one year...

Just checking in with all, on my way up to Mcleod Ganj, Dahramsala...

there is too much to write here, about this last week of transitions, endings, reflections, memories and reconnections..

one year has passed since my arrival in India, a cycle completed, and I am now out of Mumbai for some travels with friends from before India.


I promise to include some thoughts on everything going on soon-
Take care and be well

7-11-06 Black Tuesday Mumbai

Seven separate bombs hit Mumbai's western railway stations last night beginning at six thirty pm and starting with the Matunga train station. As many of you know, I just returned this last Sunday from Szaravas, Hungary and am back at work -- a stones throw from the Matunga station, which is also my preferred mode of transport. I luckily was at the office at the time, close enough to hear the blast, but not affected by it physically. Everyone from my office who left at the times of the bombings has been accounted for, and I have been in touch with folk here who are all alright. Thanks so much to all for your messages and for getting in touch with me - I love and miss all of you.

4th of July flooding

http://www.ibnlive.com/videos/14556/monsoons-play-havoc-in-mumbai.html

Bombay Meri hai-- My prayers are with all back home...Hope all are safe and Dry

kol szaravash

Below are the Desi bunch on day 1 at our pre camp orientation - we are dressed up in crepe paper outfits for a mock birthday party icebreakeing celebration!




Some small reflections on camp, in the few minutes I have between running and coordinating activities here in Hungary


What does an international Jewish youth camp look & sound like?

For an Indian girl in my group celebrating her birthday at camp, Camp sounds like a noisy lunchroom, full of well wishers- and birthday wishes- in Serbian, Russian, Turkish, Bulgarian, Hungarian, Polish and of course Hindi and Marathi words and songs.


Some challenges of such a multicultural environment?

Integrating a Brazilian football party with a classic Indian fashion show- which actually worked! We had tables drapes in green and yellow, used as a catwalk, women and men draped in sarees and dhotis ( and jerseys), plus mehndi tattos of Indian symbols, stars of david, and football logos...

Cultural Challange? Try creating programs for communities that don't speak the same language you do and have a completely different outlook on the world


The highs?

Singing Am Yisrael Chai, the "Jewish Nation is alive", in a room bursting full of Jews young and old, all cheering and dancing around with incredible spirit; Seeing my Indian group slowly step up to the plate and take on more responsibilities in camp, like leading sessions to helping with a Talmudic Village, to dressing up as rabbis. I cannot stress how proud I am of this group.

Getting up with the Indian group onto chairs in the 'emataram' ( meeting place in Hungarian), laughing and shouting and having a blast with Jewish youth from all over the world

enjoy the photos



Latvian and Lithuanian Kids- the sweet girl in the center (purple T shirt) is twelev year old Ola, who upon arrival marhced straight up to the Indian bunk and made firends with all the girls- she was so excited to meet us!



A snap of me from a "Ask the Rabbi" night activity...



A photo from our Indian American Mifgash, where we played American games, painted mehndi, cooked Indian food and had a blast together with the American group