What am I doing over in these parts?

More than once I've asked myself the same question. I'll try and give you a little background on everything.

I'm attending a school called Hebrew Union College (HUC), which has three campuses in the States (Cincinnati, NYC and LA) and a satellite campus in Jerusalem. HUC is the only school of higher learning for Judaism's progressive (Reform) movement. The individuals that are in my program in Jerusalem fall into one of 4 groups they are either studying to be 1. Cantors, 2. Jewish Educators 3. Rabbis or 4. here just for one year of study and will not receive an advanced degree. Most people are studying to be Rabbis or Jewish Educators.

After the year, in Jerusalem everybody from options 1 - 3 will return to one of the campuses in the States to finish his/her degree. People from option 4 will do whatever they damn well please (maybe they'll end up being Yak herders or running for Congress). When I return I'll continue at the New York campus ... I'd rather shove rusty nails into my hands then be forced to go to Cincinnati for an advanced degree (Jesus analogies are totally accidental). It's not mandatory for students to spend year number 1, in Israel, but it is encouraged and most people do it. To be honest, I can't imagine why someone wouldn't

HUC in Jerusalem is also has programs for Israelies that are studying to be Rabbis, Cantors or Educators. The Progressive movement in Israel is, while growing, rather small and the program has different components than to the one I'm currently in. Hopefully in a future blog we can discuss (by we ... I mean I) a little bit more about the progressive movement in Israel. But not now ...

One of the best things about HUC is that it has an amazing campus. It's got great buildings, a museum on archeology, many gardens and is in a fantastic location ... 5 minutes from the old city, 5 minutes from downtown, 5 minutes from cool movie theaters (you get the idea, it's 5 minutes from everything). I'd be happy to give anyone a tour.

There are about 60 other North Americans (two canucks) in Jerusalem with me now. Ranging from just out of college to 45+ years of age. A few families are here and one woman brought her dogs over. 12 hours on a plane nearly killed me, I think she gave her Lab some ambien. Most people had been to Israel before and about 7 or 8 had been living in Israel before starting the program.

Hopes this sets my environment a tad better. Thanks for all the feedback. Love from Jerusalem ... Peace to all of your neighborhoods.

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