So...a little secret: On Thursday, May 7th (3 days after my last post) I took a bit of a trip. With my sisters wedding on the coming Tuesday, I went all the way across the Atlantic, landed in Newark and proceeded with Tziona (who picked me up) to a wonderful little town I call home. When I got home I was greeted not by either of my brothers or my sisters, but by my grandmother, uncle Michel, cousin Serach and great uncle and aunt Jerry and Rosa who had made the same trip but with a different airline a few hours before me. I arrived home late in the evening, so by the time I got home I ate a bit and then went to bed. Getting up early in the morning I started what was to be a hectic week. don't remember it all exactly so I'm going to break it down as best I can:
Friday: Early morning davening, driving people shopping all over town (Israelis love Old Navy and Macys)...getting ready for shabbos.
Shabbos: was pretty interesting. Ben from Bing was visiting for the weekend so I swore him to secrecy about my visit. My father was down in Baltimore for Yossi's (the groom who, at this point, I had not yet met) Auf Ruf (traditional religious bachelor party thing). The rest of the relatives who were at my house had an amazing weekend filled with music and long embraces. Every time my sister (Hodaya, the bride) walked into the room or simply whenever we felt like it we would break into song. Saturday I also went to small gathering to honor the birth Rabbi Robinsons, who works up in Bing but lives in Scranton, daughter a few weeks before. That afternoon there was a small religous bachelorette party (Shabbat Kallah-Bridal Sabbath).
Sunday: I took another trip. Uh-oh. Yeah, about 5 people know but I secretly drove up to Bing, took a trip to the park, Friendlies, Starbucks as well as the Cooper Admin Lot. Don't tell anyone. I didn't let people know because there wasn't enough time to see everyone so I only saw those who already kenw about the wedding etc. THat same day Serach and Myriam (my sisters friend who had flown in from England for the wedding) went to NYC and saw more of it then I ever have. Ha. I picked them up from the bus station at like 11.30pm. LOOONG day.
Monday: I'm assuming I drove people to different shopping locations as well as set up parts of the JCC for the wedding. The day before the wedding, it was in the evening when I returned from karate (yup, went there too) that the grooms family all arrived for a giant dinner and I finally got to meet Yossi, my now brother-in-law.
Tuesday: Wedding day! More driving people (hair, mall, make up, hair, JCC, setting up the wedding canopy) and finally it was time for...pictures! I had bought a new suit and tie t(o match the bridal colours of brown and blue) and had a blast taking photos with every family member you could imagine. A few hours later was the actual wedding. It started with a small reception and then moved on to the actual wedding ceremony! Housed on a lawn between two mansions, it was a gorgeus ceremony. My brothers and I sang, blessings were said, wine was drunk, ring passed, glasses smashed and the bride and groom were wed!
THen it was time for more pictures, except the B&G didn't come out of the room they were in, so we snapped like two and then headed towards the dinner and dancing. Barely tasting the food, everyone in the wedding party danced like madmen. Circles within circles of dancers, it didn't take long until nearly everyone was all sweaty. Side note: There was a cold soup with an edible flower on top. Wicked cool!
aaah...too much to write. Ill update more later.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Monday, May 4, 2009
Oh Binghamton
"STATEMENT FROM THE STUDENT ASSOCIATION EXECUTIVE BOARD
The Student Association Executive Board at the State University of New York at Binghamton, is steadfast in its commitment to fostering a more inclusive University Campus. This commitment includes but is not limited to fair representation for all students and protection of the inalienable rights of all individuals as guaranteed by local, state and federal laws. In accordance with our constitution, it is the firm belief of the Executive Board that it is the primary obligation of each elected representative within the Student Assembly, to represent the interests of his or her constituents. The fundamentality of this obligation means that representatives must uphold it not just within assembly meetings but within any interaction that relates to the assembly.
On the night of Sunday April 26th, 2009, Ehlad Bar-Shai a Student Assembly representative from Off Campus College and Alice Liou, Student Association Vice President for Finance were in the Student Association office following a Student Association Judicial Board meeting. Bar-Shai, in response to a comment made by Liou about Bar-Shai’s physical appearance, (the comment made by Liou did not refer to Bar Shai’s race or sex), responded with a racial slur towards Liou.
On the night of Monday, April 27th, 2009, directly outside the Student Assembly meeting, Michael Lombardi, a Student Assembly representative from College in the Woods made a racial slur directed at Liou. In response, Liou exchanged a racially motivated slur directed at Lombardi.
The Student Association strongly condemns the actions of Ehlad Bar Shai, Mike Lombardi, and Alice Liou. There is absolutely no place for racism within the Student Association or on this campus. It is regretful that those who were elected to represent students have engaged in this type of activity.
The Student Association must stand up for those whose personal civil rights have been infringed upon. We cannot accept this type of behavior from a select few. Binghamton University prides itself on having a diverse school, with 33% students of color, and over 10% of international students.
While it is recognizable that certain remarks are often made with a close social circle, it is unacceptable that these remarks, especially when they are offensive, are uttered within a public medium such as the Student Assembly. The Student Association cannot demand tolerance within people's private lives but it can demand that the Student Association and the Student Assembly work with the student body to remain tolerant and inclusive of all individuals. The Student Association must do all it can to ensure that students from across campus are free from fear and racial attacks."
While it is wonderful that my SA promotes equality and condemns the use of racial slurs, the question remains of what happens next? Though it is near the end of the academic year, does that mean that nothing will happen? The founder of Buddhism said that "Better than a thousand hollow words, is one word that brings peace"...what is happening to bring about the peace between these individuals?
The Student Association Executive Board at the State University of New York at Binghamton, is steadfast in its commitment to fostering a more inclusive University Campus. This commitment includes but is not limited to fair representation for all students and protection of the inalienable rights of all individuals as guaranteed by local, state and federal laws. In accordance with our constitution, it is the firm belief of the Executive Board that it is the primary obligation of each elected representative within the Student Assembly, to represent the interests of his or her constituents. The fundamentality of this obligation means that representatives must uphold it not just within assembly meetings but within any interaction that relates to the assembly.
On the night of Sunday April 26th, 2009, Ehlad Bar-Shai a Student Assembly representative from Off Campus College and Alice Liou, Student Association Vice President for Finance were in the Student Association office following a Student Association Judicial Board meeting. Bar-Shai, in response to a comment made by Liou about Bar-Shai’s physical appearance, (the comment made by Liou did not refer to Bar Shai’s race or sex), responded with a racial slur towards Liou.
On the night of Monday, April 27th, 2009, directly outside the Student Assembly meeting, Michael Lombardi, a Student Assembly representative from College in the Woods made a racial slur directed at Liou. In response, Liou exchanged a racially motivated slur directed at Lombardi.
The Student Association strongly condemns the actions of Ehlad Bar Shai, Mike Lombardi, and Alice Liou. There is absolutely no place for racism within the Student Association or on this campus. It is regretful that those who were elected to represent students have engaged in this type of activity.
The Student Association must stand up for those whose personal civil rights have been infringed upon. We cannot accept this type of behavior from a select few. Binghamton University prides itself on having a diverse school, with 33% students of color, and over 10% of international students.
While it is recognizable that certain remarks are often made with a close social circle, it is unacceptable that these remarks, especially when they are offensive, are uttered within a public medium such as the Student Assembly. The Student Association cannot demand tolerance within people's private lives but it can demand that the Student Association and the Student Assembly work with the student body to remain tolerant and inclusive of all individuals. The Student Association must do all it can to ensure that students from across campus are free from fear and racial attacks."
While it is wonderful that my SA promotes equality and condemns the use of racial slurs, the question remains of what happens next? Though it is near the end of the academic year, does that mean that nothing will happen? The founder of Buddhism said that "Better than a thousand hollow words, is one word that brings peace"...what is happening to bring about the peace between these individuals?
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