2-10-09 Sorry its been so long

I was just looking out into the amazing view from my room and witnessed, within the windiest day we've had all year, a small, dark, bird doing barrel rolls seemingly for fun.  And I thought to myself... I haven't written in my blog for too long... so here I am.

I don't know where I left off and I'm too lazy to check but lets see how I do giving you an update...

I'm planning on leaving March 15, right after Purim which is basically the funniest holiday because we listen to the story, drink a lot and then the Yeshiva puts on a big production to make the whole community laugh.  I'm happy I got to stay for this haha.

I've been learning a ton and, especially now that I'm going home soon, trying to finish up all of the things I wanted to do here before I left.  I'm really happy with where I've gotten.  And I have a lot of people to thank for it but mostly Kate.  She also has grown insanely.  She even has a love for life in Israel which is amazing.   She said something to me the other day which I'm about to misquote but it was something that when I heard it I knew why I love her so much... she said "Omri, I want us to be people who do what they believe in"  talking about wanting to live in Israel if we were in a position where it was logical.  

Also since I'm coming back to the US soon I got to pick out a phone and car and whatnot that I'll have to get to start working.  The plan for the first few months is to study at Ohr Somayach in Monsey in the morning and night and work in the afternoon with one of my father's best clients in real estate.  Then, when Kate gets back, we'll move to Passaic, NJ and make a happy family!

It's going to be hard leaving because, although I haven't spent a ton of time here... I've learned a lot, changed a lot, and understand a lot more than I ever did.  Norbert just left and it was really intense... but hopefully I'll just sneak out and no one will notice haha.

Anyway I'm gonna head out and see ya'll later.

Hope all is well

Omri

1-17-09 Yeshiva is chill

Hey peeps an peepettes,

   Yeshiva has been pretty chill lately.  Kate's back in Israel which is nice!  We just had Shabbat with her educational director's family and the Schwartzmers (I hope I spelled that right).  I also got to go over after Shabbat and play with Tehila and help move a bookshelf!  And got cake!

   Right now I'm doing amazing in Yeshiva.  I've been keeping on top of my learning and I can see all the progress I've made.  At the same time I have a ticket for America on March 15 which is very soon.  I definitely feel the urge to go back.  I half wish I could come back for some time next year but at the same time I feel weird about it.  I often wonder whether I'll grow faster in NY or Israel.  There's so much to consider... Kate and her choices in each place, my citizenship issues, the Rabbis here vs. there, the environment and distractions here vs. there, healthcare, money, working, etc.   But we'll see.... no one freak out on me because of this btw!  haha

   I am reading Kate's mom's book which is awesome so far... I also linked to her blog which you should check out!  I'll try and leave something for when I finish!

   I would give more update but I want to read and watch movies and study etc etc so I'm gonna do that now!  If you want more info you gotta email me!

Love

Omri

1-6-09 JEWISH BABIES!

My cousin, Karen, is pregnant!  AMAZING!!!!  She's probably one of 4 people who read this but thats ok cuz its AWESOME!!!!

Congrats to Karen, and I wish everything goes extremely well :)

Just to give everyone an update.  Kate's deciding whether or not she's coming back to Israel but I think she's leaning more towards coming.  We're being extremely careful beyond most other people's standards and there is nothing to worry about.  I appreciate all the worries though.

I hope to write again soon but I gtg watch a movie :)

Hope all is well

Omri

12-28-08 Amazing Community

Wow... so I just got back from a kumzitz... which I've heard means come and sit... so i don't know if its just ridiculous english or yiddish or what... but it was unbelievable.

It was held for Bracha Elisheva Bat Kayla because she has recently become ill.  First of all the entire community has been praying for her.  Second, there were at least 40 people packed into their aparment and this group was made up of many Yeshiva and Seminary students but also almost every Rabbi I know came.  This along with 5 guitars, a violin, a tamberine and tons of food and drinks.  It was beautiful.  It's times like these that I really can't imagine what life would be like without such a community.  I was talking to Jeff about it afterwards and I usually imagine an ill person in the hospital barely getting visitors... and I'm sure that's the average case.  But here it's unbelievable.  I hear stories all the time of random people coming and singing on Shabbat in the hospitals and bringing food... It's a mitzvah so tons of people take advantage and build up their "Heaven" or Shamayim as we say.

And Sisi Wu gets a shout out because she emailed me and that doesn't happen all so often.  And if you did email me and ur reading this and I haven't given you a shout out... then shame on me... but if you're not reading it then you can't do anything about it and sucks for you!  

So I should prolly be going to bed but just to let everyone know I wasn't affected at all with what happened today.  I actually didn't even know it was happening.  I'm sure you've heard about it but if you haven't then don't worry.  The farthest area that can usually be reached by attacks is still 60 miles west of me and I'm staying away from public areas and transport.  As they say I do my best and G-d does the rest... or if that's too religious for you: I deal with what's in my control.

Hope all is well with everyone!

Omri

12-25-08 goodbye untznuicity

If you don't understand the title it's prolly better haha.  

Life is pretty awesome right now.  We're on Chanukah vacation and Kate and I went all over the city the past two days and had a lot of fun seeing Jerusalem.  I feel very at home here now.  It's an amazing feeling to know I know Jerusalem, Tel Aviv and New York city as well if not better than I know Rochester.  AND  I was walking around with Kate and we ran into three groups of people on trips in Israel that we knew!  It was amazing.  The JEC, MEOR and someone else... I can't remember but it was awesome!

I want an electric car!

did you see the new mini?  Yoni just showed me... ima go look... mini e

12-14-08 sorry it's been so long!

Hey homiez,

Sorry I haven't written in forever.  I've been very busy.  Chanukah is coming up so I'm super excited.  I've been selling lots of wine, had an amazing trip to Tzfat, switched up my learning so I'm learning a lot more and have spent a lot of time on Shabbat with some of the most amazing people in the community.  It's amazing how close I am to some really big Rabbis and amazing people, not that I'm special... it's just easier to be close to them here because the community is so close and involved.  

Two stories... In Tzfat we went the the Mikvah of the Ari-Zal (he is basically the source of Kaballah that we have today.)  And Jeff was about to get in when a guy dives in next to him... and if you've never been, there is no room to dive let alone get around someone who is about to go in... and then flails wildly while Jeff is waiting to go in.  It was hilarious.  Then Jeff gets dressed and leaves and he immediately witnesses a man vomiting.  So we get back to the hotel and he asked Rabbi Bernstein if it was some weird sign from G-d HAHAHA. 

Also about learning... I'm now learning with Jeff alone, no prep shiur.  Meaning we have no one feeding us the words in English and basically have to work through it on our own in Aramaic.  Its extremely hard because you can't just look words up in a dictionary without knowing their roots and even finding the roots is hard.  But I'm learning an amazing amount and it has brightened up my days a lot more to have such a big challenge every evening.  

I hope everyone is doing well!  Rabbi Lynn had a baby girl on Friday!  

ttyl

Omri 

11-16-08 Chillin in Yeshiva

What up homiez,

   Life has been pretty normal recently.  I had a really crazy incident with my credit card.  I've alloted myself 200 a month of spending money for travel, food, gifts for shabbat families, personal needs, cell phone etc.  At the beginning of being here I was spending a lot and so I tried to cut down and this month the goal was not to break 200!  So I checked my bill and it was 199.85!  I totally didn't even plan that and it includes some of the wine that I bought and am selling so I've actually done really well this month!  So awesome.

   I just saw my Uncle(Yecheskel or exekiel however you spell that in either language haha) and his mother and My Aunt(Ora) and my grandmother.  They were so nice and trying to just give and give to me.  It was too much haha, they sent me home with all kinds of fruit and goodies.  It was amazing enough that they drove all the way into my town to pick me up and drop me off and take me to lunch!  So awesome.  I have the best family.  

   Kate and I are talking about coming home a little early but we're not sure what's going to end up happening.  We'll probably start figuring thought out in the next month.

I've watched a lot of movies while working out... and I'm in the best shape I've ever been in in my life.  All I needed was some motivation haha.

I gtg to class but hope everyone is doing well!

Omri