February

Last night, I found myself in the US for the first time since August 24th, 2006. It's a bizarre feeling to be back and although it's wonderful to see some of my friends from home and eat some good Mexican food (a cuisine that Jerusalem is sorely lacking), I feel a little disconnected and I've almost started speaking to people in Hebrew a couple times. Until I was in Israel for a significant amount of time, I hadn't realized how American I am and how steeped in its culture I am, and now that I'm back, I'm realizing how much a part of me Israel and Israeli culture has become. I think it's something that a lot of diaspora Jews feel; a deep connection to two peoples and two cultures and it's difficult not to feel a little bit out of place in either country. At this point, I'm just determined to make the most of out my visit home, and then soak up enough of Israel on my return to last me once I'm back in the States for good.
Rachel