Anecdotes from Sem

Now that it is almost Pesach and our year in sem is sadly, rapidly drawing to a close, we have seven months worth of memories to write about.  We would like to take this opportunity to thank Stenecourt and the Marga Brodie Fund for helping us get the most out of our year.

Since we are in different sems (Elianna is in Tomer Devorah in Ramot and Naomi is in Midreshet Tehilla in Har Nof) we don't see each other anywhere near as often as we did in Manchester, where we lived on the same road, so we have to make a special effort to meet up, often with humorous results!

For example, there was the time Naomi when went to stay with Elianna on a Thursday night after lessons, which finished at 9:30.  Elianna had given Naomi instructions about which bus to take and what to look out for so she would get off at the right stop, but somehow she still managed to find herself lost in some deserted far flung corner of Ramot at the end of the bus route.

In November we spent a lovely Shabbos in the King Solomon hotel with the girls from Yavneh year 13 on their sem trip.  It was nice to see familiar faces and have the opportunity to give them advice based on our inside knowledge!  One of the highlights was the Friday night davening at the Kotel where Yavneh led the dancing uniting all types of Jews to welcome Shabbos.

Many interesting experiences have been had on buses.  For example on one journey when travelling back from sem there were no seats and not much standing room.  A young mother declined the offer of a seat but then promptly dumped her sleeping baby in the lap of a total stranger for the duration of the journey who happily accepted her unexpected travelling companion.

Along with eight former classmates we were invited to Tzefat to spend the first Shabbos Chanuka with Rabbi Peles and family in their house over looking the Kinneret.  We were only allowed to go on the condition that we spoke only English the entire time to remind the boys of what they learnt in Manchester, which is rapidly being forgotten.

In February we spent an enlightening Shabbos in a hotel in Netanya with 70 other English girls sponsored by Aish UK. The purpose of the Shabbaton was to recruit Madrichot for future Aish fellowship programs and inform girls of what the organisation has to offer.  We were fortunate to hear many interesting speakers who showed us the importance of Kiruv, and made us aware of the responsibility that every Jew has in this area. 

As we write this Purim is fast approaching and with every Yom Tov the excitement in the air is palpable. Just having the opportunity to experience this atmosphere is something we will never forget.

Wishing everyone a Kosher Pesach

Elianna Gatoff and Naomi Rosenhead - Jerusalem correspondents