Naomi met us at the admin entrance to the University. It was a hot Jerusalem afternoon, and being July, not quite as busy as it normally is. She had brought with her an ex-South African who had been in Israel for 30 years and who worked as an assistant to the University Rector. Although she [...]

Hi everyone! I’d like to start by introducing myself, my name is Oleg Portnoy, I am a Visiting Graduate student from Toronto, Canada. I will be spending the spring semester studying at the Rothberg International School at the Hebrew U Mount Scopas campus here in Jerusalem and sharing my experiences with you. I am currently [...]

So…… you’ve travelled halfway around the world to spend a year or a semester studying in Jerusalem. The education is exceptional. The experience is once-in-a- lifetime.You’ve met new people from around the world who will be your friends for life – bonded by this unique time together. But you’re missing one thing. A regular place [...]

I know Vancouver is only 10 time zones away. But sometimes it feels like it’s a world away with the differences I experience here. And other times it feels like maybe I’m only in B.C.’s backyard. When I go to MAC here in Jerusalem it’s confusing. It looks the same and yet feels so different. [...]

Last night, I attended a protest in the center of Jerusalem. I’m rather surprised by the lack of media coverage of it; it seemed like a big deal, with thousands of people marching down King George and Ben Yehuda, culminating in one very full Kikar Tzion. Yet, somehow, it wasn’t mentioned in either the Jerusalem [...]

You know how when things get busy, all you want to do when you have a spare moment is lie down and do nothing? That’s been me lately. Classes started three weeks ago already, and I haven’t written a thing. I’ve been so busy with schoolwork and dealing with idiot banks and phone companies… well, [...]

I’m very impressed that Deb Singer (I don’t know you but kudos to you) had the courage to write an honest post about spirituality – or lack there of – in her Israel experience. She had certain expectations which, from what I understand, were not exactly fulfilled. I think that first of all the honesty [...]

I think the weirdest part about Israel, and the thing that sets it apart from other study abroad locations, is the big emphasis on aliyah. Most people who speak fluent English in Israel, which is the vast majority of the people we meet on campus-sponsored outing or events, made aliyah at some point in their [...]

I had this very idealistic idea of Shabbat is Israel before I came here–something that involved Shira Hadasha and lots of spiritual experiences. Now that I’m here, however, I’m realizing just how idealistic that was. Yes, there are a lot of Jews in Israel, which means a lot of synagogues and people celebrating Shabbat. However, [...]