Center, for some serious shopping. We got back to our hotel around 6 and prepared to go out for our first and last meal in Jerusalem.

When I was picking the restaurant, I really had no idea where to go or what would be nice for my mom’s first meal in Israel. I had randomly found this small restaurant called “Little Jerusalem” which was located within minutes from our hotel and supposedly in an old house donated to the Israeli Museum. I saw they had Israeli folk music, so my mom and I decided to go and give it a chance. Little Jerusalem is now one of my favorite restaurants in Israel and was one of the best dinners my mother and I had in Israel together. First the ambience of the restaurant was breath taking and we ended up getting seated right by the four piece orchestra that was playing that night. If Christian, Felicia, Peter, or Ian are reading this you would have loved this restaurant, and if you come to Israel I promise to take you there! The food was also amazing and we learned that the house belonged to a painter Anna Ticho who donated the house to the Israeli Museum after she died. The exhibition at the time we came to the restaurant was entitled “Women with a Camera” and I feel that perfectly describes who I have been on this journey. My mom and I ended up having a three and a half hour dinner that night and I felt so happy to not only be in Israel but have my mom there to share in this experience. The trip truly could not have been any better, and I felt so blessed to be able to get to share this time with her.

On Sunday, we ended up going to the Israeli Museum to see more of Anna Ticho’s art work but due to construction a lot of the museum was closed. However, we did get to see the Shrine of the Book which holds the Dead Sea Scrolls. I really liked the Israel Museum and plan on going back there when I have more time. After our afternoon adventure, we checked out of our beloved Palatin Hotel said a sad farewell to Jerusalem and boarded a Sherut to Tel Aviv.

Getting to Tel Aviv was a lot easier said than done, and with our entire luggage, it took some hard bargaining to find a taxi that would not rip us off and take us to our hotel. Our first night in Tel Aviv we walked to the nearby Dizengoff Circle and ate at a great Indian restaurant called Tandori, Our hotel was called Adiv Hotel on Mendeli just off of Hayarkon and Ben Yehuda, It was right across the street from the Beach and my mom and I took full opportunity of that. On Monday, we went to Hod Hasharon to meet up with my friend Yamit at her home and have my mom meet her family. From there we all went to Yamit’s aunts home in a Moshav in Carmiel, near Haifa, and celebrate Succot with her whole family. It was great seeing the same faces from Rosh Hashana, and Yamit’s family have really taken me in like their own. My mom and I ended up sleeping over in Yamit’s cousin’s room after a long night of eating, singing, and drinking. The next day was more food and we even went to the beach and got to Kayak and swim in the water. I really love Yamit’s family and especially love her sister Noa, cousins Enon and Eleanor, who is a certified sky diving instructor, and the rest or her father’s eight brothers and five sisters. When we got back to Tel Aviv Tuesday night, my mom and I were exhausted but had a great Succot.

We decided to stay in Tel Aviv until Thursday and ended up going to the beach Wednesday and taking a tour bus around Jaffa, Rothschild Street, and other major Tel Aviv landmarks. I really fell in love with Tel Aviv after this trip and realized why people in Israel love it so much and want to live there. Tel Aviv is a city that is truly alive and full of energy that is contagious to be around. In Tel Aviv, you can find the cutest stores and littlest boutiques tucked behind tiny alleyways and street corners, My mom and I also got to walk around Shenkin Street, Nahalyat Binyamina, and Allenby. I really cannot say what I liked best and overall just had a great time with her. On Thursday, we went to Old Jaffa and I got to go to the Flea Market and walk around the city, There was a wishing bridge that we both made wishes on, and even a little street fair with crafts you could buy. We had decided to rent a car for the remainder of our trip and I cannot tell you how proud of my mom I am for being able to drive in Israel and managing to not get ourselves too lost or killed on the highway.

The road to Haifa was long and straight. We had plans Thursday night to have dinner with my Rotary Host Sponsor and his wife, Zvi and Pamela Fridman, and not only got to Haifa but managed to make our way to their house unscathed. Zvi and Pamela took us to one of my favorite places, Café Louis, who my friend Yasmin introduced me too, and we had a great time. After dinner, my mom and I made our way up the mountain to Haifa University, for my mom’s first look at my school and my new dorm. We had decided that she was going to stay with me in the dorms instead of at a hotel, and when I asked her is that would be okay, she said, “Of course! I’m not high maintenance, as long as we both have somewhere to sleep and there are no cockroaches, I have no problem staying in the dorms”. Of course she had to say cockroaches, because a fact of life here at Haifa University is that you share your living space sometimes with the cockroaches, Their kind of like your neighbors, you see them, you don’t really hang out with them, and if need be you’ll, kill them, and hide their bodies in the toilet (just kidding about that last part) but I just nodded my head and smiled.

When I got back to the University, I also found out I needed to move out of my previous dorm and into a new one in Brittania. My mom and I spent all Friday moving out of my dorm and having coffee with a few of my Israeli neighbors. On Saturday, we had breakfast with my friends the Furani’s and my mom got to meet them and have a typical Arab breakfast. Then we ended up going to Kibbutz Michael near Haifa with Zvi and visiting his sister Heidi for lunch. Zvi is such an amazing person and so much more than a Rotary Sponsor to me, He has been such a good friend and someone I care for and really admire. He and his sister came to Israel when they were 18 and lived on Kibbutz Michael together. Heidi never left, but Zvi left when he decided to go to Physiotherapy School. I am so glad my mom got to see a real Kibbutz and really liked Kibbutz life. After touring around the Kibbutz, Zvi and I shared a very bonding moment and ended up having to change his flat tire together outside of the Kibbutz. I am proud to report I have changed a tire in Israel, and although it wasn’t up to par with the Indianapolis 500 standards, I think I did pretty well.

Later that night my mom and I met up with Hava and Mordecai for her last dinner and we went to one of the most amazing restaurants in Haifa. It was called 24 Hanamal Street and was located in downtown Haifa next to the port. The restaurant was one of the best in Israel and we ordered wine, appetizers, entrees, and deserts that rivaled some of the best restaurants Hava and Mordecai said they tried in their most recent trip to Spain. Having my mom’s last day be filled with so much love, family, and the people that matter the most to me since I have been in Israel was absolutely wonderful. On our way to the airport together, I felt so lucky to have been able to spend this quality time with my mom and show her, what I hoped would be a great two weeks in Israel. Although I am sad she is gone, I am so excited to show the rest of my family around and hope my dad, brother, and grandmother will come and visit.

I just found out my cousin Georgia took my advice and signed herself up for Birthright. She will be here January 5 – 16th, which is also around the same time my friend Katie from San Diego booked her ticket to come out and visit me. I cannot wait to see Katie and Georgia and show them around Haifa and the Israel I love.

This week I am starting classes and doing a lot with the Rotary. I am giving two presentations this week and also attending a Rotary party in Tel Aviv with the Ambassador to Germany. It’s starting to get colder in Haifa and I hope the weather will continue to be as sunny and beautiful as it has been these past three months. I already started my internship at Isha L Isha and hope to continue doing work there and also with Best Buddies and the Triumph Project. I know this is an extremely long entry, so extra points go to those of you who actually sat down and read it all, to my most adoring blog fans, I LOVE YOU! I promise to write more about this week and give you another update soon.

I forgot to mention one last thing, for Simcha Torah I went to a reformed synagogue with a few friends and danced with the Torah! It was the first time I think I ever touched a Torah and it was so much fun. Israel is great, and hopefully it still continues to be a place of excitement and adventure for me. I love you and miss you
all so much!

Lots of love,

Annelise