Counting down

It's 96 days till I being my new journey and I can't wait. This summer is going pretty fast. I'm taking classes which means I have no life but at least it makes the weeks go by preety quickly. I really can't focus on anything except for aliyah and all things Israel right now. A couple of my closest friends from home came to visit me this weekend and we had a couple of interesting conversations about Aliyah and Israel.

I'm so lucky to have these close friendships and my friends are all really supportive. When one of my friends asked me if Israel had to fight a war this summer would I still go in September I quickly replied yes. While I only wish for a peaceful future in Israel, I had to explain that the odds are at some point in my future I will live through a war in Israel and that I wouldn't be deterred by conflict. Afteral, Israel has been engaged in a war of survival since her founding. I think this question really reflected the response I have recieved from a lot of people. Everyone is so hung up on the issues of security, fears of terrorism and a completely skewed and twisted view of the reality "on the ground" in Israel.

Despite what may be described as a tenuous security situation, I have made the decision to tie my fate to that of my people and to settle in the land of Israel. I have complete faith that the Jewish Army, the IDF will carry out its mission dutifuly in the protection of the state and of the Jewish people and no threat from terror or war will keep me from contributing to the further development of the State of Israel.

On another note, If your getting tired of the Western media's highly selective coverage of events in Israel and the territories, check out the IBA news website for a broadcast in English with a distinctly Israeli perspective.

Not much else to report other than I have a new date for the SOP which will be July 5th in Philly. Will post again after the SOP.