It's the holidays for the Jews!!

Okay - here's the run down.
The Jewish holidays are upon us and it's been non-stop celebrating here in the Holy Land.
It started with Rosh Hashana - the Jewish New Year.

Yom Kippur arrived a week later to allow us to clear our bodies, minds, souls and spirituality from past sins and to be forgiven -whether we are forgivning others or asking G-d to forgive us for things that we have done in the past year that we wish we get rid of. More importantly, Yom Kippur is about looking to the future to set goals that reflect how we wish to change our lives.
"It's only after Rosh Hashana, that day of reconnecting with our goals and destination, do we figure out who we are and where to go. Only once we know we're on the right train headed for our desired destination can we face Yom Kippur and work on removing the obstacles that keep us from reaching our goals." This is explained in more depth on the website from which I have taken this quote. Click to the quote about to be taken to www.aish.com to see the rest of the article. Although the website is run by orthodox organizations, it is extremely helpful and has meaningful teachings. This is the one day a year in Israel when it is totally quiet, no cars on the roads, to TVs or radios blaring, no loud discussions - just quiet. On the night of the holiday all the kids go out onto the roads on their bicyles because there are no cars - they can bike EVERYWHERE. All the young the old are out walking in the streets and wearing white and chatting with one another. It was a really great experience to have yom kippur in Eyal's neighborhood.

After Yom Kippur comes Sukkot, which is almost upon us!
This is a very joyous holiday in which Jews built huts outdoors and enjoy a full week of feasting and celebrating outdoors.
Tonight I helped build the sukkah with Eyal and his family. His family has a structure that they re-use every year. The city, which is lined with palm trees everywhere, prunes the palms at this time every year. Families come and take the large palm tree leaves and fruits and use them as roofing on the huts. Eyal's family uses the palm fruits as decorations inside the sukkah. Here are a few pictures of the structure in action.

The base materials

After we attached the frame together. Me and Eyal's Aunt Zippi, from Eilat.

The walls. It's a cloth material similar to tent material.

There it goes!

Eyal working on the walls - he's a pro!

Eyal's mom, Eti, securing the top.

The palm leaves get put on top - be careful! They have spikes!

Eyal teaching me how to safely grab and toss the palm leaves to make the roof.

The fruits of the palm trees - they could be dates except that they were not fertilzed by a male tree so they will not acutally become the fruit.



Eyal and I started painting the living room today in our apartment. We have still not moved in entirely and have only slept there once. Tomorrow we will give the living room the final coat and move onto painting the bedroom. There is a horrible pink color that someone choose way back when. As Eyal says, "It's like walking into Barbie's house." But the kitchen is finally all clean and fully functioning. We have a super cute old fashioned stove from France. I'll load pictures soon.

I also got all my health care and banking accounts sorted so I am fully covered health and money wise. Let me tell you, after going to multiple offices multiple times, I better be finished. I think I went to the bank more times than I ever have in my entire life.

So happy holidays to all my friends and families of the Jewish persuasion. And to all those who ain't part of the tribe - find someone who is and get in on these tasty holidays!!

Much love to everyone. you have no idea how much I miss you all at times. But I'm well taken care of so don't worry : D