Post-Program Blues

Closing Session: The remaining participants of the March ‘09 – August ‘09 Tel Aviv Internship Experience and Momo.

It’s been several months since I updated my blog, and I must admit that I have kept putting it off until now.   I have been having a hard time sleeping lately so I guess what better time is there to begin writing again?

To say the least, these last few months have been so incredible, life-changing in fact.  So many things have happened that it seems impossible to even begin to recap any of it.  It reminds me of when I was younger… when I was such a diligent diary keeper… it would always frustrate me when I let too much time lapse between entries… for some reason I never felt like I could just pick up where I was at that moment… it was if I felt obligated to properly describe and document all of the happenings in my life that took place up until that point.  Well, years and years have passed since then, and I guess some things never change…

As much as I would love to dive into everything that has happened over the last few months, it is impossible.  I’m not even going to try and attempt that task.  Lucky for me, my friend, Lindsay, from the program created an awesome slideshow that perfectly captures the fun, the inside jokes, and the friendships formed during our five months here in Tel Aviv.  If anyone is interested in watching it CLICK HERE.

Our program officially ended on August 16th, and, two weeks later, I still can’t wrap my head around the fact that it is over.  After weeks of being my indecisive self, I finally made the decision to extend my stay in this amazing city.  How long? Who knows.  I sure don’t.  All I knew as the ending date approached was that I love this city.  I was not ready to leave.  I was not yet done with Tel Aviv.

Like I said, too weeks have passed and things have definitely changed significantly.  I’m living in a different part of the city and, thanks to Momo & Ofir at the Oranim office, I started working full-time as a program adviser for the Long Term Israel Programs.

There is no question that life post-program has been a bigger adjustment than I anticipated.  Having been constantly surrounded by my peers for the past few months, it is hard for me not to feel lonely at times.  It’s just me again.  Independent Leah.  I’m not going to lie… I have definitely been second-guessing my decision in staying, however, I know that I made this decision for a reason so I’m sticking to it!  For now at least…  :)

Overall, things are getting better each day… the busier I make myself, the better I feel.  Although I am no longer working at Efrat Cassouto, I am still making jewelry as often as I can which makes me happy.  I am even entertaining the idea of going back to school for jewelry design at some point.  In the meantime, I’m going to start building my “brand”/line (Elle Rose Designs) and try to connect with other local designers that I can learn from.  I want to make sure I take full advantage of my time here.

OK. Enough for now.  I need to try and go to sleep!  Mind is racing… transitions transitions oh vey!

Efrat Cassouto

So remember when I wrote about that amazing jewelry store I stumbled upon last week?  Well… I ended up going back to the store two-days later with my hebrew-speaking friend from the January program, Raz, and she helped me explain our internship program to the owner/jewelry designer, Efrat Cassouto and her brother (the co-owner), Amir.  We told them how I have experience making jewelry and that I would love to work for her for free as my internship.  I can’t tell you how happy I was when she said she would love it!  

I started work there the very next day.  I absolutely love it.  Efrat is incredibly talented, sweet, intriguing and, not to mention, beautiful.  She resembles the actress, Mary Louise Parker  (from Weeds) which makes me automatically love her even more.  The past six days I have been hanging out in the store, making beautiful jewelry, and interacting with the customers as much as possible… I want to speak Hebrew so badly!  That is the only frustrating part… I really need to practice, practice, practice…

I really think I am going to learn so much from Efrat.  Her brother, Amir, is also great and incredibly talented.   Between the two of them and their sales associate Chesi (who I adore), I am going to really enjoy my time working there.  I feel like I found the perfect place for me.  I wanted a more authentic Israeli experience, and, I think I found what I was looking for… I really love the store, her design aesthetic and getting to be a part of it.  Efrat and Amir opened the store only two months ago so it will be fun being involved from the beginning stages.  I think I’m going to develop a really incredible relationship with Efrat which really excites me.  

Efrat also sells her jewelry at several other locations in Tel Aviv.  Efrat Gosh, a popular Israeli singer, is the model for the jewelry too.  I haven’t met her just yet, but I”m really looking forward to it.  I know a few boutique owners in The States that I think would be really interested in carrying her line… so I’m gonna get working on that too…  

PHOTOS: Efrat Cassouto Jewelry & Accessories Modeled by Efrat Gosh

To check out more product photography CLICK HERE!

What’s so great about Tel Aviv?

I came across a really great description of Tel Aviv on the internet last night… Thought I would share…

 

Tel Aviv tends to surprise first-time visitors. They come expecting to find a provincial Middle Eastern city of plodding camels, ancient monuments, Oriental fantasies and armed combatants; instead, they discover a stylish, utterly contemporary Mediterranean metropolis filled with chic cafés, an exciting culture scene, fashionable boutiques, barely-clad beautiful people and a roaring nightlife.

But the real source of Tel Aviv’s seductive powers is something less tangible. It is its overwhelming love of life. You see it in the uninhibited dancing on the bars; in the ever-crowded cafés, buzzing with laughter and conversation from morning until night; in the 24-hour holiday atmosphere during the long summer months; and in the furious creativity poured into the local theater, music and fashion scenes. There are very few cities that feel as strongly alive, self-confident and hedonistic – or that live so firmly in the present. And because Tel Aviv is relaxed, welcoming and homelike, the initial seduction usually evolves into a lifelong love affair.  (Click here to read more…)

Go Team ‘Afternoon Delight!’

 

Noa, Erica & Myself

Yesterday a handful of us went to the subberb of Herzliya for an Alpha Epsilon PI (AEPI) beach volleyball tournament on Herzliya Pituach Beach.  Of course, I slept through my alarm clock and had to make the journey myself, but thanks to the great directions Erica provided me, I actually made it without too much difficulty…  To get there was quite a process. I had to take Sheirut #16 to the HaHagana Train Station (accidently got off at the central bus station tho… so ended up walking a little ways)… rode the train to Herzliya (only about 10-15 min) and then got on Bus #28 (for about 20 min).  When I finally arrived, I met up with Erica and Lindsay on the beach and we cheered on team “Afternoon Delight” consisting of Noa, Brett, Mike, Joel (Community Involvement participants living in Kiryat Ekron) and Leetal.

 

 

After a few hours of sun and laughter (watching our team compete… in the ‘losing bracket’…), Erica and I decided to make our way back to Tel Aviv.  Naturally, we both completely zoned out on the bus, missed our stop and spent a good amount of time on the side of the rode trying to figure out what direction to walk as we attempted to hail down the full and very limited taxis that drove past.  Finally, one stopped and out of laziness and hunger… we decided to pay the 80 shekels to be taken straight home.  

Leah and the City

So this past Wed and Thurs was an OLTIP (Oranim Long Term Israel Program) overnight trip that I decided not to attend. I know, I know… I should take full advantage of all the opportunities I am given while I am here, but I really felt the need to take these two days to re-center myself a bit. I’ve been feeling a bit out of sorts lately for a variety of reasons. A little rundown, a little sick and a little preoccupied with stuff that in the big scheme of things aren’t even all that important. I felt myself slipping a little bit in terms of remembering the reasons why I came here and the promise I made to myself to maintain a positive and enthusiastic attitude. So I decided to take some time away from the group, re-focus on what’s important and think about what it is exactly that I want to get out of my experience here.

While everyone else ventured up North to the Golan Heights, I spent the day at the beach with my friend Yoni (who I like to call Yonifer). It was a beautiful day at the beach… I had a lot of fun making videos of the beach scene (to see all of my videos click here) and getting to hang out with Yoni before he goes into the army next Wednesday (May 13th). 

Yoni is from South FL and decided to make aliya after participating in Oranim’s Community Involvement program in Ramla two years ago and then became a member of the Oranim staff. As an oleh chadash (new immigrant), Yoni is dedicated to fully immersing himself into Israeli society by joining the IDF (the Israel Defense Force) for a minimum of 6 months. At age 25, he’s considered a little to old to do combat (thank goodness)… Nonetheless, I admire him immensely for what he is doing and the commitment he has made to this incredible country. Good luck Yonifer!

After the beach I took a very long nap, did some sewing (shortened some dress straps and reinforced Guy’s shirt button) and realized that I really missed working with my hands and began to miss making jewelry…

Last night I watched the Barcelona vs. Chelsea soccer semi-final at Cafe Noga with Yoni (which was so exciting… yeay Barcelona!), fed the stray cats on my street, met an old friend of Yoni’s who was really cool and stayed up into the wee hours of the morning watching 40 Year Old Virgin for the millionth time.

Today, I am ashamed to say, I woke up at 3pm (I KNOW…I KNOW…). I took a stroll to my favorite cafe on Sheinkin, got the yummiest ice coffee to-go and decided to wonder the streets and explore. It’s really crazy to think that I have been here for several weeks, and I still haven’t dedicated any time to explore the city solo and truly embrace my surroundings. I roamed the charming cobblestone street, Nachalat Binyamin.  The Tel Aviv neighborhood is located behind Shuk Hacarmel (a few blocks from where I’m living) and is lined with fabric stores, cafes, stores, fascinating architecture, people, etc. I captured some of my favorite street scenes that you can see below.

Overall, I loved today. I loved roaming the streets, snapping pictures and taking in the artistic environment of the neighborhood. I actually found a beautiful jewelry store that I fell in love with immediately upon entering. The owner, an attractive Israeli woman, was sitting behind the counter making the exquisite jewelry that filled the store. I introduced myself, told her that I made jewelry as well and that I loved her store. I was luckily wearing a necklace I had made that somewhat reflected a similar design aesthetic. I showed it to her, told her that I was living here and to give me a call if she ever needed any help. I doubt I will hear from her but the very prospect excited me.

 

Walking through the lively streets, I got to thinking about how much I loved being in this city… so rich in history and saturated with so much talent, beauty and artistic expression (and inspiration). It is definitely no St. Louis or Atlanta… and it’s definitely not New York (in a good way, a much more relaxed way)… Having never lived anywhere else… Tel Aviv is incredibly refreshing. At a time when I was feeling a little lost, I was able to find myself again. Although I might of risked isolating myself from the group a bit by not going on the trip, I am glad that I had these past two days on my own to gain some perspective. It’s easy to forget about what’s important when it’s so easy to get distracted by stupid, insignificant nonsense.

Ein Gedi and the Dead Sea

On April 24th, all of us (Oranim’s Long Term Program participants) were taken on a day trip to visit Ein Gedi, a tropical oasis & one of the most important reserves in Israel, located west of the Dead Sea, close to Masada.                       

We were taken on a short hike and got to see some very cute animals (an Ibex family & a Hyrax family).            

While some took a dip in the spring, the rest of us watched on and embraced the natural beauty surrounding us.

                                                                                      

Afterwards, we headed to the Dead Sea for a few hours. 

The first time I went to the Dead Sea back in December, I took advantage of the inexpensive massages they offer in the spa. I decided to do it again and create my own tradition.  I’m sure it won’t be my last time visiting the Dead Sea…  After my massage I floated in the indoor pool until my legs began to burn and I had to get out… Rule #1 when going to the Dead Sea… DO NOT shave.  Bad idea.

Happy Yom Ha’atzmaut!

Chag Sameach!

(“Wishing you a Happy Holiday!”) 

This year, we celebrate Israel’s 61st birthday!

Yom Ha’atzmaut (יום העצמאות‎) is the national independence day of Israel, commemorating the declaration of the state of Israel by David Ben Gurion in Tel Aviv on May 14, 1948 (5 Iyar, 5708), and the end of the British Mandate of Palestine.  The holiday is always preceded by Yom Hazikaron, the Israel fallen soldiers Remembrance Day.

 Leetal, her friend Jackie, Amanda (a co-worker at Oranim and myself) enthusiastically celebrated in the streets on our way to a bbq.  Things got crazy when Leetal and Jackie joined a bunch of dancing rabbis amongst a huge crowd of people on Tel Aviv’s beach promenade… I don’t think the video truly captures just how hilarious this was…

Yom Ha’zikaron: A Day of Remembrance

Today is Yom Ha’zikaron (Memorial Day for Israeli Fallen Soldiers and Victims of Terrorism), an Israeli national holiday.  To remember all of Israel’s fallen soldiers, everyone will stop what they’re doing and stand still for two minutes as sirens go off throughout the whole country.  It’s amazing to be in Israel at this time… 

On my birthright trip we visited the grave of Michael Levin… a young jew, from Pennsylvania, and a soldier in the Paratroopers (in the Israeli Defense Force) in operations in Baalbek, Lebanon who was killed in the line of duty on August 1, 2006.  An American-born Oleh (immigrant) to Israel, who knew from a young age (16) that he wanted to serve in the IDF. 

This brave young man gave the greatest full measure of sacrifice for the nation and people he loved.

In Loving Memory of Michael Levin 

The ‘Ideal’ World: Tel Aviv

This is the true story… of nine strangers… picked to live together in Tel Aviv… as they pursue their own professional aspirations… learn Hebrew… and live life to the fullest… to find out what happens… when people escape their “real” lives… and come to Israel… The Ideal World– TEL AVIV!

CAST BIOS:

Lindsay, 24, Orange County, CA: The incredibly sweet and talented theatre chick from Cali (whom I love  and adore) and comes with a side of “bad ass” (of which I especially love and adore).

Leetal, 25, San Diego, CA: The  veggie-loving, petite and bossomy Israili/South African/Moroccan fire cracker who is an incredible  photographer and my partner-in-crime at Oranim.

Erica, 22, Sacramento, CA: The sorority chick and youngest of the group that I admire immensely for her  quick wit and her ability to “play the game” like a champ when it comes to men. Definitely more than meets  the eye and an incredible friend.

Eve, 26, Miami, FL: My Hebrew-speaking, phone-loving roommate who is the eldest of the group and an  incredibly thoughtful and caring person whom surprises me with treats she knows I’ll like.

Guy, 25, Toronto, CAN: The “game player” whose confidence in himself (especially in his ability to pick up  women and succeed) is most impressive and inspiring. My own personal life coach and confident for which  I could never live without.

Gabe, 24, New York City, NY: The social liason of our group (a title he does not like) who loves the  restaurant business and cooks a mean chicken breast. All the single ladies… a great catch for those of you  Jewish, brunette, girl-next-door types.

Mike, 25, Manhattan Beach, CA: The L.A. beach bum who disappears daily to do his own thing and loves a     good “That’s What She Said” joke. A lover of languages and a BBM-aholic.

Brett, 25, Washington D.C.: The kind (and quiet) soul of the group who can pound a mixed drink faster  than I can say anything in Hebrew and whose generosity and go-with-the flow attitude is much appreciated  in a group filled with crazies.

Leah (Myself), 24, St. Louis, MO: The “token blonde” as Lindsay says. I’ll let you discover the rest…

STAY TUNED AS THE SEASON OF THE ‘IDEAL’ WORLD CONTINUES…

An Unexpected Turn of Events: My Decision to Move to Israel

Life certainly has its twists and turns. It seems surreal to me to be back in Israel for the second time three months after my first trip. To say the least, I’ve definitely learned a lot about myself since I returned from my birthright trip in December (Xmas Day ’08 to be exact). Having never really traveled outside the U.S. (apart from two spring break trips to Mexico and an afternoon in Belize on a cruise once), I realized that I’m much more adventurous and ambitious than I once thought.

I always knew I wanted to take advantage of the birthright opportunity, but it definitely took a year or two and persistent nagging from my mom before I finally applied. Although I was really looking forward to going on birthright, I had no idea the profound effect my time in Israel would have on me and how it would literally turn my world upside down. I can’t tell you how many times I had heard from and about people that went on birthright, had a life-changing experience, and, not to mention, had a ton of fun. For some reason I was convinced that it would NOT be the same for me. I thought I, of all people, would of course, be the exception. I was always that girl who was homesick at sleep away camp begging my mom to let me come home, the girl that backed out of other abroad opportunities during college (my mom lost quite a few deposits which she reminds me of frequently) and was so sure that I wanted to live in St. Louis permanently. Boy, was I surprised.

When I returned home from Israel, all I wanted to do was go back. I craved the excitement that I felt I had been lacking for so long and the new experiences and knowledge I gained each day about the country, the people and, mostly, about myself. To say the least, my life in St. Louis did not go back to the way it was pre-birthright and my desire to return to Israel didn’t waiver. To put it simply, within weeks I made a lot of very big decisions that would dramatically alter the course of my life.

Let me just ask… WHO in their right mind quits their job in the midst of the worst recession of our time… breaks up with their boyfriend of two months after finally getting together… gives up their spacious one-bedroom apartment… and signs up for a five month internship program in Tel Aviv, Israel?

I still don’t know why things happened the way they did, but I’m happy that the decisions I’ve been made have led me to where I am today. I guess I was just looking for something else… something more.  What I do know is that with such an incredible opportunity at my fingertips and my whole life ahead of me, I couldn’t think of a better time for such an adventure.