My Gadna Experience

My friends and I at the shooting range.

As people have suggested, Gadna was pretty horrible in the retrospect of the bathrooms and the Israelis that were there with us. During my experience in Gadna, I really got a good idea of what the IDF is like. Even though there where obstacles, literally and physically, I and everyone else was able to get through it. Gadna was a definite struggle mentally, having to deal with the yelling and being in a totally new and different environment and that aspect really took a toll on people. In all I am really happy and glad that I was able to take part in this experience. 

A view of the Negev Desert.

This participation has really helped me in my thoughts about the IDF. Before going into Gadna, I had the thought of joining the IDF in the back of my head and never really considered joining, but now that I have this understanding, I have definitely thought about it. I am a Jew who believes that there should be a state for the Jewish people and will do what I think is the best way for me to advocate for that. Gadna is a great taste of what it is like to be in IDF and I would not change my experience for the world because of its impact on my life and my choices. 

Expectations of Gadna

Many people think of the army as a horrible pit of despair. They might be right. While in Gadna, I want to be there with a positive mindset. One of the things I have been waiting for is Gadna while on EIE. I think that Gadna will be a very good learning experience for me. It will help me with time management and with being on top of my responsibilities. While in Gadna I hope I will gain a better understanding of the people's nationalism for Israel and the thought process of the lone soldiers coming from America. One of my friends is going to become a lone soldier in 3 or so months and it would be interesting to know what he will be doing. My friend was on EIE Spring Semester 2015 and was really interested in the IDF. I really hope that Gadna isn't going to be the worst thing every but even in the worst parts of things, there will always be a ray of sunshine that makes everything better.

My Jerusalem

For our first Shabbat in Israel, all of us EIE students went to the Western Wall. On our way to the Wall, we were walking through the city and we were able to see all of what the city had to offer. Jerusalem has not only a scenic beauty but a spiritual beauty and connection.

I love the architecture of Jerusalem and I was taken away by how easily the buildings fit so well together. The older and newer buildings are weaved together as if they were built in the same time period. The Western Wall especially took me away. As we were walking down to the Western Wall, I began to choke up. Seconds later, I felt tears running down my face. The sight of this grand and important wall, made me feel like there is more to Judaism than just praying to God. As a proud Jew, I pray to God and don’t think much of it except that we have to do it. Now I feel that I have a more spiritual connection with God because of this experience with the Western Wall and being in Israel.

Super Bowl Sunday is a Holiday?

Many Americans think of the Super Bowl as if it was a religious ritual. There are definitely some similarities between the Super Bowl and the Jewish High Holidays. As Jonathan Zalman said, not many people are super fans of the Super Bowl or football in general and its the same with Judaism. The Orthodox Jews are like the die hard fans of football. Many people, including myself, are not die hard fans for Judaism and only go to some of their services, or games. 

I think that Jonathan has a point here. Not many Jews, or Reform Jews for instance, go to temple or shabbat services every week. Same with football fans. Not all of them are season ticket holders and go to their favorite teams games every time they are playing. I am too a football fan but I don't want to go to every Niners game. Football and High Holidays are on very similar principles, drink, eat, cheer, drink, sing, relax, and you guessed it, drink. 

So I leave you with a question. Do you think that Super Bowl Sunday is like a Holiday?

Tel Gezer I Said Hi!

Tel Gezer is a beautiful and amazing place, full of history and different types of civilizations. Tel Gezer is definitely a historic landmark for Israel since the Canaanites established one of the cities there. While in Tel Gezer we learned about the rich culture and importance of the location. Many civilizations need water, food, defense, and some way of trade. In this area, the Canaanites were able to get all of these resources.

 

 In our class we learned the 4 D's. Dinner, drink, dollars, and defense. One of the major intersections near Tel Gezer is the highway 1 and 6 intersection. Many years ago the people would use that road as means of trade and travel from Mesopotamia and Egypt. It was called Derech Hiyam. This was one of our many experiences on EIE and many more to come, so Tel Gezer I said hi!