Ani Gar B'Yisrael

Some snapshots from the first month in Israel. All of these pictures were taken in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and Hebron. Hopefully they will properly convey many of the things described in previous entries:


The picture above is of the primary entrance into Tel Aviv University, which sits at the juncture of Einstein and Levanon.

The primary concourse on campus. Ahead and to the left is one of the many coffee shops on campus.

A shot of the Social Work Building. For the first seven weeks, this building is the bane of Ulpan students' existence. All of our intensive Hebrew courses are in here. Stefan is in the bottom corner of this picture being a French-Irish badass.

The Cymbalista Synagogue at Tel Aviv University. Liran famously referred to this as "The Factory" on the first day of our campus tour.

A view of the Tel Aviv Boardwalk on the Mediterranean Sea. Jaffa can be seen in the distance.

The marina on the Tel Aviv Boardwalk. U.S. and other Western cargo planes skim over this area on a daily basis. We've also seen more than a few IDF Blackhawk helicopters running maneuvers off the shoreline.

The entrance into Shuk Carmel. An Orthodox Jew attempts to sign people up for some sort of charity work at bottom right.





A series of pictures from inside the Shuk aka "The Jungle." The one directly above shows Dustin plowing his way through the crowd. In truth, both Dustin and I were utilizing our southern manners despite the fact that such quaint behavior goes unappreciated.

A view of Hebron from an overlook. Our guide told us that Abraham stood near this spot when looking for a place to bury his wife Sarah.

Another shot of Hebron and ancient Judea.

Scanning the horizon.

Some Israeli settler graffiti in Hebron. It reads "I love you, Israel."

A portion of our IDF security detail near the Cave of the Patriarchs in Hebron. The officer on the far left was the one I spoke to near the end of the tour.

The Cave of the Patriarchs and Matriarchs that holds the tombs of Abraham, Isaac, and Sarah. It is also the site of the Ibraihimi Mosque.


A view of Jerusalem from the Haas Promenade. The Golden Dome of the Al-Aqsa Mosque gleams in the morning sun.

Dominique ("The Quebec Cowboy") and Ryan chill on a wall near the Church of the Holy Sepulcher and the Al-Aqsa Mosque.



Gosh. I hope Hamas doesn't get offended...


The Star of David flies high with Al-Aqsa in the background.


The Kotel (Wailing Wall). One of the most amazing places I've ever been.


A closer view of the Wailing Wall.

Another day comes to a close in the Holy Land...