Shalom le Kulam! Ma nishma?

Well! After the excitement last week of Gilad Shalit's release and Sukot followed by Simchat Torah, this week was back to the grind stone! I have to say that after all Tishrey's holidays and festivals it will be great to get back to a more normal rhythm and routine, although I have seen that Israel is back in the news (just for a change…), with the earthquake in Turkey. Apparently, despite the strained relations between the two countries at the moment, Israel's Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu rang the Turkish Prime Minister to offer assistance. At first this was refused as Turkey hoped not to need external assistance, although it was reported in the newspapers this morning that Turkey has accepted the offer. I hope that it will lead to warmer diplomatic relations between the two countries and was moved to see the rescue of a two week old little baby from the rubble yesterday. I hope and pray that the baby's family will also be found safe and sound.
After finishing her training last week, Noyah, our new teacher will be starting to take students this week. We are delighted to have her on our team and we wish her every success. I love to see how our teachers develop and blossom in their style and confidence with every course that passes. The continuing education program that we run here at Ulpan Aviv, allows Osnat and myself to really be involved in this process. A real privilege.
Today, Sarai and Efrat travelled up north to start the project with the Australian students on Kibbutz S'deh Eliyahu. Both are very much looking forward to the challenge. All the best to them. It will certainly be quiet around here without them!!!!!!

Shalom le Kulam! Ma nishma?

Well! After the excitement last week of Gilad Shalit's release and Sukot followed by Simchat Torah, this week was back to the grind stone! I have to say that after all Tishrey's holidays and festivals it will be great to get back to a more normal rhythm and routine, although I have seen that Israel is back in the news (just for a change…), with the earthquake in Turkey. Apparently, despite the strained relations between the two countries at the moment, Israel's Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu rang the Turkish Prime Minister to offer assistance. At first this was refused as Turkey hoped not to need external assistance, although it was reported in the newspapers this morning that Turkey has accepted the offer. I hope that it will lead to warmer diplomatic relations between the two countries and was moved to see the rescue of a two week old little baby from the rubble yesterday. I hope and pray that the baby's family will also be found safe and sound.
After finishing her training last week, Noyah, our new teacher will be starting to take students this week. We are delighted to have her on our team and we wish her every success. I love to see how our teachers develop and blossom in their style and confidence with every course that passes. The continuing education program that we run here at Ulpan Aviv, allows Osnat and myself to really be involved in this process. A real privilege.
Today, Sarai and Efrat travelled up north to start the project with the Australian students on Kibbutz S'deh Eliyahu. Both are very much looking forward to the challenge. All the best to them. It will certainly be quiet around here without them!!!!!!

Shalom Lekulam!

It is almost with a sense of disbelief that I am writing this blog. It is 08.27am on the morning of Tuesday the 18th October 18, 2011 and in just over half an hour, Gilad Shalit, a young soldier imprisoned in Gaza for the last almost 5 years, (1940 days) should be freed. There have been so many rumors; “Is he alive?” “If he is alive, what condition will he be in?” “Who is on the list of prisoners to be exchanged?” The whole of Israel and the world with her are holding their breath. What a historic day. And, what an appropriate moment; at the moment we are celebrating Sukot, a time of joy and celebration and of gathering in. At last Israel will be able to ‘gather in’ her long lost son. I would also like, at this time, to honor the families who lost their loved ones to the hands of those who are being released as I am writing this blog. The pain of seeing their son or daughter, mother or father, friend or relative’s murderer going free must be excruciating. All I can say is that they may be free from the prison bars which held them, but they are in no way free from the justice of HaShem the perfect judge…… The news flash is that an Israeli officer has just met Gilad. Only a few more moments….. In the light of the breaking news, my news seems insignificant. I had a great beginning of Sukot with my family. All of my brothers, their families and my sister were at my parent’s house. It was a very noisy affair, (9 small children!!!), but we had a fantastic time. Tomorrow evening marks the end of Sukot and the beginning of Simchat Torah, which means “rejoicing over the law.” Each week in synagogues around the world a portion of the Torah (1st five books of the Tanakh, i.e. the law) are read. This week sees the last reading of the Torah being read, before starting again next week. There will be lots of singing, dancing and a special blessing said over the Torah. Another time of great joy for the nation. Anyway, you will have to excuse me; I am just off to see what is happening with the exchange. I wish you a joyful and peaceful end of the week. Chag Sameach! Gil Pentzak, Ulpan Aviv - Director

Wow everybody, what a week!

Rosh Ha Shana was great. I spent it at my in-laws house with my wife’s family and we all came out speaking to each other which just goes to prove that miracles not only happen during Purim! My wife especially loves going to the synagogue to hear the shofar being blown. It is a sound that seems to really tug at your heart. These last few days have been ones of soul searching before G-d to bring to light any wrong doings from the past year. It’s tough to come face to face with one’s own humanity in the light of the holiness of HaShem. At Ulpan this week, things have been crazy. Final preparations for the project up in the north starting directly after Succot and interviewing new teachers to take Sarai’s and Efrat’s place during that time. (Not easy shoes to fill….) The process to update the website is well under way and going well and we have launched a new campaign on Facebook. Don’t forget to check it out and you may even win a free course…. Other new things at the Ulpan in Tel Aviv include a new street sign on rehov HaYarkon. In the very short time that it has been up it has already brought 3 potential students in, all enquiring about learning Hebrew. Despite the pre-opening nerves, things really have taken off here in Tel Aviv, which is fantastic! Well I am off to prepare for Yom Kippur, which by the way, as with this year, is the only day on which fasting is allowed on the Shabbat. So it just leaves me to wish you all TSUM KAL.