Hebrew, Hebrew, Hebrew

OK...so my studying isn't quite as dramatic as this picture suggests!  But my ulpan is indeed quite intensive.  My week has been filled with early morning tutoring sessions followed by afternoon and evening study sessions at home.  Jonathan has been a very helpful assistant, and I am very thankful for his support. 

The hard work is worth it. I am enjoying seeing some obvious progress!  I am already able to read Hebrew quite well, even if slowly (that doesn't mean I understand what I am reading!), count, and even have simple conversations about an array of topics. 

A 2-week intensive course is good for me.  Knowing that I am soon half way finished helps keep me motivated and energized to continue working so hard. 

And now back to the books I go....

Discovering the Local Fruits and Vegetables

On their recent visit to Jerusalem, my cousin and his college mates accidentally left behind a large container of dates in our refrigerator.  I had an opportunity to discover the wonders of this sticky fruit!  So I went to my More-With-Less Cookbook that is filled with simple, healthy and tasty recipes.  The result: a pan of delicious date bars!

By the way, I highly recommend this cookbook that is published by the Mennonite Central Committee.  Although I have known about it for a very long time, I am only now beginning to discover its recipes and the simple, but tasty, approach to preparing healthy meals.  I didn't realize what a best seller this book has been!  In 25 years, 800,000+ copies have been sold.  Obviously its message to consume less of the world's food resources is one that resonates with many people.  

If you are a faithful More-With-Less user, I would love to hear about your favorite recipes!  Please send your suggestions my way :)  For now, cooking remains a trial and error experience in finding recipes that taste as good as they sound or appear on paper!  The wonderful cookbook/scrapbook that our wedding guests compiled is a great resource!  And pasta and sauce remains a favorite default option :)

A Delightful Neighborhood Discovery

I have always loved the small, local cinemas.  The type that show independent films, foreign films, classic movies, or mainstream movies far past their release date.  There is just something very enjoyable about going to a movie in a small, intimate theater -- the one-man operated concession stand, the slightly worn but cozy look inside the theater, the sense of "community" you feel with fellow movie-goers because of mutual support of the place.

Well, I have found such a place here in Jerusalem...right in our own neighborhood!  The best thing about this little cinema is that it is also a fully functioning cafe!  You can enjoy a full meal before the show...or stay for a drink and dessert afterwards.  And the added bonus is that this cafe actually knows how to make a decent milkshake!  It seems milkshake here in Israel = flavored milk.  A friend who tipped me off to this place was correct in her opinion that this is the source (if not the only source) of the best, thick milkshakes in the city (with thick being the key word in this sentence!).  They still don't compare to an American diner milkshake...but then again, some things just can't be surpassed :) 

Hebrew School has Begun

I begin my classes on Sunday, but I already have homework!  I have signed up for Hebrew classes at Ulpan Or, a 2 week intensive language course with a claim that you can learn Hebrew at the "speed of light".  Maybe it will be fast learning...but it will certainly require a lot of effort on my part to succeed.  This is a good program for me since all lessons are 1-on-1 private tutoring sessions which will force me to speak in Hebrew! 

Yesterday I met for my evaluation, which I am still trying to figure out why I needed it since I know absolutely NO Hebrew!  I went back today for a bonus session...a 30 minute chat with a tutor to review the homework I needed to do last evening.  The goal is to learn all 22 Hebrew characters, the bonus characters, and the respective vowels sounds before class begins on Sunday.  Believe it or not...I am already reading some basic words using the first 5 characters.   I have no idea what the words mean, but I can sound them out.  I was encouraged by my progress. 

Since Israel wants Hebrew to be the national language, immigrants are strongly encouraged to learn Hebrew.  As a result, many ulpans (Hebrew schools) of all types exist throughout Jerusalem and the country.  The government even subsidizes the cost of ulpans for new immigrants.  The Israeli government isn't supporting my efforts to learn the language...but I know it is a worthy investment.  My goal is to be able to speak and read it well enough to be able to interact with people on the streets and in the shops...and to get to the point where I don't feel completely isolated because I don't understand anything I hear being spoken around me.  When walking around in crowds, I find myself retreating into my own thoughts and personal bubble.  I look forward to understanding Hebrew enough to help me feel more engaged with the life surrounding me!

Back to studying I go....

Day 3 - A Rainy Day Tour

Friday, May 9 - My dad and uncle organized a tour of Lancaster County for our European guests.  We rented a small bus and traveled to and fro across the beautiful Lancaster County countryside.  Despite the steady downpour, the tour was an enjoyable time for all.  With an emphasis on Amish and Mennonite history, the driving tour included many old churches, old homesteads (of my ancestors who first immigrated to America), and a stop at the Lancaster Mennonite Historical Society Museum.  Of course, any tour organized by my father must also include the Hans Herr House!  The Herr House is the first Mennonite dwelling in Lancaster County and dates back back to the early 1700's.  My dad has served on the board of directors of this museum for 30+ years.

  

We spent time singing in the meeting room of the Herr House, where early settler Mennonites would gather to worship on Sunday mornings.  The acoustics were wonderful!

 

For lunch, we stopped at Central Market in downtown Lancaster.  We were free to wander and and enjoy the many  regional food options!

 

A special thanks to those who organized the day and made it possible to share my heritage with our wedding guests: 

My dad - the chief organizer

My mom - the chief organizer's personal assistant   :)

 

 

 

Uncle David - Our tour guide

 

 

 

 

 

Uncle Phil - Our bus driver and another family historian.

Day 2 - 29 People - 2 Families - 1 Basement

Thursday evening we again gathered at my parents' house for dinner.  But this time, every member of our immediate families was present, including all 13 nieces and nephews!  It was a full house, but lots of fun as our families began to get to know each other.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Of course, no gathering at my parents' house is complete without a tour of my dad's museum.  Seeing my Dad share his personal excitement about his museum with others is always a pleasure for me.  I'm proud of him, of all his interests, and in what he has collected over the years. His museum is a true family treasure. 

In the picture to the right, J's 2-year old niece is trying to understand where exactly the music from the old Victrola comes from. 

 

 

At the end of the evening, J's sister-in-law gave each of my family members a package of Stroopwafels, sharing a Dutch food specialty (which also happens to be one of my favorite Dutch foods!) with my PA Dutch family.

By the way...PA Dutch has nothing to do with Holland or the Dutch people.  The Mennonites and Amish mostly immigrated from Germany when they first arrived in America.  PA Dutch comes from the name "Pennsylvania Deutsch", the German pronunciation of "Pennsylvania German". 

A Crowded Morning at the Wall

This past Sunday/Monday was a Jewish holiday here in Israel.  Because of that, J & I enjoyed a 4-day long weekend relaxing at home.  The holiday started on sunset the day before, as is the Jewish custom for every Sabbath day and all holidays. 

Shavuot marks the remembrance of the giving of the Torah (i.e. the Law).  On this holiday, it  is common practice among religious Jews to stay awake all night reading the Torah and then say their morning prayers at sunrise.  For Jews who reside in Jerusalem, saying morning prayers at the Western Wall is a special way to worship on this holiday.  J & I braved the early hour to observe the event.  We arrived at Jaffa Gate of the Old City at 5:15 AM and joined the throngs of orthodox Jews walking rapidly down the streets to the Western Wall Plaza.  After going through security, we blended as best we could into the crowd and found ourselves a corner where we could be unobtrusive observers.  Jewish prayers are quite celebratory and filled with lots of singing and chanting.  It was interesting to observe the different groups of men clustered together, each group around the Torah and a Rabbi.  Men, according to Jewish Law, can only say formal prayers when a group of at least 10 men has formed.  Women worship separately from men and unlike men, prayers are not a group experience and do not have to strictly follow the customs. We later went up to get a view from above and were able to take a few photos of the event.