A friend of mine recently asked me to list three things which have helped me cope with my frustrations with the cultural differences I experience as an expat(expatriate).
The one I mentioned which she loved(she's also an expat--she lives in Argentina), was attending weddings.
Weddings are special in general. It is a reminder of what's important and to appreciate the good in our relationships(at least for me). But, here in Israel a wedding takes on a whole new dimension. What prompted me to write and share this, is that I felt that her description--transcendent, of my example--weddings and how they help me cope... that word just simply summed up my reasoning behind my example! She hit the bulls eye!
Life here in Israel is complex to say the least. On a regular day, with no exceptional circumstances, there are cultural differences to deal with. Some things I have found that I have acclimated to, and others to which I may never become accustomed.
A wedding though, by it's joyous nature, provides a perfect island of opportunity for escaping the differences. In joining together, as parents, friends, community members to simply enjoy the start of a new, young family with all the promise and potential for dreams yet not attained, we are united in transcending the complexities and challenges which tend to separate.
There is dancing, singing, pictures and the joy of an atmosphere beyond borders and politics.
Additionally, and certainly, the holiness of the air allows us to at least feel as though we are able to transcend time itself.
Please write and share your stories or other things which have helped you to connect to your Jewishness.
Friday, February 22, 2008
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Sundays
As I write it is Saturday night. When we lived in the States, Sunday was a day off. I used to dream about being in Israel where Sunday is like Monday in the States. It is the start of the workweek. Here in Israel, it is a work and school day, there is mail and it feels like a Monday.
The only way that I still know it is Sunday is when communicating with anyone for anything in the States.
When my older girls, now 18 and 15 were then, little and Sunday meant a day of trying to keep them busy and many times bored fighting, I used to dream of being here and having them in school during the day(and hubbie at work!). Well, there is an old expression--be careful what you ask for, you just might get it!
The truth is, I like that mail is available on Sunday. Many times I like that just after a nice Shabbat, there is work and school the next day. But once in a while, I dare to dream that for no other reason than it is Sunday, to have a free day to just go out for the day with my family.
Now, because we don't have those regular free days, once a week, we appreciate that space of time and we do tend to use it.
When we were first living here, I used to get mixed up all the time between Sunday and Mondays and Mondays and Tuesdays. I made appointments for Sunday and marked them as Monday and when we would get notes from the schools that things were on the second day of the week(the names of the days of the week here are Sunday--"day one", Monday "day two") and I would inevitably mark my calendar for Tues. (day 3).
Eventually, you start to double check and usually, although, not entirely, you get used to it.
Sunday does FEEL like Monday to me now. The weeks seem to actually go faster too.
But, then, the truth is, THAT is probably nothing to do with Sundays, except for how many of them have passed since we came.....
The only way that I still know it is Sunday is when communicating with anyone for anything in the States.
When my older girls, now 18 and 15 were then, little and Sunday meant a day of trying to keep them busy and many times bored fighting, I used to dream of being here and having them in school during the day(and hubbie at work!). Well, there is an old expression--be careful what you ask for, you just might get it!
The truth is, I like that mail is available on Sunday. Many times I like that just after a nice Shabbat, there is work and school the next day. But once in a while, I dare to dream that for no other reason than it is Sunday, to have a free day to just go out for the day with my family.
Now, because we don't have those regular free days, once a week, we appreciate that space of time and we do tend to use it.
When we were first living here, I used to get mixed up all the time between Sunday and Mondays and Mondays and Tuesdays. I made appointments for Sunday and marked them as Monday and when we would get notes from the schools that things were on the second day of the week(the names of the days of the week here are Sunday--"day one", Monday "day two") and I would inevitably mark my calendar for Tues. (day 3).
Eventually, you start to double check and usually, although, not entirely, you get used to it.
Sunday does FEEL like Monday to me now. The weeks seem to actually go faster too.
But, then, the truth is, THAT is probably nothing to do with Sundays, except for how many of them have passed since we came.....
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
No time like the present!
Well, this needs to start somewhere, so here I am!
Something very common for folks to do upon moving to Israel, or coming for an extended stay experience is to take "ulpan"---Hebrew language courses offered by the State, as well as by private groups.
I took the first level course, "Aleph", for the first letter in the Hebrew alpha bet, 7 years ago when we first arrived. Then, I was expecting my youngest child and was feeling too ill to continue.
Then of course, with a new baby at home, and my other four, I just couldn't return to the class.
So, now, seven years hence, I have come back to the classroom to brush up my skills.
What I want to share with you now is the incredible feeling that I get to experience when I sit in class.
This is a class of people ranging in age from 17- mid sixties. Some are from France, some are from South America, and a few of us are from the States. The beauty of it is, that we are all there for the same reasons. We all chose to make Aliyah and we are all choosing to give our best try to speaking and understanding Hebrew.
I can say in all honesty that it is no easy task for me to be grappling with this challenge.
But, it is a labor of love. Not to mention that the learning is exhilarating--the grammar, and all of the nuances which I live with every day, and for years did not completely understand!
So, please know, that if I CAN DO it, ANYONE can!
Please write and share your experiences with learning or trying to learn Hebrew, etc.
What other ways can this example serve to encourage you to move forward on something in your life about which you have been procrastinating? Please write and share and encourage others!
More later....
Something very common for folks to do upon moving to Israel, or coming for an extended stay experience is to take "ulpan"---Hebrew language courses offered by the State, as well as by private groups.
I took the first level course, "Aleph", for the first letter in the Hebrew alpha bet, 7 years ago when we first arrived. Then, I was expecting my youngest child and was feeling too ill to continue.
Then of course, with a new baby at home, and my other four, I just couldn't return to the class.
So, now, seven years hence, I have come back to the classroom to brush up my skills.
What I want to share with you now is the incredible feeling that I get to experience when I sit in class.
This is a class of people ranging in age from 17- mid sixties. Some are from France, some are from South America, and a few of us are from the States. The beauty of it is, that we are all there for the same reasons. We all chose to make Aliyah and we are all choosing to give our best try to speaking and understanding Hebrew.
I can say in all honesty that it is no easy task for me to be grappling with this challenge.
But, it is a labor of love. Not to mention that the learning is exhilarating--the grammar, and all of the nuances which I live with every day, and for years did not completely understand!
So, please know, that if I CAN DO it, ANYONE can!
Please write and share your experiences with learning or trying to learn Hebrew, etc.
What other ways can this example serve to encourage you to move forward on something in your life about which you have been procrastinating? Please write and share and encourage others!
More later....
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