Life in Israel--November is Here!

Life in Israel continues to be interesting and full of opportunities. I have met a woman who owns the local pharmacy near Jaffa Gate. She was born in Nazareth, grew up in Brazil and lived in Southern California for years. Now she is back in Israel. She is always so helpful to me. This is one of the highlights for me--meeting the people who live in the land.

My artist friend, Annie, and I met for coffee last week but she could not come to our Shabbat dinner because she became ill. She is now trying to decide whether she wants to move to Belgium or Japan. She's very much into the environment and wants to look out on green spaces not tall buildings.

We hosted a former Taylor student and her boyfriend for Shabbat dinner at JUC on Friday. Allison Barlow graduated from TU in 2009 and teaches at the Anglican School here in Jerusalem. She loves living here. It has been good to get acquainted with her. We worship together at Christ's Church in the Old City. By the way, a choir from Tanzania was at church on Sunday and we heard the most beautiful music filling this Victorian styled neo-gothic church. They were dressed in choir robes and sang with such gusto. The messages on Jesus' journey to Jerusalem in Luke's Gospel have been very meaningful to me.

Larry was surprised on Friday night when the JUC cooks brought out a lovely huge chocolate birthday cake for him at the end of our Shabbat meal. The students loved it. They had made a huge birthday card for Larry with photos of him from some of our Field Studies on the front and
each one signed a note. They are a great group! On Saturday, Larry's birthday--yes, another year older, we wandered through the Old City and revisited David's Tomb, the Upper Room, and the Dormition Abbey. What a beautiful church with some gold mosaics. It's so intriguing to have all of these sites within walking distance and to observe tourists (pilgrims?) from all over the world coming to visit. Jerusalem truly is a crossroads. That evening we celebrated Larry's birthday with a dinner at The Grotto in Bethlehem right next to one of the three "Shepherd's Fields." The Wrights joined us for a good evening of conversation and great food--Lamb, Chicken and Beef shishkabob and all these little salads. I told Larry he will never forget celebrating his birthday in Bethlehem. The economy there is beginning to turn around as evidenced by more businesses and more tourists.

Last Thursday a Westmont college student and I spent our afternoon baking two Pumpkin Rolls for our Ladies Tea on Saturday afternoon. Other staff members made other "goodies." I shared briefly at the Tea on "Seven Tips/Lessons I Wish I Had Known as a JUC Student." I tried to give them some tips I had learned over the years that would have helped if I had known them sooner but that is life. You have to live it to learn some important lessons. I just wanted to give them a head start. The gals are great and were so generous in their feedback.

I'm wrapping up my project of cataloging the Lindsay Collection and should be finished by next week--after our trip to Jordan. We catch the bus at 6:00 am in the morning and we will have long days in Jordan. I'm particularly excited about seeing Petra.

I finished a book by Peter Hellman titled Avenue of the Righteous. Hellman selected four people from many who have been honored at Yad Vashem for their hiding Jews during WWII. The stories were amazing and how they survived. They are also referred to as "Righteous Gentiles"
by some. Hellman personally interviewed these families and recorded all they had gone through. Their commitment to those they hid, inspite of danger, is an example to all of us. He has written more in this area but this was the first of his books I have read.

Students here are wrapping up papers and projects as there are only two weeks of classes left and then finals week. Amidst all of this our dinner cook formed a class to teach whoever wanted to learn how to crochet a hat. I'm trying to tackle this and thought it would be good to crochet on the flight home--if I cannot sleep on the plane. We will be on the plane all night. Ugh! I'm trying to be positive and think in terms of all the good reading I can get done, etc.

Till next time. Jordan here we come!