Shalom to the Sass

שלום חברים!

My Hebrew is getting better!!  Oh, and I apologize in advance for the typos/weird placement of commas and periods.  It's trickier than I thought to type in English on a computer that's so used to Hebrew.  

So the LA Diller teens are almost at the end of our trip, and we've thoroughly enjoyed Community Week.  Each teen has been assigned to a certain group for the week, like Tikkun Olam (my group) and Exploring Tel Aviv, and each group is given at least one day for activities relating to its topic.  

After saying goodbye to Congress, we traveled by bus to Tel Aviv, where the "fun" group led us in bonding games and created an activity for exploring Tel Aviv's shoreline.  We left for our buddies' houses, and I was met with the most amazing traditional Israeli barbecue on the rooftop of my buddy's apartment. A few other LA Dillers joined us for chicken kabobs, some Israeli version of garlic bread, and beef kabobs skewered on cinnamon sticks (unfortunately, I don't eat red meat, but they smelled incredible).  We also had chicken hot-dogs and a chunky tomato sauce that resembled bruschetta (I don't know why I keep relating Israeli dishes to Italian food.)  Oh, and there were endless amounts of hummus and tahina

Our next day focused on exploring Tel Aviv, and we started the morning at the Rokach Museum, which is actually owned by the family of one of the Tel Aviv fellows.  

We learned about Tel Aviv's history and culture from American and Israeli activities, and after lunch, we went to Independence Hall, the place where Israel was officially made a Jewish state.  We were also lucky enough to have the opportunity to talk to a deputy mayor of Israel, who had interesting insight on Tel Aviv's biggest achievements and issues.  My favorite part of the day was a planned scavenger hunt that allowed us to explore the best parts of the city.  It also allowed us to take memorable pictures, including one with some very friendly IDF soldiers.  After hours of walking up and down Tel Aviv's streets, we went to Ariel Steinberger's house for the opening reception.  Many of us went to Max Brenner after the reception in order to celebrate the birthday of an LA fellow.  Until Wednesday, I had never seen so many ways of dealing with chocolate.  I fully support the Max Brenner franchise.   

The next day focused on Israeli culture, and we started the day with some Israeli childhood games and touring at the Tel Aviv Museum of Art.  My favorite part of the day was our visit to the gay center, where we heard the incredible stories of three individuals who are now proudly open about their sexualties.  We also learned about options for Israeli teens after turning 18, and met an American IDF soldier who made Aliyah after finishing college.  Later in the day, we experienced a dance workshop at a local teen nightclub.  I discovered my natural ability while learning the steps to a song called "Latinos,"and found that I have officially mastered the Horah grapevine after over 20 bar/bat mitzvahs of experience.

Friday was dedicated to Tikkun Olam, and the morning brought us one of the most enlightening experiences that we've had on this trip.  Our visit to "Dialogue in the Dark" taught us the importance of accepting the cards we've been dealt in life.  The exhibit is in complete darkness and visitors are forced to rely on senses besides sight.  My biggest shock was the realization that our tour guide (who we didn't  see until the end of the tour) was blind.  Because it was my first time at the exhibit, I hadn't been informed that all of the exhibit's tour guides are blind.  Our tour guide had an incredible story.  A degenerative gene in his body activated itself when he was 28, and he's been living with blindness for 7 years.  He basically grew up knowing he would eventually become blind.  His positivity, however, emanated from his words and his smile as he proudly told us that after losing 95% of his vision in a week, he took only 3 months to begin living completely on his own.  

The other highlight of the day was our volunteer work with African refugees and immigrants in a park.  I sat with another Diller Fellow and began talking to one of the people who had found refuge in Israel.  He had escaped his native Togo after it became too dangerous for him to live there, and he proceeded to spend time in Libya and Egypt until he made it to Israel.  All of his family, including his wife, still lives in Togo, and he talks to them via cell phone, yet hasn't seen them in 5 ½ years.  That is the kind of story that one can only find in Israel.  We also were able to participate in  impromptu African drum circle, with one of the LA Dillers (who happens to be a drummer) joining in and keeping up with the rapid rhythm.  

My Shabbat that night was spent with all of my buddy's family as we enjoyed a traditional Moroccan dinner and discussed the fact that the Americans always win the Olympics.  The next morning, my host family introduced me to a traditional Yemen breakfast, which included a delicious resemblance of a puff pastry with tomato sauce. Later that day, I travelled with my buddy's family to Jaffa, where we explored the city and I heard a Muslim call to prayer for the first time.  We ate dinner at an amazing Arab seafood restaurant where the appetizers spilled off the table.  I had the best hummus I've ever had, as well 4 other sauces and at least 7 other dishes, including falafel and cooked cauliflower.  We also went to an old Tel Aviv train station which has been converted into a shopping area.  I learned about a project in Tel Aviv that has spread pianos throughout the city, and I was thrilled to discover one and play it for a few minutes while admiring the artwork that covered its structure.  

Today, we learned about Jewish identity.  We discussed what Jewish identity means to us, and how our various religious sects influence our ideals and our opinions.  The leaders of the day brought up controversial issues like intermarriage and inconsistencies in the Torah, and I was thankful for the respect and tolerance shown by every member of our group.  We also toured Beth Hatefutsoth, an exhibit documenting Jewish culture and heritage throughout our existence.  We were given cameras and asked to take pictures of relevant pieces within the museum.  We later presented our finds to the group and discussed how they demonstrated Jewish identity.  

Our next stop was the Carmel market, a busy Tel Aviv shouk with incredible deals and opportunities for souvenir buying. We were each given 10 sheckles to buy things that represented Jewish identity.  I bought a hamseh with the inscription "Hai," because I feel that Judaism focuses on living life well.  We exchanged our gifts within our cohort after our visit, and then returned to our host families for a family night.  

host family's house, we ate Japanese food with four other Diller teens, and enjoyed ice cream and traditional Arab cake for dessert.  I was also able to watch synchronized swimming on the Olympics today, and have decided (perhaps rather harshly) that it stretches the definition of "sport."  

I've been having an amazing time and I'm trying to mentally prepare myself to leave this place that I've developed such a connection to in such a short span of time!

America, I'll see you soon!

Chelsea

Diller Update: The Sass Strikes Back

All right folks, let's do this:

So, we LA Diller teens have been enjoying our past 9 days in Israel and seeing that an update is well over-due, we thought we'd provide you all with one.

Our days have been packed with sight-seeing, Jewish knowledge and introspection, and super productivity.  Finishing a trip to Masada, Ain Getti, and the Dead Sea before lunch kind of inspired me to stamp out my laziness.  I emphasize the "kind of."

My favorite part of the trip so far has been our trip to Jerusalem.  As an official Jerusalem expert (sarcasm), I highly recommend visiting the Kotel on Shabbat eve (not sarcasm).  It's like a salad bowl of religious denominations.  And there's nothing more special than putting your note in the wall and just feeling the history run like electricity through your fingertips.  Yad Vashem was also an emotional experience.  The graphic images and videos, the hate-charged documents, and the remnants of inanimate objects was like pouring emotional Drain-o  through our systems.

During our first Shabbat in Israel, we prayed at an Italian Jewish synagogue.  It was my first time in a synagogue with a mehitzah, and honestly, I wasn't a fan of the division.   I also was one of many who had trouble distinguishing between the Italian and the Hebrew, and I didn't recognize any of the melodies (I've never experienced a Sephardic service before).  That being said, I was open to the experience.  We also found time to explore Old Jerusalem.  We got to see the Last Supper Room and King David's tomb, but the part that had the biggest impact on me was seeing the bullet holes in the Old City's gates.  I've never seen that kind of scar on a structure. 

The next day, we traveled through the King David tunnels, which were used to transport water thousands of years ago.  We also saw the world's very first toilet, a rock fashioned into a seat with a deep hole in it.  Our next destination was Har Herzl, the cemetery where Herzl and other Israeli political figures are buried.  It is also the IDF's cemetery, and the vast number of graves spread out over the peaceful expanse of land was a striking reminder of the passion and dedication Israelis have for their country. 

That night, we stayed at a kibbutz called Asdot Ya'akov.  The food was delicious and I loved the authenticity of the residences.  I was also reminded of Israel's heavy cat population.  I am now a firm believer that if cats had a choice, they would be Jewish.

Last Monday, we were happily reunited with our sister city, Tel Aviv.  We traveled to Kinneret Cemetery, the resting place of Naomi Shemer, and Arielle Liany, part of the Tel Aviv cohort, played a beautiful rendition of "Jerusalem of Gold."   We practiced team building at a camp site and traveled on the bus to one of the four Holy Cities, Tzfat.  The girls had to don skirts (I pulled out my sarong) and as we proceeded into the city, I felt like I was stepping back 100 years.  The history of the place emanates off the buildings, and a variety of synagogues are spread through the streets.  We went into one synagogue and all the girls were given shawls to cover their shoulders.  We visited a candle shop and a kabbalah center, and after our time in Tzfat, left for a camp site.  At the camp site, we made our own dinner (I helped with the potatoes, which were delicious due to my assistance) and bonded with each other.  During our night circles, we were actually interrupted by a giant boar the size of a smart car heading in our direction.  Thankfully, it wandered away on its own and we were free to enjoy our campfire at the end of the night. 

On Tuesday, we enjoyed a water hike and rafting on the Jordan River.  One of the Israeli fellows injured her leg on the hike, but her bravery and strength has made for a quick recovery.  For lunch, Liat, the head of Diller in Israel, graciously hosted us and provided us with a much-appreciated home-cooked meal.  She even made cake for Erin, the birthday girl that day.  Her home is in Metulla, the most northern city of Israel, and she talked to us about life on the border with Lebanon.  After we left her house, we drove by the border and the barbed wire was only a few feet from our fingertips. 

The rafting was more like a battle.  Rafter camouflaged themselves in the trees on the river's bank, waiting to attack approaching rafts.  We engaged in oar stealing, boat-hopping, and throwing each other into the water.  By the end of our journey down the river, my boat was left oar-less despite my valiant attempts to reclaim our stolen property.  We were thoroughly soaked and happy to continue to a youth hostel for the night. 

The next day, we visited an army bomb shelter on the border with Syria.  In Golan, we learned about Israel's history and occupation of Golan.  We then traveled to Givat Haviva, the location of the North American Kenes and Congress.  We said goodbye to the Israelis and were quickly thrown into Kenes.

At Kenes, the first two days at Givat Haviva, we were separated into 10 color groups, each with two members from every city.  These cities included Montreal, Metrowest (New Jersey), Pittsburgh, San Francisco, Baltimore, and Los Angeles.  Our time at Kenes was filled with many interesting programs, including a speech by Avraham Infeld, a Jewish educator who taught us about the five legs of Judaism.  The Israelis arrived on Friday and joined our color groups.  We've discussed many relevant issues within the color groups, including the importance of language and feelings toward Israel.  We've heard alumni speakers and Jewish leaders speak, and we've formed close bonds with people from all over North America. 

One of my favorite parts of Congress so far has been Shabbat.  I joined the Diller Choir, a group of musicians and singers who put on a short show for all of the Diller teens.  We then got to pick a service to attend, and I went to the Reconstructionist service, which was very enlightening.  Samantha Page (who we now call Spage) put on an incredible alternative service (as I've been told by every person who attended). 

So, I can now proudly proclaim my love for Israel.  Nothing can match actually seeing it through the plane window for the first time.  It really is the most beautiful country, and the history is everywhere.  However, I am getting tired of Israeli salad for breakfast…

Looking forward to what comes next!

Chelsea

Day 2: Return of the Sass

Not leaving any time to catch up on sleep, Wednesday morning we woke up at a brutal 3:30! It was still 7:30 in the evening in Los Angeles, a city most of us had been in just a day before. We rose early for a breakfast of yummy cakes and our drive to Masada. We hiked the ramp, easily conquering Masada. Shosh even held her own with us energetic teens! Tiana helped us greet the sunrise on Masada with a beautiful meditation and then everyone seized the gorgeous photo opportunity of the sun quickly climbing up into the sky.

We spent a few hours on top of Masada learning about the history of the ancient fortress with such a tragic past. Sam Miller, Hyla, and Zach Gingold acted out history, bringing Masada to life despite the heat.

Then we took the cable car down the opposite side of the mount for a trip to the gift store and some delicious Israeli ice cafe.

Around 10 we checked in to the youth hostel we would be spending the night in and ate breakfast. Then we hit the road again for Ein Gedi, a natural oasis in the middle of the Judah desert. We witnessed a simulated- irax mating ritual thanks to both Zachs, Hyla, and Tiana. Then we splashed around in a refreshing natural pool, moss fight included. The whole scene was so surreal, bathing in a cool pond in the middle of a desert in Israel. And by this point it was only 11 on our first day in Israel!

Then we set off for the Dead Sea! Shoshana bought us mud to make our skin as soft as a baby’s bottom, the benefits of the Dead Sea products  according to our tour guide Gigi, and we floated around in the salty water. As someone who has heard about the Dead Sea but had never experienced its wonders until Wednesday, I was surprised with how hot the water was. Especially compared to the cool spring at Ein Gedi, the Dead Sea was an awesome and strange experience, but not a refreshing one. 

We next headed back to our hostel for lunch (more schnitzel!) and a much needed break. In our free time, people showered, relaxed, and napped. Waking up from the break was definitely difficult. We ate dinner after our break and then we went on a night hike. Much to our disappointment, the weather hadn’t cooled off at all.

Still sweating, we headed into the hills behind our hostel for some stargazing. Gigi pointed out the Big Dipper and other constellations and then we had a chance to reflect with ourselves. We each took isolated spots on a path in the dark hills to think about our expectations for this trip, ourselves, and whatever else our minds chose to focus on. While some thought the meditation boring, others saw the exercise as fulfilling and very rewarding. As a bunch of city kids, I think we all appreciated being able to see so many stars in the night sky.

Maagal lilah, or closing circle, involved evaluating the day and passing on the toranim duties to the next day’s bearers. For those who don’t know about our chanichim toranim, they are two people who are leaders for the entire day, responsible for making sure everyone shows up on time, has their necessary supplies, and other small but significant tasks. We were also surprised with the new ritual of the toranim presenting the Most Valuable Diller (MVD) awards of the day! Erin and Sam Miller, who were excellent toranim for an insanely busy day, presented their awards to Sam Page (me!) and Zach Getelman for our dedication and upbeat attitudes. Such an honor! Plus, the MVD awards added some enticement to being a better Diller.

After such a packed day, everyone passed out at the end of the night. First full day in Israel: so successful!

Stay tuned for more blog updates! We’re trying to catch up on the days we’ve missed.

Also, you may be wondering about our blog titles. After a super creative brainstorming session, Rachael, Betty, Jody and I have come up with a mass of punny names involving the word “sass”. This had to be done due to the overwhelming amount of sass in circulation with our cohort. No one should be particularly surprised that nineteen hungry and exhausted teenagers would be sassy, but it’s still a little startling and hilarious to hear the pure sass that passes between us. Mostly well-intended sarcasm with a hint of straight-up snark, so far the sass hasn’t seriously wounded anyone’s pride. And I doubt that it will; we all know how the next person feels and we can take each other’s sass in stride. Just be prepared for some wild and terrible puns for our blog titles!

‘Til the next time! L’shalom,

Sam Page

Day One: Spread of the Sass

Shalom everyone!

halom everyone!

orry for theSSs   SSS   Sorry for the delay…we just figured out how to use our handy-dandy net stick. So, without further adieu…

It feels like the first time, it feels like the very first time. For some of us, it is. For those who haven’t been yet, it is thrilling to finally be heading towards the place that has had such a huge impact on us for these past months, even without being there before. For those of us who have been before, we’ve been excited to return, to see the sights we’ve seen and some that are completely new to us. But despite who has or hasn't, we're all heading towards the same place.

Israel. Ha Aretz. The Holy Land. Home. 

It has many names, many residents, and many visitors. But despite all of that, it has an incredibly unifying power, a quality of oneness. By the end of this trip, I hope to feel that unity with the members of my cohort, the other Diller cohorts from around the world, and with the country itself. This is my vision.

Such a vision is important, as learned today, our first day, at an art exhibition called “Desert Vision”. While sitting in a bedouin-esque room, we listened to an artist talk about the importance of having vision as a leader. We might not have had much vision for the art we saw in that next hour, but we did take in the overarching message. Afterwards, we tried our artistic hands at painting little clay feet. The shape was very appropriate, as our theme of the day was “Footsteps in the Sand”. Today’s small adventure was only the first on a long road of experiencing, learning and bonding that we will leave our footprints on.

Next stop? Masada. 4 a.m.

We may be tired, but we’re always up for the challenge.

B’chatzla’ah!

Rachael Cohen

Last Shabbaton Before Israel

שלום Diller teens!  Much love to Google Translate!  So the LA fellows have just experienced our final Shabbaton before the trip to Israel.  Two members of our cohort generously donated their houses for the weekend, allowing us to come together in close, homey settings.  Each teen took on a role for the weekend, mine being Shabbat rituals.  One of the hardest tasks was planning the meals for the weekend, and two teens accepted the challenge in stride.  They managed to take every dietary restriction into account, and supplied us with an abundance of really good food, including kosher doughnut holes.  I learned that it's possible to make anything kosher.

 

The weekend focused on preparing for Israel and getting to know each other a little better.  The number of programs allowed me to broaden my knowledge of Israel's history, including Israel's most difficult moments.  I think it's important to go into Israel with a little bit of background knowledge.  It's a lot harder to develop an opinion on important Israeli issues when we don't know the full story.  An activity called "What Would You Do?" (Am I the only one who thought of that TV show with John Quinones?) made us take positions on uncomfortable topics like the debate over Gilad Shalit and an issue involving a potential suicide bomb in an ambulance.  In a later discussion, we talked about our definitions of Israel.  For some of us, Israel is a place of refuge.  That influenced a discussion of Israeli hypocrisy through citizens' actions towards African migrants. We also discussed whether Israel is unfairly being held to a higher standard than other countries.  What I found interesting was the parallel between the situation in Israel and treatment toward Mexican immigrants in America.  That's the cool thing about Diller discussions.  They help us think about and connect the world in a different way. 

 

We also had plenty of bonding time, whether through activities like half-blind kickball and questions like "What kitchen appliance would you be?"  As I shared with my fellow teens, I would be a blender because I love smoothies.  We also spent free time having more conversations.  We talked about everything from cute proposal stories to our feelings about our trip.  I'm really looking forward to spending three weeks and two plane rides with these people, because we can really talk about almost anything.

 

Now that Israel is fast approaching, here are my thoughts about the trip.  It'll be my first time out of North America.  I'm not sure how to feel about the 16 hour plane ride, but I am looking forward to looking out my plane window and seeing Israel for the first time.  Has anyone seen Princess Diaries?  Remember when Mia sees Genovia for the first time?  Well, seeing Israel is a lot better than seeing a fictional country.  I'm ready to withstand the infamous Israeli heat that some liken to that of a thousand suns.  I want to see things that have been described to me for my entire life and I want to try real Israeli falafel.  Also, believe it or not, I have never tried schnitzel, so I'm looking forward to that.  I'm excited to be surrounded by hundreds of Jewish teens that have chosen to be part of a program that emphasizes leadership and community.  I can't wait to go into Jerusalem and put my note in the Western Wall.  There is so much that I'm looking forward to doing, and I feel lucky that I get to experience everything with the Diller fellows.  So, as we're preparing during our last few weeks in the US, here is a list I've created of suggestions before we board the plane.  I hope they help!

 

1.     Make a Target run:  Target has everything, guys!  This includes a large selection of small, portable items. 

2.     - Get notes from your family and friends for the Western Wall:  It's a mitzvah.

3.     - Figure out your favorite type of sunscreen:  You will be wearing it ALL THE TIME. 

4.     - For girls:  If you can, go out and get some Soffe shorts.  I've been told that Kohls had a large selection.  If your favorite color is neon pink, I would just go for it. 

5.    -  For boys:  I don't know, get basketball shorts or something.

6.     - Figure out what souvenirs you'll want to look for in Israel:  A list of people and potential ideas for gifts should make your search much less time-consuming.

7.     - Figure our your priorities for packing:  Remember 50 pounds per bag.  I don't know about other parts of the country, but LA airport officials aren't known for being the most lenient. 

8.     - Take a look at your Israel schedule:  It's nice to have a general idea of what you'll be doing.

9.    -  Go visit a sauna:  I've never been to Israel, but maybe this could help. 

10.  - Make sure all of your responsibilities for the trip are covered:  If you're planning an activity or presentation, start preparing now! 

11.  - Get excited (duhhhh….):  We're going to Israel, the land of our people!  This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and every day, it becomes more real for me. 

 

Looking forward to the experience!

Chelsea

Havdalah

For me, the North American Seminar was a whirlwind week that grew more thrilling as each day passed. As our ties strengthened with the Tel Aviv Cohort, so did the relationships within our own cohort. Those ten days of Judaism, circling up, intense discussions, and every icebreaker imaginable left me thoroughly satisfied, but still hungry for more. I cannot wait for the amazing times ahead of us. But first, a reflection:

One of the most revealing moments of the NAS is the comparison and contrast of our two Havdalahs together. The first Havdalah, the Israeli-American-Israeli rule still had to be enforced and neither group was whole. We swayed in a circle, spread out across our dining-hall/center base, enclosed between plastic tables and chairs. Chelsea played her uke phenomenally well in the circle, while two fellows walked around with homemade spice bags. We sang and stomped together to the Havdalah prayers, sharing a beautiful moment at the beginning of a long week.

Fast forward one week and the picture was different. After being booted out of the Griffith Observatory and told we couldn’t “have an open flame in the park,” we began Havdalah for a second time, now as one complete group. We fell into a maagal between whoever we happened to be in conversation with at the moment, arms happily around each other. It was drizzling when we began, with fog so thick we could hardly see past the other side of the circle. This time the stomping and singing was loud, comfortable, familiar. Two fellows ran around the circle with the spice bags, we illegally raised the braided Havdalah candle high, and it started to pour.

I couldn’t have asked for a better Havdalah. Already one of my favorite parts of being Jewish, I’ve had some pretty memorable Havdalahs in my day. I will keep this Havdalah forever, though. It is one of a kind and reveals the strength of our friendships. The fact that we were willing to sing around in the rain together at ten o’clock on a freezing Saturday in March proves our invincible ability to find joy in the most dismal situations. I love our Diller group and can’t wait for more Havdalahs together in Israel!

-Sam

North American Seminar

Two weeks ago, we, the Los Angeles Diller Cohort 5, met our counterparts from Tel Aviv. We were excited and nervous, not knowing what to expect from the NAS. Many feared the worst, many hoped for the best. Two days ago, our Israeli counterparts left, and we miss them more than anything. What happened during these 10 days that bonded us so strongly with these 19 amazing Tel Avivians?

We started out at Camp JCA Shalom for a weekend of ice-breakers, the "journey of bread and water", a great Shabbat, and loads of delicious food. Contrary to usual Los Angeles weather, it rained throughout most of the weekend. Still, the spirits of Cohort 5 were not dampened in the least. Stepping off of the bus, we Angelenos were a little apprehensive to see our buddies that we had only communicated with through the internet, mainly on Facebook and Skype. After a cute introduction, we talked with them for the first time. I have to admit, I didn't know exactly what to say to my buddy. However, after that weekend, everything changed, and I found my buddy to be someone who I related to on numerous levels.

Some on Spring Break and some still in school, the cohort started the week with Universal Studios. That night, we all gathered at the Kashani home for a lovely opening reception. Monday started the week off with a big kick, and each day brought something new. The Israelis (and some Americans) visited the Freda Mohr Center (a social center for seniors), the Museum of Tolerance, the Grove, Kadima Day School (to teach Hebrew), a few Valley high schools, and many more LA hotspots. Every day, the Israelis returned with stories to tell and eyelids drooping from exhaustion.

On our last weekend together, we started by taking our buddies to different synagogues, exposing the Israelis to various branches of Judaism and levels of religious observance. That night, we met at Griffith Observatory for a rather rainy, but enjoyable Havdallah service under what would be the stars. On Sunday we met at Venice Beach in the Shul on the Beach for a final "journey of bread and water" and a scavenger hunt. That night, the Strouds held a closing reception at their home and the majority of the cohort slept over the house. The next morning, we said a tearful goodbye to our counterparts as they departed for home.

Although the Israelis are not in our homes, they are still in our hearts and ALL OVER our Facebooks. We knew exactly when their flight landed, as our notifications grew with statuses, pictures, and tags flooding and still gracing our walls.

Our NAS Seminar was an incredible experience and we anxiously await our trip to Tel Aviv. These three and a half months cannot pass fast enough!

Until next time!

Rachael Cohen

4/5/12