I usually try to wait a week to blog but this week was full of great stuff.  Last week was full of Jewish geography right here on the campus of Tel Aviv University.  While sitting near the Diaspora Museum on campus Dr. Edleman walked by and a Gratz College reunion was formed!  I forgot that she was touring with the Zamir Chorale and it was a nice surprise to see her.  The rest of the week included the beach, lots of class, some studying and great friends.  

The other Jewish geography happened on Shabbat.  I was fortunate, with the help of the HUC office here in Israel , to find a wonderful family to host me for Shabbat.  I traveled to Jerusalem and knew this weekend would be special.  I headed to Ben Yehudah Street and found what I’d been waiting all trip to buy; my talit!  It’s beautiful and I can’t wait to use it.  From there I headed to a street party to kill some time and then jumped into a cab to head to Rechavia to meet my family for the weekend.  From the moment I arrived they were wonderful.  The family (mom, dad, an 8 year-old and a 4-year old) immediately welcomed me into their house and made me feel comfortable.  We headed to Kehilat Kol HaNeshama for services.  This is what I had been waiting for my entire trip.  The service was almost entirely singing and instead of a rabbi leading in prayer, the clergy person filling-in (the rabbi was on vacation) facilitated the service.  The congregation was the focal point of the service and it showed.  Harmony would appear out of nowhere and it was incredible.  I knew most of the melodies and was able to quickly join in and make wonderful music.  There were moments when I just closed my eyes and listened to the sounds around me, knowing that this is what Shabbat is supposed to feel like.  The sh’ma was recited differently than I had ever done it.  Each word was sung slowly and the chorus of voices decayed before the next word was sung.  The service ended with the song that the congregation is known for “Kol HaNeshama.”  I’m not sure where I learned it but I’m guessing it was at Camp Harlam .  It’s a beautiful round.  We started together but the song quickly turned into a room full of rounds upon rounds upon rounds.  As most prayers did that evening, the music slowly decayed…we sang it one

more time together and said “Shabbat Shalom.” 

After services we walked back home for a wonderful dinner.  The other piece of Jewish geography happened at dinner.  One of the friends of the mom of the family is a musician that I didn’t realize I know.  For any of you who attended the Alberto Mizrachi concert this past school year he may be familiar to you.  I had a wonderful dinner across the table from Mizrahi’s accompanist, Alan Mason.  Alan is currently touring with the Zamir Chorale and Dr. Edleman in Israel.  We made the connection pretty early and had a wonderful evening.  Yet again, Jewish geography alive and well in Israel.