Good morning you alls: A couple things, first welcome to all the newcomers on my list. I hope I can keep everyone informed of my activities and those in Israel. Second of all Bruce G, thanks for the call; I only wish I would have been able to talk to you.

I have now been in Israel for a little over two weeks and I am coming up on my third Shabbat here. Currently I am in Beit Shemesh which is 20 minutes south to southwest of Jerusalem. Fridays I do not have ulpan (Hebrew language class), so I thought I would come out Thu afternoon. My schedule pretty much is this. Wake up at sun rise or around that time, do a little stretching and walk up this huge hill to a Sephardi shul, which I am really liking. Some guy brings in various herbs and spices and it really wakes me up taking a good whiff of it. Not as good as some other stuff I have had in the past but it will do. Ulpan is from 8 am till 1 pm with two breaks in it. My three teachers are Yedida, the director, Linda, and Chaya, which I am biased towards. Each teaches in a slight different style, but each good in its own way. I have Chaya Tue-Thu so I have her the most often. She speaks Hebrew, English and Russian, and a little French, Portuguese and Spanish. Being that I am the only true American in the class
Went to Machene Yehuda, which is the big market in Jerusalem to do some shopping. Since produce is so cheap I have decided to try to stick to the basics and become a vegetarian during the week. I ended up paying 2 shekels for 4 large red peppers. I believe that comes to a little under 50 cents. A loaf of the gov't subsidized bread is 75 cents , but my new roommate works at a bakery and brings home a loaf of bread every morning (he works the graveyard shift). Got tomatoes, pecans, walnuts, apples, peaches, star fruit, mangos, and some spices. Next week I think I will get some fish and cook it up.
I am going to try and not make this email a political one as there are always two pints to a view and I do not want to preach to such a diverse crowd. But I am not sure if those in the US heard about a husband and seven month baby who were murdered in Friday night in a settlement near Hebron. This was a horrible atrocity and I hope that somehow the gov't of Israel can find a peaceful way to keep all Israelis safe and secure.
One of the guys who is living in Beit Canada with me is Ammnon Kaufman, a nice guy from Wilmette, IL who went to Brandeis University. We are running partners every night, but since he ran for school, and I ate and drank, he is months ahead of my endurance. On top of that, when we start running we go up this huge hill. But its good for me and I enjoy the challenge. Less than three miles from us is a promenade overlooking East Jerusalem, the old City and the Center of the City. What a view!!! I can describe it as it is one of such awe, the rolling hills and lights (at night) You can see the gold shimmer of the Dome of the Rock, and then can navigate around the old city. In the morning the sunrise is magnificent, and gives me strength to run back to Beit Canada. The other night when we got to the promenade, I usually run down all the steps and then back up but it was being used for a wedding so I just stood there and watched to happiness and celebrating and then went home and passed out.
In the afternoons, I do a variety of things. Up till yesterday I was taking a class with Rabbi Hartman of Ohr Sameach on the 13 attributes of G-d, something which at this time of the year has much pertinence. After that I have put upon myself to take another Hebrew learning class which is a at much higher level than I am at but I am being challenged and that is the point.
After that which is now 6:30 pm I do various things. Go to classes, walk around Jerusalem, read, all sorts of other stuff. Anything to keep myself busy. With the holidays coming up and the country on holiday I am hoping to go up to Kfar Yehoushua, and visit my relatives, who I dearly miss. Perhaps a tiyul (trip) or two. Well you all have a good Shabbos and be well. Packers rule!!! Bears suck!

Strength & Blessing

Yaakov S. Y. Cohen