February

An institution to teach Hebrew to those who need or want to learn, Ulpan has been a focal point of my experience. Five days a week, four and a half hours per day, I have become quite familiar with Beit Ha’am, my ulpan located on Betzalel Street, a chaotic, cosmopolitan whirl pool of people that have one thing in common: to learn Hebrew . Unique to my ulpan is the education of a large number of Arab pupils, many of whom wish to learn Hebrew so that they may study at one of the Israeli universities around the country. In fact, for the first two months, I was only one of two Jews in my class of almost thirty. The motley agglomeration of students in my class includes olim chadashim (new immigrants) from a diverse array of countries, Brazilian missionaries, Arabs from all over the Islamic world, tourists passing through the region, French delegates of NGOs trying to achieve peace in the region, yeshiva and seminary students wishing to hone in on their Hebrew in order to have a better grip on Hebrew texts, South African hippies giving life a run for its money, Mesianic Jews, gentile Germans spending time in Israel as a means to atone for the atrocities that their forefathers committed in the Holocaust, Amish from the Northern United States, Chinese Jews, and me. People come and go as they please; some after one day one will never see again, others have been attending continuously for months.

Well, tomorrow is my last day of ulpan. As much as I have come to dread, even loath the four and a half hour block of time every morning, I know that I’m going to miss it. It has been such an integral part of my experience in Israel. But, five months is enough. It’s kind of crazy to think that when I arrived in Israel six months ago, I didn’t know any Hebrew; not as to some how imply that I am now fluent (which I am far, far from), I feel that I have attained a degree of proficiency.

As for what I will do with the rest of my time in Israel, only time will tell.

Andrew

AN IGBO JEW, A SWISS JEW, AN AMERICAN JEW, AND PALM WINE!

Igbo have two types of palm wine. One is 'ngwo', the other, is 'nkwu enu'. Ngwo is the one that is tapped from the raffia palm that grows on river, stream and lake banks. Nkwu enu is the one that is tapped from the regular oil palm tree. The stuff is milky white in colour. Ngwo can be very sweet, while nkwu enu can be bitter sweet.

These two are the only alcoholic beverages that the Igbos produced, and since the Igbos produced or identified them, they have been companions to the Igbos. On virtually all Igbo occasions, sad or happy, be sure to find ngwo and nkwu enu; in earthen jars; beside the discussants waiting to be quaffed.

According to an European missionary who lived and studied the Igbos in the early 20 th century: 'the ngwo plantations furnish huge qualities of wine. In appearance, and in taste, it resembles the old-fashioned stone bottle ginger beer; it is pleasant to drink and very refreshing. The strictest teetotaler may drink freely of this without experiencing undue excitement….. nkwu enu…. is never wasted, however by the old men. One is bound to admit that there is, on the whole, very little drunkenness from palm wine drinking'.

I have taken time to study the original and traditional Igbo life and setting. If a child is born, palm wine is present during its circumcision party, at its dedication and redemption; during betrothal and marriage it is available. It is present during divorce. And in funerals great qualities must be present. My conclusion is that it is the companion of the Igbos.
As discussions are going on, drinking will also be going on. If the occasion is a joyful one 'a na ama njakiri' (cracking of jokes and making of jest) will also be going on. Discussions are best done with palm wine flowing

I have always suspected that ancient Israelites had the above-described feature in their lifestyle. In 2005, when Daniel Lis "Igbo" a Swiss-Israeli anthropologist visited, and I took him on a four of Igbo land I wanted to find out how he would react to the Igbos and palm wine. At Nri we had an occasion in the house of Mazi Nnacheta Obudulu. Mineral, water, beer and nkwu enu were all available. You know what happened? Everybody including Dan gravitated to the palm wine, and he equally participated in the ima njakiri with me as his special target.
Before he left for Switzerland , he interviewed me for 2hours. At every turn he would break the monotony with Igbo jokes about palm wine. And after he left, during a meeting of Igbos in Switzerland, which he attended, Dan told me that all was well except that palm wine was not available, so the tete a tete was not lively enough.

In 2006 the Forest Foundation established a Moishe House in Abuja Nigeria . I was/am privileged to live in it. When I studied the aims and objectives of the institution, I discovered that it is very much like the authentic, original and traditional Igbo family setting. Related people and friends gathering regularly to discuss, eat, and spice up the discussions with palm wine. Recently I was having a tete a tete with Levi, my brother of the forest foundation. If all things had been equal, palm wine would be available, but the Atlantic Ocean was a real barrier. But mere mention of the whitish stuff animated our talk, and you know what my brother said. He said 'I wish you could ship some of that delicious palm wine to me'. And do you know what I did. I jumped into my Mercedes, and drove around Abuja searching for the stuff. In the evening I found one gallon, and proceeded to the house of Oliver Zurishaddai Asogwa, the vice president of beth knesseth siyahh Israel . On sighting the nkwu enu Oliver jumped out, with his one year old Moshe, in his arms, and hollered at his wife to get us tumblers. I told him that the stuff was for our brother Levi. Oliver didn't listen. He poured a glass for himself. At that stage, I joined him, and even little Moshe joined, and we downed poor Levi's palm wine.

'See that's what happened to the supply for Levi'.

Well Oliver promised that anytime Levi comes this way that he'll teach him how to tap the wine, so that he will be compensated doubly for his loss.

The photo is of Remy, Oliver and little Moshe enjoying nkwu enu!

fighting the cold

I was in NYC for the week and it was rough. Sorry to all those in the northeast who have to deal with that. What is up with the weather? I got back to Seattle last night after a week in the city. Had shabbat with some friends on the "upper west" and it was about 2 degrees outside with the wildchill. Made the "cold" of Seattle seem pleasant.

We had Phil and Levi up here two weeks ago and showed them the sights. It was fun to see them and have a bit of a small retreat Camp Zacca style. We decided to stay on as a Moishe House for the forseeable future and I am glad to maintain the brand.

This week I am starting to teach a class on Intro to Judaism that Moishe House is co-sponsoring and I am excited to see where that goes.

Meanwhile, Jonathan and I are training for a half-marathon in May...He will be in shape for it for sure, me on the other hand...well, cross your fingers for me :)

Turn up the heat in Jersey!!

What a month it has been for our brand-new Moishe House in Hoboken, NJ! Despite a slow start at the beginning of January, we managed to have a number of successful events. This is a good time to commend the Jewish community of New Jersey on their dedication to partying and free food and beer. The first two events took place in a house with no heat, scant electricity and no hot water. In spite of these adverse conditions (which are sufficient to elicit aversion and contempt in an average American partygoer), the Jewish community attended with an unrivaled spirit. Sitting in winter jackets around a space heater and sipping hot tea makes up for a unique bonding experience. So those were the beginnings, and I'm most delighted. We had a tremendous success in rather non-partying-conducive conditions; if the Jews of NJ can do that, then, really the sky is the limit (or actually traffic by the Holland Tunnel may be the limit). As we get the most essential of utilities (hot water has yet to come out of the faucet), the House will start transforming into a Jewish center that we envision it to become.

Eugene Grudnikov

Greater Hoboken

Our move into Hoboken has been a hectic one but things are finally beginning to sort themselves out. We have developed a small crowd within the Hoboken area and a much larger crowd in the larger "greater Hoboken" or Jersey. I think at this point its more fitting to call our house "Moishe House Jersey" than "Moishe House Hoboken."

We have had a lot of drama with our landlord, especially with issues surrounding heat which is an essential this time of year. However, things are more or less in order and where going to continue having events, including this one Shabbat. Lots of work needs to be done. Eugene and I went to Carnegie Hall last night which included a little bit of House Bonding. I got the tickets through my job and I took a friend Eugene took his friend Abby. I also had a larger crowd of people that came as well which all promise to be future attendees at Hoboken Moishe House.

We are having a house meeting tonight to work more on our strategy, out reach and vision.I'll be sure to let everyone know what we decide. If anyone has any tips, please let us know.

"Judaization" of Hoboken NJ

Our first event at moishe house new jersey was funtastic. We began our Judaization of Hoboken NJ by inviting some friend over that we had known in college and a few of our first hobokenite contacts to watch the Hebrew Hammer. While I think its a rather paltry movie, I loved kvetching about it and the stereotypes it took advantage of. I'v begun reflecting on Moishe house in general and what sort of community I would like to have, its a bisle on the meshugana side but I'd like to start a young adult branch of the Elders of Zion, sort off Free Masons meets the Jews. We won't plot to take over the world (been there, done that) but examine what issues are going on in our community, the larger global village, and how to make it a better place. On a completely unrelated note my Swiss friend, Swiss Jon, who lives with his wife in Boston nows frequents the Boston Moishe house and I think that is cool. Einstein out.

$10 and a cup of coffee will buy this blog

I just got over a bad sickness this weekend and am ready to prepare for our Holi-Daze party. The theme is to bring decorations, food or costumes from your favorite holidays so that we can party down and offend no one and everyone. Thus far, I've received one high five and a lukewarm response from my square roommates. Anyhow, this is my last month at the Moishe House, but you will be treated to one more blog before I depart...