Back Home in Jerusalem!

Shalom, Shalom! Wow...it is so amazing to be back in Jerusalem. I have lived here before and in just the few hours I've been here tonight- it feels like home!

We arrived early this afternoon after a long (and somewhat bumpy) flight.  I had the pleasure of sitting next to a delightful woman with whom I was able to speak Hebrew and really get into the groove for Israel.  When I wasn't speaking with her in Hebrew, she was often speaking with Ruben in Yiddish. It was a wonderful "Jewish" experience.

While at the airport we got our cellphones squared away and picked up our rental car...interstingly enough our sales agent shared his last name with us- Ottman and claimed he was the great grandson of one of the rulers of the Ottoman Empire...so maybe we even met a prince today, too!

After a quick hello with a friend we made it to Jerusalem where we checked in and then I joined up with the group for a Welcome Dinner.  It is a great bunch of people- some I've known for a while, some I've been friends with on "Facebook" and some I am having the privilege of meeting for the first time.

The weather here could NOT be more perfect. It was the most beautiful night and I slowly enjoyed my walk back to the hotel, noticing all the cats that seemed to escort me back to the hotel.

Now, I'm off to bed so I can get up VERY early and be ready to PRAY at the Kotel- the Western Wall with Women of the Wall (and so many male supporters- like Ruben).  Join us by watching LIVE (or after the fact) at 1am EST at http://www.ustream.tv/channel/women-of-the-wall

Lilah Tov- Good Night from Jerusalem!

Israel, Here we come!!!

Roughly two years ago,  I had the pleasure of being in Israel for my sister-in-law's wedding (here is Ruben singing "Im Eshkehech Yirushalim" -If I forget Jerusalem as he did at the ceremony). As with all our trips "Home to Israel," as soon as we leave, we try to figure out when we can get back... AND HERE WE COME!

An AMAZING opportunity has presented itself and we are heading to Israel to celebrate the 25th anniversary of "Women of the Wall." This is an amazing group of women from all different Jewish backgrounds (Reform, Orthodox, Conservative, Reconstructionist, non-denominational, and more) that get together to pray every month and celebrate!  I have had the honor of praying with these women many times since I was a rabbinical student in 2001.  In fact, on our last trip to Israel, I prayed with the women the very morning of my sister-in-law's wedding.

Here is more information about this amazing and historic event- 

http://ccarnet.org/about-us/news-and-events/wow-trip-2013/

Rosh Chodesh Kislev- the beginning of the month of Kislev (the month in which we celebrate lights and miracles with the holiday of Hanukkah) is on Monday, November 4th.  You can "participate" virtually by watching the service at http://www.ustream.tv/channel/women-of-the-wall beginning at 1am on Monday Morning (EST), which will be 8am in Jerusalem.

Off to finish packing...