Where to start? So much has happened since my last update. I have moved out of Rehovot thus ending the second and largest part of OTZMA, spent a week gallivanting around and exploring Jerusalem, travelled to Amsterdam with two of my good guy friends, and started my last part of OTZMA which includes interning in Jerusalem. So, let me start from the beginning...
The End of Part II – Full Time Volunteering in Rehovot
Saying goodbye to Rehovot was hard. I fell in love with the small city and with the kids I volunteered with every day, especially those at the Matnas (community center). When I did finally say goodbye, the kids were quite upset and asked me multiple times to stay with them and not move to Jerusalem. It was really touching to see how much of an impact I had on the kids and how much they cared. It was definitely a great end to a huge piece of my experience on OTZMA.
The Start of Vacation – Exploring Jerusalem
After Part II, I had a two-week vacation for Passover. The first week I spent living at a friend’s apartment in Jerusalem and just wandering around and getting to know the city. Every day I went on long walks to familiarize myself with the different areas. I walked to the shuk (large, cheap market), the central bus station, explored ben yehudah street (main shopping street), got lost in the old city (a must for everyone who lives in Jerusalem), and much more. Needless to say, I now have a great sense of the city despite my terrible sense of direction.
In addition, I spent the time reconnecting with friends that I had not seen as much as I wanted. For one, I saw Reut (my old tour guide) a few times. For those of you who know her (aka my family and campers), you know how much she means to me and how incredible she is as a person. One night we grabbed a beer at a local bar and another night I had dinner at her place with her and her boyfriend. It was really nice to see her and catch up after such a long time.
The Second Half of Vacation – Amsterdam
Amsterdam was nothing less than incredible. I have always wanted to see a city with canals as I think they are beautiful, and man was I not let down. I loved walking around the city and I thought it was just so incredible. I travelled with two of the boys from OTZMA and we had a great time. We saw a lot of sites including the Van Gough Museum, a science museum (guess whose choice that was?), the botanical gardens, the Anne Frank House, went on a canal cruise and more. We did a lot of walking and saw a lot of the city. Overall, it was an incredible trip and something I am so happy to have done.
The Final Part of OTZMA – Interning in Jerusalem
Last Sunday, I moved into my new apartment in Jerusalem in the K’far Studentim (the student’s village). We live in the apartments for the Hebrew University students in a part of Jerusalem called Mount Scopus. While it is a little farther outside of the city then I would like (about a 40 minute bus ride), it is a really nice apartment. There are 5 bedrooms with a living room, kitchen, two bathrooms, and a shower. That means I once again have my own bedroom, so I really cannot complain. Plus, the apartment is really nice so I am excited to be living there, despite the commute.
After moving in on Sunday, I started work on Monday. Since I decided to do an internship completely outside of engineering (I really do want a break from it this year), I chose to have two internships, which is uncommon. In fact I am the only OTZMAnik with two internships. My schedule is as follows:
Sunday – Jerusalem Open House - 10:00 - 4:00
Monday - Botanical Gardens - 10:30-2:30
Tuesday - Jerusalem Open House - 10:00 - 4:00
Wednesday - Botanical Gardens - 10:30 - 2:30
Thursday - Jerusalem Open House - 10:00 - 4:00
With the buses to and from work it ends up keeping me quite busy (the botanical gardens is about 20 minutes farther than the Jerusalem Open House). At the Jerusalem Open House, which is the only gay center in Jerusalem, I am running the events for the English Speakers Group (which meets every other week) and doing some fundraising. Even though I have just started I can tell I am going to really enjoy my time there. I have met a lot of interesting people and am really excited to work for such a great organization. The reason I am so passionate about the organization is because someone from the Jerusalem Open House came to The University of Michigan to speak about its start and its existence back when I was a senior in college. I remember the event was during midterms and I had to really convince myself that I needed a break from studying and that I had to go to the speaker in order to stay sane and do something I wanted that was not studying. I even decided to go alone as to really just give myself a break from studying for midterms and do something for myself. Well, needless to say the speaker was incredible and really moved me. Not to mention, I met Abby at that event and over two years later she is still a huge part of my life.
At the botanical gardens I am doing mostly weeding, with some planting. So far I have worked mainly in the Australian section of the gardens which is cool because it is right next to the soon to open butterfly center. While the work is mainly solitary and quiet, I do it in a beautiful surrounding and it allows me to be outside getting my hands dirty (something I really wanted from my time in Jerusalem).
The Final Part of OTZMA – My Life in Jerusalem
In addition to interning, I am really enjoying living in Jerusalem. Over the past 8 months I have made quite a few friends on other programs. Most of my friends are HUC students (Reform Rabbinical students whose first year of school is in Jerusalem) and Pardes students (a Jewish studies program located in Jerusalem). While both programs end at the end of May, it is really nice to be living near so many of my new friends for this month. Plus, they have been showing me the secret gems of Jerusalem like the Iraqi section of the shuk (a WAY cheaper section of the shuk), great bars, incredible restaurants including the best hummus in town, etc. Further, I am going to celebrate Yom Ha’atzmaoot (Israel Independence Day) with them at a Barbeque one of the HUC students is hosting on for the holiday. My roommate Lauren and I are bringing a tofu quinoa dish that we hope goes over well!
Overall, I cannot complain. My life is incredible and only seems to be getting better. Hope all is well back at home too.
Miss you all.
Jenn
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