A few days ago I was walking home with Dan when we noticed a parade of people dancing down the street. It looked so fun, we ran to catch up. There were men and women dressed religiously, and a group of men danced in the center while lifting a beautifully encased Torah up to the sky. The parade was led by an unwieldy caravan bedecked in what we in America call "christmas lights", in the shape of the star of David in a variety of flashing colors. Huge speakers swaying precariously in the back blared traditional songs and prayers, accompanied by synthesized instruments and a booming bass. The huge mass followed the caravan into a cramped parking lot, blocking the way of many unhappy people and causing a few moments of confusion as cars attempted to park among the masses. As things settled down, two enormous shofars and a bevy of fireworks appeared, and the sky erupted with sound and light. The caravan, of course, continued to sparkle and blast music. People recorded the event with ipads. The event ended with everyone filing into a building nearby, presumably to continue the party. I found out later the celebration was in honor of the receipt of a new torah to a nearby synogague. To see shofar and talit and torah next to ipads and fireworks and the kitchiest star of David I have ever seen- can you imagine such a sight? 

Teaching has finally started in earnest, and it is fun and frustrating in turns. The students range from conversational to illiterate, but they are all sweet and curious. The language barrier is quite overwhelming, but I get better every day. The lessons surprise me. Some of the very first words they learn are helicopter, dolphin, skateboard, and kangaroo. My teacher seems competent, but because of the range of students the and the size of the class, the lessons are repetitive and students get restless. Sometimes I sit in class and work with someone in the back who has a hard time focusing, and other times I take students out into another classroom to practice conversational skills. Sometimes I feel as though I really helped bolster a student's confidence in speaking, and other times I feel the whole day is wasted by distractions and behavior management. 

Israelis do not seem fond of preparation, and I am getting used to being told where to be one minute before I have to be there. The concept of wasting someone else's time does not exist here. Yesterday for example, we met our ulpan teacher. This meeting was relayed to us mere hours beforehand (you are meeting with your ulpan instructor at 7 yes? As if we were the ones who knew.) She does not speak English, and so Roi came along to translate. He came late, then rushed us to our meeting (yella, stop stalling, we have to go now!). Then of course the teacher was late. Once we all met, we went to our room, only to discover that it was occupied by a group of women doing yoga and playing tibetan gongs. Naturally. When we all finally arrived where we were supposed to be, it turned out Roi and the teacher had not yet met on their own, and proceeded to have a long conversation about expectations. It was never clear when the meeting started, or when it ended, or what it was even intended to achieve. Eventually we all decided to just leave, and no one seemed upset or surprised. It is at times like these that I wonder how the government ever gets anything done. 

Last week we celebrated Sarah's birthday with the most delicious cake I have ever eaten in my life, courtesy of Gila Levi. And this week we celebrated the 50th birthday of a relative of the Levi's. There was a huge surprise party with confetti, a baby pictures slideshow, loud music, trivia about his favorite things, toasts, free flowing alcohol, and the most beautiful array of catered food and homemade deserts I have ever seen (the women of Beit She'an excel at the art of pastry-baking, unfortunately for my waistline). 

Our neighbors continue to come by daily with food and accusatory questions (why don't you come to visit me??) Everyone is kind and welcoming, and there are many opportunities to learn hebrew. Yesterday we met a group of Israeli volunteers working in the kibbutzim nearby, and most of them have just finished the army so they are close to our age. We all swapped numbers and plan to hang out.

Tonight Kevin, Sarah, Dan, and I are all going to the Levi's house for Shabbat dinner. I always look forward to host family visits- it is where I learn the most Hebrew, get to talk to Israelis about their opinions on a variety of topics, and eat more delicious food than should be humanly possible.

Shabbat shalom everyone!