Back in the Homeland...

Hey everyone,

Well it was definitely a very busy first week back in the USA, filled with not only the thousands of questions stemming from "what next?" to so much turkey and good food that resembles the greatest holiday ever that is Thanksgiving! First I should discuss that the flights from JFK to Sacramento were very easy, although a bit turbulent going over the mid-west. Interestingly enough, the landing in Sacramento was in zero visibility, as the airport was (quite typical for this time of year) socked in with fog. After unpacking and doing 8 (yes 8!) loads of laundry, it was time to get started on figuring out the plans for my return to the Holy Land this week.

And of course as many of you know, there is good news! I have been invited back to Israel as a visiting graduate student at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, starting this mid-January 2008! Now interestingly enough, I was invited to study at the Hebrew University this past year for the year as well, although there was no accolade that was to come from the university, i.e. no Master's Degree. However, I can take those courses that I take from HUJ and transfer them to a separate graduate program at a university back in the United States. Since my MASA grant will actually work at HUJ and cover the entire costs of living and tuition, which is awesome, it is highly highly tempting to take this offer....

This week coming up will be very very busy as well, but LOTS of fun! This coming Tuesday, I have two appointments in San Francisco with the Jewish Agency and with the Consulate General of Israel, both in the downtown/Fisherman's wharf area. (I'm also super excited by the way to once again visit my favorite city on the entire planet :o) ) I'm also having a luncheon meeting regarding a scholarship program that could cover the costs of all of my graduate school with a program coordinator from the Agency. And on Wednesday, I head to Los Angeles for a long trip of interviews, job prospects, possibly looking at apartments, as well as taking a hard look into two specific graduate programs for the 2008-2009 years. I am interviewing with a small production company in West LA that is looking for a program coordinator/intern to help out with a lot of their daily activities, including filming and editing. If I get the chance to stay on with them, they are shooting a documentary in Australia, and I'd have to go with them...for two months! (How rough!) The second is a possible part-time position as a production associate with NBC News in Los Angeles. I'd be interviewing with the senior news producer based on the west coast of NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams, and I just might definitely accept that on the spot if it gets offered. We'll see...


As mentioned there are two graduate programs I'm looking into for admission for the next school year. The first is a the public policy and administration program at the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA ... I know, still a loyal Trojan always!). The second is a joint master's degree offered at the Hebrew Union College/University of Southern California (yay!) in Communal Service and Public Administration. I know that I want to get involved in political affairs, and these two programs would be steller to get into, AND if all goes to plan, we could have some of the classes I would take at Hebrew U and transfer them to count as courses to either of these programs!

Of course, my time in Los Angeles this week won't be without a little fun at the alma mater, USC. This week is spirit week at USC, with the big rivalry football game taking place with UCLA, which this year it's at the LA Memorial Coliseum. And this year, we're getting the Liberty Bell back!! I'll be at campus several times while I'm there for the traditional Thursday night bonfire, the Friday night traditional Delta Tau Delta fraternity celebration, and of course the pre-game tailgate before the 1:30PM kickoff at the Coliseum. I'm also staying with my buddy Megan at her apartment in LA/Hollywood area, and it will be awesome to see her and old friends again :)

I'll keep you all posted of more adventures as they come up, and of course, next time, look for pictures of my time in LA right here. It'll be fun! I hope you all are enjoying the holiday season, wherever you are in the world, and that you please stay in touch!

All best,

Josh :)

Israel: The Saga...well, could continue...

Well, the experience in Israel is officially over...at least for now. I can't honestly remember the last time I really choked up over something quite so emotional as compared to when the engines on the airplane I was on fired up for takeoff down a runway at Ben Gurion Airport. I can't begin to tell you the thoughts in my mind at the time...I honestly was overcome with confusion, concern, and most of all, I kept asking, "now what?" And as I sit here in the JFK airport in New York City waiting to transfer to La Guardia Airport, I still can't help but wonder, was I doing the right thing in leaving Be'er Sheva? Could I still go back? How long will it take to get home tonight? And how much longer do I have to wait in airports? And when might I, if ever, get my chance to take back the experience that I was supposed to have that I now can't in Israel?

Since I've since had a long time to sort things out and think about what might come next, I can honestly tell you all that within the past few weeks, I've sort of had a change of heart with regards to the journalism career. Television reporting and production are fun, yet the career is painstaking, underappreciated, and frankly ruthless. I have spoken with several of my friends in the journalism world now who are no longer interested in doing what they thought they wanted to do simply because they are often overworked to no ends and hardly compensated, let along appreciated. Since taking a few classes at BGU and having experienced Israel in this unique way, I have since really become interested in politics and public policy, and I recall on some of my positive internship experiences as working in politics. Now I've always had an interest in this, but this time around it seems to be much more evident, especially having spent a little time abroad and studying the U.S. from the outside in.

I have since done a little investigating into two particular programs, one of which might allow me to come back to the Holy Land in only 6 weeks. The Hebrew University of Jerusalem offers a graduate semester program, where I can take classes in middle east politics and public policy, and transfer them to a school like UCLA or USC, which both have top rated programs in public administration...a move encouraged by the folks I spoke with at UCLA. That said, that could be an option, and I would graduate by 2009 with a Master's Degree, still sooner than a lot of my friends in grad schools now.

In the meantime, I will be at home taking care of things and going through the holidays. My American cell number is now online and is still the same. I want to thank you all for tracking these adventures...however, don't unbookmark this blog just yet... it could be possible that the adventures will resume shortly. And for sure, I'll keep you all posted right here on this blog.

shalom, toda raba v'laila tov b'new york!

Eilat, and the Old City of Jerusalem

Dear all,

I'm glad things are going well for you, and thanks again so much for your support from the last entry. I know that things are going to be alright in the next little bit. That said, I am still having a lot of fun before I have to go, with trips to Eilat and a few to the Old City of Jerusalem.

Travelling with the Office of Overseas Studies students, a group of friends and I boarded an early bus (6:45 a.m.) and headed toward Israel's southern-most city, Eilat. Our first stop (aside from a quick coffee break on the way down) was a viewing point along the Israel/Egyptian border. We were able to get pictures looking into Sinai and the rolling hillsides that were pretty much desert. See Max, my roommate, and I striking the "Walk like an Egyptian" pose along the border...ha! We definitely didn't let that one go! From there, we completed the 3.5-hour bus ride from our viewpoint to a mountain area. Now we weren't necessarily told how intense this hike was going to be, other than I have to say it was probably the best I've ever had in my life. We hiked up a mountain called Mount Shlomo, which is on the southern edge of Eilat and from here, you can see the city of Eilat and southern Israel, to our right facing the Red Sea you could see Egypt (Sinai), waaaay off in the distance just to the left of that is Saudi Arabia, and continuing left across the Gulf of Eilat (Red Sea) is Jordan. Breathtaking views of the region, looking into four different countries at the same time, as well as the Coral Beach right below us. This was, without words, awesome.

From here we went to Eilat, checked into our hostel and found a really cool pizza place to eat at before the Sabbath (Shabbat) began. From there, it was resting and then getting ready for a night on the town. We went to a place called the Three Monkeys, only kilometers from the Jordanian border, which was especially cool because a live band had come to the pub to play a gig that night. We rocked out 'til the wee hours of the morning to some great classics ranging from The Eagles to The Beatles...the best music in the world of course!

The best part was a full day at the beach! A coral beach, that is! I got the chance to go snorkeling off the coast of the Red Sea just a bit...and saw some amazing fish and other ocean life. The pics below include people snorkeling and us hanging out on the beach. It was a nice day of relaxing and getting in that last suntan of the year before winter hits. From there, we went to a Bedouin tent for some good Nargila, Pita and Hummus... Then back to the hostel, grabbed our stuff, and got locked in for the 3.5-hour bus ride home to Be'er Sheva.

Snorkelers and divers on Coral Beach, Gulf of Eilat, Israel.

All of us at Coral Beach!

This past Sunday was a trip by myself to Jerusalem's Old City. Since I'm heading out in a few days from now and am not completely certain of when I'm coming back here, I thought I'd get in a little bit more touring of probably the best spot in Israel yet. I got to spend some time walking around the Armenian quarter, which is probably the longest settlement yet in Jerusalem (dating back to the 4th Century...and they haven't been kicked out yet!) Finally, I wandered through the Christian quarter looking for the Church of the Holy Sepulchre...call me crazy..., but I couldn't find it! After asking around a bit, I stumbled into the Jewish Quarter, somewhat more familiar territory, and tried asking people who might know where the Church was...still no luck. Shortly after, it started to pour rain! And walking in leather flip flops in shorts without an umbrella meant bag it up and go back to the Old City the next day.

Now yesterday I found the Church of the Holy Sepulchre! Yay! And it definitely was awesome. I walked into the front doors only to find probably the most important relic to the church, which was the Stone of the Anointing, believed to be the place where Jesus' body was prepared for burial. The pics to the left show how people were bringing personal objects to touch it and saying prayers sitting next to it. From there, I walked over to the Edicule of the Holy Sepulchre, which is thought to be where the Tomb of Christ was, with a dome above the Edicule that was incredibly high. Next was a visit to Calvary, which was really interesting to see. Sitting in that spot, a crafted iron cross hangs above the spot where it was believed that Jesus was crucified. Lines of pilgrims from all walks of the Christian faith had lined up to touch the actual rocks of where the Cross was pounded into the solid rock. From there, I visited a chamber at the bottom of the church where it is believed that the crosses had remained and were rediscovered after Jesus' death. I also walked into a few other rooms that had other relics to the crucifixion, as well as people lighting candles and saying prayers. Overall, it was a fascinating experience to see all of the cool relics and to see where all walks of Christianity meet on one particular perspective on something that definitely happened...

So my adventures in the Holy Land are winding to a close......for now! It might be possible that I might come back quite soon...look for updates on when that will be. I will also post some of that information here on this blog, and from there, we may get some new adventures in the Holy Land once again.

There is also a new video up of my adventures on YouTube! Click here to check it out! And click here for a new photo album of all the action!

I hope everyone is doing well, thanks for keeping up with my adventures. Keep in touch!

B'Shalom,

Josh ;)

A Rough Beginning...A Bittersweet End...

I was once told an interesting saying that for some reason really strikes me quite hard, especially on the difficult day that was today. The saying goes something like this: "You can spend all this time planning your life right here down on earth, and up in the heavens God is laughing at you the whole time." This especially means that there are other things in mind that I am not aware of, and something new in life that I suppose I will find out all in good time. And that has been the revelation these past few weeks, and from what it seems like now, there is a lot more to come.

This blog entry contains something a bit more difficult to explain...and I have to alter my life plans a bit. But I shall sum it up as follows: I will no longer be able to remain a graduate student here at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev. The main reasons are significantly personal, but the long and short of it is a fabulous career opportunity back in Los Angeles starting next month, and a financial crisis with a grant that I was supposed to be receiving...the very ticket on really why I am here. Today was my first day with the withdrawing process... It almost feels like the rug has been yanked out from under my feet, tossed to the ground, shaken and thrown away. I had to drop all my classes, and now begins the discovery of what comes next. I am very excited to see what awaits me in the future, yet the road is long to get there.

As many of you know, my times here in Israel have not been easy. From an unsettling start in Jerusalem, to finding housing here in Be'er Sheva, to getting settled and then having to relocate apartments, from bureaucracy to bureaucracy at the university, to finally grant and other financial issues with the state of Israel, the math adds up to the fact that I tried to plan something and make it work, and this is not where I am supposed to be. Everything I have done with making it work has failed, and failed again. MAPMES is an OK program, but in my opinion not enough to slave over it and make it work to some extent toward my career. Finally NBC News Tel Aviv did not work out, as the bureau is too small to conduct fulltime internships and/or pageships. Although I tried to deny all of these things for several weeks now and continue to remain optimistic, the time has come to acknowlege the uphill road and move it along to opportunities that will further my career and make a happy life.

I just a few short weeks I will board a British Airways flight back to New York, then on to Sacramento for a little bit before the big move to Los Angeles. Until then, I plan to still have fun, to see Israel, to travel a few more times to the places I want to see. I also will be able to have someone sublet my room, transfer the lease over and be free and clear of any obligations here. Next weekend, I'm still travelling with a group to Eilat, one of Israel's most tropical cities. My flight departs early in the morning November 17, so the plan is to head to Ben-Gurion Airport on Friday the 16th, the day before, check in my luggage, and then head to Jerusalem for a final time to visit the Old City, and to go to a special place that I absolutely loved in Israel...called Kol Haneshama. From there, I will start my journey home.

To all who have been religiously checking this blog and haven't seen anything here for a bit, I apologize...this has been what's going on in life. Again, expect a few more posts before I have to leave. And of course, thank you to you all for your love and support. I'll be home soon! And don't worry, Israel... I'll be back...you can count on it :)