Shalom! Ma Shlomchem?

I was hoping to start this blog post by telling you about all about my vacation and how great it was. Sadly, in the light of today’s tragic incidents, (Thursday) I just feel I should start with that.
As I believe most of you have now heard on the news, there were today, a number of terror attacks next on the Egyptian/Israeli border. A large enough number of terrorists were managed to cross the border and entered Israel with one purpose in mind; hurting Israeli citizens and soldiers. Unfortunately, one soldier and seven civilians’ died during these attacks. Both myself and Ulpan Aviv, along with the entire nation of Israel, are today taking time to remember those who died under these terrible circumstances and of course the families that they have left behind.
Every time something like this happens, it feels like the first time. It is really hard to gather up the pieces and move on. I guess that is all just part of this terrible situation that we find ourselvesin.
I am so sorry that this post isn’t more up-beat, but I do want to tell you that I had a wonderful time with my family on our vacation. We went up to the north to a Moshav called Kalanit which was quiet and relaxing. Today is my first day back at work and I was welcomed by at least 40 e-mails that needed urgent attention and a million of things to take care of! No complaints there though, it is definitely good to be back even though I have been a bit distracted by our 18 month old baby who spent the last day of our holiday in hospital with dehydration and still isn’t fully recovered!!
Despite the rough news I wish you all a happy weekend and Shabbat Shalom,
Gil Pentzak

Shalom! Ma Nishma?

Another week over and I hope everything is OK and that you are well. I know that I sure am now that I am officially on holiday. Even though we are not leaving to go on holiday until Sunday, by Thursday morning we had already started doing the things that we have been planning to do for ages such as horse riding, (the children have been asking to do this for the past 6 months), spending time on the beach, etc.
Needless to say that Wednesday, the day before my holiday began, was pretty intensive. I didn’t want to leave any loose ends before I left and it took quite a lot of time and effort to cram everything in. The one break I did take that day was to have a drink at lunchtime with a student-friend, Toda.
Tuesday was Tisha B'Av – which is a fast day in the Jewish calendar. The Ulpan was closed on that day and I was at home with the children all day. With fasting, I think I would have preferred being at work… ☺
I am pleased to congratulate two of my oldest students (actually, I think I mean most long-standing students, oops! Sorry ladies…) who are celebrating their birthdays. Tamara from Geneva, who had her birthday last week and to whom I wish best wishes and lots of success in all of her endeavors, and Ruth from Canada whom I wish Mazal Tov and "Good luck" with everything! Both Tamara and Ruth will be coming back to Israel in the very near future and I wish them both the maximum benefit of their staying. May you find much satisfaction in what you do. ☺
Well, I can’t hang around today; I’m off to pack my bag. Wishing you all Shabbat shalom and a pleasant week!
Shabbat Shalom,
Gil Pentzak, Ulpan Aviv- director

Shalom! Ma Shlomchem?

I trust this blog-post finds you all well.
I have quite a bit to tell you all and am not sure where to start! This week was the beginning of the “nine day period”, which is the nine days between Rosh Chodesh Av and Tisha B'Av, (1st day of Av and 9th day of Av). My mum, (and many other Jews with her), says that it is not recommended to start a project, or in fact to start any sort of a process during these days. As our Temple was destroyed at this time of the year, it is widely believed that anything that is started at this time will not succeed, in other words, there is no blessing in anything that one does. I must say that this year, more than ever before, I am starting to believe that my mum is right. All students that were supposed to start their studies at Ulpan this week all had suddenly had various reasons that they had to cancel or postpone. Two from France were hospitalized; two from the UK now living in Netanya couldn’t come, as well as various Skype courses being cancelled at the last minute. Our newsletter that was supposed to be mailed to more than 500 subscribers only got through to 100 for some unknown reason, and G-d only knows what else. I have got to the point where I am saying; "everything is from now on in your hands. Just remember that I love you…☺"
In addition to all the hiccups that we have had, I have loads to do and get finished in the next week before going on a family holiday next Thursday. With Tuesday being Tisha B'Av, Ulpan will be closed for the day. As I said, lots to do in a short time……
BUT, who’s complaining? With everything that is going on in Israel at the moment, I am so thankful to be working and to be working in a field that I love!
I hope that you all have a great weekend!
Shabbat Shalom,
Gil Pentzak

Shalom! Ma Nishma?

ope that you have had a good week and that everything is going smoothly.
Here in Israel and in Ulpan more specifically, there are loads of things to write about, to be honest, but I’ll start with the bigger things that are currently taking place in the Holy Land.
The protests against the government are growing wider and wider. More and more people have been out on the streets to protest about the high housing prices, petrol rates, children welfare, and almost anything else that you could think of. Although I can identify with the main ideas of some of the protests, I must say that in the past week, things seem really to be getting slightly out of hand. I am hoping that the Israeli government will be able to find a rapid and suitable solution so that we will all be able to go back to normal, (or at least as normal as one can get in this country… )
In Ulpan it has been another very busy week. Sivan, our new teacher who recently joined us in Tel Aviv, started teaching her first course this week having finished her training with me. Hearing her first student coming out from one of the lessons saying: "I really like her", definitely brought a smile to my lips. There is nothing like hearing students saying good things about our teachers in Ulpan.
On Thursday (YOM CHAMISHI), three of our students graduated. Two of the three live here in Israel and we hope to see them again soon and one of them went back to Spain. Congratulations to all of you and all the best. It has been a real pleasure to have as our students.
With so much going on, I don’t remember if I had told you about a recent article of mine that was posted on the engheb.com web-site. Here is the link in case I haven’t. http://www.ehebrew.org/articles/hebrew-grammar.php
I hope you have a great weekend!
Shabbat Shalom,
Gil Pentzak, Ulpan Aviv- director

Shalom! Ma Shlomchem?

I trust that my blog post finds you all BESEDER and well. BH I know this is how it finds me…
The past few months in Israel have been very interesting with regards to what is happening with our neighbors here in the Middle East. The wind of protest and liberation has been blowing around us all this time and it seems to have now arrived here.
It all started 2 months ago with a social protest against the rising petrol prices, continuing with protests against the rising cost of dairy products (historical), and is now reaching a climax with nurses and doctors protesting about their remuneration and more importantly their working conditions and the conditions for the patients in hospital and even protesting due to the price of housing in the Holyland.
People are currently out on the streets (literally), living in tents to show the government how bad things have become for them. It is all very interesting following what is happening in our world today, and I am sure that it will go down in the pages of our history books as being a period of change in the world as we know it.
Other than that, it has been another very busy week in Ulpan. Sivan has joined us on the Ulpan Aviv team and is currently training for her new role with me as a teacher. We are delighted to welcome her into our team.
Training a new teacher is a big commitment for me, including many hours with the teacher, explaining Ulpan Aviv’s ethos and values as well as our approach, both to our students and to learning. It is a time in which I love to expose new teachers to, what I call the wonders of the Hebrew language.
To conclude, I would like to share with you a link to a website run by a former student of mine, dealing with Jewish culture. Knowing Jean, I am sure that you will find some interesting issues there to read about, and I know you will find some good entertainment. http://h2hinterface.com
I hope you had a great weekend, full of joy and sun!
Shavua tov,
Gil Pentzak, Ulpan Aviv- director

Shalom!

I hope all is well with you all and that you are having a great summer so far.
We have had a mad but great week here at Ulpan. More and more people have called to enquire about, and to reserve their Hebrew course. Among them both Olim Chadashim (new immigrants), and people visiting Israel both to see their families or just as a tourist. Some of our regular students are away for the summer and therefore, they will be continuing their studies with us with our on-line programs and so we’ve happily got a lot on our hands at the moment . It’s great to be able to keep in touch from so far away! Saray (the other teacher in TA) and me went to south Tel Aviv this week to look for some furniture that we needed here at the Ulpan. We had already heard about an area in south Tel Aviv where many stores are located, and so we headed on down there. After a 20 minute journey we found ourselves wandering from one store to another looking at furniture, (and a few items that I would not dare call furniture…). It was tiring and very hot but in the end we found what we had gone for; two nice and comfortable arm chairs, one green and one purple (not as bad as it sounds) to match the ulpan colors. (Have you checked out the new web site yet?)
This week I also finally found the time to organize the book display, which turned out to be real therapy for me; working with tools, measuring and banging holes in the wall. Just what the doctor ordered!
On Thursday I came to the end of an on-line course with a very dear student from England. We have known each other for the past almost 2 years and this was our second course on-line. Graduation days are always a bit bitter-sweet….
Before I finish, I must recommend a documentary that I saw this week. It was directed by a very famous Israeli journalist named Emanuel Rozen. Emanuel had heard that in the newly established state of Southern Sudan, the population is very pro-Israel and keen on having Israel as an ally. Emanuel Rozen went there to research what he had heard. It was so interesting to see and can really recommend that you watch it. (half Hebrew and half English). Here is the link:
http://www.mako.co.il/mako-vod-mako/documentary-s1/VOD-6e79501bf291131006.htm
I wish you all Shabbat Shalom!
Gil Pentzak, Ulpan Aviv- director

Shalom Lekulam! Ma Nishma?

Well summer is now well under way with the heat wave that normally arrives at the beginning of June, arriving just last week. The beaches here in Tel Aviv are sunnier than ever. As I have already mentioned in previous blogs, the Tel Aviv Ulpan is very close to the beach and so while students in Jerusalem used to come for lessons after praying at the Kotel, here in Tel Aviv they come after a swim in the sea. I have also previously mentioned that I am in the process of collecting data about the differences in teaching Hebrew in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. When I have any information, you will be the first to know… (great that English does not have number distinction in verbs and I can write "you" and mean each of you).
Sunday of this week saw the launch of Ulpan Aviv’s first Newsletter. Our intention is to publish a newsletter at the beginning of every Hebrew month, which is aimed at keeping everyone informed of what is going on at the Ulpan and to help us keep in contact with our students, (past, present and future). This month's newsletter spoke about the month of Tamuz as well as giving details regarding recent events here at Ulpan Aviv. We also launched a new campaign called: "Ask the Experts". People can write to us during the month to ask any question that they may have about the Hebrew language. Every month one question will be selected and published with the answer (we won’t publish a name if the enquirer prefers that we don’t). The sender of the published question will receive a gift of 4 Aviv On-Line lessons (via Skype). You can send any questions that you may have directly to me at: gil@ulpanaviv.com
Today here in Israel we are expecting a demonstration of approximately 50-60 people, mainly from Europe, demonstrating against Israel. On arrival at the airport they are intending to say that they are coming to visit Palestine. It is needless to say what I think of this but I would like to insist that the state of Israel has every right to be acknowledged. She is very much alive and well and if we could only open a dialogue from this starting point, then I think we may have a better chance of reaching some conclusion.
I wish you all Shabbat Shalom, and if you are planning a visit in the holy land, don’t forget to stop by…
Gil Pentzak, Ulpan Aviv- director