ch-ch-check-in

[Eve Lifson]

Hey everyone! 

I really enjoyed reading Elissa's check-in at the beginning of the summer because it boosted me up with excitement for Israel. I thought I'd send my own because I've been having really positive/excited feelings that I want to share. Right now I'm in NY, interning for OneVoice (a group that organizes parallel Israeli and Palestinian peace movements). Being here has exposed me to another aspect of the Israeli peace movement. Having mentors from OneVoice, J Street, and Habo has been really important to my thinking about Israel, social change, and peace because I've been exposed to some conflicting views that have caused me pause and helped me figure out what role I want to play in Israeli society.

Being a recent grad and all (with lots of recent grad friends) has inevitably got me thinking about careers,starting a life in a new place, and grad school. And right now, there is no place I'd rather be living than Haifa. And there's no living situation that I would prefer to an intentional, communal house of my b'nai kvutsah. (did I do that right?) I've been thinking a lot about political organizing in the the Israeli left and how to mobilize people/pressure MK's regarding the peace process. I know this is the kind of work I want to be involved in.

Maya, Elissa, Anna, and Noah--I'm so excited to start a life with you. I've been thinking a lot about ways I want to integrate with Israelis, parties I want to host to get to know the Aussies and other garinim our age, and all of the tiyulim I want to do. Let's get this party started.

Zev, Matan, and Ben--I cannot wait for each of you to join us in Israel when the time comes.

Zoey and Phia--I'm excited for the personal (yet also kvutzati) process you are each in, thinking about a life in Israel. I look forward to being a part of it in the next year.

Becca, Alysse, Celeste and Sarah--I'm so happy that each of you is following your passion. If and when a life in Israel comes back to the forefront of your mind, I want to hear about it!

Jacki, Ofer, and Liron- Each of you has so much to show us about the path we're choosing. I am so comforted by your guidance.

If I misconstrued where any of you are in your thinking about aliyah, I'm very sorry, and please correct me! If you read all the way through this, I'd really appreciate a line (or emoticon) in response just so I know who I'm talking to!

Much love,

Eve

--
Eve Lifson

Tufts University 2013

Peace and Justice Studies

[Matan Naamani]

Eve- this was an awesome email to get! Made my day! Looking forward to building a life with you!!

[Noah Hansen]

Noah and Anna checking in from Montana: eve, you really know how to get our engines revvin! we just we to a Mormon church in Cody Wyoming and learned about how Mormons are basically zionists but in 19th century America. That's just one example of how our roadtrip is foreshadowing all our halutznik dreams. we even went to Zion national park, plus we're getting really tan #new jew. eve, we are so excited to hagshmize like Mormons with you! but seriously were passing a place called butte right now! on our trip we have learned many lessons that we will take with us to Yiz:
Noah's lessons:
-there is such thing as too spicy
-hiking on Benadryl is awesome
-the cowboy image is sexy. cowboy lifestyle? Not so much.
-when camping at Grand Canyon, where condoms and diapers while asleep
-sometimes, you just need a new pair of shorts
Anna's list:
-it is possible to have diarrhea in every state
-when it doubt go to a comfort in
- the south will rise again
- spontinaety and football are great
- intrepid homebodies poop a lot
- the meaning of 'pithy' and 299 other words

joint list:
-fuck the police
-America loves fireworks
-fireworks ruin laser light shows
-listening to Bruce Springsteen while driving away from thunderstorms and into Wyoming sunset= pretty fuckin cool
- the west is the best



Sent from my iPhoned

[Sophia Blumenthal]

dear all of you!!!

my life is so twisty turny right now, but since all of matan's chanichim told all of their chanichim that i'm making aliyah... i guess i'll be in israel next year!!! (also bc i think i want to of course) not sure when yet though... gotta talk to some people.

see you all there!
so much love and lollipops
phia