The tour began right at the foyer to the Admin block, where the large and impressive painting of the founding ceremony took centre stage. We saw how the artist, who was never there but who worked from a black and white lithograph, had recreated the momentus day, making sure to paint himself into the scene, as well as his wife (or who knows what he might have had to answer to!).

From there we meandered through the grounds of the campus, stopping to see the ’tilted tree’ – a memorial to the 9 students and staff killed (and more than 80 injured) by the 2002 terrorist strike at the HU cafetaria. Standing there in the afternoon warmth, a gentle breeze drifting through the air, it was hard to imagine the carnage that took place at this very spot. Quite a surreal moment.

Continuing on we bumped into a few students, who were kind enough to share some of their thoughts about HU campus life with us. (Uri), for instance, was enthusiastic about his academic life and grateful for being part of a world-renowned institution, but missed the bustle of Tel Aviv’s social offering. We discovered that a brand new student residence had opened recently, offering state-of-the-art accommodation, which I figured might be some compensation for the students experiencing a more sedate social environment.

On we went, emerging at the amphitheater which marks the exact spot on Mount Scopus where the founding ceremony had taken place some 85 years earlier. Although hazy we could make out the Dead Sea in the far distance, and 2 towns in the foreground, one Arab and one Israeli. Naomi explained how HU participates in an outreach program to the Arab town, in an effort to bridge the cultural and social divide, and to provide humanitarian support.

We walked past several impressive looking buildings – some dating to the pre-1948 university, including the original home of the benefactor upon whose land the Mount Scopus campus was built. We passed the Avraham Institute of Contemporary Jewry, The Frank Sinatra International Student Centre (I thought our cab driver was cracking a joke when he asked me if this is what we were going to see…until I saw it myself!), the Harry Truman Research Institute, where we learned from Naomi how Truman’s business partner, a Jewish gentleman, had turned Harry into an outspoken supporter of Israel – and through the gardens to some older, much older buildings. The site of an archeological dig, in fact, which had unearthed Jewish burial crypts and sarcophagi from the 2nd Temple era. This was the Nicanor tomb, discovered in 1902 and identified in 1903 by Gladys DIckson.

Our tour concluded with a walk through the Stephen and Gail Victor botanical garden. The Victor’s, hailing from Ottawa, were honoured by the the Jewish National Fund in 2006 – this garden being their tribute. In the garden we met Ran Morin, curator of the garden and leader of several botanical projects, one of which he was happy to talk us through which involved the repatriation of certain flora species to their original habitats. I admit – this is not one of my favourite topics, yet the way he explained it made it seem so incredibly fascinating, that this was a project of sublime significance – and I believe it actually is!

In 60 minutes we saw a lot. There was not a dull moment for anyone in our party – I was amazed at how our children had embraced the tour, all agreeing afterward (in the cafeteria, over yummy cheese pizza), how much they had enjoyed the tour. Geran, the 15 year old is already eager to make her way there after graduation – she loved the cosmopolitan feeling – that history, the culture, the legacy and the learning on offer.

Naomi – thank you!

O.

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 to go for Shabbos. You’ve been to the rabbi, you’ve been to the new student shabbos, but you yearn for a family that will include you in their meals. Enter the brainchild of Rabbi Klatzko – a new website called seeyouonshabbos.com. Rabbi Klatzko is the Campus Rabbi at UCLA. He has earned the status of “The Hollywood Rabbi” with some of Hollywood’s biggest stars becoming regulars at his monthly class on Jewish thoughts. He has reconnected literally thousands of young Jewish men and women to their heritage. His latest brainchild -  www.seeyouonshabbos.com allows you to find as host family for Shabbos – wherever you are in the world. Whether you’re new to Jerusalem or travelling through Israel, Europe or north America.As a guest, you can see pictures and information on your host’s profile page and contact them for a Shabbos invitation. As a host, you can view the potential guest’s profile and picture as well as references to ensure a safe and meaningful experience. So whether you say Shabbat or Shabbos – its great to know that there is a special family waiting to share their challah with you – and help you to find a peaceful  oasis of holiness in your week, that you wouldn’t  miss  for the world!

When I go to MAC here in Jerusalem it’s confusing. It looks the same and yet feels so different.

Yes! You heard right (all you girls out there who can’t imagine living without MAC makeup). MAC, the Canadian cosmetics store, has just recently come to Jerusalem. This is very exciting for those of us who have never found better lipstick than that from MAC. : ) But honestly, when I was still living in Vancouver, contemplating my possible return to Israel, it was when I heard things like, “MAC has come to Jerusalem, and H&M is on its way too,” that I’d get a bit more courage to make the move. I thought, “If Shoppers Drug Mart is in Israel, I can be there too!” (Shoppers here is called Super Pharm but it has the same owners.)

Super Pharm in Mamilla, Jerusalem (photo by yours truly)

The thing is that I’ve never been to one of these stores when it’s actually the same experience as that in Canada. Sometimes it’s a bit messier, often the service doesn’t compare.

So I went with my sister to MAC today at Mamilla (a gorgeous new outdoor mall in Jerusalem,) and the service didn’t compare. The girl there was nice but anyone who’s been to MAC knows how amazing the cosmeticians are there. I said to my sister, “How can I live in a country that doesn’t have service like Vancouver?!”

It is at times like these that I dig into my virtual purse and take a reality pill (if I haven’t run out).

Mamilla outdoor mall, Jerusalem (photo by yours truly)

First of all, our dear little country improves so quickly in almost every aspect of life that, if you have some patience, chances are you’ll get to enjoy the continued improvement yourself. My family moved here in 1990 and in many respects it’s almost a different country. The service is way improved. The availability of products here is unbelievable, if you think about 10, 15, 20 years ago. It is a more comfortable place to live.

Also, I try to put things in perspective. Did I come to Israel in order to have good customer service? Well, obviously not (though I love it when I get it). I came to be near my family, to be in a place with so much more Jewish vibrance and Jewish opportunity than I felt I had in Vancouver and probably anywhere in Canada.

So, I will continue to go to Mamilla and I will continue to enjoy the awesome food in this country (the real reason I moved back, just don’t tell anyone) and, like any huge decision you make in your life, I will continue to have moments when I get really nervous, wondering if it was a big mistake, only to move past that and continue to enjoy everything I am gaining from moving back home.

And anyway, seriously, you’ve gotta admit that the bottom line is that MAC has arrived in Jerusalem, right?

Marching
Singing

The Old City of Jerusalem

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 in that post is so important for Deb and for people reading hebrewyou.com. Honesty with oneself is the path to all good things.

In this case, the good thing, in my opinion, would be yes, having a spiritual experience in Israel. If someone is not feeling the spiritual elevation they want to be feeling or think they should be feeling, if they just continue doing whatever they’re doing while pretending they’re feeling fulfilled spiritually, there’s no chance for things to change for the better.

As for Israel and spirituality, this lovely place does not automatically spiritually lift any Jewish person who chooses to come and spend some time here. It’s an unbelievable spiritual resource and can help many in that realm but for some people it will not be what they need in the present time.

I know this from experience. I grew up in Jerusalem and I was one of those people who anything but appreciated Jerusalem. I was blind to its beauty and its vibrancy. I was stressed by its pulsating life. I was pressured by the religiosity of the city.

I needed to get away and I did. Four years ago, being in Jerusalem was the last thing I needed for my spiritual growth. Crazily enough, what I needed was to be in one of the least religious cities in Canada – Vancouver – where I could chill, be part of a laid-back Jewish community, and figure out what I needed for myself.

Today, I view Jerusalem through different eyes. And it’s a place with so much spiritual opportunity… when it’s right for you.

I believe it’s important for each person to figure out where they’re at and what they need (and want). It’s also important to try different things. Someone might have heard amazing things about Shira Chadasha but, in fact, find their comfort in Ramban Shul or Shir Chadash. Someone might have thought they’d spend some time learning Torah in one place but find it’s too much of something they didn’t count on, or didn’t realize wasn’t for them. And then, as hard as it is, it’s time to be open to trying something else. Or if that is too stressful, it might be time to just take a break from trying.

Someone commented on Deb’s post that visiting Israel is really about connecting to our roots and culture. I think that is true except that it does include the spirituality, if that is important to you and if that is what you want.

You just need to be willing to work for it, like anything important in life. It doesn’t just fall in your lap. But it’s there. Really!

So, when you come to Israel, if one of your goals is on the spiritual realm, admit it to yourself and make sure to put some effort into your goals. I wish you to find only good things while on your journey!

Photo by david55king at flickr.