Hello!

First off thank you again for everything.  It's such an honour to be a representative of Stencourt.

I'm just dropping you a message to let you know how everything is going at the moment here in Sem. 

It's been very exciting of course, with the release of Gilad Shalit, and I'm right here where history is being made. There were celebrations all over Jerusalem the night it was announced. 

Coming through Torani has been amazing as we have seen so much more of Israel, the difficulties that the country faces, as well as all its triumphs. We visited Sderot and it really hit home that the people who live there are so courageous and need all the support that they can get. 

Now that the Chagim are over we are settling back into routine, with a full schedule of learning. There is so much choice when it comes to lessons, whether you are interested in Halacha, Aggada, philosophy, or simply learning Ivrit.  The staff and the girls are all so warm and friendly that, even though the Sem is big, I feel I can easily talk to anyone.

Obviously, the choice of eateries is slightly more extensive than in Manchester, and when I've needed to get my own meals, it has been fun choosing where to eat. Just one of the many special things about being in Israel!

The location of Midreshet Harova in particular is one of the best parts, overviewing Temple Mount and full of tourists and pilgrims who have been drawn by the holiness of the area.  My friends and I working through the cultural differences as they are from all over the world (mostly America though!) but here in Israel, united by love of Torah and the land.

Yours, Abigail