Currently No Vacancy at Kotel6

I'm happy to report that all is good in Jerusalem. I'm slowly getting into a routine, which includes 25 hours of Hebrew class, three hours of Biblical geography/archeology, one and half hour of cantillation, and four mandatory services a week. All is going smoothly, minus the cantillation, where we sometimes have to sing verses of Torah out loud. I find it a little disconcerting when all of my classmates cover their ears when I start chanting. But today, I had a break through in cantillation and things are looking up. (I think I might be giving the cantors in training a run for their money).

Along with starting year one I have also started to explore J-town. (the photo below documents my first day of Hebrew with my roommate Sarah).


I'm on a mission to find the best hummus in Jerusalem (I looked in the old city... pictures of my search below).

I have started to synagogue hop. I went to this renewal service where people were dancing, chanting, drumming, pantomiming birds, and running around in circles--- I don't think I'll be going back to this service any time soon. I was a bit distracted and I suggest building a mehitza (traditionally a barrier that separates men and women during prayer) for people who are dancing and the other people that are a bit more reserved.

One thing that I really love about Jerusalem is Friday afternoons. Everybody is getting ready for Shabbat, the grocery stores are packed, and challah is flying off the shelves. It is really something special to walk around and say Shabbat Shalom to the checkout lady, the bus driver, and even the man asking for change on the street. What beats this is Friday evenings, when you can walk around my neighborhood and see Shabbat candles in almost every window, and take a stroll on the streets hearing different Shabbat songs from house to house. It is pretty cool, and there is probably no other place like this in the world. (Except maybe now in the NJ jails... with the kidney stealing Rabbis)

In another news... This past weekend Kotel6 had no vacancy as we had our first guests! I think they would give Kotel6 four out of five stars, they were a little disappointed that the staff did not turn down their beds. Don't forget to make your reservations for Kotel6... Holiday times are filling up!

And while we are on the subject of the Kotel... you can now twitter your prayers to the Kotel (www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1102104.html). I heard Obama is doing that too... check this out.

Until next blog,

ERBP

A run-in with the Israeli Police

Don't look now but this is my second blog in one week... Either the Messiah is coming or I had to update you on an awesome story. You can choose.

So on Tuesday afternoon, I was walking home from my neighborhood market when all of a sudden an Israeli police car pulled along side of me. One of the police officers got out of the car and started speaking to me in Hebrew. As my Hebrew is not stellar yet, I told him that I didn't understand.

He then spoke to me in English, asking me for my passport, which I did not have. I showed him my driver's license which seemed to appease him and then out of know where he asked me if I was carrying any drugs. I said no and then he asked if he could check.

I said sure and started to pull out my cell phone and keys from my pockets as he started to rummage through all six of my cargo short pockets. After finding only gum wrappers and a piece of lint, he said that I could go and he jumped into his cop car. I walked home a little flabergasted but was so excited to have this Israeli experience.

Later that day, I told this story to some of the people in my program... Some of them gave me the nickname "sketch."

So moral of the story... Don't wear cargo shorts in Israel because then Israeli police officers have many more pockets to put their hands down.

Peace from your favorite suspected drugdealer,

ERBP

Some background on Kotel6

I know that many of you have been sitting at your computers hitting the refresh button waiting for another entry for Kotel6. I'm happy to report that you do not have to wait any longer and you can take your mouse off the little refresher symbol. Here it is...

First an update from last weeks blog.

1. Thank you for all your concerned emails about my missing bags. After tea and crumpets with the Queen of England, my bags took a red eye to Tel Aviv and I had an emotional reunion with them in Jerusalem. After this ordeal, I have decided to continue to turn my underwear inside out so I can save on my laundry consumption. (There is a water shortage in Israel, and I thought I could do my part to help out.)

2. Each one of you also emailed me asking how to send packages to me when I'm abroad. You are all too nice! So the best way to send a package to me would be mailing it to the address below...

Eth Proz
c/o Hebrew Union College
13 King David Street
Jerusalem, 94101 Israel

Now for some new news...

What is the meaning behind my blog name?

Besides being a huge patron of Motel6 (After more than 40 years, Motel 6 is still a true American icon and continues to outperform the competition with over 330 Hotels worldwide). I decided to name my blog after one of the greatest symbols in Judaism, the Kotel. The Kotel, also referred to as the western wall or wailing wall, is one of the remaining retaining walls, supporting the temple mount where the second temple stood. The temple mount is said to be the location where God commanded Abraham to sacrifice Isaac, the location of Jacob's ladder dream, the site of the first and second temple, and the location where Muhammad's ascent to heaven took place. The Kotel is open 24 hours a day (much like Motel6) and is a place where Jews come to pray, put notes/prayers in the wall, and where a lot ultra-Orthodox Jews ask for lots of tzedakah (money). I have a complex relationship with the Kotel, I find the history fascinating but struggle with my personal Judaism there, when I'm surrounded by black hats and people who are so moved by this location. This year I hope that I'm able to figure out my feelings and connections to one of the holiest places in the world.

For a live web stream of Kotel happenings you can visit.... http://english.thekotel.org/cameras.asp. I'll make sure to let you know the next time I'm heading there so you can see me live at the Kotel (I'll bring a sign for all of my loyal readers too).

Ohhh and the 6 in the blog title. That is the number of my apartment building for the year. I just moved into my apartment on Friday and it is going to be a great place to call home. It has a porch with a grill, two big bedrooms, a kosher kitchen (a learning curve is in place for this room) and it is in a great location. I'm living in a neighborhood called Baka, where there are a lot of coffee shops, restaurants, little shops, and synagogues close by. And like Motel6 there is plenty of room for guests to stay, you can make a reservation by calling, skyping me, or via email.

Besides settling into 6 Menahse St. I finished an intensive week of Ulpan (Hebrew language study). I'm happy with how my Hebrew is progressing, I can ask for directions (though I don't always understand the response), can order food at a restaurant, and can say some useful phrases. I do have a new favorite Hebrew word... Meeshmeesh it means apricot.

Orientation starts on Wednesday, and I will begin to learn what I'm doing here and what I will be studying for the year. I have started to meet people in my program (there are about 44 of us, 27 Rabbis, 11 education students, and 6 cantors) and I'm surprised with how many people I enjoy so far. I especially like the people who have a subscription to MLB Live TV.

Speaking of sports, the big news in Israeli sports is that Israel just upset Russia to advance to the Semifinals of the Davis Cup tennis tournament. This is the first time in history that Israel has advanced to the semifinals in Davis Cup. A big deal.

I'll try to upload pictures of my new place in Jerusalem next blog and give you insight into first week of classes and all of that fun stuff. But for now...

Thanks for reading and Shalom,

ERBP

And it begins...

Shalom from Jerusalem and Welcome to Kotel6, where we will always leave the light on.

After flights from JFK to London to Prague to Budapest to Tel Aviv. I have made it to Jerusalem in time for Shabbat. My bags on the other hand have not. And for all of you with curious minds, I have decided to turn my underwear inside out instead of buying European style underwear. But besides being a bit smelly, life is good (and hot) in the holy land....

The goal of Kotel6 is to update you about my life as a first year rabbinical student, share my reflections on Israeli life, culture, and current events, and give you insight into the many people I encounter during the year. My hope is to update this blog once a week, I will need your help though. If you are reading this let me know, send me questions that you would like answered, comment on my blogs, and give me some fuel to feed this fire. I appreciate your help in advance.

For now, I leave you with ways to get in touch with me.

Write to me....

6 Menashe St. Apt #7
Jerusalem 93508
Israel

Call me....

Cellphone in Israel: 0524702339

My Cellphone when calling from the US: 011972524702339
My Skype number: 203-275-0921

Visit me...

www.kayak.com book your flight and then take a Sheirut (a shared cab) to Jerusalem. If I like you, I might even pick you up at the airport. Kotel6 has extra bedroom for visitors too!

Until next week... when the blog will get meatier.

Shabbat Shalom,

ERBP