A New Journey

Today I begin packing for my trip to Israel.

Skilled Volunteers for Israel created an exciting volunteer opportunity for me in July.  I'll work at the YMCA summer English camp for Israeli, Palestinian, and international kids three afternoons a week.  I'll rely on American Folk Songs for my repertoire here.  I've divided the music into three areas:  counting, body/mind/spirit, and place (including weather--i.e. 'rain, rain, go away').  I'll also sing at an (English speaking) Memory Center for Altzheimers patients and at a community center for Israelis.  I'll be busy.  I'm volunteering four days a week with three days off for a tiyul, Friday-Sunday.  I'll stay with my good friend Nina for part of this unique opportunity.  The remainder will be spent at the Abraham Youth Hostel on Kikar Davidka, a centrally located youth hostel.  I'll request the bottom bunk!

Am I nervous?  Always.  Am I excited.  Incredibly.

I'll sign up for drum lessons with Abe Doron, the drummer for Nava Tehilla.  I hope to get a membership at the 'Y'.  Their swimming pool and gym are top notch.I plan to travel and study the history of northern Israel and the magnificent synagogues from 500 CE with their beautiful mosaic floors.  (It turns out that Abe will be traveling during the month of July.  I hope to study drumming with Gabriel.)

Why am I going?

I dreamed of making Aliya to Israel when I was 18.  My sweet mother (z'l) Florence told me to wait until I finished college and then return with skills.  Now that I finished college, got married (and divorced), have two wonderful children, retired from Solomon Schechter Day School, I can taste a bit of that dream. 

It's interesting that I will be singing in a Memory Center, MELABEV, for Altzheimers patients.  Memory ties us to the past.  It can also help us to envision our future.  Here I am, living a past dream and affirming a new present.  Dreams have power and give hope.

THE JOURNEY BEGINS

THE JOURNEY BEGINS 2015

I retired from Solomon Schechter Day School on June 5, 2015.  The next day, I visited Alice, my oldest and dearest friend, in her country home on the Shenandoah River, as she recovers from surgery.  She’s doing great and her prognosis is excellent.  We did some of my favorite things, bringing giant bags of clothing to Goodwill and reorganizing her stuff that had been in storage for 13 years.  On my last day, I drove to have coffee with Joani, my sweet friend since college, at the University of Maryland.  Then, I drove to Mercy Hospital in Baltimore (during rush hour traffic) and visited with my dear friend Deb, who I’ve known since we shared commiserated on our corrective shoes when we were 12, and who was on day 2, recovering from knee replacement surgery. 

Just a few days later, I flew to Santa Cruz, CA to visit Jesse at CASFA, an agroecology program.  He’s a 6 month intern, learning everything about agriculture, irrigation, social justice, and facing racism and sexism to transform himself and ultimately the world.  

Here we are!

Jesse took Friday off.  We went to see the redwoods.  They are big.  We are small.  They are old and we are young.  This particular tree was 2000 years old!  The scale is grand!

Jesse's program at CASFS in Santa Cruz is called AGROECOLOGY.  http://ensia.com/voices/agroecology-can-help-fix-our-broken-food-system-heres-how/ 

This article will help you better understand the goals and practices in Jesse's program at CASFS.


One bookshelf in their library gave me a little insight into the scope of their social, political, and ecological goals.

I'm now in JERUSALEM!  Tomorrow, I begin to volunteer with SKILLED VOLUNTEERS FOR ISRAEL.  I will sing and play at the YMCA'S English Speaking Summer Camp for Palestinians, Israelis, and kids from around the world (3 afternoons a week); Sing at MELABEV, An English speaking facility for Altzheimers patients, and at a Neighborhood Community Center for Seniors (Hebrew speaking).  This is a four day a week assignment.  My guitar is in tune!
L'shalom from Jerusalem, באהבה
with love, Hasha Musha

A prayer

Prayer for the state of Israel (part) / Rabbi Ofer Shabat Beit-Halachmi

     This prayer was offered during our study at The Leo Baeck Education Center, "committed on every level to the "ingathering of the exiles", Tikkun Olam and to the well being of democratic Israeli society.  It is deeply committed to the founders' vision of the state of Israel to be a force for good in the world and to eliminate inequality and discrimination in Israeli society."

     (Just returned from the bomb shelter.  The siren was loud.  We heard the BOOM of the Kipat Barzel, iron dome=the yarmulke of steel) and exited after 5 minutes.  Life goes on.)

The Prayer 

Our God, God of our fathers and mothers,

The God of Isaac's dread, the God of Joshua,

The God of Yael, the God of Saul's good spirit, 

The God of Israel.

     Please with your mighty force,

Spread the sukkah of peace over the defenders

Of our land, raise your hand and shelter us from our enemies

And from the bullet that seeks their soul.

Give them courage and wisdom to tell apart foe and friend,

To separate between those who do wrong and the sons of Abraham.

Please with your mighty force,

Protect the state of Israel, your daughter that you have chosen,

So we can make your name great among all the inhabitants

Of the earth.

        Please, with your mighty force,

        Please, without force.

   Noga's back, on the Egged Bus from the Israel Museum.  I was 

   escorted by NItzan who knew about Reconstructionist Judaism 

   and seeks a spiritual alternative to Israeli orthodoxy for him and 

   his girlfriend.  He is an art student at Betzalel Art School in Jerusalem.

Dressing Up Yourself and Your Surroundings

From the 495 BCE to the present we've played dress up.  I was surprised at the Bible Lands Museum. Besides a fabulous exhibit of ancient artifacts from the Dead Sea Scrolls until the 19th century in Italy, a wonderfully illuminated Scroll of Esther.  These artifacts are the Hobby Lobby owner in the US.

This is a beautiful example of a 17th century illuminated manuscript from Italy.

The following exhibit is from the Israel Museum, Dress Codes, Revealing the Jewish Wardrobe.

"What should I wear?" 

"Can I find it at Goodwill?"  

The clothes in this exhibition are often identical to the clothes of their non-Jewish neighbors.  'The extent to which a woman is concealed by her clothing remains a timely issue.  It raises the issue of free choice versus social pressure, and has inspired a fierce debate as to whether such degrees of modesty represent a positive assertion of religious identity or a form of coercion.'

17th century dress of Polish Noblemen (the current dress of some Hasidim) was not featured in this exhibition.  Below is an expandable garment for a bride.  Eat as much as you can! You're worth your weight in gold!

   How adorable is this wonderful manuscript for counting the Omer?!

Jewish synagogues in Cochin, India, Tunisia, and Italy were moved brick by brick to the Israel Museum.

Naturally, one can attend other synagogues with these traditions in Jerusalem.  I understand that the Italian synagogue has the best dressed congregants.

Below is "The Last Supper."  Compare it with the original!  Is this the last supper for these soldiers?

Big bamboo

This is a fabulous climbing experience at the Israel Museum.  BIG BAMBOO.  10,000 bamboo poles, 80,000 meters of colored climbing rope, this spectacular 18 meter high outdoor installation offers unbelievable views of Jerusalem.  It's only slightly terrifying stepping on materials I have used a musical instruments.  

The structure combines sculpture and architecture.  The colorful climbing ropes remind me of Alice's macrame light she wove on Sycamore in Tacoma Park. 

The installation is created by twin brothers Doug and Mike Starnes, Americans, who have built this astonishing structure is  New York, Venice, Rome, and Japan.

The Israel Art Museum is fantastic.  The exhibit of Neolithic masks is superb.  The masks are 9,000 years old.

    These are ancient burial urns.  Life size.

The war with Hamas

Today is Yom Shlishi, the third day of the war with Hamas in Gaza.  Sirens have gone off is Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.  I have not heard them.  Towns on the southern coast of Israel are shelled 24/7.  the response from Israel is equal and constant, but more successful.  You probably know that 40,000 reservists have been called up.  How much of this turmoil is related to the recent murder of the four boys, 3 Israeli, 1 Arab, is not clear.  The situation is terrible for everyone.  I have amended my travel plans to Beer Sheva.  I'll visit my friend Saralee Kassel in Kibbutz Hatzerim, but won't be checking out Beer Sheva. Another time.  I now know how to retreat to the ma'amd, the safe room, in case of rocket attack.  Everyone needs a safe place, physical and spiritual.

That's my prayer for all of us.

Love,

Hasha Musha

Songs of Yesteryear

Zamereshet was created by a group of early Hebrew song lovers.  Everyone volunteers.  This seems to be a standard in Israel.  If you love something, you do it.  You volunteer.  These volunteers have gathered nearly 3000 songs.  I have to admit, these are the songs I grew up with in Young Judea.  I'm as old as the songs.  There must be a comparison there somewhere with fine wine?!

Saturday night we were treated to a song festival with Effie Netzer, probably the most famous songwriter and proponent of popular Israeli music.  

He played the accordion.  I was in heaven.