Because I was on the leadership conference, I missed the first party that started off Purim on the Kfar. The first event that I witnessed was a special dinner of breakfast like pancakes and french toast (which we never get on the Kfar) and all the boys from the group that ran all of the events for Purim dressed up and did a lip sync on stage, it was very funny. Then each group had to do a skit based on a topic, which I did not understand a lot of because it was all in Hebrew. I did understand that the 7th grade group that we live with WON! They were very cute and excited.
The next night they had this like calm like Yoga themed thing with everyone sitting on the floor and it was nice and relaxing until they all burst through with bumping club music and surprised us with a Disco! It was fun. They asked us to perform a "Traditional American Dance" and teach it to the school so we chose the YMCA. It was SO fun and funny! The kids got really into it and so did our group!
The next day, unrelated to Purim, I met Helen Goldfarb, a cousin, in Tel Aviv. I spent a wonderful day with her as we ran some errands, had lunch, and sat for tea and cake at her house. She told me about my Grandma Ruth and my Uncle Jimmy and about her husband Mordecai who was a wonderful man. She was an inspirational woman with her stories of traveling and of life. I felt honored to have a full day with her and loved her company, it was very special to meet someone who knew my family so well but who I had only met once prior to this visit. Hopefully I will be seeing more of her soon.
That evening was the "All Night Party" on the Kfar. I dressed up as a butterfly, but everyone got really into their costumes. The party was for both the boarding and non-boarding students. The boarding students each had two costumes: one that they coordinated with the group and one that was their own. It was really cute to see everyone all dressed up and into it! I also felt really like a part of the school because when I got there people were excited to see me there and I just fit in with the kids I knew and spent time with them. I didn't go to sleep until like 5 that night because we were dancing at the party and hanging out for so long!
My director, Lori, had us over for a sleep over at her home. I volunteered to help with the food-shopping and cooking, which was really interesting. Lori took us to a nearby Arab village that is "within the green line" meaning that it is not a part of the West Bank. It is unbelievable though because these people are not governed or supported by the Israeli government so their streets are not cleaned, their trash is not picked up. We drove through when they had the "call to prayer" but because we are in Israel, people are more liberal so cars do not stop for the people to pray right there. However, I did see a little boy on the street stop to pray right there, it was very cute as well as interesting that such a small boy had the discipline to do so. That night just before dinner we packed as many people as possible into Lori's car and drove over to a mental institution by her house. We put on funny hats and walked around giving out candy to the residents and telling them "Happy Purim". They were all so happy to see us and it really made me feel good to make their Purim as little more special. We had a fantastic meal and went to bed. In fact, I slept on Lori's daughter's bed which is a water bed....ha! It was funny because every time I moved it was like I was on an ocean...ha!
I spent most of the rest of the weekend at the beach because it was the first really hot and summery weekend in both Herzlia and Tel Aviv. We went out at night in Ramat HaSharon and Tel Aviv. There was no absence of parties in Israel during Purim and everywhere people were having fun! I also spent a lot of time with the staff here on the Kfar going out, going to the beach and having barbeques and getting to know them. They all have interesting stories and come from different areas of Israel. Each loves the children here and must be commited to put the time and energy it takes to help these kids, so they are all really genuinely good people. It was good to get to know and spend time with them. They all have stories of the army and growing up that have lead them to being where they are now, helping at the Kfar while going to University. The staff members I was spending time with are between the ages of the 27-32 and right now in University. It is just such a different life because while we go to college they serve their country, then they save money and travel the world before University. But, I usually equate my wanting to be here with their traveling after the army and they tend to understand that for me, once I being Law School, I will be unable to travel like they won't after University is finished. The cultural and life differences, that they face death for their country while we go to parties and class, are something that will always separate Israelis from most other industrialized countries. However, it also keeps the strength of the nation and pride in the country strong.
The MOST exciting thing I did during Purim and in the Purim spirit, was that I went skydiving. It was right next to the beach so when I jumped I could see Haifa, a very well known military based, kibbutzim, mountains and clear blue ocean. It was one of the most amazing experiences I have ever had and when I finished I asked if they would take me up again! It was exhilarating and I would do it again in a second! If you want to see the video of it, the person I went with, Noah (another participant on my program) got a video taken of it (it cost extra and I decided against spending the extra money) and I am in it. You just have to go to Youtube.com and search "Noah Serbin" and it will come up. They show us getting ready and going up together and I jump out just before him, I am the first tandem jumper so you can see me jump out of the plane and then I land right before him and they show that too. It's a cool video too and it is only like 8 minutes or something...so enjoy!
So Purim all in all was very much fun and very interesting and I tried to enjoy every moment of it! Hope you enjoy some of the pictures of it!
No comments:
Post a Comment