Connections

Life in Jerusalem is extremely interesting. There is an energy here that I have only experienced in Shanghai but it is different here, because instead of the masses of people, you have a city that has been the eternal capital for Jews for millenia since the time of King David. I am living now at a place called the 'Heritage House' which is in the Old City of Jerusalem. I am attending classes at Aish Ha Torah now, which is a Yeshiva that is literally opposite the Western Wall. The view is indescribeable as you can see the Western Wall, the Dome of the Rock, nearby villages, Jordan in the distance, and there is always something happening in the area. Today was someone's Bar Mitzvah and there were so many people there, and even people blowing the Shofar or Ram's horn to mark the event. Someone told me today that he doesn't feel the need to travel outside of Jerusalem because the world comes to him, and I can see his point. I have seen groups of people from every country, for some reason, many Korean tour groups, and today a group was here from Lagos in Africa. Although I thought that running into people I know would slow down, it has not since I have been in Israel. Just today I was in the weight room when someone walked in and immediately I knew who it was from an Aish conference in New Jersey. More than that, I also met his brother in law at the United Jewish Communities, General Assembly in Cleveland and so seeing him now in Jerusalem was quite something. This is just one example of connections I have made with people everyday, sometimes numerous times a day.

Simon, Jon Hoffman and me on top of Masada during sunrise. 

Simon and I eating falafels! 

Rabbi Jacoby, Jon Jaffit, me and Simon on the way to Safed.  

Akiva, Simon and I in the Negev Desert by the Beduin Tent. 

Outside the Old City in Jerusalem 

Ben Yehuda Street! 

Mike, Simon and I standing on a crater in the Negev. 

Simon and I on a Camel in the Negev Desert. 

First Post!

Well, after not even knowing what a 'blog' was until not too long ago, here I am inputting my first post. A friend of mine sent me my first blog link, and after realizing how fun and interesting it was to read it, I have finally decided to start one of my own.
I am currently writing from a 'Kibbutz' called Kibbutz Ma'abarot which is near the city of Netanya in Israel. After finnishing my Geography degree at Waterloo University, two days afterwards I set off for Israel on a program called the JLE or Jewish Learning Exchange. It was a three week long Yeshiva program based in Jerusalem which was geared to give young people a chance to tour Israel and listen to lectures by famous Rabbi's. The institution is called Ohr Somayach which is Hebrew for Happy Light. After the three weeks I headed to the most southern point of the country, Elat with some friends to soak up some sun. I went scuba diving there which was fun, but I must admit that I enjoyed it more when I went in Costa Rica. I heard that I would have seen more fish if I would have went to the Sinai in Egypt with is more renowned for diving.
After Elat, I travelled up to Kibbutz Ma'abarot to visit my relatives. This was my first full day here, and everyone is being very kind to me. There seems to be much calm and peace here and it is very pleasant to be living here for a few days with my family.

Nathan Fox
nathanfox@gmail.com
Israel