David In Israel . דוד בישראל . داوود في اسرائيل 

Lilah Levan is a celebration in Tel Aviv celebrating the cities admission to the Architectural Hall of Fame for it's unique architectural style: Bauhaus, but really it was just an excuse to party.  It was an evening of white - many people dressed in white - and an evening of history - there were people dressed in gowns and tuxedos waltzing among other things. People stayed up all night celebrating in the streets.  I went to a friend's birthday party and then went with a friend Stephanie downtown to see what all the action was about... We had a great time, and we met up with our friends Ariel and Chaim!  Check out the pics.  Afterwards, we got some frozen yogurt - and I decided to put on a little skit.  Check out the video!

I have to be honest, I did absolutely nothing this weekend except for clean and party!  Thursday was Yom haStudent - or Student Day at the University.  They pulled out the stops, bands, activities, food, everything.  It was great fun.  I got back at 3 in the morning from that.

Alot has happened since I posted last time in the beginning of May.  Obama met with Netanyahu, Iran has tested rockets that can hit Europe, and I have moved houses - gone to several conferences on Middle Eastern Relations, met a long-lost relative, and threw a housewarming party... Let me go into detail...

This week was Israel's 61st Indendence Day (Proceeded by Holocaust Remembrance Day and Memorial Day).  Generally, Israeli holidays start on the eve of the day and go until the sun goes down the next day, so the party started right after a day of mourning.  Most Israelis know someone who has given their life in military service and paid the ultimate sacrifice, so Memorial day is quite solumn, but as soon as the sun goes down... it is a different story.
For Independence Eve, some friends and I hit the town until about 3 in the morning... it was lots of fun.  The next day, I went to a barbeque with the masters students from my school... It was a great holiday.

Purim is a fun holiday commemorating the salvation of the jews from the wicked plot of Haman (boo) to kill the jews in the Persian empire, as found in the book of Esther.  It has become something like the American Halloween - where everyone dresses up, there are parades... and lots of drinking.  I am not one for the last part, but dressing up... SURE!!! I dressed up twice... once as a japanese tourist, complete with my camera - and another time as a cowboy.  I even tried to go to the parade in Holon... little did I know that, though a suburb of Tel Aviv, Holon takes over 1 1/2 hours to get to on the bus - especially during the parade... SO - I missed out... Oh well.  BUT - I got to see the relatives in the evening, and at night a bunch of friends went "BAWLING" (bowling).  AND I ate way too many Oznei-Haman (hamantashen in yiddish - haman's ears/hats in english) - YUM!!!!

I decided, because I am so close, to celebrate my Golden Birthday (turning 25 on the 25th) by visiting the city of gold: Jerusalem.  I had a wonderful time visiting the old city, followed by a time of prayer at the Kotel - the Western Wall.  Then I took a bus with the Ultra-Orthodox and rode to King David Street.  I photographed everything with my name on it.  Then I had dinner at the King David Hotel - Israel's finest and most famous hotel.  Afterward, I returned to Tel Aviv and met up with some friends to go Salsa dancing for my birthday.  It was lots of fun!

OK, it's time to talk.  I was recently asked about my perspective on the war israel is fighting against Hamas, the Islamic regime in Gaza.  I have had a couple of weeks to think it over, and here is my response.  Understand this first: I am a Jewish-American residing in Israel, which has definitely influenced my opinion of the war.  I don't LOVE war and I do HATE death, but sometimes it is a necessity.  

MY 12 POINTS:
1 - Hamas is a terrorist organization, existing to reinstate an Islamic-Republic in the region and religious homogeny (they want everyone to be a Muslim extremist), and all others don't have the right to exist (Druze, Atheists, Christians, Jews & the State of Israel).
2 - The palestinians of Gaza ELECTED Hamas (in a psuedo-democratic fashion) to be their government, believing it would lead to a better life for them.
3 - Hamas had previously shot over 6000 rockets at Israel without Israel retaliating.  
4 - Israel retaliated after Hamas killed Israelis during Chanukah 2008.  
5 - Hamas is now using its own people as a shield to try to prevent Israel from destroying them (believing that Israel's weakness is her respect for human life).  
6 - The people of Gaza have done nothing (they have had plenty of opportunities to form a Coup and overthrow Hamas.
7 - This is not a military OFFENSIVE, it is a military DEFENSIVE (and I am someone being defended).  
8 - Their is support for Israel's actions from both National & International governing bodies, Including from Egypt - an Arab State.
9 - The US Congress has overwhelmingly expressed support for Israel and her right to defend herself.
10 - Israel is treating the women and Children of Gaza with respect and kindness when it is possible.  
11 - Israelis are very supportive of this action, and are proud of their soldiers.
12 - I AGREE WITH THE ACTION & PRAY FOR THE PEACE OF JERUSALEM (and all of Israel)

Below: An interesting 2 minute summary of the history of the Middle East - funny but 

Below: A 10-minute informational history video (from the perspective of the Editor-in-Chief of the Jerusalem Post, David Horovitz).  

Below: A clip of Hamas admitting to using Human Shields.

I took part in a really nice, yet paradigm-shifting New Year's Party.  First we were with probably over 100 young adults at the Congregation for a Pizza Party and singing with the live band.  It was alot of fun, and afterward, several of us went to a restaurant/tavern for some more fellowship.  I didn't get back until 3:45am... needless to say, I didn't make it to class in time, but it was worth it.  We had a fun time - and the best part is we all remember it!

My parents (and siblings) are awesome.  Here's one of many reasons why:  They spent $37 to send me a package from the States (which I am adamantly opposed to usually, but I graciously accepted this time)... actually it made me really happy.  It got here on the last day of Chanukkah, much to my mother's delight.  I opened the nine gifts on skype so  they could watch - there was one for each day of Chanukkah, individually wrapped and numbered - plus an extra special gift... a framed picture of me with the president of Israel (click my Shalom tab above to see the photo).  It was really fun to open something.  I had an amazing holiday season, and I felt very loved!

My mom sent several gifts with me to be opened on Christmas.  I was able to open them with them over Skype.  I decided to go ahead and bake them tonight.  I charred most of them, but it was fun anyway - and I ate too many - but that was fun too!