Update # 4

As we grow into a particular culture or language, we implicitly begin to structure our sensory contact with the earth around us in a particular manner, paying attention to certain phenomena while ignoring others, differentiation textures, tastes, and tones in accordance with the verbal contrasts contained in the language. "

- David Abram, Spell of the Sensuous

Shalom Friends,
I am writing from Tel Aviv and I can't believe that for most of you who are on the east-coast it is really December - snowy and cold. I have been here for two months and am investigating ways to extend my three month visa, for another three months. It may mean a trip to Petra, Jordan for a day or two which is not so terrible!

I want to let you all know that though I am feeling so much better I did take a little journey to the hospital this past week . My body had been fighting off numerous infections for a while and it all seemed to be a bit overwhelming so when the fever and chills and pain came on I took myself to the hospital. Then to top it all off I took a big spill on my bike last night and banged up my knee and my bike :( total bummer.


All my big plans for surfing and Jewish learning are on the back burner. Much of my days have been spent sleeping and drinking lots of liquids. I feel so lucky to be in such a beautiful place and even though I have been here for such a short while to already have friends and "family" to rely on. As I am writing this, I have a big smile on my face and for the most part remain in good spirits.


I don't have much to report. Some of you may have been following the developing story of the terrible situation in the Gaza strip and the attack on civilians in Hebron by Jewish settlers. I was glad to be at an orthodox service in Tel Aviv with the famous Rav Yehoshua who spoke out against the action of the settlers and called on the rest of the Jewish community to do the same. I am also glad that Israel has decided to allow aid workers and journalist back into the strip.

I came across this poem in an article in the Jerusalem Report. The poem was written by the Romanian born Dan Pagis who spent much of his childhood in a concentration camp. He moved to Israel after the war and became a famous Hebrew poet.

"Written in Pencil in a Sealed Boxcar"
Here in this transport
I am Eve
with Abel my Boy
If you see my elder son
Cain the human being

Tell him I


Through the poem and the article the author relates his message to his son that the holocaust was perpetrated not by supernatural beings or by monsters but by human beings and that we as human beings have the power both to create and destroy. It is up to us what we chose.
I did have the good fortune to connect with an amazing artist whom I had wanted to meet. It seems as if some projects may be on the horizon and I am continuing to work with the Jewish Partisan Foundation on some exciting exhibitions with the work of another incredible Partisan named Alexander Bogen.

Healing vibes, thoughts and prayers are welcome.
I am going to begin intensive Hebrew classes tomorrow- an investment in further exploration of life in Israel.
I hope you and your loved ones are well and warm.

xoxo,
Jan Lauren Dharana Chana Leah