Coming to a Close...

My Master's in Israel program is basically over, 5 days until I move out of Tsidon. Oranim programming is over and school just finished a few days ago. I am waiting for my last 2 grades and I will be graduating with all of NYU at Yankee Stadium in late January. Here's a short breakdown of the highlights in the last few weeks of my program:

Our last enrichment program was to meet Gad Ben-Ari, the head of APCO Worldwide. He spoke to us about his views on Israel. He is a liberal-minded Israeli, straying away from the mainstream views. I wish I could remember his viewpoints, which were interesting to hear about, but which not too much I agreed with. It was still nice to get a whole different viewpoint on today's issues in Israel.

I saw The Dark Knight Rises with my friend, Mike, from Livnot at a local movie theater. As anyone would tell you (if you haven't seen it yet), it was out of this world. It was one of the best movies ever, keeping you on the edge of your seat. I've spoken with numerous friends about which movie was better, the second or third. I think that would be like comparing apples and oranges. The Dark Knight was best known for Heath Ledger's legendary performance, that, unfortunately, killed him. The movie also had a great storyline and superb special effects. I think The Dark Knight Rises was different; the plot was absolutely amazing and the villain of choice was a great idea. There were so many twists and turns that you never would have expected anything like that to happen. I commend Christopher Nolan on his direction on all three Batman movies.

My program certificate

On August 2nd, my group sat down together and reflected back on our year together. Each of us displayed on a graph, with the x axis being outside/inside (how connected you feel toward Israel) and the y axis being low/high (knowledge of Israel), where we were when each of us had begun the program and where we were positioned now. I said that, in the beginning, I felt connected but didn't know too much (I knew history and culture but not current issues and politics). Now, I feel much more connected because I learned a lot about issues and politics, but also more history and culture. We then chose pictures from a pile that connected with our feelings. The first one I chose was of feet covered in mud, signifying how I had no clue what was going to happen in the coming year in Israel. The second picture was of a foot ready to walk with an arrow pointing forward. This signified that my life is taking me somewhere; I don't know where exactly, but I am excited to discover the journey.

The picture on my superlative

On August 6th, we had our closing ceremony, a potluck dinner filled with memories. As we ate, we watched a 15 minute slideshow (compiled by Alex and Cory) flow on the wall. Ofer, the director of Oranim's long term programs, explained the future of the Master's program. He said that, as of now, it is unlikely to continue. The issue is not with interest in the program (over 50 applied for the Fall semester) but with the partnership with the College of Management. They apparently are not a sufficient partner; they don't give NYU-Poly enough resources and not enough money. NYU and NYU-Poly want to continue the program, possibly somehow in connection with the study abroad program at Tel Aviv University or even with another school in Tel Aviv. The main issue would be negotiating contracts, etc. with schools.

Shirt that Alex designed

After Ofer spoke, we gave Orly, our fearless program coordinator, a gift. It's a beautiful and colorful collage of our faces on a poster as the NYU-Poly Master's in Israel 2011-2012 program. Orly was speechless and delighted to receive such a gift. News also surfaced that she is currently 4 months pregnant with her second child. Sarah, Anna, and Jessica also presented superlatives for everyone. I received "Most likely to: lend an HDMI cable to a friend in need" -- I was notorious to those girls for that. But that's great because that shows I'm there for people when needed, and any of my friends would be happy to confirm that. Lastly, Ofer and Orly presented each of us with our program certificates. It was a special final program event!

Since then, I finished up my final exams for my program. I wrote a very lengthy final exam for Labor Relations, my online class. I also completed my research paper for Organizational Behavior, on how empowerment affects motivation in employees. I also have relaxed by watching movies, hanging with friends, and going to a couple parties. I now have 5 days left on my program. I also return to the U.S. in about 35 days (September 19th) and return to Connecticut in about 53 days (first few days of October).

Picture from the Tisha B'Av Wikipedia page

Lastly, I want to mention that Tisha B'Av (which fell on July 29th this year) is a day to remember. I didn't do too much (and I did not fast), but it is a day to always keep in mind. The 9th day of the month of Av (on the Jewish calendar) was the day that the First Temple was destroyed by the Babylonians in 586 BCE. It was one of the saddest days of the year for the Jewish people. We also mourn the destruction of the Second Temple on that day, as it was destroyed by the Romans in 73 CE. Yonina, one of the Bat Sheruts (volunteer leader) from the Livnot program I participated in recently, sent all of her participants from the past year an email talking about the holiday. She spoke about how even though Tisha B'Av is a day of mourning for the burning of both Temples, it is also a day of redemption. It's a day that will eventually become a day of celebration and of rebuilding if/when the Third Temple is constructed. To this end, she wrote:

"This day, every day, can be a day of hatred, destruction, of negativity, and of separation. However, it can also be a day of correction, of love, of rebuilding. The potential for both comes from the same place, and what we choose to do with it, well- the choice lies in our hands. So, today, I chose to start rebuilding. Not destroying what was, or what is NOT, but rather, focusing on rebuilding, renewing, lighting candles of hope in my life. I began to rebuild some friendships, places, and aspects of myself... I ask myself, and you- How do I, how do YOU (if you want to) turn this day, and every day of our lives from destruction to rebuilding. From flames of burning and hatred, to flames of passion and love?" (Yonina, 2012).

What is written above inspired me to reconsider certain things I do in my life and to become a better person. Forgive the insignificant, love whomever and whatever matters in your life. Never burn bridges, only build them. You never know whom and what you'll need in your future that's from your past.