Last week I had a short break from classes for Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year) and Eric came to visit for the holiday.
On Wednesday night (when Rosh Hashanah starts) we went to Ramat Gan (a suburb of Tel Aviv) to spend the evening with Eric's family friend, Ron, and his family. The dinner was delicious and the huge family reminded me of my family holiday dinners.
On Thursday morning I went to Rosh Hashanah services with my friends Eric and Ari. We went to a reform synagogue just up the street from where I am staying. It was a really great experience, the services was full of families and little kids. Everyone involved in the service looked incredibly happy and proud throughout. The community was very welcoming and friendly. A Catholic monk and two nuns also attended most of the service which I found incredibly interesting. I was hoping to talk to them after but they left a little bit early so I never got the chance.
After services we took a nice bike ride!
This is a picture that I took of the Carmel Market the first week I was in Tel Aviv. This is pretty much what it is like everyday, and sometimes it's even busier. On Rosh Hashanah (Thursday) Eric and I rode our bikes through central Tel Aviv to Yafo...
This is the same street at about 3:00 on Rosh Hashanah. We rode our bikes through the market which would be completely impossible on any normal day. It was actually a bit creepy because the whole of central Tel Aviv, which is usually bustling and loud, was quiet and empty.
That is me riding my bike down the Carmel Market. Also, I should say here that even though I am known to hate riding bikes at home I love it here. Rosh Hashanah was great for bike riding because the streets were empty and we could go almost anywhere. But my favorite bike ride in Tel Aviv is along the beach. The beaches in Tel Aviv go from the very north (where I live) all the way to Yafo (the southern area of Tel Aviv) and there are bike paths all the way down. I do at least part of this ride a couple times a week to get around Tel Aviv. Since the sun sets on the correct side here (over the water like California!!!) riding along the water in the evening is especially amazing.
Me on a bike.
I live right next to HaYarkon Park, a huge park with bike and running paths, basketball courts, soccer fields, gyms, rock climbing gyms, lots of grassy areas for picnics and a river running through it. On Friday we spent the day in the park and for part of the day we rented this boat! This is me driving it.
Another picture of the boat on Yarkon river.
Rosh Hashanah weekend was great! A very nice break (and maybe my only calm one this semester because my travel plans are getting pretty crazy). I'm glad I got to experience part of Rosh Hashanah with a family, part with a reform community in my neighborhood, and part around Tel Aviv with friends. I'm looking forward to Yom Kippur this Saturday, I think it will be an interesting and unique experience-- but I will disclose that I am not fasting on Yom Kippur so I won't get the full effect of the holiday. Also, here is a Rosh Hashanah video.... You may have seen this but its pretty cute.
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