Soft Landing First 21 Days

Did you ever just jump and hope there was a safety net?

When I made the decision to study in Israel, I took a leap of faith that I would land on my feet. I've been here for 21 days (3 weeks). It's not always been easy. Many days, I went the wrong direction, had to figure out where I was and how to get to where I was going. All not speaking and/or understanding the language. I have had to depend on gestures, my little Hebrew and the kindness of strangers each day and everyday. 

People have said, oh you must have family and friends in Israel, if you are willing to move there. Well not really, I know a few people, but no family. Thank goodness for all of my friends* in the States who started introducing me to people right away. One friend introduced me to Ori Tal and his fiance Tal Nisim. When I spoke with Ori before coming to Israel he said, please come stay with us until you find an apartment. 

3 days has now turned into 3 weeks. They couldn't be sweeter. My own personal ulpan (Hebrew immersion). They have become my family. Another friend introduced me to one of her best friends. And of course, we have become fast friends too. Each of them introducing me to the day to day living here. 

The kindness of strangers and the immense amount of humility I need to summon everyday is not lost on me. 

Oh Elul... I'm taking the whole introspection concept seriously. 

The softest part of the landing was seeing my Aleph Ordination friends who were studying here this summer. I am forever gr8ful that I had other friends who were visiting Israel this summer too. I saw one of my besties from growing up. We haven't seen each other since we left for college. Amazing connections made in life coming together in Israel. Leaping into this new life knowing I had my safety net right here, made for a softer landing. Thank you all!! 

One quick funny story, I must not look so much like a tourist these days, because I keep getting stopped by Israelis and asked for directions. Most of the time I can even answer them back in Hebrew. :-)

Knowing all of you are cheering me on, supporting me and sending me love, keeps me from jumping back on a plane and just coming home. WhatsApp, emails and Facebook has helped me stay connected to all of you. Thank you for sending me messages, it really helps combat the homesickness. 

With so much love/אהבתי,
Tamy

Hope you enjoy the photos :-)

Esther and Stephanie on my first night here

Rob from Greensboro, NC

Roommates reunited

Kolby and Noam

Life long friendships together in Israel

New friend Michelle introducing me to her favorite coffee house

Adventures in Tel Aviv with Kat

Salzman/ Levin family at the Kotel

Orna Barel, my favorite artist in Tel Aviv art fair market

Spending time with Esther

Tal took me to Mark's new wine bar in Jerusalem

* If you have family or friends you would like to introduce me to, please introduce us via email or whatsapp. I'm always happy to make new friends. 

PS Please don't be upset if you introduced me to someone and either we didn't take a photo or I didn't mention them. I'm gr8ful for you and each contact I've made in the last 3 weeks as well as those yet to come. xxoo

New Phone Number

Shalom,

It’s a big moment for me, I switched phone numbers to Israeli number.

+972-53-803-7105

My old number will be on hold so I can use it when I come back in Nov.

WhatsApp is the best way to be in touch. AND it’s free.

😊

Off to look at more apartments. New address coming soon.

With so much love/אהבתי,

PS I'm staying with the nicest new friends, Ori and Tal. This is his motorcycle.

Ends up one of the best ways for get around Jerusalem. Don't worry, I'm being super safe. 

PSS Happy Birthday to the best sister, Holly

Leaving on a Jet Plane

July 30, 2018

Tonight as I sit on my dear friends roof top deck over looking the Hudson River (UWS), there is a beautifully lit bridge in the distance. Josh Warshawsky singing Emet (Truth) from his about to be released new CD, I am finally taking a big deep breath.

Some of you have asked if I wrote something and you missed it. Alas, I have been moving so quickly since May, I haven’t had time to just sit and write. The prose will come soon; the stories, photos and thoughts are making their way to the surface.

For now I can just say… I have so much gratitude for all life has brought me in this past months. Gratitude for all of you who have loved me and supported me in this journey. Gratitude for my teachers and mentors who have skillfully grounded me when I started to feel off course. Gratitude to have the ability to take this time to learn, I never forget how blessed I am for this opportunity.

Here’s a little quick update. I leave for Israel on Tuesday July 31 at 1:30pm EST.  If you pray, say a little prayer for safe, easy travels. I land in Israel on Aug 1^st.  I’ll be staying at a new friend’s apartment for a few days until I find a flat.  As soon as I am able, I’ll be in touch.

Email, texting and FaceBook will all work in Israel. WhatsApp another good way to stay in touch.

As I told my kids, I’m just a phone call away, same goes for you.

With so much love/אהבתי and gratitude, 

Tamy

cell: 847-212-3550

email: tcj224@gmail.com

So what's new?

Dear Family and Friends, 

I have so much news to tell, I thought I would start a blog to keep you all looped in. My grandmother used to end all of her letters with love. I'm hoping you will come to think of these as letters to you, sent with ahava (love in Hebrew)*.

To catch you up... I am in what some might call a perfect storm; others might call it the perfect opportunity for change.  My marriage has ended and I have recently been “reorganized” from a job I loved. Suddenly I am without a job, a partner or a plan. I hit the trifecta and recognized the opportunity to create a new plan, and move my perfect storm into a perfect blessing. This was an opportunity to ask the Universe:
“What's next?”

Open to opportunity, I received a call from a friend to join her on a trip to Israel. Without anything holding me back I said,  “YES!”  
While in Israel, I met with my colleague and friend Rabbi Ruth Gan Kagan. We had a very frank and deep conversation about all the changes in my life and my lack of direction.  And suddenly with a twinkle in her eye she said “I can’t tell you what to do, but if I were you, I would pack up my things, sell my house and move to Israel. Why don’t you take a year off and study at Pardes?” I floundered “but... but…” with more reasons why not to go floating around in my head, I was confused but a seed was planted and small roots began to grow.

Leaving Israel, I flew directly to California to complete the Embodying Spirituality training program I've been in for the past two years. While there, my mind continued mulling the possibilities. What would it be like to study at Pardes? I kept thinking about the conversation. Could I really do it? Is this the direction my life is leading? I know I am on a spiritual path, but really?  

The theme for Embodying Spirituality was rituals around transitions/ lifecycle. I created a ritual around blessings for a new beginning. I'll share more about that in another post. Returning to my home, I knew this life wasn’t for me anymore. I was ready for a change, ready to say goodbye. The boys and I had many conversations about all of these changes. They are super supportive.


The reaction I got when speaking to a friend/mentor/colleague, let me know that I was on the right track, as soon as the words left my mouth her excitement was palpable. The idea of me studying at Pardes caused her to nearly jump out of her seat. She said “You are on the path. You have been on this path for years. Take flight!”


So, when I sit quietly with myself, this all makes sense, It feels right, I know Israel is where I'm supposed to be and what I am supposed to be doing.

When I’ve told the boys, some of my friends and family about my plan, their first response is, WOW! Really?! Then they sit for a minute and say, Tamy, you have been waiting your whole life for this experience. If not now, when? That Hillel quote keeps coming up over and over again. It seems like my perfect trifecta has turned into a perfect trifecta of learning, new amazing adventures and a new place to live. 


Saying goodbye isn't easy, I've already started. Writing this blog is my way of staying in touch with you, my family and friends. For now I'm assuming my email will be the same tcj224@gmail.com

Here is my timeline:
House is on the market- lots of activity :-) 
Lehitraot: Goodbye, for Now Open House
July 15, 2018 2:30 on...
Text or PM me for address

Leaving for New York July 20 
The Davennen' Leadership Training Institute (DLTI)
Israel on Aug 1st
School starts Sept 2
Back in Chicago/Glencoe for Thanksgiving

Thank you for all of your love and support as I go through all of these changes. Filled with so much gratitude!
with love, 
xxoo, 
Tamy
PS Click on the blue words (hyperlinks), it will explain more about what is highlighted. 
*The blog With Love was already taken :-)