Israel!

So here I am, writing this from Beit Shmuel in Jerusalem.  After doing a little informal walking tour of the city, we had some amazing falafels, and are now back at the Hebrew Union College, which Beit Shmuel is attached to.  The El Al flight earlier was long and tiring but definitely interesting.  First, it was a huge plane, with two stories for passengers.  Second, all the announcements were made in both Hebrew and English, translated by an animated, 'flight attendant fairy.'  Third, the food was... interesting, to say the least.  And lastly, when the guy in front of me lost his kippah, he held a pillow over his head for hours until we found it.  But finally, we arrived in Tel Aviv.

We had breakfast (bagels, what else?) and then moved into our rooms at Beit Shmuel, which is connected to the Hebrew Union College in Jerusalem.  Later, we walked around Jerusalem and got to know the streets and culture around us a little bit.  We had falafels (obviously) and headed back to Beit Shmuel, where we now wait for other participants to arrive so we can formally start the program tonight.

I took some really cool pictures of our view of the old city from the HUC, and as soon as I figure out how to sync my new 90's-era phone to my computer, I'll post them here!

Some interesting facts:

• The Newark airport does not have wifi, but Tel Aviv does
• My father sucks at skype
• It's really hot here, like in the triple digit degrees.  I love it!
• Jerusalem is amazing, beautiful, cool, awesome, and interesting all in one
• I'm nine hours ahead of you west coasters
• I'm so incredibly tired

If you have any questions or anything, comment or e-mail me!