Hello again,

It's been a while, so here are some more thoughts, experiences, and photos from Jerusalem:


I get the greater portion of my groceries at the Shuk each week (cheaper, and really great produce). The Shuk is always quite a neat experience, but last week was especially so. I had the privilege of helping an older lady carry her grocery bags to the light rail station down the street. It was great to see that I knew enough Hebrew and have integrated into society enough to end up in that situation and then be able to understand and help - and I love to help, even if it is just something small. So, that pretty much made my week.

Speaking of the Shuk, my shopping lists (and several other things) are always in Hebrew now. Here's today's:

Though I am realizing that my schedule isn't as light as I thought, I am still loving my classes. Biblical Hebrew has been especially great, so many things have clicked and my eyes have been opened to a whole new world, particularly in terms of linguistics and the intricate methodologies of meaning in Biblical Hebrew grammar.
I often also take my notes in Hebrew. This is from the "Jewish Jesus" class yesterday:

I've been doing lots of cooking, about which I am very happy. Last week, for Erev Shabat dinner, I made tomato pasta sauce from scratch for the first time (from mostly fresh ingredients). It disappeared quickly, and got rave reviews from several people - so I think it's safe to say that it was good.

Ingredients: tomatoes, garlic, olives, Feta cheese, basil,
oregano, crushed red pepper, red wine, olive oil, honey

Mmmmm.

Aside from when it ends up Italian, my cooking has become very Israeli-influenced. For example, I got some spicy hot dogs and, after having them the American way a few times, decided to mix it up. So, chop up the hot dogs and cook them with some bell pepper, red cabbage, and Feta cheese, and stuff it in pita with hummus - and, voilà, you have pseudo-Israeli style hot dog!


Also, persimmons are in season here now! I'm not sure if I have every had one before, nor am I sure I love them all that much - but I got some from the Shuk to try and they were quite good.


I recently went off in search of interesting ties but, of course, no regular stores sell any ties that are actually made in Israel (mostly they are made in China - even the ones that say 'Italy' on them . . . ?). I asked at various shops about Israeli-made ties, and everyone with whom I spoke had no idea and seemed to largely doubt there existence. So, I am now on a mission to find an Israeli-made tie before I leave. I know it's a small country, but there must be at least on guy somewhere in Israel who makes hand-made ties or something, right?


I finally got the key for my snail mail box here in the Student Village; lots of interesting junk mail:

I'm in the middle of a bunch of substantial stuff right now: slowly continuing work on Senior Project, plodding along working on my Hebrew mass (which I am now attempting to finish by the end of the month), doing graduate school applications, and preparing a whole sedrah (Torah portion) to chant [hopefully] after I get back to New York State. And everyday life, school, and adventures in Israel continue . . .
All good stuff though, of course, and I'm doing well. I thank G-d for all of it, and for His great provision in so many ways.



L'Shalom,
Noach