The Masada mystique
The last time I had attempted to climb up the historical mountain of Masada, I had failed miserably. I was on my senior trip and it was the last day of touring before…
Treading water in Jerusalem
I soak in the noises surrounding me. A clamorous tractor pulling garbage away, a hammer banging at a new construction site, children playing in the square. Once in a while an Israeli man…
Be an angel for Yom Kippur
For the first time in my life, I am actually looking forward to fasting on Yom Kippur. I will be staying at my dorms in the Old City with the rest of the…
It wasn’t me, I swear!
Like a harsh whip back into reality, an unjust accusation really puts things into perspective. While everyone sees things differently, many people in this world are close-minded, untrustworthy and too blinded by their…
The fall of the golden pedestal
After an agonizing 11-hour delay on top of a bumpy ten-hour flight, I have finally reached my eagerly awaited destination: the one and only Holy Land. I have high expectations that I pray…
Daydreams are made of this
An emptiness engulfs me as I stare out of the front window of my office. The phone rings. It’s my job to answer but I choose to ignore. I started working here a…
