Monday, December 22, 2003

Chag Sameach, you all! Happy Hanukkah! As I approach the 100 day mark from whence I first arrived in Israel I have a chance to reflect on the events and occurrences that have passed. Knee deep into Hanukkah and all is well. I am slowly reaching the end of Ulpan, and some days I am not even going as I now command a level of Hebrew that is slightly above Ulpan A. This is not to say that I am able to comprehend what the Israelis are saying to me. No, in fact I realize how much learning I need to do. But, I now have a respectable list of vocabulary, hundred of verbs, and an understanding for the syntax rules of Hebrew.
The atmosphere here is somewhat of a shocking calm. After the speech by Sharon, a lot of people are mad, and some people are "what's new!" I do not know what to think. If the Israel gov't does perform a unilateral withdrawal, they will not have to worry about the Palestinian problem. The Palestinians will have to deal with life w/o Israel. For Israel this will be great, economically, but the Palestinian situation will worsen, as Israel helps them more economically then their Arab brothers. Now the other issue, is what "settlements" will be dismantled? I am worried, that one of my favorite spots, Otniel, will be on this list. If there is withdrawal it won't go easily. Israelis are zealots and they will fight for their land, no our land! Well the above is my opinion only.

I am not able to get into the sports, here, as soccer is the main attraction. I have been watching the Maccabi Tel Aviv, which is part of the Euroleague, and will be hosting the 2004 Final Four. They are a pretty impressive team, with some NBA has been and wannabes, but basketball is still basketball. It's still not football. Now i know that the packers are playing tonight, but I will not be able to watch the game!

Because I am a new immigrant, the gov't will pay from my college education. I have recently found out that Kellogg Business school has a branch at Tel Aviv University, and they have a one year masters program, so I am looking into that. Have not seen the Return of the King, hopefully tomorrow, and am looking forward to seeing it. I know Sam, Ben, and Isaac saw it but not really sure with the rest of you. Was it good?

My Hebrew has come a long way, my adapting into the society, which I believe, is not so bad, is fine, except I am having a problem being too rude! Have I accomplished a lot? Yes, but I could have done a lot more. I know two things, I have definitely grown maturity wise, but I still have my carefree spirit. And two, no regrets being here! Well have a happy holiday you all and a Happy New year! Till 2004.......................

Strength & Blessing

Yaakov S. Y. Cohen

Monday, December 08, 2003

Well good day and a happy December. We are now in the last month of 2003, and I have been here in Israel for almost three months. WOW! I cannot I have been here this long and so far all is well! Thank you Hashem! Well the last two weeks have been quite interesting, at least to myself! First we have now had rain for the last three days. And today it has not really stopped raining from when I got up this morning. For those who do not realize rain is a valuable commodity here and every centimeter here counts. SO as I went out today I put my rain pants on and my boots and enjoyed a sloshy walk around Jerusalem.

Last week I decided to spend the entire week in Otniel at the school there to gauge how my Hebrew is going and to learn. I went out for the Sabbath and had a great time. Somehow I ended up getting very sick and laid in bed all Sunday until the early evening when I finally mustered up some strength to get up. The dean set me up with someone to learn and the Hebrew was off! I have to say that I probably spoke Hebrew 50% of the time. That is a pretty good percentage in my eyes.. I also learned a lot about people. These people in Otniel have such good hearts and opened themselves to me, helping me and greeting me. Tuesday night I got to do Shmirah which is guard duty. A year or so ago on a Friday night three Arabs snuck past the fence cut it and came in through the school kitchen where three students were setting up the Friday night dinner. Before the students were murdered one, quickly thinking, locked the door to the dining room perhaps savi[my e-mail mysteriously cuts this paragraph short. I will recover this piece soon. -zg]

Next I would like to give props up to Donny Nussbaum. I am honored you included me in the Lomo files. Really miss the Thu night shiur!

Today my rabbi from Milwaukee, R Twerski is in Israel and I got to visit with him and catch up with him. I felt very honored as I now how precious his time is. Well that's about it. it has been very peaceful here, thank G-D and all is well. I would like to add that the picture that I sent you pointing the gun was taken by the owner of the gun and he took the bullets out of the barrels and there were no cartridges in either weapon. It was purely a shock thing I wanted to send you all. Well tomorrow morning will be an exciting day at the Machaneh Yehudah, market, to go shopping before the Sabbath. Enjoy the pic, taken from a roof in the old city. Its still raining..........