I have been in Israel for three weeks now, although it actually feels a lot longer. I have managed to pack a lot in these last few weeks. I have had some great networking meetings and met some wonderful people. I've also managed to catch up with some dear friends and relatives.

I am in with a good chance for a particular job, and should hopefully know by early next week if I have been successful in getting the position. I won't elaborate now because I am trés superstitious and don't want to jinx it! In the meantime, keep your fingers and toes crossed for me and a few good prayers wouldn't go astray either!

It was also Chanukah here last week (the Jewish Festival of Lights). It was just beautiful to walk through the streets and see fairy lights lighting up the city, and every night there were myriad candle lighting ceremonies in every major city square. People would gather around and watch the giant Chanukiot being lit and jointly the crowd would say the blessings and then sing all the traditional Chanukah songs.

All the bakeries were selling sinful doughnuts (they are called sufganiot here) - the traditional fare of Chanukah. I can't tell you what a major struggle it was to walk past shop after shop with the smell of freshly made doughnuts floating past my nostrils!

One night of Chanukah I was in a bar with a friend having a drink and the owner put his kippah on and lit the Chanukiah in the window, so that the candles could glow for all to see outside. My friend and I looked at each other and laughed. Almost simultaneously we said to each other, "only in Israel!"

In the last week we have also had four more Israel Programs groups arrive from Australia. We now have all six birthright groups here and also our Leadership Development Program group. So far, so great. The groups and their program leaders are amazing.

I've got stuck into all the not-so-fun aspects of making aliyah and sorting through all the bureaucracy. I actually made aliyah three years ago, and so what I have to do now is essentially "re-activate" my status as an Olah Chadasha (new migrant). I've opened a bank account and I am sorting out my national health insurance and all that other fun stuff. I tell you what - having the ability to do all this with half decent Hebrew is making life quite a lot easier. Still, it is a slow (at times, painfully slow) process. Oh well, this is also Israel. No point fighting it, or getting frustrated. Savlanut... savlanut (patience!!)

Right now there is a magical winter wonderland outside my window. It's been snowing the last couple of hours here in Jerusalem. It is just beautiful. If it wasn't so darned cold, I would run outside and stick my tongue out to catch the snowflakes - but it is just too nice and snuggly warm in here! The view outside is beautiful though.

Here, take a look (sorry about the crappy quality - I took it with my digital camera!)

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With wintery blessings from Israel!

P.S. I did end up venturing outdoors this evening, and it was so worth it!
This is a picture of Ben Yehuda St in downtown Jerusalem. Beautiful!



Tonight I went to my favourite little hangout; a bookshop/cafe/restaurant called Tmol Shilshom. There was a book reading by a visiting American writer, Maggie Anton, who has written an award-winning novel called "Rashi's Daughters".

There was also a young Toronto-based singer songwriter who performed some of her beautiful music on the guitar. It was a lovely way to spend a freezing cold winter's night. Warm and toasty inside the cafe, listening to beautiful music and watching the snow fall outside the window...

No idea where life is taking me right now, but today I feel happy. I feel content and I feel like I am putting out all the good vibes I can to the universe. I feel confident that the universe will give some of its love back to me.

It's supposedly the middle of winter, but it must be about 25 degrees. I am sitting at a cafe outside sipping tea and mint leaves in the middle of Tel Aviv. Earlier this morning I walked through the beautiful streets of Neve Tzedek which is filled with quaint cafes and beautiful shops filled with beautiful objects. It has the air of a small French village; organic grocery shops, patisseries, and the scent of freshly roasted coffee on every corner.


Part of me is still scared, actually quite terrified, that I won't find a job, because I know this is the life I want to live, this is the place I want to be. What I find interesting is that I am not suffering the same crippling lack of confidence that I did while I was still in Australia. It's so much easier once you finally make the leap to the other side! Sure, I will be a heck of a lot happier once I have a secure job and I have found a place to live so that I can finally send my things over from Sydney, but in the meantime I am really feeling ok. There is a sense of inner calm I have not felt for a long time. I think it's that unmistakable feeling of being home.

Labels: Diary

Don't worry folks. I won't be posting a "weekly anniversary" update for the next ten years but thought you might like to hear how my first week in Israel has been.
Actually, it kind of feels like I have been back longer - and I think that is a good thing. A lot here feels very familiar and it's nice to know that I sort of know my way round and that my Hebrew is not totally awful!

It's been a very busy week too. Our Academy groups are currently in the north of Israel, and hopefully I will be able to spend a bit more time with them soon. At the moment, I really need to be in or close to Jerusalem so I can go into the office to look after admin type stuff, especially as we still have three more groups arriving at the end of December and another long-term program that starts at the beginning of January.

I have managed to catch up with a few friends though and tomorrow I will be heading to Tel Aviv for a couple of days. It's my birthday tomorrow (Yeah! Happy Birthday to me!) and I am going to catch up with some friends there. I've also lined up a few meetings with some arts people, so hopefully that will be good for my networking too.

More on the work front, well, I have had one job interview so far and it went well (I think!) Turns out it's really more for freelance/contract type work, which could be good for the future, but right now it is really important to try and find a full time job. I have another interview lined up for something else and just waiting to hear when my interview will be exactly.

Some highlights from this last week:

• Taking the groups to The Kotel (The Western Wall) on their first shabbat in Israel. I took a peek at all the boys in the men's section and it was absolutely amazing to see them all singing and dancing together.
• Cats are everywhere in Israel - and I mean everywhere! I saw this little kitty taking a drink from the handwashing fountain at The Kotel and thought to myself... only in Israel!

• There is a lovely lady, Ariella, who cleans my little serviced apartment every day and I came back from being in Tel Aviv overnight yesterday to discover that she had taken my laundry bag and done all my laundry for me.

And one (small) low-light:

• Ariella gave me a small toaster oven for my room and on the first day, I managed to set my smoke alarm off and scare the crap out of everybody. Note to self: clean out old remnants of toast before using...

Sorry this is not the most exciting, inspiring or literary of postings, but give me time! I am sure the creative juices will be flowing soon in this the land of chalav v'dvash (milk and honey!)

Well this posting is long overdue! I really wanted to write something in the days leading up to my departure to Israel, but it all got very hectic and well, before I knew it, I was on a plane hurtling towards the Holy Land. I guess I can finally live up to the name of my blog.

It's a very strange sensation being back and I seem to suffer a sense of déjà vû several times a day. It really isn't that long ago that I was last here (I only left in mid-February) and it was winter then too - so it all seems very familiar.

Our groups all arrived safe and sound (thank G-d) apart from a minor hiccup. El Al managed to lose 21 suitcases (including two of mine) but it was a short lived drama and we all had our missing luggage delivered today.

I am staying right in the middle of Jerusalem, in a very nice serviced apartment. It's nothing glam, but it is clean, very comfortable and has all the amenities I could possibly need.

When we landed yesterday, my dear friend Elisabeth came to airport to greet me - helium balloon and all! It was wonderful and so comforting to see a warm, friendly face as soon as I arrived. I spent the rest of my first day with our various Academy groups, who will be travelling in Israel for the next six weeks. We took them first to Harmon Hanatziv, where from the Hass Promenade they had the most spectacular panoramic view of Jerusalem. For many of them it was their first view of this amazing country and it was really something to see their expressions and uncontained excitement.

The photo I have posted was taken here and in the photo with me is my friend and Israeli colleague, Tali.

I am also slowly organising to catch up with friends and family, but what's nice is that this time I don't have to stress about making sure I see everyone within a short space of time.

I guess it is much too early to be able to comment much on anything in Israel. Either how I am feeling or what's happening in the country in general - but there's plenty of time for that I suppose. It's a lot easier for me to reflect on my last few weeks in Australia.

I won't lie to you.
They were tough.

It seemed to be the most endless farewell ever. It was long, drawn out and utterly heartbreaking at times and towards the end, I just wanted it to be over. I wanted to be on that plane and I didn't want to have to say goodbye to another person.

I think knowing how many people I had to say goodbye to - not least of all my family - meant that I subconsciously had to contain my emotions, if for no other reason than to preserve my sanity. If I had allowed myself to openly express what I was feeling inside every time I said goodbye to someone I loved, I would never have been able to get on that plane.

There were a couple of moments though that even my masterfully constructed wall of protection was not strong enough and for those break through moments of utter despair and sadness I thank you Rob for your shoulder, your heart and your hankie. I am not surprised you said I could keep it. A snotty hankie is not the most attractive thing.

Part of me feels a little stupid that it took such a dramatic farewell for me to realise how many amazing and wonderful friends I really have and I was so touched by all the beautiful gifts people gave me.

I really want to say thank you to some of the people who really mean a lot to me and to whom I am so grateful for their love and support; my work colleagues at Shalom College who really were my extended family for the last year and a half. I've never worked in such an incredibly warm, caring and supportive environment and I am so privileged to have worked with such an inspired and dedicated team of people.

My Rabbi, his wife and my "family" from Newtown shul. Again - you all became my extended family, given my own family lives in Melbourne and I will really miss the wonderful 'ruach' (spirit) of the Newtown community.

To all my friends who came along to say goodbye, or called to wish me luck on my new "adventure" (you all know me too well, it's scary!)

My family, who by now are kind of used to my nomadic existence, but who never stop believing in me and support every crazy thing I do in my life. I can't express how much I miss you already, but you are in my heart and my thoughts every day, and that means that really, you aren't so far away at all.

And finally, to Rob. You were my rock these last few months. You helped me get through so much and you stuck by me for the whole crazy roller coaster ride. For that you deserve a medal! Thank you for everything, but most of all, thank you for showing me that "love is everywhere".

And so now, the adventure begins. I celebrate my 34th birthday next week and this Sunday I have my first job interview in Israel (fingers crossed everybody!)

I love you and miss you already.

Me xx