Daily Dose of Duchening

This morning, at minyan I was pleasantly surprised to experience something new. The daily duchening in Jerusalem. Duchening is where the preists (today the decendents of the Temple priests) stand infront of the congregation and recite the priestly blessings while the rest of us in the community hide our eyes and listen. In most conservative communities in the US, this is usually this is done on the high holidays and sometimes the three festivals. In Israel it is done each shabbat and in Jerusalem- every day! It might actually be the incentive that I need to go and daven with the minyan each day.

Today was the first official day of orientation and the second official day where I got lost going to school. For some reason I am incapable of getting to school without a half hour detour- at least. Any time I walk away from Emek, I get lost. I think that it is just an issue of finding the right alley to cut through. Luckily I have 8 more months to figure it out.

So today I also had my Hebrew conversation with the teachers and the Hebrew written placement exam. In the meeting I was asked to tell about myself. Less than 2 minutes later, they asked if I wanted to be in the advanced class. Of course I said yes. I am hoping to have all of my classes in Hebrew. Finally! Also from speaking Hebrew, I now have certain relationships with classmates that are almost entirely in Hebrew and I love it!

The other interesting thing during orientation this morning was a session on mapping. Ironic since I seem to get lost so often...But this was not just mapping where we are and getting to know our surroundings but also our emotions and feelings. It was something a bit different and welcomed in my opinion. Sort of personal therapy and check in. We were given small sketchbook/notebooks to use and are being encouraged and given the time and space to work on them throughout the year. Mine had to do with being happy but lost. David Moss and his daughter Elyssa Moss Rabinowitz (I think that is right) also came and helped to facilitate the learning and discussion of mapping with Rabbi Matt Berkowitz. Something to think about and another thing to keep my fingers busy when my attention level is waning.

Tomorrow (in less than 6 hours) I am heading to the Tali school in French Hill to observe and meet with the principle. Thursday to Friday is an overnight to Masada. Hoping that my lungs are not a problem on the hike up. Will medicate and prepare as much as possible. I am also trying to come at this trip with a positive mentality. While I am not excited about the ascent, the heat, or the repetition of tours that I have done multiple times, I am hopeful that with a different group of people-both JTS and AJU students and a rabbinical school mentality I will be able to get something new out of the trip.
At least I am hoping for some good jokes...