Weekly Updates
Shalom Chaverim,
It is hard to believe that I am writing my fourth update for time is truly flying by. As you
all probably already know, on Sunday morning we woke up to the devastating news of a piguah, of a
suicide bombing. As we were davening with great ruach because it was Rosh Chodesh Adar, we heard
the dreadful news.
Being here in Israel, watching the Israeli news and sensing the mood of Israelis provided me
with a a very different approach to the attack. This is the first time I have been in Israel
during a piguah and the sense of sadness and devastation is hard to put into words. The day was
tainted with sadness, as we tried to search for a reason behind the attack, yet of course none
can be found. The loss of innocent life has no rational explanation, and left me in confusion and
sadness. However, life moves on here in Israel, for we must not allow such things to bring us
down and we must continue to live our lives although our enemies try to stop us.
Aside from the sadness, the week has been great. Over Shabbat I was hosted by an Orthodox
Israeli family here in Jerusalem. The experience was memorable for the family had such love for
each other and Judaism, that I felt immediately welcomed and enjoyed a beautiful Shabbat with
them. On Shabbat morning I davened in a service with just teenagers, members of the youth group
Bnei Akiva. The service was full of singing and kavanah, intent, and was truly beautiful. It was
great to see young people like you and me here in Israel show such passion for their Judaism.
After Shabbat I went to the mall with a group of friends - it was really the place to be! I
have never in my life seen a mall so crowded with people shopping and just spending time with
friends. It was a great taste of the diversity of people living in Israel and just a fun night!
Classes on Sunday and Monday were as usual and today was a special day. This morning I began a
volunteer project that I am going to continue for the rest of my time here at a place called Yad
L'Kashish, Lifeline for the Old. It is truly and incredible organization for the elderly that
provides elderly people with jobs in the arts and crafts. Instead of putting them into an elderly
home, over 200 elderly people work making beautiful pieces of art every day that are then sold.
It is based on the principle that the strongest form of tzedakkah is making one self-sufficient,
for these individuals are truly working to support themselves and look forward to working
everyday. Everybody was so welcoming and friendly and it was interesting to hear stories from
different people working there.
Afterward our entire group went back to the Old City where we went in the Kotel Tunnels,
excavations under the wall that surrounded the Temple Mount. I find it truly amazing that we have
such tangible remnants of our history. Archaeology helps us learn so much about our past and here
in Israel it is especially important. Visiting such a place helped me to strengthen my connection
with the land and the history of the Jewish people.
That's it for now but I again want to express that it feels GREAT to be in Israel now. Even
after the piguah, I do not feel unsafe and am reassured that USY's security policy will allow me
and everybody else a safe and remarkable experience. I would love to talk to you about Israel so
don't hesitate to email me!
B'Ahavat Tzion,
Shoshie Sprague,
2004 USY Israel Affairs Committee
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