Pictures from Kibbutz Shamir

This is the view we have out of our window in the guys building...

This is the view we had at our sunrise hike two days ago...
A view of the side south of the Kibbutz....

More pictures will be coming soon, and they will be accompanied by a new post as well.

Army information/testing week

So this week was filled with information about the army, and ill give you an overview of what we did. This past weekend was a free weekend, meaning almost everyone was in Tel Aviv, partying and having lots of fun. (As was I).

Sunday we all (All of Garin Tzabar) met at the Central Bus Station in Tel Aviv, and from there we took buses to one of the biggest army bases in Israel, Tel Ha'shomer, in which we had a fun day filled with many different things. Basically the way it was set up, was many different trailers, each representing a different part of the army. We went through and heard about Tzanchanim (Paratroopers), Medical Corps, Artillery, Search and Rescue, Combat Engineering, Education corps, Tanks, a new battalion called 'kfir', and at each one, there were representatives from that unit, telling you why you should join that part of the army, passing out information, showing movies, weapons, or tools used in that unit, and so forth. Basically it was a day of lots of information, and a little bit of confusion, since each person can only pick one place they want to go... This really didn't help me make any sort of decision. Then at around 2 or 3pm we set out on our way back to the kibbutz. The ride isn't too bad by Texas standards, its probably about 4 hours from Tel Aviv, if there isn't traffic and if you don't stop on the way. Anyways, we stopped about an hour away from our kibbutz to get some food at this Arab restaurant, which was really good.

Basically, they kept bringing out more and more types of salads, and falafel, and soda, and pita, and once we were all just about full, they came around and took orders from each person of what kind of meat they wanted. It was amazing. Anyways, we finally got back to the kibbutz, and were pretty tired. At this day we had two days until the infamous Tzav Rishon ('first order' from the army, where everyone goes through a doctor's visit, the standard stuff, blood pressure, weight, height, checking back and feet, and basically a general check for any problems. Then comes, "Imut netunim" which is basically, a personal interview, where they not only check what you have been doing for the last few years, but also your Hebrew level, get personal information about your family, and other stuff too. Anyways, the other stuff is pretty standard, they had to know everything i have been up to since i graduated from high school, and that seemed to be enough. Then came the Hebrew test. This specific round of testing is infamous for being hard even for most Israelis, and there are a few different parts. The hardest parts are where they give you a sentence, which you have to read, (most of the words of which you have never heard, and have no idea what they mean). They tell you to try and guess what the words mean, or what the sentence means as a whole, seeming to forget that you cant even give her the meaning of single words in the sentence. Then the best part about it, is that you get to do it another two or maybe three times. The next part is Hebrew words, the interviewer says a word and you have to tell her what it means, or try and figure it out if you don't know. Then the instructor person gives you a pencil and piece of paper, and tells you to copy down the sentence she reads (also about at the same level as others, where you have never heard of the words before). Through all of this i at least managed to make some small talk with the two soldiers who were interviewing me, and one of them had even heard of Young Judaea, and was in the scouts.

The next part of the rigorous day was waiting, i haven't mentioned it yet, but between each of these things that I'm explaining, there is a minimum wait of 30-45 minutes. The next step was the "ra'ayon ishi'' (personal interview), which was interesting, i was put in a type of interrogation style room where i sit opposite a relatively cute soldier, who tells me that i can feel at ease, its not a formal meeting, and that i can relax. Then she begins by asking me a little about what i already told the other interviewers, about what i have been doing my last few years of my life. Then she asks me what a good friend is to me, and about any experiences i have had with professors in college, if i have ever gotten in an argument, or clash with any, and why and what happened. She follows up all of her questions with more questions, and just tries to get to know me, and why I'm there and why I'm going into the army, and what i want to do in the army, and what i would do if i was put somewhere where i didn't want to be, and more questions of the like. It was relatively painless, just took me an hour and a half or so. Then back outside to wait for the "psychotechni" tests (basically some sort of IQ tests). Eventually i went in and took two short tests, one in 15 minutes and the other in 12 minutes, and they were either picture patterns, which i had to pick which was the next in the pattern, or it was analogies of patterns, and i had to pick the correct answer. The first test was really hard, because it started with really easy questions and got harder and harder and so by the middle, i thought i was doing well on time, but then they got really hard, and each question took more time to solve, but it was OK in the end. The second test was much easier. Then i was done. It was a good feeling, but then we went outside where everyone was, and we had to wait some more until everyone was done. It was a really exhausting day overall, and it was an important day too, because that day my physical and intellectual profiles were determined, which are the two numbers that will stay with me through my army service. I also got a score for my Hebrew level which i will be able to test and improve, but the fact that i got a personal interview means that my Hebrew is good enough to start the army with the level I'm at.

Yesterday was very relaxed, in Ulpan, we watched a movie, and did some fun games too. Then in the afternoon they brought a couple of members of the kibbutz to talk to us who were members of either the Palmach or the Haganah, the freedom fighting groups that eventually transformed into the IDF when the state was established. They told us all about how things were, and it was really interesting hearing their perspectives because i dont think i have ever heard that perspective before.

Today is Friday, and we had a late wake up, we cleaned out building and pretty much were free for most of the day, we went to the pool, hung out, and took naps. Now I'm back after having shabbat dinner, I'm going to go to the Kibbutz pub in a bit, and there's another all kibbutz activity that i wanted to see before that. I know it was a long post, it has been a long week. Shabbat Shalom.

The second/third week... (gadna)

So my second/ third weeks included many fun things:

First of all I got a ride to Bar's house on thursday, right before the weekend, for the third wedding (party) of Yael and Bar. It was a really fun party and I saw many people that i care about in Israel, including not the most recent, but the two different Israeli families that worked at my summer camp in Texas. Of course many other friends of my sister who live in Israel like Mollie, and Nina, who its always a pleasure to see them. We watched the slideshow that I made for their wedding, and watched a slideshow of pictures from the actual wedding, and also the video that Bar's friends made to send to the actual wedding, and of course at this party they were all there, and they were really fun. Anyways, there wasnt really a meal, it was just many appetisers which was just as much food as a meal, and they were really good. Of course we had many lechayims and danced a lot, and it was just a really happy atmosphere. All of the family made speeches, and my dad made his speech in Hebrew, which i was really impressed, since he hasnt been in Israel for more than a couple of weeks in 30 years at least. He seemed to use and pick up his Hebrew really fast and was able to communicate with minimal problems. We had more dancing, lifted Yael and Bar up in Chairs and did a hora and the night was complete. Afterwards I went out for coffe/snack with my sister, Bar and his friends which was pretty cool.

Then i had a free weekend off the kibbutz, which was perfect becasue i could then spend more time with my parents. Also in the course of the weekend I got to see one of my really good friends from camp this past summer Itay, and we went for coffe and cheesecake. It was really good catching up with him, and seeing him. Then saturday night we went to a preformance called juntos (means "together" in Spanish) which was a preformance of Mayumana (basically an Israeli version of Stomp), with David Broza (an Israeli musician who lived many years in spain, and is amazing on the guitar spanish style and otherwise). It was the second time I had seen the preformance but it was my parents' first times, and they really enjoyed it.

The next morning, i had to catch the train to Tel Aviv to meet back up with my group and we had a big week to come. From there we took the bus to an army base called ג'וארה (jew-are-ahh) its a special base in the army for education. Basically to explain to those of you who dont know what it is, its called gadna, and most Israelis go through it in 11th grade, its a five day program "simulation" of basic training in the army, where you learn all different kinds of things in the army, and about weapons, and physically running, crawling, and stuff. At the end of the week, they take us to a shooting range and we get a chance to shoot M-16 (long) assault rifles. Anyways, it was an interesting week, since everyone who was there was about to go to the real army in two months. It was a good week overall, with many discussions about all of the dillemas that exist in the army, regarding all kinds of things. talking about the honor code in the army, and with regard to guns. I know I really need to post pictures, and dont be too surprised by the pictures of gadna, yes im in a uniform, but not im not in the army yet. This week sunday were having a talk about different positions in the army, which im still really unsure what I want to do, because there are different options, and possibilities of things I can do, I need to figure out what is most interesting, and how im going to feel my service will be most meaningful to me. Other than that we have our major interviews with the army this week on wednesday, physical, intellectual, psychological, and im sure other tests included, so im kinda nervous/anticipating that. Anyways, thats about all for now, hope to hear from everyone soon and keep in touch. Also I finally have a phone, so those of you who want to buy a calling card and call me, feel free. If you want my number please email me, or message me somehow, and i will give it to you.--Elan

The First Week... (Part du)

So after the opening ceremony, we drove north to the kibbutz, which because of rush hour traffic ended up taking about 5 hours. (at least an hour longer than it normally would have) During these 5 hours i ended up sitting next to this girl Ella, who started Garin Tzabar last year on a different kibbutz, and so a convenient person to ask all sorts of questions about how the program works, what she reccomended, and so forth. We got to the kibbutz at around 8 o'clock, and proceeded to unpacking the bus with all of our many suitcases, (which almost didnt all fit in the bus with us) and we ate dinner which had been prepared for us. We got our keys, moved into our rooms, (which to my dismay, me and my roommate have the smallest room, much smaller than everyone elses) and got settled in. It was a really nice view of many different towns or cities, of who's lights we saw from our dormitories on the kibbutz. Soon enough we got ourselves to sleep, and rested some, since we were pretty much all still getting over our jet lag.

I woke up in the morning, in my small room, and got dressed, got my sunglasses on, only to go outside and see one of the most awesome views that i have ever seen in Israel. (ill post it soon i promise) Anyways, i forgot to mention that our first night some of us were wandering around the kibbutz to see it, and met the head of security on the Kibbutz, which turns our was born in Europe, but spend some twenty years in Texas, living in Houston, and i was glad i had someone who also knew was good mexican food, and Country music sounds like. (Not to mention speaks enlgish like a texan)

So the first full day on the Kibbutz, i had the opportunity to meet our three soldiers that are going to help us in many aspects of the drafting process, from figuring out where in the army is best for us, to helping with hebrew, and knowing what to expect. Their names are Adi, Shira, and Anya, and are all really cool each with her own story. (not to mention that they are cute in their uniforms)

The next few days we did many things from opening Israeli Bank Accounts for each of us, signing cell phone contracts, taking a test to place us in Ulpan, and such, in addition to fun stuff, such as taking a hike to the "hot spring" near shamir, which might be better described as a puddle of hot muddy water, and not the good mud they sell from the dead sea, just plain old mud. Another more fun thing we got to do was meet with the president of the Kibbutz who answered our many questions from, how many people live on our kibbutz(~600) to asking why we dont eat the beef from the cows that are slaughtered on the kibbutz.(because arabs will pay more money for the high quality beef, and we eat frozen beef from argentina). We also had a scavenger hunt on the kibbutz to learn more about its history, and to meet some interesting people who live on it.

So two days ago my parents came to visit the kibbutz with Bar, Yael, Miri, and Zeev. It was really fun showing them around, and my half sized room. I showed them the really nice pool, the view from where my building where im living, and from the other side of the Kibbutz, and the dining room, and the Coal-Boa (the little market where we buy pretty much any food or supplies we need).

This morning we had to get up, and get all of our paperwork with regards to making aliyah, or living here. We took a trip to Tiberious, which took us about an hour-ish to get there. There i got my Teudat Zehut (Official Israeli ID card) and I assigned for all of the money that the government of Israel is giving me for the next 7 months to be deposited in my new Israeli bank account. Then on the way back, we stopped at Kiriat Shmoneh (the closest city to our Kibbutz) and we stopped at this small mall for about an hour and a half to get lunch, and to shop for whatever we needed. At the mall we ran into a group of Birthright (oranim) which was kind of funny only because we were in the food court with them, and a couple of the guys asked if anyone spoke english. Of course i answered him, "yea, whats up?" and then recieved a complement of how good my american accent was in English. These are things im going to have to get used to, being a dual citizen. For now they just crack me up. Anyways, now were back on the kibbutz and we have our first Ulpan (hebrew classes) tomorrow morning. I really hope they are at my level and challenging. Anyways, ill post again soon, hope you all enjoyed, and cant wait to read your comments.

The first week....(Part 1)

So Just for those of you who weren't sure of my exact schedule for the past week, This is a short sum up of what happened. Last Sunday i was planning on flying to NY, to spend a couple of days with Farra, before my big trip to the holy land. It turned out that there was bad weather in NY and so my flight was cancelled, so i was told the next flight i could have gotten on was the next night, (which would have been the night before my Israel flight). So instead of getting only a discounted hotel room for the night, i decided that it would be better to take a bus and get to NY and sleep on a bus at the same time. So that's what i did. I took a 15 hour bus ride from Charlotte, North Carolina to New York City. Finally Monday at around 2 or 3pm, i got to New York, and Farra and Michael picked me up from Port Authority, we went to lunch at Aroma in Soho, and then walked around and found me some new Oakley Sunglasses that might be useful in my upcoming journey. Anyways, it was a really fun day, i saw Farra's apartment, relaxed, hung out, basically spent some quality time. Then in preparation for my trip, we went out for sushi (of course) and we walked around touring the Columbia campus for a bit. Then the morning came, and we drove to JFK international airport where the people from Nefesh B'Nefesh were ready for me. At the short ceremony before our flight, the people in charge of the flight explained to us, that they have brought some 16,000 people from the US, Canada, and England to Israel in the past 8 or 10 years. They also explained that there were some 250 people on our flight, 43 of which were going to serve in the IDF. We also had on board one 96 year old woman, and one 4 month old baby boy who were making aliyah with us.

The flight was about 10 hours, passed pretty quick although during the flight it felt like days, especially with the meaning of what the flight meant. My friend Debby, and many of the people in my group were on my flight were there too. It was also really cool, there was a system on the plane, that allowed us individually watch movies, and TV shows, and even play games with other people on the plane. Anyways, we finally got to Israel at 7am, and there was a big welcoming, with catered food, and drinks, and Molly and Harry were there to welcome me, which was really nice, because i had no idea that they would be there. They had this little ceremony thing, at which people were dancing, there was a live feed online of it, and after waiting for an hour or so, the foreign minister of Israel, Tzipi Livni arrived with some other dignitaries, including Danny Ayalon and others.

My first and only free day after getting to Israel i spend with my friend Lee, and the first thing we did was go to Petach Tikva where my host family from two years ago lives, and ate lunch at their place. I also got a chance to see many of their family members, and also rested a little. (since i didn't sleep more than a couple of hours on the plane) Then we dropped Harry off, and went back to Lees house, where i rested and we had dinner. We had originally planned to go out to Tel Aviv, and see all of my friends who were in town, but in the end my jet lag got the best of me, and i slept. We also had worked on my speech that i was to make at the opening ceremony my whole program.

The next morning eventually arrived, and we went to breakfast with my parents, Yael, Bar, and Bar's Parents, Ze'ev and Miri. It was really nice, but i wasn't very hungry from all the excitement of the past day, and because of my nervousness about making the speech. Finally we got to the ceremony and i saw many friends, Nina (who made me a delicious cake by the way), Elad, Dede, Asi, Molly, all of the people in the program, and all of the staff. So i made the big speech, and i was obviously very nervous, it was in front of a thousand people, it was in a second language, and i was still jet lagged. Whether it was good or not, i did it, and the ceremony ended, i said goodbye to my parents and everyone who came to visit, and we got on the bus and drove to our kibbutz in the north.