rainsheets

I'm sitting here inside

and the monsoon rain-- the very first one-- is pounding outside

Sheets of rain, constant, pouring. All the clothes i had out drying....
soaked.

This rain is making me happy. I keep findng myself drawn out for another
(non) reason to put my palms up to the sky, get my hair wet.

I splash water on Adi (my 2 year old neighbor) and his older tai sister Dikshaw..
I've put on the old chappals, ones I haven't
worn since I was wading through Thane puddles, during the last
monsoon



maybe its the cyclic nature of the rain
maybe its the release from the intense heat
maybe its just the calming feeling of the water.

The sight of two men soaked on a bicycle, riding home, one holding an umbrella over his friends wet head

whatever it is, its all making me smile

outlooks and discussions- Nilshi camp 2006

The view from our campsite



discussing intercaste marriage


The visual components of a Jerusalem session: Skirts and tops from the old city, postcards,

and the 'wailing wall' of our camp dining room.

The Audio component? Harp music, playing Jerusalem songs in the background

 

sunset as seen from the papaya tree grove, overlooking the lake

Snapshots from JYP Camp Nilshi

 The proud second-prize winners Wooo!!

 

rafting and swimming on the clear, beautiful lake nilshi


overlooking villages and farm on the side of a mountian, during our foggy morning trek

strike a pose for Adventure Camp 2006!

youth camp

Sunburned exhausted and happy, my limbs are still sore from swimming in the clear lake in Nilshi, morning treks, night trails, rock climbimg and rappelling.. I promise to write more about the May camp to Nilshi with te JYP youth, and post photos very soon!

Stay tuned..

Mixed up masala

A "Masala" is a mixture of spices, added to drinks, foods, ground up to make anything more flavorful. This past week has defiantly been a spicy one, to say the least. Thank God it's Friday, as I have the weekend to gear up for the Jewish Youth Retreat starting Sunday, and the Children Day Camp which directly follows...

Just Some of the mixed -up feelings: frustration and pride, as the Youth who are volunteering to help out with the camp and lead sessions have explored the library -- and left it a complete wreck. It's great seeing people get enthused about learning and sharing with others, discovering what interests them. The Half full plastic cups of chai, and the yahoo messenger left on all the computers is something I could live without.All in all though I am happy,because the community center is precisely there for these sorts of activities. And there is always someone willing to play ping-pong with me when I am done with work or need a small break.

Other feelings of the week? Stress, Excitement, Sadness. I am working hard to figure out how to renew my Visa so that I can be in India longer; I said good bye to a close friend who has moved on from India, and I am looking forward to visits from my Mom and from Friends, excited for a friend's wedding in Israel, and very sad to see the end of my stay in Bombay on the horizon. Where does the time go?

_____


little moments from my day off

I stopped by my favorite tailor, whose called simply Master,in his attached room behind the shop of Mr. Ganesh. Master is yet again delayed with finishing the clothes I'm having fixed -- another ripped Kurta, I seem to destroy them somehow quite quickly--and once again, nothing I've left there is ready. Maybe sometimes people here would rather you be happy " now", by telling you that something will be ready tomorrow, than make you sad that things wont be ready until.... never?

After that, I stepped into the cool oasis of the air conditioned ATM room of Citibank to withdraw some rupees. Thank god for airconditiong...

Also, equally refreshing, I picked up a freshly blended mango juice (Rs. 5) at a roadside stall. I couldn't resist it when I saw the drink-walla making it right there for other people, and so I got one, too, and drank it alongside the red BEST bus stand

and finally, I bought some spicy hot tomato flavored fried banana chips from an elderly gent selling snacks on the street heading down to office,and shared them with some others

later this afternoon I am going to go downtown, to a fresh salad buffet with a good girlfriend of mine, at ' Not Just jazz By The Bay' a cafe that overlooks the sea on Marine Drive. I'm looking forward to a nice & not spicy lunch, a little taste of home, before a full few weeks ahead!

Shubha Mother's Din

Happy Mother's Day to my dear Mom, Grandma and Oma,

As I sit here thousands of miles away I still feel your care and concern and your love. Your strength gives me strength, and your support and trust in me throughout the years has made me who I am today. You have taught me so much about the world, about the importance of family and love, each in your own way. I cannot thank you enough, or tell you just how much I love and miss you all. Happy Mothers Day. I love you.









"All I am I owe to my mother. I attribute all my success in life to the moral, intellectual and physical education I received from her." George Washington



"All that I am or ever hope to be, I owe to my angel Mother."Abraham Lincoln

Israeli Film Festival

Here is a photo of Arab Israeli actor, Salim Daw, and myself, taken after the final screening of the last movie of Mumbai's Israeli Film Festival. The Israeli Film Festival, was headed by Shirin, the RIG fellow here, and organized and run together as a joint project with the Israeli Consulate in India.

The Israeli Film festival opened in Mumbai following Yom Haatzmaut, Israel's 58th Independence Day. On opening night, May 4th 2006, about five hundred of Mumbai's Jewish, Israeli, Diplomatic, Filmi, and Business communities gathered to celebrate Israel and attend the screening of the internationally acclaimed film, "James' Journey to Jerusalem". Award winning Actor and Director, Salim Daw, who played one of the leading roles in this film, presented the movie and answered questions on Israeli society, Arab Israeli conflict and Israel's future.

The Director of the EPJCC and the Israeli Consulate General in Mumbai opened the festival, which was a joint effort between these two organizations. The weekend included screenings of six highly acclaimed Israeli films at different locations throughout the city. Three receptions, catered by famed Bombay chef, Moshe Shek, served 'A Taste of Israel', with traditional Israeli falafel, hummus and tabbouli, following the Israeli films.

The festival also brought together many within the different communities involved. Johnny Penkar, sixteen year old Indian Jewish volunteer with the festival, worked tirelessly and was present at every single event. He was also at our workplace evry day prior to the festival, helping out with anything and everything. Johnny loved the recent Israeli film, Walk On Water. "The film 'Walk On Water' was best- there was truth in the movie, and it was very well acted by all the heroes and heroines." He continues, "[this is] the first time in India I have seen a Jewish Movie. The festival was very good and we should have more opportunities like this. And I will be happy to volunteer!"

Now that a few days have passed I look back on this accomplishment with amazement. My Indian Jewish (and non-Jewish) friends have seen Israeli movies in Mumbai, The Israeli crowd here has hadopportunityoppurtuinty to mesh with many others, youAmericanld amEuropeannex-patspean expats alike had a chance to see a different side of Israel than that on CNN, and all have tasted delicious authentic Israeli food. In India!

Also, numerous Indian newspapers covered the stories, interviewed Salim Daw, an Arab Israeli actor and director. "Avanti Popolo", classic Israeli film about the Six Day war in 1967 was shown in a Mumbai resteraunt; Current Israeli hit ' Bonjour Monsiour Shlomi' was shown in a popular "Mocha" Cafe. On top of all this, the Indian Jewish youth volunteers have had a tremendous experience due to this festival. Their assistance was unbeatable. The volunteers were an incredible part of this festival, making everything run smoothly, enjoying themselves all the while. The energy and the excitement, the happiness- tapping into this energy, witnessing it inspire and motivate people to help out and work together is something that drives the continuation of my work here, and is something I hope to recreate in my future work, wherever it brings me. May the Israeli Indian connection last and may there be more of all this to come, soon, to a theatre near you :)

Ladies Camp Lonavla - Photos

The Breathtaking view from Lonavla lookout...

Singing all the way to Lonavla
applying Mehendi on the hands
And one final group shot before returning to Bombay