Simchat Torah

I'd like to start this off by stating that Simchat Torah is not a real chag. I'm really happy that we've finished the reading the Torah for the year. I'm sad that Moses has died and excited that the world is about to be created but my idea of celebration doesn't include being sweated on by 500 hairy hippies in a bombshelter-shule.

And therefore I bailed on a lot of Simchat Torah.

But don't go feeling sorry for me b/c of all the chaggim we've had these past few weeks Simchat Torah was my favorite. Here's what I did.

I had people over on Wednesday night. The food (if I do say so myself) was amazing.

• apple and fennel salad
• thai salad
• sushi salad (as always)
• Vietnamese rice rolls
• lasagna
• mushroom quiche
• pomegranate quinoa
• assorted roast veggies

and for dessert peanut butter and chocolate slice.

The guests were wonderful and amusing and they got on surprisingly well with each other. I didn't get to bed till 3am b/c we were chatting so much.

The next day we walked to Shira Chadasha on Emek Refaim which is a very long walk (40 mins) but it was wonderful to get out of Nachlaot and see the rest of Jlem, particularly the wealthier suburbs of Rechavia and Katamon.

After that we took the leftovers and went to Gan Sacher for a picnic and there we stayed watching the natives till sunset. All in all it was a magical day.

Last night the fun continued at the most ridiculously indie locations in Jlem (lets see if you are cool enough to know them)

• Sira
• Heder V'Hetzi
• Uganda (which had an amazing band playing as well a new Turkish beer)

For shabz I'm off to Netanya to catch up with a ex-Melbourne Sherut girl, am pretty excited to be by the coast.

The coming week I'm giving a shiur on Kibbutz Sde Eliyahu on Sunday, I'm not sure what to do then on Monday and Tuesday but on Wednesday I start university. Pishing myself with excitement would be an understatement.

With that am off to Netanya, I'll send your regards to the sunshine and sand and sherut girls,

Shabbat Shalom, Miss.B