The Last Days Of The Rothberg Semester Have Come And Gone

The last days of the Rothberg Semester have come and gone.

And last night six of us were able to take part in something extraordinary. It goes a little something like this:

At 2am this morning, while the Jerusalem wind was blowing at full capacity, while the clouds were moving at a very fast pace and while the stars were shining at their brightest voltage, my five friends and I went up to the roof, sat in a circle and decided to share with each other in what way this semester has impacted each of us individually.

Well RIS and Hebrew U - all I can say is כל הכבוד out of the six people on that roof - every single one of us agreed on the following things:

Lifelong and eternal friends have been made.
Acceptance has been everywhere you go.
Religion and/or faith have been able to guide us.
The Hebrew language has been able to make us feel as if we have resided in Jerusalem for years.
We have each, in some small or large way, found a part of ourselves that we were searching for constantly in our past.
We became independent overnight.
We have learnt from others who we thought we could never have learnt from.
We all have a home anywhere around the world.
No matter political, religious or social views - we are all there for each other and will not let those factors blind us.

We sat there, held hands, shed tears but the most evident emotion there was complete contentedness and pure happiness, all represented by the dozens of smiles.

Six or nine months ago - we were all strangers, from different continents, different hemispheres - this morning we were all able to see how we are now, family.

I would like to share this with everyone because no activity was organized, nothing was planned, no one was forced to stay or sit there. We were just six students sitting together wanting to reminisce over the past few months spent together here in Jerusalem with Hebrew U.

We, everyone, have lived the dream and we will all continue to do so.

HEBREW UNIVERSITY AND RIS AUGUST 2014. I just cannot wait!

'THRIVE' At Hebrew Univeristy

I had the honour of speaking with Rabbi Adi Isaacs, the founder and director of the Thrive program at the Hebrew University, in front of 200+ woman at the beautiful AISH Ha'Torah Centre.

Here is the Thrive Program's description: Thrive is a magnificent fusion of academic excellence, the ultimate Israel experience, with a personal discovery. Spend a semester-abroad in Israel at Hebrew University's Rothberg [International School], and create life-lasting connections as you experience the prestige and depth of Israel with other motivated, young Jewish men and women on Thrive - the ultimate Israel experience!

Thrive is where academic goals and personal identity meet. It's where you will thrive as a Jewish student.

(Taken from their website: http://thriveathu.com/index.php)

Personally - this past semester I had the chance to view my friends reactions to being part of the Thrive program - their enlightenment, their enthusiasm and their absolute love for the activities as well as the staff, was all something special to see. Having gone to a few of the events - such as the screening of Rama Bershtein's film "Fill The Void" together with a Q&A from the director herself - I cannot wait to become a part of the Thrive family, to explore Israel through their eyes and to merge my time at Hebrew University together with this fantastic experience.

Rabbi Adi Isaacs and I Presenting at the AISH Ha'Torah Centre 

The Jewish Women's Renaissance Project's Facebook Page 

Israel Education Expo in SOUTH AFRICA- Representing The Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

Wow- what a journey (in the literal sense).

I had the incredible opportunity to be flown down to South Africa, by the SAFHU (South African Friends of Hebrew University), to represent and promote The Hebrew University of Jerusalem and the Rothberg International School.

From the Mechina (preparatory program at RIS) to DanceJerusalem as well as the various exciting programs that Hebrew University has to offer - there was interest all round. To have the ability to speak to students in high school, their parents as well as a broader audience was something completely thrilling, in the sense that I was able to speak to pupils who like me, have an obsession with Israel and are in the same position that I was in about a year and a half ago, when I began my search to study abroad in Israel.

To be told the dreams, goals and future plans of so many bright-eyed students and to see their faces light up to the idea of studying in Jerusalem, at such a prestigious institute, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem - allowed for me to see my job as the South African Hebrew University Ambassador, as the most rewarding position to hold.

And hey, look, I was even able to present to my old high school: King David High School Linksfield. This was by far the best experience yet…having the opportunity to speak in front of the future matriculants and to make them realize the endless possibilities of studying at Hebrew University, was just fantastic.

Representing Hebrew University At My Old High School. 

This was my awesome schedule!

Note, we even made the radio! 

All and all, I can say that this trip, the Israel Expo and the Education Evening were all very successful. We here in Israel, cannot wait to see more South African individuals becoming graduates of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, in hopefully the near future. 

I have to say thank you to the SAFHU for giving me this once in a lifetime experience, I would wish to be nothing else but the representative and ambassador of this prestigious university. Hebrew University, I will do nothing in the future, but make you proud. 

For any information on the programs offered at Hebrew University and/or to go ahold of the South African division, email Carmel Krawitz: safhu@beyachad.co.za 

Bezalel Final Artwork - מאין יבוא עזרי

מאין יבוא עזרי

(For Michael.)

Cassi-Lee Gewer

Pastel on board and cardboard

2014

From whence shall my help cometh? Life and death are two common notions that surround us daily – it is how they are dealt with that defines them. Both drawings are of scenes captured by Cassi-Lee Gewer at Har Herzl (the Israeli military cemetery in Jerusalem). This is a place that is dear to her heart, one in which she states established and now enhances her connection with Israel.

In the first drawing – the scene displays an ritual that Cassi-Lee follows, whereby she will journey to Har Herzl in order to water the graves of the fallen soldiers. This is when the irony between life and death comes into play – the act of going to a cemetery, which is a place surrounded by death in order to sustain and provide life to the flora which rests on the grave of the soldier. The word rest used in the context of Har Herzl, is in connection to the symbolism of the grave representing a bed, the tombstone being its pillow and the flowers imitating a blanket. Another connection between the two artworks and Har Herzl is that each grave at the military cemetery has one stone that is places unevenly – making it stand out. This then represents the part of the nation that is now missing. Within both of the drawings there is a substantial segment missing. Relating to the incompleteness of the artwork- being dedicated to those who have fallen, the artwork is eternally without its viewers.

The water symbolises our impact on this country, our responsibility to honour, remember and therefore protect the names of those who are not with us today. The duty of the soldier to protect (as seen within the drawing), together with the protection of the flowers over the grave are both ironic when placed within a site such as Har Herzl – a place that honours the protection that as a country and as a nation, we lost. Once more in connection to the theme of vacancy.

The title of the artwork “מאין יבוא עזרי" comes from a psalm that is dedicated to the honouring of those troops who we have lost and the protection of the ones that are fighting today.

The personal journey between the artist and life and death is evident within the artworks, the title being in Hebrew as Cassi-Lee is in a transition zone of placing Hebrew as her dominant language over English, honouring Israel as she plans to make her stay here permanent – therefore the death of her South African citizenship and the birth of an Israeli one. The irony of Cassi-Lee seeking Har Herzl in order to gather her thoughts and rejuvenate – symbolism the death of her negative energy and the new life of a positive one.

The two artworks although completely separate are connected by the piece of paper that has been torn from the page and placed on the other. Symbolising those who have been departed from the physical world, who have completed their mission which is unknown to us and who are now placed in Har Herzl and are resting in a place unknown to the living mankind.

We raise our heads to those who grace the graves that line the floors of Har Herzl, we all salute those who have protected us and we will continue to water and guard our country with protection, strength and life so that no more beds will have to be made.

Lo Yanum Velo Yiyshan Shomer Yisrael.

לא ינום ולא יישן שומר ישראל

He that keepth Israel doth neither slumber nor sleep.

YOM HA'ATZMAUT IN YERUSHALAYIM - A dream come true.

All expectations were filled on Israel's Independence Day this year! This has got to be one of the happiest days of my life so far. With the parties, barbecues, Israeli music and dancing and all the food - there was no one present without a smile.

Here are some of the photographs from our night and day. The most amazing thing to see are the tears on the everyone's faces that turn from the sadness of Yom Ha'Zikaron into the tears of joy on Yom Ha'atzmaut.  WE LOVE ISRAEL.

Our night included parties in the centre of town on the streets, bars, the sunrise on the roof and more more adventures:

NIGHT: 

The Old City 

Yerushalayim Shel Zahav

The Kotel

Friendship at the Kotel

Everything was blue - the cloud of our flag. 

Party Time

Rooftop 

Am Yisrael Chai 

DAY:

A Minyan at the park

Friends!

The Michael Levin Lone Soldier Barbecue 

This was one of my best days to date. 

A song that changed my life.

A song for those we have lost and for those who now protect us. This song has gotten me through the best and worst times - there is just something about it that has the ability to speak to me. 

Arim Roshi - Shai Gabso 

English Lyrics: 

I walk now in the path of the present like a child walking into oblivion my hands are extended asking for help to continue the journey with you and on the sides the flowers as though they lost their identity searching for a ray of light that would help another small gulp of water from the wells of wisdome that will bring them the hope I will raise my head, I'll lift my eyes to the mountains in the distance and my voice will be heard as a scream, as a prayer of a human and my heart will call out "where will my help come from" I pass now between new landscapes the steps are taken so slowly what is there that is not here I asked a passer-by what do you guard in your heart the city senior whose whole past rests on his back glances around and looks for his world when the present is so hard he doesn't say a word, I will raise my head toward tomorrow I will raise my head… Phonetic:  Holech ani ka'et bemish'ol hahoveh keyeled haholech lo le'ibud kapot yadai hen mushatot mevak'shot et ha'ezrah leham'shich itach et hamas'a uvatz'dadim haprachim ke'ilu ibdu et zehutam mechapsim od keren or sheta'azor od legimah k'tanah shel mayim mima'ayanei hachoch'mah tavi lahem et hatikvah Arim roshi, esa einai el heharim bamer'chakim vekoli yishama keze'akah, ket'filat ha'adam velibi yikra me'ayin yavo ezri Over ani ka'et bein nofim chadashim hatza'adim hem na'asim ko iti'im mah yesh sham she'ein po sha'al oti over mah balev atah shomer k'shish ha'ir kshe'al gabo munach kol avaro mabit saviv umechapes et olamo k'shehahoveh kol kach kasheh lo omer davar, arim roshi el hamachar Arim roshi…  Lyrics from: http://hebrewsongs.com/?song=arimroshi

Yom Ha'zikaron: Chills, Tears and an Immense Amount of Pride.

A Day of Remembrance for the Fallen Soldiers of Israel and Victims of Terrorism. If there was one day out of these six months that I knew I had to be in Jerusalem Israel for it was Yom Ha'zikaron. A day in which not only family or loved ones mount but the entire country does so too. This is what I wrote and some pictures will follow: 

Shalom Everyone, 

Yom Ha'Zikaron... 

I struggle to place my emotions into words but I guess I can try. Tonight was one of those nights that signified a change within my life. I have felt emotions on this eve, ones that I have not encountered before. Tonight, I felt a sense of belonging to a nation, I felt a sense of gratitude to a group of honourable, brave and selfless people (the fallen soldiers), tonight I felt a sense of immense pride for a country and for the ideals that it stands for.
It is impossible for me to place my feelings within a short status. I do however, have to thank those who sacrificed their lives in order to put on the green uniform, wave our flag high and serve our country. We thank you, chayallim (soldiers/חיילים), for all that you have done. For me - you have inspired a girl to grow up, inspired a girl to find her home within Israel, and also inspired a girl to want to serve one day too.

Being able to stand today at the Western Wall (this is one of the photographs that I captured tonight) during the Official State Military Ceremony (טקס) and hear the words of Kaddish for all those who have been lost - it signified that this was not only a loss for a certain person or family but instead a loss for the entire nation. Tomorrow we will morn together, we will wave our flags up high, we will sit in silence and salute you, we will sing Hatikvah together with the HOPE that the number of 23 169 fallen soldiers, will not ever increase.

Ending off tonight with a ceremonial concert in an open square in the centre of Jerusalem, while we cried for those who are missed today and while we praised Hashem for blessing us with a strong country and the strongest nation. We shed tears for those who were being remembered and we shed tears for those who are out fighting today. We shed tears of sadness form grief as well as tears of happiness from victory.

AM YISRAEL CHAI.
I wish you all a meaningful Yom Ha'Zikaron. If you do a mitzvah (good deed) today, do it in the name and honour of the fallen Israeli's soldiers.

Baruch Dayan Ha'Emet. We honour you, salute you and devote our day to your bravery and memory.

I still cannot believe how incredibly inspiring this nation, country and the people of my home, Jerusalem all are.

I think tonight, I have found a place that I no longer want, but that I now need to call my home.

Cassi

Har Herzl three days before Yom Ha'Zikaron. 

Now beginning with the official military Tekes (ceremony) at the Western Wall. 

This girl stopped beside me at Har Herzl, asked to photograph me drawing and my drawings. I then happened to run into her at the Tekes four days later. Only in Israel story. 

My favorite part of Yom Ha'Zikaron: I drew a soldier while waiting for the ceremony to begin (my friend, Aaron and I wanted front row seats so we stood and waited for four hours) once finished with the drawing I tore it out of my sketchbook, signed it and handed it to the soldier. The smile on his face and his reaction to the drawing (showing all of his fellow soldiers and the outer crowds the drawing coninuously throughout the night) allowed me to leave no filled with sorrow but rather filled with absolute pride. 

I now credit Jared's camera. 

This photograph was taken by my friend, Ore, of my telephone. Inception. 

My favorite place in the world: HOME. 

Photo credit: Ore 

Photo credit: Jared

This Yom Ha'Zikaron I had the absolute privilege of speaking and meeting Michael Levin's mother. After her giving me an answer to my question (I asked her for a hug) - we embraced and smiled while we stood next to the grave of her courageous, brave and heroic son; Michael. 

Please go help and donate: http://lonesoldiercenter.com/about-us/michael-levin/