I am also going to put this up on the internet for u to read.  I wrote it after Sabbath and never mailed it to anyone.  I think I may add part of what I wrote about the wall and make it one big post for a youth group religion piece and or to post on the NFTY website.

The Bonding Moment

            People happy, people singing, people talking, people praying, people laughing, people taking advantage of their first Shabbat in Israel.  This was a genuine feeling that was going around the EIE group of 101 teens from all across America and Canada celebrating our first Shabbat together, as a Kihela (community).  Everyone was standing in a circle holding hands being friends and accepting everyone in the group.  It was a great feeling to add to the night as our first Shabbat kicked off.  During services, I started thinking about what it meant to me to be in Israel.  I came up with the conclusion that it meant cherishing every moment and remembering it for the rest of my life.  Being in services gave me a feeling of a sense of completion of doing what g-d wanted me to do-pray and live in the land that he created just for us Jews.  This is what I have set out to do.  I came here knowing a few people and plan on returning having 100 Jewish friends that I can count on to help me learn about the Jew that I am.    

I guess the busy work that Z gives me and I complain about pays off.  I got into the highest Hebrew class, though the teacher speaks really fast.  I am going to come home fluent!  I love everyone who reads this and miss everyone so much I am waiting to hear from some of you and my picture Kelly don't think that just because you are so far away you get out of hearing about it!  Let me know if you did not get my pictures!

Annie

I sent this email to everyone and I am also posting it on here for Jewish History class.  I may be posting things once a week or so...Amanda I still don't understand how to set up anything new just for class not that it matters that I am using it for duel reasons. 

The Wall

            The wall was not what I expected it to be.  I thought that I would feel spiritual standing there touching it exploring it and putting notes in it but I really did not feel any connection to g-d while physically touching the wall.  When we got on the bus to leaving Tzuba in a way I was scared to leave the safety of the kibbutz for the old city and a mall.  This was my first time in the streets of Jerusalem.  Nevertheless, I got on the bus with three armed guards.  When we got off I felt happy and ready to have what I thought would be a very spiritual moment.  We stood as a group and sang Hatikvah, the Israeli national anthem.  I thought that it was neat that I was now standing in one of the holiest places in Israel singing the holiest Israeli song.  We then walked around the old city until we walked through the gates that our ancestors walked though long ago.  This is when it really hit me that I was in Israel.  We could now see the wall. I stood for just a few minutes and took the time to myself to think about what this meant to me.  I observed all the different sounds around me and just listened and took it all in.  People were praying, singing, dancing, and connecting with g-d.  It was my turn to feel a sense connection now.  As we started Havdalah, with the wall behind us, I felt as though I was with the rest of the Jewish world praying and fulfilling the dream that many Jews have of going to the wall.  But with the wall insight the question was, Did I feel any different?  I really don’t know how to answer that.  I just felt Jewish and that I was continuing the tradition of praying in front of the wall.  I was no longer a minority standing in front of the wall, I was part of the majority.  During Havdalah, we sang a song as one group and it really gave me a good feeling.  I was happy and wanting to take this journey one-step further, touch the wall, and put my note in it.  So now was the time, it was an amazing feeling to realize that this is what so many people before me have done but it felt as something was missing.  I still have not figured out what that is but something was missing.  I had felt more spiritual during Hatikvah and Havdalah. I do not know if it was g-d that I did not feel a connection to at this point or if it was the noise around me that was taking my mind off of what was happening but something was missing as I touched the wall.  Maybe it will be different next time or maybe not. 

Hey everyone!

I hope everyone is having a good time at school.  I miss everyone so much!  I think i will post the emails that i have been sending out here for you to read if you ever want to. 

I wrote this on the plane and then I am going to add some more at the end!

Hey everyone! 

            Right now I am on the plane and I thought that I would right you a letter to email you later! My trip to New York was uneventful except for the tiny plane (it was 2 by 1) that rocked the whole time and was really bumpy!  Then Elaina and I had to claim our luggage and the side pocket of her bag brook so she thinks that she lost most of her socks…luckily she had duck tape…well then again she has everything anyone can think of.  So we did that then walked like 4 miles to the right terminal for our flight to Israel.  We had to take a train to get there while pushing a cart with all of our bags but we made it in under an hour.  We then got to leave our stuff with some friends and go get some dinner and then we spend an hour in line checking our bags.  After we got a little (well it was like an hour long) speech by one of the guys that is in charge of our program.  Then there was security that is always fun with a lot of people.  I had to take my shoes off take my computer out of my bag and all that jazz.   

            There are 101 people on this trip.  That is A LOT! I donut think that the people that are not in our group that are on this plane are very happy with us because we are making a lot of noise.  Oh well nothing I can do about that!  

            I got some sleep on the plane, though it was hard.  At one point, the two people sitting next to me left and I was able to lay out over the three seats and sleep.  We are almost there now…at least in a relative term only one hour left…it was 10 hours at one point. 

            One of the coolest things that I have seen so far is everything in Hebrew and so many people speaking Hebrew.  It is so weird but really col.  All the announcement are in both Hebrew and in English….figure that one out!  Then we had to fill out this thing for customs that I really could not figure out how to do I think I did it like 3 times before the director who was sitting next to me (thanks pops for giving me a name that starts with A) realized that I was having a little trouble and told me what to write in each box. 

            We are supposed to get to the Kibbutz around 7 in Israel.  We get dinner though it feels like it should be lunch and then we have a little orientation and time to unpack and go back to sleep.  So I will email this when I get service in Israel! 

Love to all!

Annie

So we did get here...after a few long lines in customs.  We then had a little opening ceremony over looking the Judanen Hills which was really pretty...though it is even nicer today when it is light outside!  There are a ton of little villages that we can see.  Maybe I will send some pictures later!  Then we brought our suit cases to our rooms.  I have two roommates from Seattle and mass.  They are both nice.  We are one of the only rooms at this point that only has 3 people which is nice because it is really crowded.  There is one room with 2 beds and places to put all of our stuff and then there is another bed in the living area.  The food here is not great but not horrible.  I think I just have to get used to it.  Then this morning we were woken up at 7:15 yes it was very early after not sleeping last night had breakfast then we had introduction to services (tifilot) very odd I did not really know that at 17 I had to be introduced to it but we talked about how they do services here...1 time a day different times each day.  Then we talked about how to build a community which boy was that interesting...after that we went through 4 different stations with our groups.  There are 33 people in my group.  This group we go on all of our trips with and room with.  We had one station about rules, one about health stuff, lunch, and one that is a break...So I am on my break.  Though I still need to finish unpacking...a hard process with no space to put it.  Later we are going on a tour of the kibbutz, then we have mixers and free time to finish unpacking.  Tomorrow is more orientation stuff but more towards that way of school...Hebrew placement test, and general studies stuff I don't even know.  All i know is classes start sunday.  Here we have friday and sat.  I got to go look forward to hearing from everyone!  Happy Birthday mom!

Annie

Feb 3^rd

Hey everyone!

Today we went on an archeological dig.  We got to dig for pottery for about an hour and then we went cave exploring for another hour.  It was a lot of fun and a really bonding experience.  We have 101 people in our groups so we split up into 3 groups and we do everything except general studies classes with these groups.  It has made it easier to meet people and feel comfortable.  I found some pottery pieces and old charcoal. 

Now we are hanging out in our rooms or in the lounge area and taking much needed showers from all the dirt in the dig and getting ready for shabbat. We were supposed to go to the western wall but it has been raining so we are going to go tomorrow instead for Havdalah services before we hit the mall.  One thing that I have found very interesting here is that when we are at home in services we always look to the East towards Israel and Jerusalem now it is not east since we are farther from it.  Thought everyone would love to know that fact. 

When we went out today three armed security guards came with us. We have been seeing more and more people with guns.  It is so weird to have so many people with guns walking around the kibbutz.  But reassuring at the same time. 

Sunday we start school which should be interesting. 

I look forward to hearing from everyone!  Some people have asked me about my AIM name...it is the same thing No2388 IM me if I am around.  Also if you did not get the pictures I sent out let me know for some reason not everyone one got them!

Annie

Hey Guys!

So i am done with 2 finals.  Yeah! I cant believe that school  is almost over for me.  I will miss you guys so much.  It is going to be so weird without you.  Tomorrow i have Band and history, history is the only one that i really have to worry about. 

Annie