June in Jerusalem

There is no better place to be than in Jerusalem during the month of June. The weather is glorious with warm days and cool nights. And there is SOOO much going on. Of course it is all happening at the same time so you will have to coordinate your schedules accordingly.
The annual Book Fair opens on June 15th through June 26th. It is held at Gan Hapaamon (The Liberty Bell Park). It is so exciting to be surrounded by books, authors and loads of book lovers. There are bargains to be had and it is a happening not to be missed.

The Jerusalem Celebration of Lights also opens on June 15th and runs through June 22nd. This is the most incredible opportunity to walk through the streets and alleys of the Old City surrounded by the most extraordinary light displays and exhibits.

So look forward to bumping into you and enjoy!!
Debra and Daniella

Wed May 18 is International Museum Day

What an absolutely great day to be in Israel and in Jerusalem. Many museums are free today. Check out the listing here and take advantage of this rare opportunity!

Happy museuming and hope to meet you in one of the galleries!!

Debra and Daniella

Support the Lone Soldiers of the IDF

Whether you are here for the year or here for semester break-help support the young men and women who leave their families and friends to come to Israel and serve in the IDF. This Shabbat, Shabbat Shira, The Chief Chazzan of the IDF, Shai Abramson, will officiate on Friday evening and Shabbat morning accompanied by The Jerusalem Great Synagogue Choir conducted by Elli Jaffe . Click here for the schedule

On January 27th the Great Synagogue will host a Wine and Cheese Party in honor of the Lone Soldiers. Proceeds from the evening will go to the Michael Levin Home for Lone Soldiers
Contact us at here4theyear@gmail.com for details and tickets. Tickets are 50 NIS for students.
Hope to see you there.

The Carmel Fire

During Chanuka, Israel experienced one of its worth disasters with the Carmel forest fire. 43 people died. Many homes were destroyed as well. Of the 43 people who died 2 were from Jerusalem, parents of children who study at the school where my children attend.
The Yemin Orde Youth Village-home to over 5oo young people from around the world was almost completely destroyed. This Thursday night Mike's Place is hosting an evening to raise money for Yemin Orde-join everyone in raising money and awareness!

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=163397613703084

The Chagim continue-on to Sukkot

With the Yamim Noraim behind us we are now moving toward Sukkot. There is nothing like walking around at night to the sounds of hammering as Sukkot start popping up everywhere. You can buy a Sukkah, Schach, decorations and a lulav and etrog on almost every street corner in Jerusalem. For some of you, families are coming-for others, this is probably your first Sukkot away from family and with your yeshiva/seminary closed this may be a difficult time.
Use this time -make the most out of it. This is an incredible country and Jerusalem is a great city.
Explore and enjoy-don't get stuck and end up sitting in your dorm room-this is your year- take advantage of it.
Remember that you can be in touch with us and we will do our best to help you during this time.

Check out our website for some great Chol Hamoed ideas

Start the New Year off by Giving Back and Volunteer

Welcome and Shana Tova. As they say in Hebrew-Kol Hatchalot Kashot" loosely translated to mean that beginnings are hard and this is a new beginning for you.
Now is the time though not to think about how hard it is for you,but think about how hard it is for others. True you are not going to be home with your family maybe for the first Rosh Hashana ever-but neither will many of our soldiers-who will be guarding our borders to ensure that we have a safe Chag.
True too that you are going to miss Mom's home cooked meals-but there are many families who will have no meals over the chag.

So take a step forward and volunteer!! Check out some great opportunities on our website:
http://here4theyear.com/pages/featured-columns/volunteer.php

And wishing you a Shana Tova!!!

Debra and Daniella

Drink,Drink, Drink....

And we don't mean alcohol - we are talking-WATER!!!

Jerusalem and all of Israel has been experiencing a most unbelievable heat wave-temperatures in Jerusalem this week have been over 100 F. and not really cooling off at night. It is so important to drink-because we are in the Middle East-and in desert conditions you don't realize that you need to drink until it is too late.

Reminders-don't go out without a hat, sunglasses, sun screen and a bottle of water! I may sound silly and maybe a bit like your mother but these days it is important.

Keep cool and hydrated.

Debra and Daniella

Jerusalem Comes Alive in August

If you thought there was alot to do in July-wait until August!! The Israel Museum has officially opened. There are so many events taking place there, concerts, the Wine festival. The museum is just incredible and worth a visit.

Heichal Shlomo will be hosting rooftop concerts on Monday evenings.

The Hutzot Hayotzer art festival begins Monday night as well-artisans from all over israel and around the world and great music as well.

And this is just a sampling of the great things happening is this incredible city!!!

And for more great ideas of things to do in Jerusalem and in Israel check out this great blog:

http://israelforbeginners.blogspot.com/

Jerusalem in July

Jerusalem comes alive during the summer with lots of festivals and other happenings. The Jerusalem Film Festival is now in full swing-think of "Entourage in Cannes"-lots of fun sitting in a theatre along with a director and a few actors and being able to watch their reaction to your reaction to a film. I had the privilege to attend the opening of the festival. The film was "The Roundup" the true story of the roundup of 13,000 French Jews during WWII-a story which was kept quiet until Jacques Chirac apologized. Actor, Jean Reno along with the writer, director and producer were on hand.

As we enjoy the sites and sounds of Jerusalem, we are also busy getting ready for the arrival of young people coming to the various one year programs. Go to our website: www.here4theyear.com
Its not too late to order bedding and other things you may need to make your dorm room feel like a home away from home.
So be in touch with us!!!

Debra and Daniella

June is a Jam Packed Activity Month in Jerusalem; Take Advantage

You are winding down, filled with mixed emotions-sad to leave but excited about what lies ahead. This is the time also to take advantage of the great happenings in Jerusalem. What a great way to have a last "chill" with friends:
Here are some ideas:
1. On Wed June 2nd walk down to Agron St. and watch the agricultural parade. Kibbutzniks from all over the country come-what fun.

2. The Book Fair-"Shavua Sefer" begins next week in Gan Hapaamon. Get that last bargain before you go home. Meet authors and see what is out there.

3. The Israel Festival-great things happening for free both in the plaza of the Jerusalem Theatre and in Mamilla. Meet your friends for coffee this Friday afternoon and hear some classical music.

Send us your thoughts.

YOM YERUSHALAYIM

It is hard to believe that the year is coming to a close and many of you will be returning to your homes and going on to the next phase of your lives. But there is still much to enjoy in this great city of Jerusalem! Next week will mark the 43rd anniversary of the reunification of the City of Jerusalem- there are lots of celebrations. Festivities begin on Tuesday night May 11th with learning, singling and dancing at Yeshivat Mercaz Harav in Kiryat Moshe. During the wee hours of the morn, hundreds of young people will dance to the kotel and daven shacharit.
Later in the afternoon of May 12th, thousands of youth from around the country will converge upon Jerusalem. They will march down Agron St. toward the Old City-every gate will be open and people will come from all sides and finally meet at the kotel- a site not to be missed.

Look forward to dancing with you

Debra and Daniella

Pesach Break-Planning for Chol Hamoed

The countdown continues to seder night. We hope that you have been able to take advantage of some of our ideas and also have explored on your own.
Chol Hamoed is also bustling in Jerusalem and in the rest of the country. Advice-always plan to leave early. The entire country is pretty much on vacation so sites get packed and the traffic can be crazy. But Israelis also dont tend to get an early start!

You'll probably hear lots of laughing over Chol Hamoed-check out the Off the Wall Comedy Club:
http://www.israelcomedy.com/eindex.html


Debra and Daniella
here4theyear@gmail.com

The Week Before Pesach in Jerusalem

The countdown continues-The seder is 8 days from today. This can mean no time at all or the feeling of "What am I going to do for the next 8 days". Well there is quite a lot to do. Aside from volunteering at a local soup kitchen, checking with your teachers whether they could use a helping hand this week-with kids home from school and lots to do, there is also a very important conference that you are welcome to attend.
The Torah and Science Conference will be held on Monday March 22nd at YU Israel campus in Bayit Vegan from 9:30 AM-5:30 PM The cost is only 30 NIS for students.
Click here for details for the conference.

As always you can contact us at here4theyear@gmail.com

Debra and Daniella

More Pre-Pesach fun things to do!

Today is Rosh Chodesh Nissan. Many of you-in Israel for the year have left Israel-either on Heritage to Poland, travelling in Europe or directly back to the U.S. to celebrate Pesach with your families.
BUT...there are a group of students who have remained in Israel-who will have the opportunity to celebrate Pesach in Israel. However, as I wrote in the previous posting-there is no real plan in place for you. Your school is closed although you "can" stay in the dorm. You need things to do during the next few weeks. Aside from some of the ideas I wrote about here is another fun thing to do!!

Osim Seder: A unique pre-Pesach crafts fair shopping extravaganza
Towards Pesach Merkaz Hamagshimim Hadassah in collaboration with Ruach Hadasha are organizing for you a Pesach crafts fair shopping extravaganza which includes recycled lamps, jewelry and fashion accessories, candlesticks, plants, kitchen and house items.

Also in the fair there will be a huge second hand clothing swap! Feel free to bring your old clothes from your closet.

* Participating in the fair will be representatives of organizations who work with; people with special needs, children at risk, artists that use recycled materials.

The price level is suitable for every pocket! All proceeds go directly to the artists and to social and environmental justice organizations.


Merkaz Hamagshimim Hadassah Beit Ar-El, 8 Gad St, Baka, Jerusalem.
Friday, March 26th 2010 10:00-13:00. FREE ENTRANCE.
For more information Deena 02-6722405*114 www.themerkaz.org


PLEASE SEND ME YOUR SUGGESTIONS AS WELL!!!!

PURIM IS IN THE AIR

Purim basically begins on Rosh Chodesh Adar in Israel-with kids already in costume almost daily. There are a number of wonderful volunteer opportunities that you can participate in this week. One in particular that I recommend is to deliver Mishloach Manot at the Diplomat Hotel in the Talpiot neighborhood of Jerusalem. This "hotel" is home to over 400 immigrants from Eastern Europe who for whatever reason fell through the cracks and have been living in cramped hotel rooms for years and are very isolated. There is nothing like the feeling of handing a package to someone and receiving a smile, a piece of candy, and a warm greeting! For more information about this contact me at: here4theyear@gmail.com

Remember, Purim is not just about drinking... Purim is about 'Matanot l'evyonim', hearing the megillah and having a meaningful seudah.
Please read this piece recently published in the YU Commentator

Purim Sameach