SWITCHING TO WORDPRESS

I have decided to try out Wordpress for a little while and see how it goes. I hope you all will continue to follow me there: http://alyssawolff91.wordpress.com/ 

America, the Beautiful

After almost 3 weeks of being back in America, I have realized a few things:
 1) I really missed my family. When you live on the other side of the world and are constantly struggling to find a time to FaceTime because of the 7 hour time difference, it is really comforting to be in the same time zone as the ones you love.
2) I have completely taken for granted the mentors that I had while I was at IU. It is so nice to be able to sit back down and talk face-to-face with the people who I trust the most. I knew I was lucky, but I never knew just how lucky I was until I was able to visit everyone at IU this past weekend for Simchas Torah and Shabbat.
3) It's not quite as hard as some of us may think to keep 100% kosher in Hog Heaven and Shrimp City. Until this visit home, I had continued to eat cold dairy and parve out at restaurants, but I decided that this time I was going all in. I was a little nervous about coming home with my favorite restaurants from my childhood staring me in the eyes and taunting me with their delicious smells. But I have found that I don't care nearly as much as I thought I would. In fact, I've been able to sit with others while they eat some of my favorites, and I just know that I'm not going to eat it. It's not even a question in my mind. I really davened for this to be easy for me, and Hashem has really helped me thus far.
4) Some things in America are just not the same in Israel. While some people may be ashamed to admit it, I'm not. I have really missed some of the physicalities that are just better quality in the States. For example, I have enjoyed getting my nails done at a reasonable price, showering with my shoes off, sleeping in a real, comfortable bed, using my favorite scent of laundry detergent, having my body temperature be at a comfortable level at all times of day, and simply being able to pick up and drive ten minutes and go to Target. Some times it really is the little things that make us feel like we are at home. When I travel back to Israel in about a week, I have decided to bring some of the things that make me feel "at home" back to "the homeland" with me. Some of these things include: a 2-month supply of Cliff Bars and Luna Bars, 6-month supply of Sensodyne toothpaste (since it costs roughly $15 a tube in Israel), endless supplies of body wash, face wash, shampoo, and conditioner, and I am even considering bringing a tub of laundry detergent (there's nothing like that home-laundry, out of the dryer (don't be fooled, I do not have a dryer in Israel) smell that reminds you of being at home).
5) I am really grateful for the learning that I have been doing in Israel this summer. It's been weird not learning Torah and being in a Torah environment for the past few weeks. I do find myself feeding off of the d'var Torahs at the Shabbos table more in America, since I have not been submerged in Torah day in and day out.
Overall, I am so thankful that I was able to come home for my cousin's bar mitzvah (he did a great job, btw). It has been really amazing to see my family, friends, and remind myself of what it was like to live in my own house for a little while. I'm really looking forward to heading back to the homeland soon and seeing what Israel has up it's sleeve for me in the next few months. Until then, XOXO Frum Girl.
*****I forgot to mention that when I go back to Israel, I WILL ABSOLUTELY NOT MISS having to change the radio station channel when Miley Cyrus' song "Wrecking Ball" comes on. I used to be a BIG Miley fan. Like I saw the Hannah Montana Concert 3D movie a total of seven times in theaters. But as a frum girl, or any woman for that matter, I have a really hard time seeing her outbursts of what she likes to call "breaking free from Hannah". Anyways, that was just an aside. XOXO, unproud ex-Miley fan

Back to the Real World

Sorry for the lack of posts lately, but I have somewhat taken a hiatus from social media. I officially deactivated my Facebook for the time being, so if you want to know when I post, please follow me on Twitter @alwolff09. It's been a real detox not using my Facebook the past couple of weeks. Who knows if I'll get it back in the future, but to all of you junkies out there (LOL) it IS possible to kick the habit.
After 4 months in the greatest country in the world, I am heading back to America the beautiful for 3 weeks for a family simcha! I'm sooo excited to see my family, and spend time enjoying the physicalities of life. I'll be spending Sukkos in Tenafly, NJ and then in Bloomington, IN, and BOY I cannot wait to go back to Btown and visit everyone! This trip is for sure going to be a BIG test for me. I am sticking to my guns this time, and I am really not going to eat in non-Kosher restaurants, bli neder. This will probably be the hardest thing for me, because we all know how much I love to eat, but I am looking forward to, b"H, passing this test.
Things I am looking forward to at home:
1. seeing my family!
2. seeing my friends!
3. eating meat
4. SHOPPING
5. getting manis and pedis
6. taking a shower without my shoes on
7. CUDDLING WITH MY FAVORITE MUFFIN, JERSEY!!!
8. being able to come back to Israel in just 3 weeks!
That's all for now. Next time I post I'll be across the ocean enjoying my time with family and friends. I hope everyone had a really meaningful Yom Kippur, I sure did in a place called Moshav Matityahu, which is a moshav that is close to Kiryat Sefer, for those who know the area. It was VERY HOT, but the shul was nice and air conditioned, and the davening was really special. Now with Sukkos coming quickly, it's time to build those sukkahs (all night around my apartment last night), and get into a simchadik mindset in this really happy and exciting time!

The King is in the Field

As we are really close to the Day of Judgement, beginning this coming Wednesday, it has been a mad dash to the finish line to do all of the teshuva I have been working on for the past year, and specifically in the past month in sem. I am incredibly fortunate to be able to be in such a place of Torah knowledge during this crucial time in the year. Although last year I thought I did a pretty good job of learning from sefarim on my own and listening to online shiurim, it pales in comparison to the work I have been able to accomplish and the knowledge I have acquired just this past month of Elul in seminary.

In current events, a huge MAZAL TOV to my good friends Mel and Avi on 1. getting married and 2. making aliyah, which was there true "teenage dream". In fact, Katy Perry's song was about THEM! It's great to have them in Israel with me, and I can't wait to be with them on this journey! There is a teshuva, tefilah, and tzedakah mobile that drives around town playing music to get everyone in the Rosh Hashanah spirit, so that's pretty interesting and thrilling. And to top off the weekly news, the man who works in the Brooklyn Bake Shop knows me, and tells me to buy more to bring to my fellow Kentuckians. Maybe that means I go there too much? Just doing my job in supporting the local ma and pop shops! Anywaaays...:)
Two weeks ago, I got up at 4:30 am and took an organized bus to the city of Chevron, where Avraham, Yitzchak, Yaakov, Sarah, Rivka, and Leah are buried. It really was a holy and amazing experience to be at this special place, where such tzaddikim and the foundations of the Jewish religion are buried. My favorite part was the fact that Sarah and Avraham are buried right next to each other. There is a separate room in which both of their kevarim rest. It's a pretty vast and grandiose place, but the fact that two people who loved each other so much, and had such a good marriage for such a long time were buried right next to each other really says a lot to me.
We've been learning a lot about brachos in halacha class, which has led me to search out the different kinds of food that we have talked about. For example, all I want to eat are chocolate covered raisins because I now know that the bracha is ha'etz instead of shehakol. Don't worry, I finally found them today and bought enough to last me through Rosh Hashanah. I am also the proud new owner of "The Marvelous Midos Machine" CD, which is exactly as it may sound...a Jewish children's CD that teaches about good midos and being a mensch. I plan to learn all the words to the songs so I can impress little Jewish children everywhere with not only my BEAUTIFUL voice, but also my intense knowledge of good midos. I'll keep you posted on how that goes.
As the Day of Judgement comes, when our next year will be inscribed in, please G-d, the Book of Life, it is a very intense time of teshuva and working on ourselves. On this day, everything that will happen to us in the coming year, who will live, who will die, our wealth, our health, will be inscribed by H-shem. In these last few days, it is our last chance to crown G-d as our King and ask for forgiveness so that we can change any bad decrees that we may receive, chas v'shalom. Although a lot of the things that I say may seem to be a joke or sarcastic, this time is crucial, and I can only continue to daven that I have done enough this past year to be written in the Book of Life for the upcoming one.
While some of you may think that I am a little crazy for having a mild freak out before the New Year instead of simply buying my apples and honey, please realize that whatever you believe in, whether it be an ultimate Truth or something else, that this time of year especially is really just a time to work on ourselves, and as good people, this is what we should be striving to do all year long. While the Torah helps us out a little bit by dedicating this entire month to teshuva and self-introspection, it doesn't mean we can stop as soon as Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur end. We should write down small resolutions and continuously work on them all year long until they no longer need to be conscientiously worked on. My hope for all of us is that we can all work on ourselves to make the world a better and more peaceful place. Ketivah Vachatimah Tovah, may you be inscribed and sealed for a good year.

The "glory days"

In the middle of the night I had a revelation that I couldn't help but write down. Before I went to sleep less than 12 hours ago, I found myself nostalgic and longing for my college days. For those of you who have been reading since the beginning of my journey, you'll know that Bloomington, IN is not the most conducive environment for someone who is / is trying to become Torah observant. But as I saw everyone's posts, tweets, etc about moving back to Btown and going back to the glory of old IU, I felt a pit in my stomach that had me longing for that time in my life again. I'm not going to deny the fact that I had a GREAT time at college. Those are some memories I will carry with me forever. Some of the most life-changing things happened to me while I was in college. Before bed, my yetzer hara had me believing that my old, college lifestyle was what I was longing to have back in my life. However, in the middle of the night I woke up realizing that the longing is not for the parties, bars, and traif restaurants. During Elul and this time of teshuva, I think it's only fitting that my yetzer hara would try to trick me. Of course I miss my friends and the relationships I made at IU, but I still have those in my life. I didn't have to leave those behind. I am just that much more grateful now for the opportunity Hashem has given me to be in seminary learning Torah during this important time of year. So for now, I am grateful to say my daily tehillim and learn about Akeidas Yitzchak. My "glory days" are just beginning, and I will always have fond memories when I think about the events and moments in my life that have lead me to where I am today. Have a great day!

Elul 2013

We are now in the middle of Elul zman in school, and the 8:30 am - 5:30 pm schooldays are full of Chumash: we are currently learning about the Akeidas Yitzchak otherwise known as the binding of Yitzchak on Mt. Moriah. This parsha is read during Rosh Hashanah so we are learning it beforehand in school. For those who aren't familiar, the Akeidas Yitzchak is when Hashem told Avraham to take Yitzchak and offer him as a sacrifice. Of course, you may be thinking, "Why are those crazy Jews sacrificing humans?!" Don't be fooled by Hashem's seemingly outrageous command to Avraham, it was/is/always will be against Torah law to not only sacrifice a human being, but also kill anyone in general (see 10 Commandments for further info...lol). The real lesson we are taught through this parsha is that Avraham had so much yiras Shamayim (awe of Hashem) that he was willing to sacrifice his own son for the sake of Hashem's name. What's even greater, is that until Yitzchak and Avraham were on the mountain alone, Yitzchak simply thought he was going to help Avraham sacrifice a lamb. When Yitzchak found out that HE was the sacrifice, he willingly layed down and allowed Avraham to bind him with the wood. ***Please note: Yitzchak was not actually harmed during this parsha.*** We learn from our forefathers that especially during this time of teshuva and working on ourselves, we should always be constantly striving to have yiras Shamayim and to always trust Hashem and His ways. 

In addition to Chumash, we are also learning a lot of Mussar. The Mussar Movement was founded in the 1800's by a famous rabbi, Rabbi Yisroel Salanter. The word mussar itself means ethics or values, and through R' Yisroel Salanter's teachings we learn how to improve ourselves from within. Since this time before Yom HaDin (Day of Judgement), is all about improving ourselves, mussar is a great thing to learn at this time. Every morning we have breakfast class with the head of our school. We are currently learning "Discourse on Free Will" by Rav Eliyahu Dessler, who I could take up an entire post just speaking about his greatness and teachings. What's even more exciting than learning an essay from "Strive for the Truth" is that this particular essay happens to be the very first thing I ever learned (torah-wise) with my Rabbi from Indiana. I feel like learning this essay again really signifies the full circle I have made, and will continue to make in my Jewish learning.

Thursday night I went with two of my friends to the Jerusalem International Arts Festival. There were booths from all over the world, and also from Israel, displaying their work. For all the Louisvillians, it was basically like the St. James Art Fair, so it was pretty awesome. It may have even been better than that because there was kosher food that I could eat! They had live music including some of my southern favorites: Country Roads and Blowing in the Wind (circa 8th grade music class #throwback). My two friends I was with are from Canada and South Africa, and they thought I was very weird for jammin' to the music. You can take the girl out of the South, but you can't take the South out of the girl. I found the artist I have been searching all over Jerusalem to find his work, and I got my finishing piece (for the moment anyway) to hang over my bed. It's the Etz Chaim (Tree of Life), and it is SO fabulous. 

This Shabbos, I went to one of the tutors from Shearim in Ramat Eshkol. Her beds and pillows were 100% American and comfier than a 5 star hotel. The salads were first class, and the dessert was homemade but I thought it came from a bakery. Let's just say I was wined and dined this Shabbos, and I'm not complaining. In addition, her kids were super cute, and we had a really great time. 

I am now going to call my cute, baby cousin to wish her a happy 4th Birthday and go to sleep. I have to really get my rest because the days are long, and I have to be on my A-game. I hope you're all having a meaningful Elul, and are surviving the summer heat wherever you are in the world. Lailah tov! 

xoxo, Frum Girl

Bein Hazmanim 5773

Well if anyone has been through some serious technological malfunctions in the past couple of weeks it is this girl. After finally getting my internet to work after making numerous trips to Cellcom, I am back in the blogging business. A lot has happened these past two weeks. We have had half days in school because it is a time called Bein Hazmanim which basically means in between the times. It's just a little break for mostly yeshiva boys before the intense month of El Ul (Rosh Hashanah, etc) which is coming up very quickly.
I spent a really nice Shabbat in Ramat Bet Shemesh with my friends that I spoke of in the last post. I got to see a family I am friends with from Indianapolis, who just made Aliyah, so it was nice to see a little bit of home as well. I also got to meet Jamie Geller, author of Joy of Kosher cookbook and also the star of some videos for Nefesh B'Nefesh. It was pretty cool to meet such a down to earth celebrity from the frum world. I even got an informal invite to come for Shabbos, so I will hopefully be taking her up on that invitation in the near future!
Last Shabbos, I went to the family that I am close to in the Chassidish community of Belz in Kiryat Belz. The davening at the Belz shul in Yerushalayim is something that everyone should experience at least once in their lives. The singing of L'cha Dodi is incredible and really moving. We went to the Rebbe's tisch after the meal and didn't get home until 2 in the morning, and it wasn't even over! The Belz community tends to do everything later and longer than most. I even got a bracha from the Belzer Rebbetzin. It was a really special Shabbos with some really special people.
Shearim took a tiyul to the beach in Herzliya. It was amazing! The waves were grade A and so fun to be in. Imagine what you think of when you hear that there are tons of sea lions on a rock in the middle of the ocean. Now imagine that those sea lions are frum women with floating tubes and they are all in a small confined area of the ocean. This is what the beach was like. It was crazy. The waves were so big that they had to confine all the women to one small area, but that didn't stop us from having a great time. I got a delicious ice cream (obvs) and got some good color on my face. I didn't get quite as burned as last time, BH. I think it's due to the fact that I was sporting my unbelievably fashionable tznius bathing suit.
Today I did something I never thought I would ever do in Israel. I got my hair cut and my Keratin re-applied. I had to negotiate with the hair dresser so that he didn't over-charge me. I ended up paying the same I pay in America, which is fine by me. One thing I didn't take into account is the fact that I can't wash my hair for three days or wear it in a ponytail, and it is 1000000 degrees outside. We'll see how this pans out over the next 72 hours. It's only been 6 hours and I'm already way overheated. Tonight I went to a great little restaurant on Yaffo called Village Green with my friend from home. I have managed to go to the King George area two days in a row now without buying anything! It's a true miracle. For anyone who doesn't know, I have a slight shopping problem that I've been working, since I was 12, to kick. Shout out to my Dad for sticking by me all these years :)
As for news on the homefront aka Louisville aka Bloomington. The last piece of senior year aka the best bed ever has finally been moved out of 321 N Lincoln :( Dad and Jersey trekked up to 321 for the last (crying) time to move out my bed. Dad was pretty bummed he didn't run into Mr. Rogers (our cute, old landlord who loves nice Jewish girls). Maybe it was actually me who was bummed Dad didn't run into Mr. Rogers?? Anyway, my fond memories of the good times with great friends in 321 will stay with my for the rest of my life. As the final key was turned in, I have to face that 321 N Lincoln is now another closed chapter in my life (actually crying). I will forever be grateful for the memories made in that house, and I am so fortunate that I have friends that will last way beyond the walls of our little green house on the corner.


So as Bein Hazmanim comes to a close, I am now looking forward to one of my Rebbetzins coming back to the country tomorrow (!), my bestie coming back from Montreal to make Aliyah (woo!), getting back on a normal schedule, and getting ready for hopefully the most inspiring El Ul I've ever had. As El Ul is the month leading up to the High Holy Days, we are meant to be working on our Yiras Shamayim among all of our other middos we are trying to work on before the Day of Judgement when the Book of Life is sealed on Yom Kippur. I'm sure I will have a much better explanation of the month of El Ul once I get back into the seminary swing of things this Tuesday. I've heard this is one of the best times to be in Israel, so I am gearing up for the month ahead. Have a Chodesh Tov y'all!

Just keep swimming

First I want to start by dedicating this post to a 13 year old inspiration who became an angel in heaven this week after a 6 year battle with cancer. Her name was Talia Castellano, and she had positivity and love to give until her last breath. I can't do her story justice on my blog, but you can read her story and follow her continued impact on her Facebook page: Angels for Talia.
Talia teaches us a real lesson. We never have it as bad as it seems, and in leu of what we think may be going wrong in our lives, we need to "just keep swimming" and stay positive. She is a real inspiration to us all, and her impact will surely help children and adults alike forever.
On a bit of a lighter note, my week has been a bit crazy. Tuesday was Tisha b'Av. For those of you who know me, you might know that I am a pretty bad faster. BH I made it through the fast with flying colors until the final four hours, which were spent in good company with my cousins in the Old City. Our break fast included some good, old fashioned, southern breakfast food. We were just missing the grits! It was such a treat, and a good way to bring up our morale after such a somber day. School has been going well. It is a time period called Bein Hazmanim right now, which is the period of time in between the summer session and the start of the Jewish month of El Ul. It's about 3 weeks of a pretty chill, half day schedule at school. I'm enjoying it so far! I plan to do a bit of day and overnight traveling these next couple of weeks. So far on the schedule we have a couple of beach days and 2 nights at a frum hotel in Netanya. I'm pretty excited and I hope it all actually works out. Pictures will be posted, don't wory! This Shabbos I am going about an hour outside of Jerusalem to a place called Ramat Beit Shemesh. I am going with one of my roommates and another friend from our Jewel program. I'll get to see a close family from Indianapolis who recently made Aliyah! It's so exciting to have a piece of Indiana with me in Israel.
In other news, I am officially the proud owner of a tznius bathing suit from an Israel-based company, MarSea. Check them out online. They have vendors throughout Israel. I had a great experience buying mine and I am officially set to jump in the waves of the Mediterranean in tznius style!
That's pretty much all for now. I'll post some pictures when my internet stops being disfunctional. There may be a mid week post after Shabbos if anything worth telling happens. I hope you all have a wonderful and restful Shabbos! XOXO, Frum girl

This week in the life of...

This week in the life of your's truly has been pretty uneventful but good so far. I can't even remember the last post I did, so sorry if there is any repetition. Here are some highlights from the last little bit I can remember:

1. I went to the big mall in Jerusalem with some Shearim girls and got my nails done (before the 9 days, obvi)
2. I've been hanging out with one of my besties and her cute little baby a lot :)
3. I got a delicious crepe at Waffle Bar (leave it to me to always be eating)
4. I have, bli neder (without a vow), started to daven Mincha everyday (which is a BIG step for me)
5. I visited one of my bubbie rebbetzins and had a special dinner with her and her husband
6. I ruined 2 of my favorite shirts in the wash #israel/firstworldproblems
7. I tried to go re-buy the shirt and it was out of stock
8. I had a wonderful Shabbos in Har Nof with cousins and some new friends that I know I am going to be spending a lot of time with this year
9. My bed broke and I got a new and bigger one (Thanks Rabbi Pavlov!!)
10. I ate more crepes and iced coffee

All in all it's been a good and reflective 9 days so far. Tisha B'Av is next week, so I am gearing up (aka drinking gallons of water) for the fast. I'm looking forward to a relaxing Shabbos in Ramot with one of my good friends' family. The last day of classes for the week are tomorrow, and then after Tisha B'Av the summer program ends and the end-of-summer program starts at school, so I will have some new classes, and hopefully some trips, to share with everyone. I hope you all are having a good week, and I'll be back when I have any news thats worth sharing! XOXO, frum girl.

The 3 Weeks

I thought it was only appropriate to have a post dedicated to the 3 Weeks that we are currently in leading up to Tisha B'Av. For those who don't know, Tisha B'Av is the day in Jewish history in which, among other tragedies, the Beis HaMikdash (The Temple) was destroyed. Until the Temple is rebuilt, speedily in our days, with the coming of Moshiach (the Messiah), we have these three weeks from the 17th of the Jewish month of Tammuz until the 9th day of the Jewish month of Av in which we are in a period of mourning without the Beis HaMikdash. Next week will mark the beginning of the month of Av, and the first 9 days leading up to Tisha B'Av are days in which our sadness is increased as we get closer to the day on which the Temple was destroyed. During this 3 week and also 9 day period we have certain restrictions on our daily activities that may bring us happiness.
It has been a good time of reflection for me to constantly remember that we are not living in the best possible state that we could be. Without the Beis HaMikdash the Jewish people are without a physical house for Hashem on Earth, and it makes it that much harder for us to connect with Him. While we are reminded of this in our daily prayers, it is important that we use these three weeks wisely so that, with G-d's help, we will not have to go through this mourning period again.
During this time, I have really been trying to work on myself in order to make myself the best person I can be. In a discussion in one of my classes this week, we spoke about how we do not all have to be like the greatest tzaddiks and tzadekeses in this world. What we do have to be is the best possible version of ourselves. We are all on different paths, and if we are constantly growing and working on our character traits and interpersonal relationships by doing mitzvos, that is all that we are asked to do. This idea has really settled in for me these past two weeks. I do not have to be anyone else. I can strive to have the good middos (character traits) that certain people I have learned about have, but all I need to do is work on myself, to be the best version of me possible. And if we all do that, then the coming of Moshiach and the rebuilding of the Beis HaMikdash will be very, very soon. I hope you all have a wonderful Shabbos, and may this be the last one in which we are in a period of mourning without the Beis HaMikdash!

Once a Hoosier, Always a Hoosier

The night of the NBA draft picks was very exciting for me, but at the same time, it was hard to not be with all my Hoosiers cheering on the what would be number 2 and number 4 overall picks, Victor Oladipo (my love) and Cody Zeller (big handsome). It's times like these that make me grateful I went to an amazing Big 10 university because I love the unity that all the Hoosiers have when we get to cheer on our boys. I was thrilled to wake up in the morning with videos on my phone of the draft picks (thanks to a great friend and fellow Hoosier) and to find out that Victor and Cody were on great teams! Note to everyone: I am now an Orlando Magic fan!
Last week was great. I had a full week of classes, and everything seems to be going great. I really love all of the teachers and topics we're learning about right now, so that makes the long days go a bit quicker. On top of that, the lunches that we get are AMAZING. Like I'm talking gourmet. I have to restrain myself when it gets to a certain point, because I'm going to gain a lot of weight if I don't.
Thursday we went to daven at the kever (grave) of the Ohr HaChaim. He is buried in a cemetery where a lot of tzaddikim are buried. It was a cemetery I have always known about, and it was really breathtaking to be able to go and daven in the merit of such a big gedolim.

Friday morning I went with a friend and her three children to Bat Yam, which is a beach town about 45 minutes outside of Jerusalem. I haven't been able to go to the beach in about a year, so it was phenomenal to be able to see a real ocean/ sea whatever you want to call it (the Mediterranean). Since the women's swimming hours are only on Sunday, Tues, and Thurs we had to share the beach with some interesting characters. We tried to sit as far away from the general population as we could, but a man who was channeling his inner Michael Phelps minus the stellar body aka a large man in a speedo came over to the only two frum-looking women on the beach and asked us to help him find a shidduch. This was a pretty funny encounter. I also decided not to wear sunscreen (mistake #1) in order to work on my frum tan. Well, three days later my lobster burn has finally turned into a nice tan. I had to suffer with a very burnt face, forearms, and neck throughout Shabbos, but I really deserved it. Note to self: WEAR SUNSCREEN. All sunburns and shidduchim aside, it was a beautiful morning at the beach, and I can't wait to go again soon!
I spent Shabbos with my cousins in the Old City, which I always love doing. They are such wonderful people, and I am very lucky to have people I can call my family in Israel. It's comforting to know that I have people looking out for me. Now we're two days into the week, and all is going well! I'm planning to go for sushi with some Shearim girls tonight, but in Israel your plans can change in a matter of seconds. I hope we go, because I'm really craving some sushi. Have a good rest of your week, and here's hoping I can keep my tan for a few more days! XOXO, FRUM GIRL.

As time goes by

Here we are at the end of my first full (ish) week of sem. We went on a really fun tiyul (field trip) on Sunday, which consisted of a hike that was (literally) straight up and down. The tour guide told me that I could forgo the large majority of the hike, because of my ankle, and simply hike an easy 10 minutes down to the waterfall to meet the group. If any of you have ever hiked the Gilabon Waterfall, you will be laughing right now, because the hike is anything but easy. Thank G-d I made it down the mountain with both ankles and dry feet (there is water you have to jump over at parts). I couldn’t have done it without the help of a newfound friend who held my hand and helped me across. Once we got down to the waterfall, it was beautiful! Instead of going in the frigid water, I laid on a rock and let the mist of the waterfall cool me down.

            After the hike up the mountain, which may have been harder than going down, I felt pretty accomplished. About ¾ of the way back up, I stared to wheeze pretty heavily due to my asthma. I actually thought I was going to collapse right there on the mountain. The only thing I could think of to do was to ask G-d for help, because I knew that He was the only way I was going to make it back up. BH, I got to the top a few minutes later, and I was in one piece, even though I felt like I was in 100.

            The rest of the day consisted of rafting down the Jordan river, which I had previously done on Birthright, before I was frum. It was pretty nostalgic to go again, because I remember the day so clearly 2 years ago. I was with great friends, and we had an AMAZING time, so I was happy to relive the memory again. I can’t really compare the two experiences, because they were totally different. I will say that it is very strange to do something before you were frum, and then do it again when you are. Things are just different, and I had a greater appreciation for the land that surrounded us as we went down the river.

After rafting, we went to daven at Amuka, which is the grave of the holy sage, Yonatan ben Uziel. If you are looking to get married, you are supposed to go daven at Amuka, because Yonatan ben Uziel was never married. You’d think, “why would I go daven for marriage at the grave of someone who was never married?” Well, he was on such a high level of spirituality that he told G-d that he was married to the Torah. He also promised that he would help all of Klal Yisrael to get married in his merit. So for many years, men and women in need of a shidduch have been going to daven at Amuka to ask H-shem to give them a shidduch in the merit of Yonatan ben Uziel. Needless to say, it was a FUN day! I made a lot of new friends, obviously fed a cat, and was VERY tired by the end of it all.

            On Monday I finally moved in to my room in the school’s apartment. I got the only single room in the entire school (obvi). I’ve put up all my pictures, which has helped make the transition a little bit smoother. The rest of the week we had classes from 8:30-5:30 every day, except Tuesdays we only have class until 1 pm. This is a huge change for me because I haven’t had to sit in a classroom for this long ever. Even in high school, we only went until 3, and even then, my attention span was pretty small. I’m hoping that with time it will become easier. It does help that the classes are super interesting, and I feel like I’ve already learned so much.

            I’m also getting the hang of taking the public transportation from Har Nof to the rest of Jerusalem, which is kind of a schlep. It is worth it because I get to visit friends in town that are also in Israel for the summer. It's also fun to be with sorority sisters in Israel! If any of you know me, you know that I get massages on the reg to help with some neck pain. I found a great woman who does massages, waxing, reflexology, etc in Givat Shaul. She was great! It was like getting a massage in America, and not too many things are “like America” here. If anybody would like her information (gals only) be in contact with me!

            I had a wonderful Shabbos in my old neighborhood with some of my favorite Rebbetzins. I was also reunited with some old friends. It was really a Shabbos of clarity, guidance, and kedushah. I also made some new friends, who happen to be under the age of 3 and happen to not speak English. It's amazing how much Hebrew you can actually learn just from spending Shabbos with some little kids! If anybody knows that transitions can be tough, you’ll know that once things start to come together, you really realize that there must have been a Higher Power helping you through it. As I see my life thankfully coming together here in Har Nof, I can’t help but know that G-d is testing me, but I also know that He wouldn’t give me a test I couldn’t pass. Remember that you can overcome whatever you are faced with, and sometimes you just need to trust that it’s all going to work out. I hope you all have a great week! Signing off from Har Nof, you know you love me, xoxo (HAHA). 

It's a whirlwind life for me

***Disclaimer: my computer is having some computing symbols problems***
Wow the last week has completely flown by. After finishing up my official mother's helper duties, although I still happened to be staying with the family, I started to attempt to get my Israeli life in order. Things have been a real balegan the past couple of weeks, and I can now officially say that I have decided where I want to be for the time being. I had a great day of learning today, and I met some really nice girls. I think it may be a Har Nof life for me, which is definitely the last part of Jerusalem I ever thought I would be living! Not to mention that I was awarded the only single bedroom in the entire school #divaproblems, so I am not upset about that. In addition, my apartment overlooks the beautiful hills of Jerusalem and the Jerusalem forest. I don't think it will ever get old. However, I do anticipate the nearly 300, steep stairs to get to school may get old quite quickly. Actually, I have only done them once, and it was going down, and I am already over them, sooo I will keep you all posted on that one.
I had a wonderful Shabbos with one of my other favorite families in Ramot this past weekend. They attend a Carlebach shul, and the davening on Friday night is unforgettable. I dream about it when I'm in America, and I can hardly get there fast enough when I'm in Israel. You can truly feel the spirit of Shabbos when you sing Kabbalos Shabbos in the shul. It reminds me of camp, which is maybe why I like it so much.
The rest of my week has been solely devoted to being homeless, finally NOT being homeless, buying clothes even though I have no place to put them, celebrating my biffle AP's bday, and singing karaoke with other hilarious baalat teshuva women. Tonight I made a salad, so everyone can add that to my shidduch resume of "things I can cook". HA. FYI that section doesn't really exist, but let's just say my list is short. I am attempting a lemon pie I happen to be obsessed with for Shabbos. Let's just say my future husband will be wooed by this lemon pie, if I can get the recipe right. I am currently shacking at my cousin Rivkah's house, who happens to live on the other side of the same street as my apartment. My room won't be available until Sunday, so I am chillin here until then. Thank goodness I have her and her husband here. They have really been here for me the past few weeks, and I am SO thankful.
She'arim is taking a tiyul on Sunday, and I am so pumped. Hopefully I'll make a few more friends, and maybe get a little exercise (?). Anyway, they said I can sit on the bus for the hike if "my ankle" (my out of shape self) isn't feeling up to it. I'll def keep you posted on that. Here's hoping that next week I'm writing this from my very own room! Here are some pics from the week.
Feel free to follow me every step of the way on twitter: @alwolff09 or Instagram: @alwolff427. I post more often on these.

Motzei Shabbos pizza on the bus

Dancing at the sheva brachot (after-wedding party)

Feelin' hot hot HOT!

Well here you have it everyone. My first official post from the holy land pt 3! It's a scalding 100 degrees outside, but me and the three kiddos are all smiles from the park in Rehavya this morning! It's been a wild 2 weeks so far. From my first sleepless plane ride with three kids to the horrid service of The airline we finally made it to Eretz Yisrael! We've hit up all the normal to-do spots: the Western Wall, Geulah, KOSHER PIZZA, BURGER's BAR, and the park almost twice every day. For those who don't know, I am a mother's helper for 2 weeks for my Rebbetzin from Indiana, hence all the children references. Anyway, over the past 2 weeks I have become incredibly skilled at folding a double city-mini stroller, hand holding across the street, and shlepping two toddlers and a baby across Jerusalem. I'm feeling pretty good about it!
We had our first Shabbos on one of my favorite streets, Sorotskin, at one of my favorite Rebbetzin's house with her and her family (who speak no English). Well, my Rebbetzin does, but her children do not. I love going there and listening to the Hebrew. I can understand some of what they are saying, and I get to try and practice a little of my own Hebrew as well. Plus, she makes the BEST comfort food in the world. We walked a wonderful 1.5 hours back to the apartment. Walking in the streets of Jerusalem on Shabbat is one of my favorite things about Israel. Basically the entire city closes down for 25 hours and simply celebrates our relationship with our Creator.
We've also hung out with the Aish Fellowships trip in the Old City, and it's been really great getting to know some of the girls on the trip. I was even fortunate enough to go to my very good Chassidish friend's wedding on Thursday night. Her bedekin and chuppah were some of the most beautiful things I've ever seen. I felt so incredibly fortunate and holy to be a part of the joyous occasion. Unfortunately, I got a 24 hour stomach bug that night which involved getting sick right outside of the famous Bellz Shul in front of a lot of people. Without the help of one of my best friends, I may not have made it back to the apartment in one piece. After a good Shabbos rest, I feel much better and ready for the week ahead, which includes moving in to Eyaht. I am very excited to finally get settled somewhere! I hope you all have a wonderful week, and I will hopefully post again soon! Stay cool!

Next week in Jerusalem!

As I sit in my room an hour before Shabbos, I should really be doing my hair or getting the house ready, but I can't help but look back on this past year instead. This Shabbos is going to be my last one not only at home, but also in America for a LONG time. On Tuesday I begin my year-long journey to Eretz Yisrael, and I am so excited. I wouldn't want to spend my last Shabbos at home with anyone but my Dad and my dog (my two favorite boys), so I'm really going out in style.
In addition to this being my last Shabbos at home for a while, this week marks the one year anniversary of when I became shomer Shabbos! Hurray! A year ago this Shabbos, I was in Boro Park, and I made a promise to myself to keep Shabbos from then on. A year in the future, I am about to have a beautiful Shabbat with those that are closest to me, and I cannot be more thankful that I have this day to be with the people I love.
The blog posts are only going to get better from here, people. Stay tuned for my sem adventures and funny stories that seem to follow me everywhere (I'm sure I will be feeding a cat or two in the near future). I hope you all have a wonderful and inspiring Shabbat, and I will see you next week, b"H, from YERUSHALAYIM! Shabbat Shalom!

Eating my way through New Jersey

Some of you may not know this about me, but I am OBSESSED with hamburgers. Since the Kroger in Bloomington doesn't usually sell ground beef, and there are no kosher restaurants, a good kosher burger is hard to come by. So of course, when I am in the New York area visiting family and friends, I always seem to find myself sitting down to a nice juicy burger.
In case anyone is in the troubling position of not having kosher hamburgers at your every beckon call and are looking for some DARN GOOD burgers while in the New York City / Teaneck area, I'd like to share with you some of my favorites I have had over the past few days (spring break baby, go big or go home).
Sunday night my family took out from Hummus Elite in Englewood, NJ. While this a primarily Mediterranean cuisine restaurant, I, of course, settled my sights on the Cowboy Burger. This modest (yeah right) 8 oz beef burger with pastrami, grilled onion and spicy mayo, topped with a fried egg was a delectable feast fit for a kosher queen. It was unreal. I felt like I was on Man vs. Food while I was attempting to eat this entire monstrosity. Don't worry, I obviously finished the entire burger. It's safe to say that I wasn't too upset about missing out on Froyo with the cousins that night; I was stuffed! In any event, the Cowboy Burger is a must try for anyone in the area. Probably not an every night affair, since it kind of was like eating a heart attack (G-d forbid) on a plate, but definitely a once in a lifetime must have!
Tonight, I just got back from Talia's Steakhouse in the city with two of my best friends. I hadn't seen my best friend since her wedding a few months ago, so that made the meal even more special! I've been to Talia's before and gotten a regular 6 oz Prime Burger, which is really good. But tonight, since I'm on spring break and clearly going wild (ha.ha.), I decided to get a special treat, the 9 oz (I get it, I like to eat) Lamb Burger, topped with (wait for it)...one piece of American Tofu Cheese. Let me tell you, the tofu cheese tastes and feels like the real thing! I was thoroughly impressed, and was in a little bit of kosher food heaven. A delectable burger, with wonderful friends, followed by Tiramisu (my fav) for dessert, always keeps Talia's Steakhouse at the top of my favorite kosher restaurants list. What is also  really nice is that they have a "Recession Menu", which has the same yummy items for a little bit cheaper (and smaller portions). My Lamb Burger obviously didn't make this menu, but I was living it up on my "big night out" in the city, so all is good.
I won't be shocked if I tackle one or two more burgers in the next 5 days that I'm in New Jersey. I just can't get enough. Hopefully one day soon, with H-shem's help, I will have burgers readily available and I won't feel this need to eat the entire city's burgers in one week. May you all find good kosher food, and wonderful friends wherever your life's journeys take you!

Be thankful you can walk

I feel like everyone gets a reality check every so often where something that they are so used to having is taken away from them for a period of time, whether it is a thumb because of a horrible paper cut, or the use of a leg because of ankle surgery. I recently had ankle surgery, and I am now in a beautiful, purple cast that will remain on my leg for approximately five weeks total. Never in my life have I been so appreciative of normally having two legs that work and that allow me to walk and do whatever I please.
Not having the use of my left leg has made me reach out to H-shem to ask for a speedy and easy recovery because He is the only one that can actually heal my leg, even though I have to help by following instructions from my doctor. We are so lucky to have working bodies, and I feel like we never take the actual time to appreciate them. Even though I say Asher Yatzar multiple times a day and there are many brachos in our morning brachos that thank H-shem for helping us to see and stand up straight, etc., I have never truly appreciated, until now, the miracle of having a working body.
It is amazing how many things you can't do for yourself when one of your legs is out of commission. I have had to strongly rely on my roommates and friends to help me survive at school, and for their help I am truly grateful. All I can do is continue to ask H-shem for Divine assistance in my refuah and daven that He will give me the help and koach (strength) I need to recuperate.
So if you are reading this and have never broken a bone, had a debilitating surgery or an illness, please appreciate what you have because although I am grateful that I will now appreciate the use of my legs for the rest of my life, I have to wonder if I had been appreciative this whole time, would I be stuck without the use of my leg right now? Our bodies are a gift from H-shem, and although we must work to keep them healthy, it is H-shem who decides what truly happens. Although I feel as if this cast and crutches business will never come to an end, I know that H-shem does not present me with challenges I cannot overcome, and this is just another step in my journey to helping me seek H-shem's help in my everyday life.