This week we all trecked our way to Jerusalem to see the concert of Idan Raichel. As always, the ride was filled with gut wrenching laughs, minor wrestling, and sleeping. (The bummer about living in Galilee is nothing is a hop-skip and jump away. Always a long ride on the autobus. By the by, that's Hebrew. I'm fluent) We picked up some other people who are part of the MASA programs in Israel on the way. I dreamt I was being serenaded by a man and his guitar...then I realized there really was a Spanish man serenading me...while I slept. Sexy or creepy?
It turns out this concert was a great opportunity for MASA to go pro-Jew on us. It was all very odd. It was like a pep rally for being Jewish. It was quite a sight. People, meaning grown men, were waving and wearing the MASA's flag. Political officials gave speeches and shared their experiences with MASA. It was an awesome experience to meet these people but it was delivered in a weird way. It came off a bit preachy. It was very inspiring to hear stories of people who came to Israel and made lives with people of their faith. It is amazing to be "part of" a program that is so important to this country. I am lucky that though I am not Jewish, I can still attend all of the MASA gatherings, and if I wasn't sold on all the speeches and people, they had aerial artist, fire dancers, and confetti to make up for any lack of interest:)
When the concert finally started I fell in love. There were 12 or more singers and musicians, all speaking multiple languages, on stage all collaborating having the time of their lives. I LOVED it! It was amazing to connect solely with the rhythm and the artist themselves, instead of the lyrics.
It was 2 am when we got back and a long ride with Hali and I sharing a row trying to find the most comfortable position, while twisted together. Altogether, a wonderful night. I am so grateful I get to see this country under the MASA name. So many opportunities are open to me that wouldn't be else where.
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