Creating Vibrant Jewish Communities, in the Snow

I arrived back in Israel on Sunday night, and while I was quite sad to leave the states once again and be in a foreign country for four more months, Israel didn't seem as foreign to me anymore. I arrived at the airport and knew exactly what I needed to do, where I needed to go, and what Hebrew I needed to remember after two weeks of speaking English. I arrived back at my apartment, and even though I always seem to find a problem with it, I found comfort being back in such a familiar place. I woke up the following day and knew where I liked to go to the grocery, where I liked to buy my produce (I finally found seedless grapes, which also made me extremely happy), and where I could buy the closest thing to a Triple Grande Non-Fat Latte in Jerusalem.

Going home was just the battery recharge I needed to come back and finish my first year in Jerusalem - after all, I promised Michelle I would come back 20% Rabbi in May :)

The "Spring" Semester began today despite the "massive" snow storm that began to hit us last night:

http://info.jpost.com/2000/Supplements/Snow/index.html

And by "massive" I only mean about 3-4 inches, but coming from a place where 3 inches of snow is rare it is indeed alot of snow. In fact, I don't actually remember when the last time (if there was a time), I saw this much snow falling ALL day long. Most of us, however, made it through the slush (remind me I need to buy boots when I return to the states) and began a three day Colloquium with the theme "Challenges and Opportunities: Creating Vibrant Jewish Communities." This conference, or professional development program, allows us to focus on contemporary issues within the Reform movement that affect us as future leaders. We began our day with tefillah, prayer, and I honestly missed being able to pray in Hebrew. In addition, we recieved our own copies of the new Reform siddur, Mishkan Tefillah, and began praying with these hard back prayerbooks rather than the paperback drafts we have been using. Now, I know, some of you readers who are members of KKBE dedicated my own copy in Charleston (which I was ABSOLUTELY thrilled to have) are probably disappointed now that I no longer have bragging rights and can say I have my own copy unlike others. However, I still hold some uniqueness - I know own both a transliterated and non-transliterated version, both dedicated to me as a student and friend, and both that I will cherish and use throughout my career.

Following tefillah, we had an abbreviated schedule so we could spend some time in the snow (and get home safely). I had the opportunity to meet Richard Sarason, Professor of Rabbinic Literature and Thought from the Cincinnati campus, who will be teaching me liturgy next school year. He led a session on establishing personal Jewish identity, and how America influenced my Jewish upbringing. I came to the conclusion that my Jewishness has evolved from being something that had made me separate from others to something that defines my life. I remember being the "token Jew" in elementary school explained the holiday of Hanukkah to the audience at our Christmas/Holiday program. I knew I was different, and knew I was separate, but I didn't know why. Once I got to high school and began exploring the possibility of becoming a rabbi, I recognized that being Jewish was like a personality trait, a characteristic of who I was. It wasn't until college, and now Rabbinical school, where I realized that being Jewish is a choice - and regardless of level of observance, each of us has a connection to the faith in our own way that makes us part of this religion and culture.

We spent the rest of the day discussing the religious climate in America and its affect upon American Reform Judaism. We only began to address the issue of intermarriage, a touchy topic for many, and some even claim that it is the single threat to the "death" of Judaism. While I may not think that extreme, I realize that I need to set my boundaries for many topics like this, and only experience will help me do so.

Tomorrow we will continue to explore similar themes and also have meetings by our stateside campuses, the first of many opportunities this semester to prepare us for next year. In only a couple weeks I will be meeting with Ken Kanter, the Dean of the Rabbinical School, and have the chance to start a new transition!

PJ

It Seems Like Only Yesterday I Started

I didn't realize how much I have learned over the past semester until I started sharing my experiences with others. For 7 months I have constantly been challenging myself as a Rabbinical student and a Jew to find personal meaning in my faith, and it was recently when I came to the conclusion that this journey will not stop at the end of my year in Israel. While this is something that I had already known at some level, the reality is that I have been so immersed in the study of Judaism and Israel that I rarely have given myself the chance to just step back and reflect.

I've been back in the states for a week and it becomes more and more clearer that this was indeed the right decision - I've established professional relationships with both my congregations in Greenville and Charleston, been able to embrace the lasting friendships I left behind in May, spend quality time with family, and of course, returning the favor when it comes to Michelle, as she came to visit me and now I am in Charleston visiting her. It has been an absolutely wonderful vacation, and I still have nearly a week left in the states and an additional few days back in Jerusalem before I begin the semester.

The good news is that there is a lot to look forward to. Faculty from stateside HUC campuses as well as other Reform Jewish scholars will address us over a three day professional forum encompassing various issues that are present in the Reform movement as a start to our second semester. I will already know the ropes, so I won't have to worry about going through the adjustment face, and I can spend much more time embracing Israeli culture and trying to come to terms with the complex nature of Israeli society. I will take some new courses as well, studying Rabbinics (Jewish commentaries such as Talmud and Midrash), the Politics of Israel, and a course preparing us to lead High Holy Day services. In addition, I will spend a lot of time getting ready for the big trip of the semester: I am leading Passover services in Belarus, Russia! It is going to be a once in a lifetime opportunity and an amazing experience. And to top it all off I will be chanting Torah once more, leading another Dv'ar Torah (sermon), and leading services.

I am in the early stages of planning my summer, and while I can't announce my plans quite yet, let's just say that it is another wonderful opportunity that has presented itself to me and I look forward to sharing it with you!

Ok....drum roll please....

ALL pictures from Fall 2007 Semester are now posted at http://www.webshots.com/user/pjschwartz

Take a look!

PJ

Success

New Years Resolution: I will be more responsible when it comes to updating my blogs.

And what is my excuse for another month's hiatus? December was filled with lots of studying and exam preparation, a wonderful visit with Michelle, and time with my parents and brother.

But the good news: I made it! I officially have completely my first semester in Rabbinical School and am 10% completed with my studies! I am writing to you from Greenville as I felt like the best way to relax after a long semester would be coming home to visit with family and friends. Next week I will head to Charleston and relive my college days once again.

I promise you pictures will come over the next couple weeks and I'll share with you some wonderful news that will be finalized come next week....

Freedom. It feels good.

PJ

Israel is Starting to Grow on Me

A month and three days from now, I will have officially completed my first semester of Rabbinical School. I'll have gained knowledge of Biblical Hebrew Grammar, increased my Hebrew vocabulary, and developed fluency in prayers of the Morning Service and understanding of an overall structure of Jewish Liturgy. I'll have increased my reading and comprehension skills in modern and Biblical texts, learned the skills of trope (Torah Cantillation), be able to share with you an overview of the themes and patterns of Jewish history that led to the creation of the State of Israel, and articulate contemporary issues within Israel and Reform Judaism.

Sounds like I can become a Rabbi now, right? Not quite. All of the courses that I am taking this year (and will continue to take, with the exception of Modern Jewish History and Bible, which will be replaced by Contemporary Middle East and Rabbinics) are only a mere introduction to what I will be learning over the next four years. Nonetheless, it will be pretty cool to say at the end of the semester that I not only learned something new, but I know more than I did when I arrived in June.

In addition, Israel is starting to grow on me. Let me premise this statement though by saying that there are many things about the United States that I miss and I look forward to having those "luxuries" when I return, and Israel will always be "foreign" to me, but the things that were difficult to cope with at first no longer seem to bother me. While there will always be a language barrier, its nice to be able to communicate more efficiently with people. My grammar continues to need work, but I have enough vocabulary now for most situations. And since most people speak English, I am able to squeeze in a couple English words to get the message. But, the point is - I can get what I want and go where I want to go. I look at Hebrew signs and I don't look at it as a foreign language that I am unfamiliar with. I walk on the streets of Israel and "act" Israeli - meaning I am as aggressive as everyone else is when it comes to lines, getting someone's attention, or just simply walking across the street. It's a weird thing for one to comprehend, but trust me, I'm beginning to feel more comfortable here.

Last week, our class went on a tiyul (class trip) to Northern Israel. We began our trip in Caesaria, which as you probably can figure out, was a Roman influenced city (named after Caesar Augustus) build by Herod. It was a port city and very modern for its time. Very little places in Israel have mosaic or tile floors, and Caesaria is one of them. The structures apparently are reminiscent of those in Sicily, Italy. It is also the place where Rabbi Akiva, once of the most well-known Rabbis of the Talmud, was killed.

We then travelled to Tsippori, the place where the Talmud was actually written. There were two AMAZING mosaics that we saw that depicted the Greek cultural influence. One of the mosaics was located in the Ancient Synagogue, where you saw depictions of Biblical stories and a Zodaic in the center, suggesting a Greek influence on Jewish religion. What was powerful is that we had Mincha (Afternoon) services there to end our day. We then travelled to Tiberias for the night and had a great dinner. After dinner, I went to a night walk to the Tomb of Maimonides.

The following day, we travelled to Tsfat, the center of Jewish mysticism in Israel. We saw the synagogues of Isaac Luria (who I did my own research on for my Bachelor's Essay) and Joseph Caro (who wrote the Shulkan Aruch (the most authoritative source of halakah, Jewish law, since the Talmud. We also met with a local Kabbalah Artist, who provided a wonderful introduction to the study of Kabbalah through his artwork. Naturally, I bought posters of his work to use as a teaching tool when I return back to the States.

Our last day was in Haifa, where we visited the Leo Baeck School, a Progressive Education Center offering education for students in Kindergaten - Adult Education. It's one of the best schools in Israel, and offers the finest education experience while incorporating Jewish studies in their curriculum. Believe it or not, most Israels know little about their Jewish heritage. As one of the students said, "Before I came to Leo Baeck I always considered myself Israeli first and Jewish second. Now, I am Jewish first and Israeli second." Jewish identity is a huge issue in Israel, as in the Chief Rabbinate's eyes, you are either Orthodox or Secular. There's no understanding of Reform or Conservative Judaism in Israel, and each movement is only beginning to make a presence.

I promise when I have my vacation I'll post pictures throughout the semester. I have lots to do over the next couple weeks, but lots to look forward to. Michelle comes next week, and a week later, I'll get to see my parents and brother. It will be nice to have a taste of home to give me the extra push to end my semester on top.

PJ

Hello, Again

I know that I haven't been good about updating my blog recently, and I promise you I will try and do better.

In the meantime, we are in the midst of midterm exams and I've come to the realization that my study skills from college are not 100% assisting me in Graduate School. Both my Liturgy and History classes are structured by our readings and once a week lectures. Maybe its because we only meet for an hour and a half each week (while I have Hebrew 4 days a week and Bible 3 days a week for the same amount of time), but I am beginning to get concerned about my understanding of the material. I spoke with my Liturgy professor this past week and he ensured me that the "struggle" I am having is normal and it's important for me to ease into the different study process. I trust him, but I am also exploring other ways to internalize the material better. With my limited time outside of class each week, I can't always spend hours reading for one class and writing notes for my readings. And while I always do get the "headlines," the details I have always been able to grasp aren't sinking in. Fortunately I am not falling behind in these classes because of this difficulty, and I have time to figure it out before my finals in January.

I've also begun to work on my D'var Torah that I am presenting during Shacharit (morning) services on December 17. A week later, I'll be chanting Torah for the first time EVER. What is great about these two days is not only the fact that I can share my ideas and express myself through cantillation, but Michelle and my parents will be here during that time and it will be great for them to see me do these awesome things. I also found out Austin is heading to Israel as well through Birthright, and it looks like he'll extend his trip to join me and our parents up North.

As most of you know, I'll be heading back to the states for two weeks in January for my winter break. While I'll have the opportunity to spend time with Michelle and my parents in December, school will inevitably keep me busy and sometimes preoccupied. Going home will be a great chance to spend time with my family and friends when I'll have the chance to breathe and relax. I think a quality that I have taken of my father's is that I already have found myself work to do during the break! It would be beneficial for me to organize and review my Hebrew notes from this semester and begin my reading for my Rabbinics class that I will begin in the Spring. But Dad has also taught me to enjoy any time off, but the older I get, the less I'll have it! A fellow classmate suggested that I buy the book in the states and begin studying the introductory material if I haven't had any previous experience with Talmud and Midrash. I'm going to take her advice. I'll be spending January 11-17 in Greenville, and I promised my mom that I won't have any desire to go to our tradition of lunch at Pita House (a Middle Eastern Restaurant) and I might just want to go to lunch at a good ole' American establishment. From Thursday night, January 17, until the 25th, I'll be in Charleston visiting my other home. It will be really nice to see everyone and have a separation from the HUC world for a couple weeks.

What else? I also have the opportunity to lead a sermon on April 12 on a Saturday morning Shabbat. The difference between this and the D'var Torah is not only the length, but I'll have the chance to express myself a little more. The D'var Torah has specific requirements that we must abide by, as it is an exercise for the students to begin getting comfortable with the texts of Talmud, Midrash, and other Rabbinic Literature and commentary.

I've also begun to work on preparating for my trip to the Former Soviet Union during Pesach. There are only about 6 or so Rabbis in this area, and it is a great service to the congregations for Rabbinic, Cantorial, and Education Students to lead them in the Pesach celebration! That will be my next major trip before I return to the states in May. It's amazing to think that it is already the holiday season in the states, and I'm already thinking about May!

It will be weird over the next month because things are very normal here in Jerusalem - the holiday spirit has already passed us and life must go on. As a result, I have class next Thursday on Thanksgiving, and may be stumbling into school on New Year's Day after a long night of celebrating. It will be interesting though to experience Israel during this time, as the Hannukah spirit WILL start to come upon us!

I hope you all have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Miss you,

PJ

At the End of the Tunnel

Today was one of those days where no matter how tired you are or no matter how overwhelmed you feel, you seem to still wake up on the right side of the bed and see light at the end of the tunnel. I’ve had a hectic three weeks, trying to adjust to a routine schedule that brings me home late a night with a never ending supply of homework to do. Yet, as busy and overwhelmed I can be, I still have been able to find time for myself. I’m learning so much about the sociology of Israel; being a student at HUC is difficult, let alone Jerusalem being an intense place to live in general. There is a strikingly apparent shift in the feel of Jerusalem come Wednesday, as people are starting to prepare themselves for the weekend. Sometimes you just want to be able to press “pause” on your “life remote” so you can take a breath. Fortunately, Wednesdays are the beginning of that breath. Unlike the rest of my week, I have the opportunity to explore Israel and understand the country from a very different lens. My Wednesday Israel Seminars allow me to encounter contemporary Israel, an opportunity that unfortunately would be very difficult to have due to my constant schedule.

Today was perhaps one of the most rewarding days for me in Israel. There have been moments where I have been so frustrated with all the “balagan,” or problems of Israel. Even the littlest things have contributed to my frustration. Yet, today, I finally saw something that was very much Israeli even if it was in the confines of the HUC bubble. Being the Remembrance Day for Yitzhak Rabin, former Prime Minister of Israel who was assassinated in 1995, it seemed fitting that the theme of our Israel Seminar, whether intentional or not, was the bond humankind has with each other.

Rabin placed great emphasis on establishing peace, and for the first time this entire year I truly felt part of a community. We began our day with a short memorial service commemorating Rabin, each of us, while different in our backgrounds and relationship to Judaism, seemed to truly mold as a group. We have been told numerous times that our group has appeared to be the most cohesive in a long time. The establishment of a Jewish State at some level was based (and continues to be based by many) on the idea that the Jewish people – from all over the world – deserves to have a place to call home. As a group, the HUC community is slowly becoming comfortable with one another; teachers and students have a relationship inside and outside the classroom. The fact that each of us are learning in Israel for similar reasons clearly brings us together.

After our memorial service, we traveled to Yad V’Shem, the Holocaust Memorial Museum in Jerusalem. I don’t know why, but my interest in the Holocaust always continues to grow. I constantly am intrigued by the stories of survivors, and their struggle to live. Now that I have been to Aushwitz, my understanding of this tragic event has truly changed. The imagery of the camp haunted me as I walked into the museum. The elaborate structure of the building reminded me of the entrance to Birkenau. You walked into the museum and felt completely narrowed in, as the walls literally were leaning towards you. Each room had its own story, and each account presented was a story within itself. Unique to this museum was the fact that they didn’t just focus on individuals who died in the concentration camps. They paid tribute to those who had very different stories as well. A wired “fence” blocking parts of the exhibit immediately reminded me of the fences within Aushwitz. There was this constant stress that Jews simply did not fit in anywhere they went, ultimately leading to the establishment of Israel. In many respects, the survivors of the Holocaust came in to and out of the depths, and their relationship to the world truly changed. Yitzhak Nissenbaum, Rabbi at the Warsaw Ghetto said it best:

“This is a time for sanctifying life, not for sanctifying God’s name through death. In the past, our enemies demanded our soul, and the Jew sacrificed his body to sanctify God’s name. Now, the enemy is demanding the Jew’s body and the Jew is obligated to defend it – to protect his life.”

Following our trip to Yad V’Shem, we explored Mount Herzl, a cemetery for both major political leaders and those who gave their lives for Israel and their Jewish identity. Because of the scheduled memorial ceremony for Yitzhak Rabin, we weren’t able to see the political cemetery. However, we took a little adventure and practically snuck into the military section of Mount Herzl. We went through the various graves of the many who sacrificed their lives. The impacting thing about our exploration of the military cemetery was not just about exploring the memorials, but also about being a group. Many of the military heroes of Israel created a separate family outside their own. I am realizing more and more how much friendships are important in this journey ahead of me. There are only 53 other people who can even remotely relate to the experience I am going through, but even then their path towards becoming a rabbi, cantor, or educator is different.

As each day passes, there are times where I truly miss home. Being so far away from something you have been so close to for years is a difficult experience. Yet, I also have this great chance to grow as individual. I’m having a second Bar Mitzvah per-say – this is my year of growth and transition into true adulthood. This journey has only begun, and I’m once again excited to see what is going to happen next.

A Little Bit of This, A Little Bit of That

There is a phrase that I have grown to know and love over the past three months in Israel, “Acharei HaChagim,” or “After the Holidays.” Summer vacation finally is over in Israel; and that means that I won’t have another break until January. The past month has been a test run for the rest of the school year, as I now will have a full schedule with classes from 8:30-6:00 the majority of the week. The real question is how I am going to balance all my schoolwork without any breaks I have had due to the holidays. It’s going to be a busy schedule, I’ve known that since I arrived here, but the fact is that I haven’t really been able to get into the motions of being a graduate school student until now. This is it!

Fortunately, my schoolwork is doable. After all, students before me have completed the year successfully, right? I won’t be bored, that’s for sure, as I have a combination of reading, comprehension, and translation in all of my classes. I just got to keep telling myself that I will be okay.

Let’s back track about a week ago, when I was in, well, paradise. About ten of my classmates and I traveled to Egypt to stay at a Marriott Beach Resort to relax. Don’t worry, I really wasn’t in the depths of Egypt – I was only 30 minutes from the Israel-Egypt border! Nevertheless, I have a passport stamp to prove my travels. I stayed in Taba, one of the “regions” of Egypt (Sinai and Egypt proper are the other two). I was about 2 hours from Mount Sinai and 4 hours from Cairo. While I do eventually want to go back and see the pyramids, there have been warnings in that area and Taba was as close to the pyramids I felt comfortable going to. Nevertheless, I stayed at a 5-star hotel at a relatively inexpensive price. For those of you who know me, I’m not much of a sit by the beach or pool all day type of guy. While I only could last 3 hours outside at a time, and spent the rest relaxing in my hotel room or walking around, it was nice to do as close to nothing as possible.

As promised, below is the link to pictures from the Galilee/Golan. Most of them are scenic pictures from various points that I went to. Don’t be fooled, they actually are different places! Some of them were taken at Mount Ben Tal, which provides a great view of Israel, Syria, and Lebanon. General rule of thumb: Anything with greenery is Israel; most of the mountains are Syria or Lebanon. There is a picture I took near a barbed wired gate – passed the gate is Lebanon. Yes, I was that close! Other pictures include: a synagogue in Rosh Pina, one of the first settlements outside Jerusalem, and Tel Dan, a well researched archeological site led by an HUC team that shows worship to God outside the Temple in Jerusalem! I need to figure out how to put captions on these pictures so you have a better idea what I am talking about!

Okay, off to do homework…

PJ

http://community.webshots.com/user/pjschwartz (Click on Galilee/Golan Album)