Aleph

Today was my first day of Hebrew. It was a little overwhelming. In Hebrew everyone writes in script (kinda like cursive) and all books and street signs are in print. The problem with this is that the script and print alphabets look nothing alike. So, not only am I attempting to learn a new language, but in doing so I have to learn two new alphabets. It is also extremely difficult because the letters do not correspond to the letters in the English alphabet and they all make very particular sounds (many of which I have never heard nor made -on purpose- in my entire life). Somehow we are supposed to combine these letters into words and then be able to translate these words into meaning. At some point I suppose, we will learn how these "words" fit into a sentence, but I'm not holding my breath. So far I can say "I Rachel" ( there is no verb of being in Hebrew) and the words: wine, water, mother, sea, and gift. I've tried making sentences, but combining these words either produces something sounding painfully new-agey or awkwardly suggestive (maybe these are the same thing?). 

However, I'm really excited to learn. Today in the grocery store we were trying to buy laundry detergent. Now detergent looks surprisingly like softener (and -eek-bleach). So we decided to ask the man walking down the aisle if he could help us. After ascertaining that he spoke English we asked him which was the detergent. He quickly informed us that, no he could not help us, because (and this is a direct quote), "My wife does that." So we bought something that had colored cloths on the front and are hoping for the best. It is amazing how hard it is to get around not knowing the language, even with English being so popular. 

I have also been having to answer the "Why are you here if you aren't Jewish" question a lot. It's a very logical question, but my reasons are neither well articulated or something that I want to share with strangers (especially very religious ones). Today a kid just wouldn't drop it, and it actually upset me a little. I feel like an outsider at a huge church camp sometimes and its hard to know where and when I am welcome. Being non-religious I have the ability to do a lot more, but at the same time, it is really isolating. People are very dismissive of me and a lot of the time treat me like I am stupid/a novelty. I should have expected it, but there is really no one here that I can have any sort of conversation with about the significance of this place without being talked down to. I wish there was some one who I could bounce all my thoughts off who isn't going to be offended or try and convince me I'm wrong. 

At any rate- It's beautiful here. I'm slowly feeling more and more at home- maybe it's the familiar stress of school starting. Hopefully I will keep having adventures to write about even though I am getting busier and busier. Love!