Israel is Amazing...Rachael, MHSS

Israel is & was fabulous & amazing.
I had a hiatus from MHSS while being a staff member for Taglit-Birthright Israel Outdoors group 225 -- and it was amazing. :)

I have had trouble shifting myself back to USA life. I think my mind stayed in Israel.

A lot of great pictures are posted at http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=52020287463 (our group's page).

Returning to the States brought me to MH Hoboken (thanks, Dave, for picking me up from the airport, and thanks to all MH Hobo for hosting me and being awesome!), the Inauguration, delicious chai masala that I made (first time!) for our Indian Shabbat, and enjoying the left-overs of our Ice Cream Breakfast (which of course I missed b/c I teach Sunday School).

My Sunday School lessons have centered on Israel since returning. I've had a lot of fun with my class -- and I like these new lessons we're doing. :)

And that's all I've got. Oh, and if you get a chance, buy some sparkly chocolate next time you're in Israel. :) (Most important: Don't chew! Let it sit on your tongue.)

MHSeattle, Neal Schindler, 11/4/2008

Election fever has consumed my social circle, and more and more of my Facebook friends' statuses are reflecting either having voted already or intending to vote very soon. Last night at the house we hosted an Election Eve discussion that included all the down-ticket items, which gave a number of people a chance to learn about measures and local candidates they had little knowledge of. One attendee in particular spends a lot of time doing local political activism, and he was extremely thorough and eloquent in talking about the pros and cons surrounding each initiative and candidate.

I have to admit, it's hard to focus my energy today; I scheduled a call from a friend in Jerusalem for this morning, and all I want to do is vote. I will, of course, but it's hard to calm the urgency I'm feeling about it. It's also a poignant day for me, as I'm missing people -- my father, who died in 2003 and would have loved to see this day; my ex-girlfriend, with whom I followed the Obama campaign from its beginning until this past August, when we decided to break off communication; another ex-girlfriend, from college, with whom I've just recently gotten back in touch, and who traveled from Oakland, where she lives, to Nevada to canvass; my mother, though I'll certainly call her during the returns tonight; and my friends in New York, whom I miss without always realizing how much.