Lacrosse Clinic in Yafo

I have a very cool opportunity here in Tel Aviv-Yafo. As part of my volunteering, I am helping my friend Ian out with a series of lacrosse clinics in Yafo. This was my first time with the clinics and I can say it was very fun. Even though the boys at the Ajeil School in Yafo. We had around 20 children participate in the clinic. I helped facilitate the clinic with my friend Ian by teaching them how to throw and catch with the lacrosse stick, how to cradle, how to pick up a groundballs, and how to take a faceoff. We also did a name game to begin the clinic, a faceoff drill, and a ground ball drill. This was the first or second time for many of these children to pick up a stick. It was great to see them enjoying themselves with lacrosse. We are hopeful that the clinics are successful enough that we gain a commitment for an actual team in the fall. I really hope we do get the numbers. This would be an amazing accomplishment and a new sport for kids in the country to play. Here are some pictures from the clinic in Yafo.

Kubbeh soup

During my culinary adventures here in Tel Aviv, I have stumbled upon something very unique to the region. All over the Middle East will probably stumble across something called kibbe or kubbeh. It is a bulghur wheat or semolina crust filled with ground meat, usually lamb with onions and spices. It is then either shaped into a american football-like shape and fried, or it is cooked in a soup. There are however variations that are baked or even eat with raw minced lamb with bulghur. During my trips to Shuk Hatikva, I have sampled both the fried and soup versions of the dish. The fried kibbeh in my opinion is a great snack while browsing the market. The soup is great on a cold day or for a great lunch in the market. If you stop into a restaurant that specializes in the dish, you will have a selection to choose from. There is sweet kubbeh soup which has a tomato soup base to it with pieces of pumpkin. There is a lemony kubbeh soup which is very filled with tart lemon essence. There is also kubbeh with beets in it which I have not sampled yet. I had the sweet kubbeh. When they said it was sweet, it is not a sugary sweet. In my opinion the sweetness comes from the tomato base and the added pumpkin pieces. I thought it was quite delicious, but it is always worth a try. I would even include kibbeh and kubbeh soup in the same category as must tries while in Israel. It is unique and worth it. Enjoy!

Halfway through Tikkun Olam in Tel Aviv

Yesterday marked the last day for the fall session of Tikkun Olam in Tel Aviv. In the coming days I will have to say see you later to those new friends I have made that will be going onto new and exciting opportunities back home, where ever home is. Even though it was a goodbye to some of the participants, some of us are staying for the next five months. It is never easy to say goodbye, so I always say see you soon. This means that I will see you again. This makes the goodbye process much easier for me. Besides parting ways with new friends, We went over what are expectations and goals for the next session. I am extremely excited for the next five months. I get to meet new friends, learn more Hebrew, explore more of the city that I have come to love Tel Aviv, and most important I get to learn more about myself. These past five months have been extremely important for me. Living here in Tel Aviv has been one of the best decisions I have made besides attending Clark University. I have grown so much as an adult and learned so much. I will truly continue to learn about myself and about this magnificent place. If I do not learn anything new, then I am truly doing something wrong. When I do not learn anything new, then I am not doing enough. I am truly amazed at the experiences I have had while living here in Tel Aviv. The children I volunteer with adore my presence and I adore them. They are a true joy to work with. To see them smile every time I show makes me realize how much I am doing here. I am truly excited to meet the new program participants and hopefully my future friends. I can say I am truly read to tackle the rest of the program with even more passion and vigor.