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 :)