Shana Tova! by Aviva Friedman, blogger of the month

A common Jewish phrase, usually at the end of the Passover seder, clearly elaborates where we hope to be next year: "Next year in Jerusalem!" Since the Jewish new year is upon us tomorrow, and since our class trip to Jerusalem was last week, I guess you could say it was already last year that we were roaming her streets. The novelty of traveling - and bragging about traveling - to Jerusalem for a day trip has yet to wear off. Our 1.5 hour bus ride through the Negev’s dusty desert scenery was filled with off-key singing and plenty of opportunities to catch some Z’s as the scenery slowly greened and our bus mounted the hills of the golden city. Unfortunately, due to ongoing security concerns, we were unable to visit the old city and her sites. Instead, we were treated to an alternative city tour, starting with some fascinating global health presentations by Hebrew U’s graduating MPH class at Hadassah Hospital, followed by a visit to the Knesset (Israel’s parliament), the windmill, a stop at a must-see Jerusalem lookout, and of course, Mahane Yehuda (aka the central shuk). When my Hebrew teacher asked me the next day what my favourite part of the trip had been, I turned into a giant cheeseball and said that it was spending time with new friends (I bet it would have been the rugalach if I could eat it, though).

As the new year rolls in, we take part in an ancient Jewish tradition: we eat. Besides the traditional dinners that many of us will attend over the next two evenings either with our own or our adoptive families, we will dunk apples in honey to symbolize our wishes for a sweet year ahead with even sweeter friends for the journey (there I go again!). So, though I told my Hebrew teacher today that what I want in the new year is good grades, what I meant to say is that I hope for a wonderful new start filled with only laughter and joy and success for everyone around me. Good grades wouldn’t hurt either. 

As we say in Hebrew: Shana tova u metukah! (Have a happy - and sweet - new year!).

Fatherly Advice: “You’re not coming back tomorrow”, by Nathan Douthit

A view from the side of the road on our way to Eilat in Mitzpe Ramon.  Not far from B7!

 When I was growing up, my family loved to travel. We were homeschooled, so the flexibility of our schedule (and the portability of our school) allowed us to leave for different places often. I loved these adventures, and I believe it was those early trips with my family and church that helped feed my interest in other cultures, and lead me on the path to this school. I can remember, on those trips, being torn about whether or not to spend my money on something, or whether or not to do some side activity that was being offered. My dad always said, “Just remember, we’re not coming back tomorrow.” That advice, along with much more from Dad, has always stuck with me. I guess it was kind of his way of saying carpe diem. It always encouraged me to take advantage of the opportunities I had before me.

The Red Sea at dusk

One of the many breathtaking views from Masada

So, my wife and I have been to Jerusalem, Galilee, Haifa, and Tel Aviv last semester; and a few of those spots multiple times. We have plans to go to England over Pesach (Passover), and took advantage of a long weekend for Purim to visit the Red Sea, Eilat and Masada. We had a fantastic time snorkeling, enjoying the beautiful weather, and relaxing in the laid back environment. I’ve put in a few of our favorite photos from the trip for your enjoyment. Since we already live on this side of the world, travel to Europe and Asia is significantly cheaper from here, and when we find ourselves debating a trip or activity, Dad’s advice rings in our ears.

Kate and me on Eilat's North Beach, with Aqaba, Jordan behind us

From the pier, where we went snorkeling.

            Which leaves me with just one more thing to say, addressed to the incoming first year class or anyone who finds themselves surrounded by opportunity. There are a variety of pressures and responsibilities that accompany medical education. There are loans to worry about, family members to Skype, and personal, mental, and spiritual health to preserve. Certainly, don’t neglect things. Remember however, that the proverbial day is fleeting, and you may not be coming back tomorrow. 

- blogger of the month, Nathan Douthit

Progress made, by blogger of the month Jacek Jarczynski

Western Wall, Old City, Jerusalem 

Me in red with Julian and Tal.

September is almost through and I can hardly believe that I have been in Israel since mid-July.  A great deal of progress has been made on all fronts with regard to academics, housing, settling in, meeting new people, and getting familiar with Be’er Sheva in general.  As summer turns to fall I can see olives and dates ripening on the trees throughout the city.  There is much inspiration in this area for someone with an appreciation for nature, history and ethnography.  I am quite fond of Be’er Sheva and the new friendships I established here.  The MSIH experience thus far has been fantastic.  The classes are coming along well (taking a break from biochemistry reading to write this entry), I am picking up more of the Hebrew language with every day and the local people I have met here so far proved to be incredibly generous and friendly … and I love my new bed!  No more sleeping on an inflatable mattress!  The things we take for granted until we have to relocate and set up shop all over again in a new place.  Earlier during the month we went on a class trip to Jerusalem.  After meeting with students from the Hebrew University Medical Center we went on a tour of the old city.  It is impossible not to feel the weight of history present in every corner of the old city.  All for now and back to glycolysis and the pentose phosphate pathway.   - blogger of the month Jacek Jarczynski

A Few Weeks In, by David Weltman

Church of the Holy Sepulchre

 Wow, what an awesome first few weeks. It’s been a lot of work as of late, which is funny, as this is supposed to be simply the orientation and we don’t yet have eighty classes to study for. And yet, with ulpan, finding apartments, and our emergency medicine course, along with all the other mind-numbing tasks we’ve had to do thus far, we’ve had our hands full!

Nevertheless, I have used the past few weekends to travel to visit friends. Two weeks ago, I went to Jerusalem with another student on the program to visit my friend Daniel, and we enjoyed getting lost in the Old City, a beautiful Shabbat overlooking the eastern mountains, and a Tisha B’av service overlooking the Old City. This dark day on the Jewish calendar marks the destruction of the ancient Temples of Jerusalem and the sieges and burnings of the city and its inhabitants, “all her gates are desolate, her priests sigh, her maidens are afflicted and as for her, it is bitter unto her” (Lamentations 1:4). It was such a cool juxtaposition, listening to those words and looking at the city renewed and prosperous.

the Cardo, a very much intact ancient Roman Road

Herod's Gate (the gate of flowers)

Damascus Gate (gate of Schechem)

Jerusalem to the East.

Beyond that, I signed a lease on my new apartment! It doesn’t open up until September 1^st, so I’ll have to figure out what exactly I’ll be doing in the meanwhile, but we’ll cross that bridge when we get there—next week. I can’t wait to report what comes next! - blogger of the month, David Weltman