Hanukkah Break

This past week we had less class because it was Hanukkah break.  Last Sunday-Tuesday we had half day Hanukkah classes and then we didn't have school on Wednesday-Sunday and then today we resumed normal classes. Wednesday and Thursday I stayed in Jerusalem and did some site seeing and on Friday I headed to Kochav Yair, about an hour north of Jerusalem. I stayed with our family friend's family who were very friendly and welcoming. It was really nice to leave Jerusalem and see another part of Israel. Kochar Yair is a Modern Orthodox community, which was very different from the Charedi (Ultra) Orthodox part of Jerusalem that I live in. Both Modern and Ultra Orthodox Jews (btw within these two groups are many sub groups) keep strict kosher, Shabbat, taharat ha-mishpachah (family purity laws) and believe in the divinity of the Torah.  However, these two groups (again, and many sub groups) differ in their Hashgafah (world view).  The differences arise in terms of philosophical issues (i.e. how much or how little to be a part of the secular world, the attitude towards college education, the state of Israel, what areas of Judaism to put an emphasis on, be it learning, prayer, spirituality, rationality, acts of kindness, etc.) and practical observances (customs, traditions, way of dress). 

Then on Sunday, the school planned a birthday Tiyul (trip) for me. Just kidding! We really did have a day trip, but it just happened to be on my birthday.  Everyone surprised me with a birthday crown (I felt like I was in preschool!) and sang to me on the bus which was very thoughtful!  First, we went on a short hike in Beit Shemesh, then we went to these underground caves that you had to crawl through. I didn't crawl through because I knew I'd get claustrophobic and be stuck in the tunnel with a lot of people crawling behind me. Also, at this site we saw an open cave where Pigens used to live (see photos). Then, we went to a sort-of-Kibbutz near Ashdod called B'nei Drom ("Sons of the South") that specialized in making olive oil.  I call it a "sort of" Kibbutz because our tour guide didn't speak English very well and he was trying to explain that this was different than a regular Kibbutz, but I couldn't understand what he was saying.  I think he said that some people that work on the Kibbutz don't live there, which is different than a traditional Kibbutz where everyone who works there also lives there. 

After that we went to sand dumes, which was awesome to see and run down in person.  I've only ever seen a sand dume in the movies or a photo and they're SO neat to see in person.  We were then supposed to go to the beach for a bonfire and dinner, but when we got to the beach, there was a giant sign that said no fires and a police car sitting in the parking lot.  So, instead we drove down the road and had a bonfire on the side of the road, which was sort of ridiculous because we were literally just like 100ft back from a highway.  But anyway, the bon fire was nice and we had dinner and smores.  Sidenote: in the U.S it is very difficult (impossible?) to get kosher marshmallows because of the pig gelatin used in them, but they have kosher ones in Israel.  I've eaten a lot of non-kosher marsh-mellows in my life and there wasn't much of a taste difference between a kosher marsh-mellow and a non-kosher marsh-mellow which was good. The trip reminded me of birthright because we toured Israel all day in a coach bus which is exactly what we did on birthright for 10 days in a row(minus Shabbat). 

Other interesting tidbits about Israeli society.....You can parallel park either way on the street, regardless of which way the traffic is flowing (photo included below). The chapstick situation in Jerusalem is deplorable. They only carry blistex and this brand called Labello, which comes in a tube which resembles a glue stick and just isn't that great. They're missing out out the two best brands( aquaphor and natural ice).  Luckily, I brought 2 aquaphor chapsticks and 1 natural ice one which will tide me over until my parents send more. I think it would be a good business opportunity to sell quality chapstick under the table here. Also, the street lights are different. Instead of changing from red right to green, they change from red back to yellow and then green.  

Here are some photos.