Idealogian

Vacation Highlights, Part III

I'm back in NY, so this is the final batch:

• Going to a birthday party for a friend I hadn't seen in a year and a half.

• Running into a friend who made aliyah about two months ago and finding out that the experience has been surprisingly smooth and easy. No beauracracy, no horror stories. Just one big smile. (Of course, she did have a little bit of help.)

• Hearing the sound of hammers echo through the streets of Alon Sh'vut on motza'ei Yom HaKippurim, as just about everybody gears up for the next holiday - Sukkot.

• Having the security checker at El Al check-in engage me in a coversation about the current rosh yeshiva situation at Yeshivat Har Etzion, wondering how the change will affect the yeshiva.

All in all, a great vacation. (And I haven't even listed the big, anticipated highlights, like davening in yeshiva, morning seder, seeing my sister and her family, etc.).