KoKo B. Ware

While KoKo may be the most underrated professional wrestler of his era, KoKo is also the nickname of one of my oldest, dearest friends. As such, I salute you....even though I will kick your lily white tuchus come hockey season.

Today I met the most wonderful, dedicated and warm hearted person ever...Shannon Shibata, from Stand With Us. A non-Jew, she is dedicated to Israel, aiding victims of terror and being an unbelievable advocate for the Jewish state and her causes. Her story is one which touched the entire group, and I hope she can share her story with others this year back home. I really cannot express the degree in which she touched all our hearts, and I know her story will touch all of you once you hear it.

Also, if you are familiar with The Hebrew Hammer, you will recall the scene at Ben Gurion where our protagonist, Mordechai Jefferson Carver, tries to rent a car from Hertz. Remember the lady at the desk? Well her name is Ayelet and works with me handling the Jerusalem Fellowships...what a small world!!! She also does stand up as the Kosher Comic, and let me tell you, she is hilarious (in an orthodox sort of way).

Anyhoo, time for bed...my stomach is finally at peace after El Gaucho's last night and all you can eat sushi (that's right, I ate sushi) at the David Citadel hotel.

Tomorrow the group heads down south to Sderot to see with our eyes the damage and pain caused by terrorists on our brave brothers and sisters who still believe in 'Eretz Yisrael haShleima'. May G-d continue to protect them and all of Bnei Yisrael. Amen.

What a meal

Funny that the thing I'll remember most about today's activities was dinner. I ate the fattest, juiciest, most tender piece of cow to ever touch my lips. El Gaucho's is heaven on earth, a veritable Garden of Eden. Wow....I can still taste the flesh slowly crawling down my esophagus...oh, what a feeling!!!!

Seriously though, we met with Allan Barkat who discussed Israel and high tech. Yoram Binur, of Arutz Shtayim, was mesmerizing. His grasp on the Palestinian community knows no bounds and the students, as well as myself, gained a tremendous amount of knowledge. Israid (Save A Child's Heart....remember...I used to have hair!!!) was great. B'tzelem was....well, it was B'tzelem.

The group dynamics is getting tight, which I like. While they're young, they're eager to learn and ask questions and what more could I ask for. I love it here...spending time with Esther, Mott, Sara, Yehuda Tzvi and everyone else, but I could really use a vacation.

I miss you all and wish you the best, especially Ma, Bubby and dad in Montreal. I love you all and miss you tons. Please be well and safe and happy. Lots of love....

overview of 1949 armistice line 

group at Castel 

hard at work... 

Get caught up....

What an amazing week....going up North to Haon, gaining a better understanding of the wars ('67, '73) and its implications today, peering into Syria, Jordan and Lebanon, bonfires on the beach, Egon in Yerushalayim and now shabbos in Tel Aviv. My poor Pollack skin is definitely taking a toll....it's hot, hot, hot!!!

The program is progressing nicely, a nice mix of old and new programming. Met Rona Davis, the 6th place finisher in the hit Israeli reality TV show 'HaShagrir' (the ambassador)...very cool. Most of the students are learning, asking questions and preparing for the upcoming year. As good as last year was for Jews on Canadian campuses, I know this year will be even better. By concentrating on effective messaging and sticking to them, as well as setting concrete and attainable goals, I believe these students will return to their Jewish groups on campus and improve them substantially.

I love the staff I work with (minus the worst bus driver in the State), as well as the time I can spend with Esther and also the growing Stenge clan (maybe clan isn't the best word...).

Although I do miss the easy, simple (and sometimes mundane) life in Canada, Israel is my home. Actually, if you're reading this, Israel is probably your home too.

Don't you want to come home???

4 hours away....

The NJCL trip is a mere four hours away, and I can't wait!!! After spending a week in Israel already, it's nice to know that a group of motivated students are on their way to learn, experience and educate. I have no doubt that these students will internalize all we have to give, thus making them more efeective on campus come September.

Also, I have accepted the position of Hillel Director (read advisor) at Queen's U starting this fall. I look forward to the challenges of the job, and to working with students I know hold Israel and Judaism very near and dear to their hearts.

I do wonder, though, how the Canadian political climate has shifted during my prolonged absence. Could decriminalization of marijuana be next on the Red and White (and Green) agenda? Only time will tell....and the headlines, of course!!!

Da Vinci Code

Just started reading it this afternoon and I have no doubt it will be a quick read. Shabbos in Yerushalayim was awesome, but I wouldn't expect anything less. Off to Tel Aviv tomorrow and the first hasbara trip arrives Monday evening. Life here is good, and the more I stay the more I want to stay. Oh well...I guess only time will tell. Shavua Tov......

Good Shabbos

Went to new Yad Vashem today...one word----phenomenal.

Good shabbos to all, except, of course, Blonde Ambition aka Belinda Stronach...

Peace and all that.....

Oh my....

Belinda crossed the line and now it seems our Liberal leaders have stayed their execution. The question remains...Why is a corrupt Liberal government preferable to any alternative? Why is our country painted Red and White, when we are still feeling the sting of the sponsorship scandal? I guess Canadians prefer Red and White to Black and Blue. Either way, I am in the Holy Land and all I can think of is that Canadian politics really is quite interesting. But I digress.....after an 11 hour delay, I finally arrived in Tel Aviv early Monday morning. The group visited a bird sanctuary, the Canada Centre (I Shot a .22 pistol, yay!!), took a Jeep ride along the road that the Israelis defeated the entrenched Syrian army in '67 and other wonderful activities. I can't express what a pleasure this trip is...and to share it with my mom and Charlie, as well as the Ottawa Jewish community, brings a smile to my face. But the bus is taking off so..this is Schwartz, I'm out!!!

I love Canadian politics...

Man, if there was a time I wish I was in Ottawa, it would be for the month of June. With evil incarnate halfway out the door, nothing would bring me more joy than to watch the downward spiral in which the Liberals are in the midst come to a full and exciting finish. The Bloc will sweep Quebec, the Conservatives will make gains in Ontario, Alberta and Manitoba and the rest should show us a slight drop for the lefties, thus keeping the Liberals close. But mark my words, come July 1st, 2005 the House will be controlled by some sort of Conservative-Bloc alliance. Now if Harper just supported separation.....

Avi's Adventures

Welcome!!!!

This blog's purpose is to keep all my loved ones up to date on my travels through the Jewish State this summer and it's a way for me to continue to complain about the world state of affairs.....with hopefully someone listening.

I hope that you will enjoy Israel through my eyes and I welcome my readers to post their opinions often!!!!