IMG_4008.JPG, originally uploaded by swimfast. This “Matala” as it is called in Mauritania (the foam mat upon which Aaron is sitting) is used to lounge, eat, nap, and sleep. It is also the item that I used to pray, eat, and sing this evening, here in Jerusalem. Reduce, Reuse. שבת שלום coming up….peace through understanding…
Mauritania – Carrying Sand
IMG_3957.JPG, originally uploaded by swimfast. In a small village in the Southeast, we encountered these kids carrying sand to the their house, where it will be combined with water to create plaster.
Mishkan T’filah
edit: I have written a new post after using the published siddur that provides a personal view. Like it or not, a new Reform Siddur is going to be published soon. Excerpt from the NY Times article below: “Religious denominations have learned that rewriting their prayer books can result in rebellions from their worshipers, both…
Mauritania
This is the beginning of many posts about my amazing trip (see below for location details). Pictures will be arriving shortly. In brief: Profound. I went with no expectations, and discovered a land rich with culture, identity, beauty, renewable energy, and the renewal of a close friendship. And sand, lots and lots of sand. I…
A trip to Misrad HaPanim (Ministry of the Interior)
Two weeks ago I had an appointment to receive a studnet visa. It ended a long quest involving the US Passport Agency, the Israeli Embassy in NYC, border control, long holds on the phone, frustration, mitzvot, and finally tranquility and justification. Let’s begin. It was a snowy day four days before NFTY Convetion 2007, and I…
Mauritania in 5 Days
The rumors are true, I’m going to Mauritania (a country in western Africa) in 5 days to visit Aaron who is currently in the Peace corps. For those who are curious, I have included a map of Africa highlighting the location. I have a visa to enter the country, innoculations as recommended by the CDC,…
Walk through time
IMG_3876.JPG, originally uploaded by swimfast. Generally, when I have gone on hikes in the US of A, they have been amazing; filled with beautiful scenery, trees, birds, animals, bugs, lakes, and tranquility. In Israel, while we experienced all of that, we also brought a broom so that we could sweep away the sand covering a…
Israel Baseball League
I borded a bus, went to kibbutz Gezer, about 30 min outside of Jerusalem. I had played at this field before for softball, but this time I was here to watch the Israel Baseball League, comprised of Americans and Israeli’s. It was very informal and cheap – the way that baseball was intended to…
Tisha B’av take 2
Last week was the 9th of Av (Tesha is 9 in Hebrew, Av is Month, and the prefix b’ means in) in the Jewish calendar, which this year falls on July 24th. We remember the destruction of the Second Temple. What remains of this amazing structure is the Kotel, which is known in English as…
shalom July, shalom August
Shalom (שלום) does not mean Hello and Goodbye, but simply Peace. It is used as a greeting: Peace between you and me, and Peace be with you. I think we should all listen to ourselves. May we as Am Yisrael (the Jewish people), and as humanity, great each other and leave each other with a…
Rabbi Brian Immerman 