Where to Begin?

I guess at day 12. That would be today. I was hoping to start this blog at the beginning of the LittyHoops Cathartic World Tour but that got derailed when my first 10 days were spent on Birthright Israel tour -- the greatest test of endurance a privileged jewish kid from New York can ever imagine. Imagine ten days in a group with 40 other jewish kids as we collectively try and figure out how Judaism is more than extravagant Bar Mitzvah parties with photo booths and DJ's, and then moving on to going around new york city clubs asking other jews if they know the same people as you do. Apparently the way to figure this all out is to drink as much as possible every night, and stay up as late as possible so that you can be as hung-over as possible when you go on 5 hour walking tours throughout the holiest places in the world. Enlightenment, ahhhhh.

Actually, the trip was amazing. There is so much to see and do in Israel. It was everything I imagined, a link to my past and even to my future and the most HUMBLING experience of my lifetime. The epiphianic moment occurred for me at the kotel (otherwise known as the wailing wall). After winding our way through the Jewish Quarter we arrived at the wall at night. I'm not sure what I expected, but what I got was overwhelming and I was in awe. I'm not going to get too into it because I think the moment was for me, and trying to explain it would be as boring as when somebody talks about their fantasy team roster and tells you about every transaction they made throughout the season.

The most beneficial aspect of the birthright trip (besides it being free) was that our group consisted of six Israeli peers. I spent a great deal of time with them, and learned so much about their lives, beliefs and ideas. Israeli's are so passionate, opinioned and mature. A common idea is that they are all Sabra's -- an Israeli fruit that is prickly and tough on the outside and soft on the inside. I like this analogy as all the Israeli's we met were tough to crack, but once they opened up it was amazing what they were willing to share with us.

We were in Rabin Square in Tel Aviv when we found out a suicide bombing had occurred in the city. The Israeli's hardly flinched and said that it happens often. Two days later at Mt. Herzel (national cemetery) each one told a story about how a terrorist attack affected their life and almost all of them broke down weeping.

I'll have more stories to tell -- about how I instigate even better in Israel than in America, how I bounced on my job, and what its like to chill with beyda, and travel with Jen.

Hopefully, this bloggin’ thing works out. I will start to post pictures and try to update regularly. Please write in with comments, questions and let me know what you want me to write about.

I'm going to London tomorrow.