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Well, the beginning of March was Purim. Purim is a big party. It is similar to Halloween, in that everyone dresses up in crazy costumes, and there are parties, but that is where the similarities end. Purim is actually a religious holiday. Traditionally, you go to synagogue to hear the reading of the “Megillah”, the scroll telling the story of Purim, the defeat of our enemy Haman, and the victory of the Jews. Other than this, Purim is essentially a big party. You are supposed to celebrate life, and it is actually a “mitzvah” (good deed) to get drunk on Purim. I went to a party with some of my friends. Everyone was dressed up in outrageous costumes, and there was live music, and it was a lot of fun. Some of my other friends went into Tel Aviv for Purim, and I wish I had as well. They said that people were just partying in the streets, on the bus, everywhere you went. This didn’t surprise me, since Tel Aviv is a party city, but I am sorry I missed it. Next year!

MARCHing forward!

Leah Schneier
2007-04-21 21:48:43

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were left on in the house, in the kitchen, so you could eat, and see where you were walking. But you don't touch any of the electricity, you don't turn on or
off anything. The toilet paper was pre-torn. Of course, if you can't use electricity, this means no tv or computers, etc. Saturday, I slept until about noon, my usual for a Saturday. Soon after, the men returned from their morning services, and we had yet another huge meal. They kept trying to feed me more, but my stomach was ready to explode! The afternoon is meant for relaxation, and relax I did! Everyone went to sleep or read in their rooms, and I did the same. I spent the entire afternoon reading. It was the quietest I ever remember myself or my surroundings being. Even more quite than the desert or the mountains. I don't ever remember feeling so relaxed. It was a really great feeling, to be so relaxed and peaceful and to not be worrying about anything. I read an entire book in these 24 hours, which for me, is a rare occurrence! I'm not a big reader, hehe. Shabbat ended after it was dark, and we ended it together, doing the Havdalah service, where you say goodbye to Shabbat, and welcome the new week. I hung out with my cousins another few hours, had a light dinner, and then went home. I am so glad that I got to spend this Shabbat with my cousins, because I got to know them a lot better, and we had a lot of fun. The kids are a lot of fun and really sweet. Also, experiencing a "true" Shabbat was really a great experience, and something I could definitely enjoy! Of course I am a bit obsessed with my computer, but I think I could handle occasionally giving it up, hehe. I doubt I will take part in a religious Shabbat very often, but it certainly is a very relaxing, mentally healthy experience.

A week later, we had yet another family gathering, but this time even bigger. One of my cousins (who I had met only once, for about 2 minutes) got married. The wedding was kind of 2 parts. First, ...