Ani B'Yisrael Acshav! (I am now in Israel!)

I have been in Israel for just over a week now. I am attending an ulpan (Hebrew Language program) through the Rothberg International School of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. We began class on Sunday (in Israel the assembly of believers meets on Saturday mornings). Class is about 5-6 hours a day and about an hour of homework so far each day and a test at the end of each week.

I have been to the Old City 3 times so far since I have been here. But actually, coming back to the moshav is a highlight of my day. I am staying at Moshav Yad HaShmonah for the first month of my stay here. This is the community where the IBEX campus is located and where I lived for 4 months as a 19 year old college student at the Master's College. It is so much more peaceful than being in the city. This is true for many reasons. First, it is located somewhat remotely from the beaen path. Just off highway 1 (the highway from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem) but not traveled by unless you are headed there or the small Arab village adjacent to it--So, no noisy traffic and such. It is located in the Judean Hill Country with great views to the coast (on a clear day) and rocky tree-filled hills surrounding it. Additionally, the moshav is unique as being one of the few communities began and sustained by believers in Yeshua as the Messiah. I think this is one of the biggest parts of the peace here...being with others who know the Prince of Peace Himself.

I'll end this post with sharing some pictures:

I take the bus to and from school every day.

Hebrew University is located on Mount Scopus, just north of the Mount of Olives. This picture was taken from New Gate (an entrance into the Old City of Jerusalem on the North side).

There are some great views of the city from Mt. Scopus.