Shalom all!
So yesterday was quite the day. First of all, my roomie - Rebecca (Becca for short) - arrived yesterday and is slowly settling into the apartment. After she put her things down and what not, I walked her down to the Begin Center so that she could pick up her info packet, meet the IGF crew, ect ect. While she is getting her stuff done, I was hanging around with a couple other IGF'ers - when the head of the Begin Center (Herzl Makov) came up to us. He said that there is a special memorial service taking place in Hebron commemorating the 1929 massacre of 67 Jews in the city of Hebron. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1929_Hebron_massacre). Basically this was a once in a life-time opportunity to safely go to Hebron, witness a very special event, and ask questions! And guess who got to go?! ;-)
So on the drive to Hebron we (there were 4 of us) got to ask Mr. Makov lots of questions - about the massacre, the economic situation in Hebron, the tensions between the Jews and Arabs there, settlements, ect ect. One thing I should mention is that Mr. Makov(http://www.jewishagency.org/NR/exeres/804B5B5B-81D7-4AC7-B33C-0333CE7B9DDA) is a man of few words, *incredibly* well connected, exudes intelligence and commands respect! It's not that the car-ride was uncomfortable, it's just that nobody wanted to make an ass out of themselves in front of him! One of my collegues was even calling him 'sir' ;-) In any case, he was very patient with us and answered any/all questions.
The drive to Hebron was fascinating in itself. Hebron is a *very* special place as far as the Judaism is concerned, because that is where the Matriarchs and Patriarchs of ALL religion (Abraham, Sarah, Rebecca, ect) are burried. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hebron). We did not go into the grave site, however, I did see it from the outside. This city is, for the most part, controlled by the Palestinian Authority. However, there are two Jewish settlements which are protect by the Israeli army. There is much tension between the Jews and Arabs of Hebron, and in general, both sides are pretty radical/fundamental. Many of the Arabs who live there support Hamas, and many of the Jews are extremely religious and radical in their own rights. What is interesting, is that the Jews are aloud to carry guns, and the PA police carry guns as well. Right now is a pretty calm/quiet period between the two groups, however there were times (particularly during the 2nd intifada and what not) where violence took place. Many of the Arabs who live there are unemployed and agriculture is one of the primary forms of work/export. The actual city center of Hebron is closed off so you cannot go in there (nor should one particularly want to).
The ceremony was nice (though all in Hebrew). It took place at the Jewish cemetery, in which the victims of the massacre are burried. What is special about this ceremony, is that this year was the first year in which the State of Israel
actually 
sponsored/took part in the ceremony. This means that there were major representatives from the IL government who took part in the ceremony. The key speaker was the Speaker of the Knesset - a man by the name of Reuven Rivlin (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reuven_Rivlin). After the opening statements, lighting of a commemorative flame, and the reading of the names of the victims, Mr. Rivlin gave his speech. Though I cannot tell you directly what it was about (as I did not understand it) - there is an article in todays JPost in which it discusses his position, his criticisms, and remarks during the ceremony. (http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1251804514265&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull)
So yesterday was quite the day. First of all, my roomie - Rebecca (Becca for short) - arrived yesterday and is slowly settling into the apartment. After she put her things down and what not, I walked her down to the Begin Center so that she could pick up her info packet, meet the IGF crew, ect ect. While she is getting her stuff done, I was hanging around with a couple other IGF'ers - when the head of the Begin Center (Herzl Makov) came up to us. He said that there is a special memorial service taking place in Hebron commemorating the 1929 massacre of 67 Jews in the city of Hebron. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1929_Hebron_massacre). Basically this was a once in a life-time opportunity to safely go to Hebron, witness a very special event, and ask questions! And guess who got to go?! ;-)
So on the drive to Hebron we (there were 4 of us) got to ask Mr. Makov lots of questions - about the massacre, the economic situation in Hebron, the tensions between the Jews and Arabs there, settlements, ect ect. One thing I should mention is that Mr. Makov(http://www.jewishagency.org/NR/exeres/804B5B5B-81D7-4AC7-B33C-0333CE7B9DDA) is a man of few words, *incredibly* well connected, exudes intelligence and commands respect! It's not that the car-ride was uncomfortable, it's just that nobody wanted to make an ass out of themselves in front of him! One of my collegues was even calling him 'sir' ;-) In any case, he was very patient with us and answered any/all questions.
The drive to Hebron was fascinating in itself. Hebron is a *very* special place as far as the Judaism is concerned, because that is where the Matriarchs and Patriarchs of ALL religion (Abraham, Sarah, Rebecca, ect) are burried. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hebron). We did not go into the grave site, however, I did see it from the outside. This city is, for the most part, controlled by the Palestinian Authority. However, there are two Jewish settlements which are protect by the Israeli army. There is much tension between the Jews and Arabs of Hebron, and in general, both sides are pretty radical/fundamental. Many of the Arabs who live there support Hamas, and many of the Jews are extremely religious and radical in their own rights. What is interesting, is that the Jews are aloud to carry guns, and the PA police carry guns as well. Right now is a pretty calm/quiet period between the two groups, however there were times (particularly during the 2nd intifada and what not) where violence took place. Many of the Arabs who live there are unemployed and agriculture is one of the primary forms of work/export. The actual city center of Hebron is closed off so you cannot go in there (nor should one particularly want to).
The ceremony was nice (though all in Hebrew). It took place at the Jewish cemetery, in which the victims of the massacre are burried. What is special about this ceremony, is that this year was the first year in which the State of Israel
actually 
sponsored/took part in the ceremony. This means that there were major representatives from the IL government who took part in the ceremony. The key speaker was the Speaker of the Knesset - a man by the name of Reuven Rivlin (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reuven_Rivlin). After the opening statements, lighting of a commemorative flame, and the reading of the names of the victims, Mr. Rivlin gave his speech. Though I cannot tell you directly what it was about (as I did not understand it) - there is an article in todays JPost in which it discusses his position, his criticisms, and remarks during the ceremony. (http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1251804514265&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull) Okay, for the next part, I hope you are all sitting, because what I am about to tell you is pretty darn exciting (at least for me anyway). After the ceremony, we met up with Mr. Makov and were standing near the v.i.p exit (so to speak). The 'important people' were bein
g escorted by security and walking right past us. As it turns out, Mr. Makov knows Mr. Rivlin on a close personal bases. Get this: we were introduced to him, shook hands, and all of us took a picture with the Speaker of the Knesset!!!!! This is a big deal guys! I mean, think about it, it was only my 6th day in Isreal, and already I am meeting important political figures! How cool is that?!?! Hopefully we will recieve copies of this picture - and I can guarantee you that as soon as i get it - it is going up on the blog (and maybe in a frame). haha. We also shook hands with Supreme Court Justice Elyakim Rubenstein (who is mentioned in the JPost article reffered to above). (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elyakim_Rubinstein).After meeting these people and metaphorically peeing my pants with excitement, Mr. Makov calmly took us back to the Begin Center.....yes....so that's that! *I will try to attach some pictures here, however if not today, then check back in a couple of days and they should be up*
In other good news - my roomie was able to negotiate with our landlord, and he will be bringing her some more furniture today as well as a table for our living room :) I also recieved my very own Israeli credit card today (woohoo!!) and the internet is being installed tomorrow!!! Only thing left is a cell-phone which will hopefully be done by tomorrow or Thursday at latest. :-D
So life is pretty good right now - I really can't complain about anything. I *love* my apartment, my life is coming together, and I am already having some incredible experiences!
Tomorrow is the first day of the program. We have to be at the Begin Center at 8:45am dressed in business casual and diving in head first! :-D I'm excited to have a busy schedule and to really get things going.
Wish me luck!
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