First, we talked about life for the Ashkenazi Jews in Europe. We talked about how oppressive the Church was and how Jews were persecuted and killed, then we discussed the Sephardic community and its fall. As we went through the castle, we observed its defensive structure and discussed how the Muslims seized it.  Afterward, we sat in the castle and talked about the causes, collapse and consequences of the Crusades.

 We talked about  a quote which said that Jews were like the crusaders and that Israel would fall like the cities of the crusaders did. Lots of kids said that if Israel needed them, they would come and serve in the IDF. A few didn’t feel that connected to Israel; while they wanted Israel to continue to be a country, they but don’t really feel like Israel is their home. I would want to serve in the army, but mostly I feel like educating and relating to people is my mission. The main thing I am worried about is anti-Semitism, not anti-Zionism. Being here has opened my eyes to how the world views Israel and how negative everyone is about it. I want peace.

On Friday we went to an amazing synagogue. There were so many of us that we couldn’t all sit, so one of the women had everyone get up and dance and we danced the entire part. At the end of the Kabbalat Shabbat, many girls left, but a bunch stayed. Typically, only Mariam and I stay for the service. It was really nice to have more girls participating. Hearing so many voices singing so beautifully and loud filled my heart with warmth.

Dinner was good. A bunch of people are sick, as some virus has been going around. One of the girls at my table had stayed back today because of it but she was feeling better by the evening. The room was so loud during dinner as we would sing at full blast periodically and the boys would join us in singing and add percussion by banging on the table.

Side note:I decided not to get the Blundstones. I can get them for a similar price on Amazon in the States, so I’ll just wait and get them when I get home. Instead, I’ll look for jewelry that’s unique to Israel. I am going to a basketball game next week and am excited to chill with everyone. Today’s Julia’s birthday and we had a party for her yesterday. We had lots of pizza and karaoke. It was very nice of everyone to want to surprise her. I hung out with Eden and Mariam.

This morning we went to shul around 9 with Aubrey’s daughter-in-law. She helped us through the service. It was nice to be there. It gave a good start to start the morning, even though we had to wake up so early. Having the siddurim in English made it easier to follow along. I like looking through it and learning. The beginning talked about how the book was developed and about Kabbalah. It was like a personal mini core lesson–so awesome. The siddur had a bunch of cool prayers I hadn’t seen before like the special ones for rainbows, thunder and flowering trees. I didn’t know we aren’t supposed to stare at rainbows. I enjoy learning the laws and why we do things. On the other hand, doing things just because a rabbi said so seems to contradict the individualism of Judaism and implies we are not worthy of the faith G-d has expressed in us. It doesn’t make sense to follow the interpretation of someone who doesn’t have a special connection to G-d. Prophets speak for G-d, so they have a different status. They were chosen to give us direction. It’s weird, almost like cheating, that we follow others’ interpretation of the Torah when the point is to read it and do it yourself. Judaism is the ultimate do-it-yourself religion. We’re supposed to think about what we do, not just do it because somebody said we should.

I want to learn more about the laws and commandments. It’s important to pray, but I already know how great G-d is and it doesn’t make me feel any more connected to G-d. I think that knowing what we’re told to do in Torah would be much more meaningful to me.