So it begins...

When I first told people that I was planning to go to seminary on my year off I got one of four reactions: 1. That's so exciting (in a very high pitched voice) 2. Stay safe 3. My sister-in-law lives in (fill in the blank - although statistically it is Ra'anana or Modi'in) do you need somewhere to stay? 4. Why? If you had told me two years ago that I would be living in the Old City and learning Torah everyday (and enjoying it!) I probably would have laughed at you. Two years ago on Tisha B'Av whilst on B'nei Akiva Israel Machane 5775 I decided to begin observing Shabbat. Since then I have, as some would describe, 'flipped out' and somehow ended up at Midreshet Harova. I arrived at Harova a week and a half ago. Since then I have fallen off of a bunk bed, tripped over and been teased for my accent. Despite my recent experiences of awkwardness I have had an amazing first week of lessons. The love for Torah displayed by the Rabbonim, teachers and the other girls is infectious. Living in the heart of the Jewish world makes you appreciate the Torah even more - especially when you sit in a class learning about the building of the Ramban shul one minute and praying in it the next! British girls make up only 9% of the student body at Harova and 3 members of staff. As a result I have found myself having to adopt certain behaviours in order to remain sane. For example, making friends with the Australians (we share the same Queen), drinking roughly three cups of Yorkshire Tea a day and adamantly arguing that it is in fact a queue and not a line. So far I've been surprised by how quickly I've adapted to Israeli life. I simultaneously feel like I've been in Israel for 10 years and 10 minutes at the same time. Yoni wrote to "learn from other around you." I'm very much looking forward to a year of learning, growing and meeting new people from across the world. I hope you enjoy taking this journey with me!