Teva-Freedman Experience Fall 2005

So cold . . .

2005-12-15T09:52:00.000-05:00

I wrote a poem for my creative writing class senior year of high school with this title, too. However, I was far from Teva at the time, not knowing that I'd be experiencing such cold this season. We were at –5° Fahrenheit this morning when I woke at 7:20. It's so cold . . . that the schmutz in my nose is freezing every time I walk outside.

Just thought I'd share.

Cartoon Feature

2005-12-12T15:36:00.000-05:00

Saturday night, Teva went bowling, in part continuing to celebrate my birthday. I didn't bowl so well, though. Couldn't seem to find a ball of the ideal weight and finger hole size. One strike maybe and a bunch of spares in two games, but no special excitement on my part. Oh well. Fun times, though.

So, today I'm featured in The PC Weenies, a cartoon creation of Krishna M. Sadisavam. We've been corresponding lately about the details of the strip and he sent me a sketch to review. Surely you can figure out the rest. Here it is, with Krishna's intro:

The Mac Guy....
Posted on 12/12/2005 by Krishna

At work, I'm known as 'the Mac guy' because I'm responsible for fixing/maintaining/deploying Macs in our department. No doubt there are others who are dubbed 'the Mac guy' where they work, too—whether they manage them for their IT department, or bring their Mac in from home to work in their office.

I thought about that phrase 'the Mac guy' a good bit and came up with today's toon - which, by the way, features guest-star Ben Rosenthal.

Of Snow Boots and Cavecicles

2005-12-09T17:34:00.000-05:00

Haven't brought out the Frisbee yet, but this afternoon, Isaac, JR, and I bushwhacked up the mountain to the caves. Wish I had my snow boots with me, to make a better seal of my ski pant elastics around my ankles, but I left them home due to weight concerns. However, my double-layered crew socks kept the snow from seeping down around my feet well enough.

Lisa had measured the snow this morning and confirmed it a full foot deep, as forecast for the Litchfield Hills, which we're among. So, the hike up through untouched white stuff was more fun because while we couldn't see the rocks and logs except to notice where the snow piled higher, the snow is soft and not bad for falling into, even with a harder surface below so much of it.

When we got up to the caves, an area whose adjacent terrain I recognized from my last trip up there a month ago, we were greeted by some enormous icicles, some even joining rocks or running from ceiling to floor. Isaac snagged some good photos I'll add to my collection.

Soon, he and JR headed up a ways and I stayed behind to take a rest between two boulders where last time I'd found a possibly good napping place. Didn't go in then because it was wet, but today it was dry. I removed a few small icicles in my way, careful not to disturb the bigger, prettier ones, and cautiously climbed in. Turned out the rocks were closer than I'd thought and I couldn't straighten my head between them; had to keep it sideways. I was also quick to remove my glasses, lest they get more scratched.

We chatted a bit on radio about our intentions and I decided to lie there for about 15 minutes, one of the larger icicles hanging not six inches from my nose. Then, I carefully got myself down and headed up. Met I & J at the top and I and I took turns leading the way down any which way we chose to go. Had some fun slides along the way and at one point spied the Freedman lake, which was quite tough to distinguish except as a space of open whiteness between the mountains. Soon enough, we got down far enough to recognize where we'd ended up, quite close to our starting point.

Now, having snacked, folks are pondering about praying and getting ready for dinner. I think I'll go join them again in the ponderment.

A Play-in-the-Snow Kind of Day

2005-12-09T10:22:00.000-05:00

This morning's energy rounds were possibly the best and the worst of the season. The best because I got to tromp through at least six inches of new snow, fallen the past 10 hours, to get from building to building. The worst because the group here this weekend is 150 high school students who just don't think about the energy thing or the common sense logic bit. Practically every room or space in every room I entered had a light on. Plus, thermostats were set to hold at 75° or 80°. (The requested max is 70°.) The same set of rooms and spaces also had no people inside. I'd be willing to bet that this is the most energy wasteful weekend of the entire year.

Meanwhile, with the snow continuing to fall so hard now, I'm trusting the meteorologists who forecasted six to 12 inches of snow today. Our "heavy snow warning" is in effect until 4 pm and, while I also have work to do today for Freedman, I will definitely find time to enjoy the weather and the white stuff on the ground. Of course, it'll be around all weekend, so there's plenty of time to stay warm playing late night frisbee in the snow!

Quarter Century Complete!

2005-12-06T16:30:00.000-05:00

Had a fun weekend with parents visiting. Dad and Bonnie arrived Friday afternoon and joined us for Shabbat. We used a siddur compiled by Marcia Prager for services and I was overjoyed when I discovered the creative version of Ma'ariv Aravim that I learned from Daniel Siegel at the 2001 ALEPH Kallah. It's contained in his Siddur Kol Koreh that has been my primary prayer book since then, and I've only done this particular version once since then.

Anyway, now that everyone had it in hand, I led the prayer in the tune Daniel taught. I hadn't led much in services yet this season, and it was probably the first time I had an opportunity to lead a song to which no one else knew the tune. That was exciting!

Saturday afternoon after lunch, Dad, Bonnie, and I drove to visit Norfolk and Winsted, Connecticut. We stopped for a snack at Café 64 in Winsted, a quaint place with cool staff and good books on the shelf. We shared pesto and mozzarella on freschetta and veggie chili. Then we walked Main Street and back, probably at least a couple miles, and drove to Norfolk where we ate a delicious dinner at The Pub Station Place. I sat in the moose chair, which was very difficult to get in and out of with all those antler tips wanting to dig into my legs.

Upon our return to Freedman, all of Teva had disappeared. Fortunately, there was a note left on the board that folks should bring everything they need Sunday to Nili's, so I figured that's where everyone went. Did a couple chores on site and quickly packed a bag, and we went to Nili and Yosh's for the rest of the evening. Had stopped in Winsted and picked up some goodies to celebrate my birthday, so we brought them along to share. I gave Dad and Bonnie the quick tour of the house and they stayed to watch Annie Hall, which the crew was just starting when we arrived.

I said goodbye when they left, since the Sunday morning schedule wasn't conducive to their participation, nor convenient for their departure schedule. They enjoyed breakfast at Mountainside Café in Falls Village, just half a mile from Freedman, and I had a fun morning of breakfast and meeting and learning, not to mention the excitement of waking to a snow-covered landscape, at Nili's before we headed back to campus.

Spent a while of the afternoon after lunch trying to fill the hot tub, which was losing water fast. For now, finally, Stewart has hoses hooked up to the spigot at the main building to send water up. (The 4-gallon-bucket-to-30-gallon-trash-can-on-wheeled-cart-uphill-to-tub technique was exhausting and not worth repeating, so I brought a hose to a heated room to defrost for the night.) We're still waiting, though, for the hot tub company to come finish the work to hook up the pool house to the main water line for year-round filling purposes.

So, 25 years ago today, about an hour ago to be exact, I came out (of the womb). Thanks to Mom and Dad for having me! I received a spontaneous vocal celebration at lunch, care of Adamah, and we'll see whether I think of something special to request for this evening. Perhaps, though, we'll wait until I've survived my first two or three days of my second quarter before the wild and crazy fun begins.

Another Warm Day

2005-11-29T16:52:00.000-05:00

. . . and another flood watch forecast for tonight. Last night got progressively warmer (rather than cooler) and I awoke to about 54°, which has risen a few to the current continuing high of 58°. And, thunderstorms on approach this evening have unfortunately turned into some blustery winds this afternoon and one to two inches of rain late tonight. Not sure about the flooding aspect.

In other news, I've finally located a computer and configuration with which I can once again play (and share) Tetripz, a drug-influence-simulating Tetris game I discovered several years ago. It's the most challenging version of Tetris I've ever played and I've pulled together a good handful of interested players.

Ben "Apple Crisp" Rosenthal

2005-11-28T17:13:00.000-05:00

This weekend I spent more time in the kitchen than probably all season before. We did a wedding and had a blast! Saturday evening, after Shabbat, I helped Michal prepare the meal for Sunday afternoon's festivities. First, I constructed the portobello towers that would be the vegetarian entrée. Then, I masterfully demonstrated my awesome Tetris skills and endurance by dishing mostly-still-frozen apple slices into 180 individual dishes, to be topped with crumbly topping, for the apple crisp dessert.

On Sunday, I worked on the wedding as needed all day (9 am to 7 pm), which included the two latter hours helping speed Tonia and company through the dish washing. Sure, we used a commercial dishwasher with a 45-second cycle, but for two hours!!! It was quite a hectic afternoon in there, but we made it through.

Afterward, we headed to the yurt for a wild party with some significant intoxication to go around . . . except me, of course. I was already high, anyway, on the previous 24 hours. This was my first opportunity to really work for Michal and we shared pleasure in the full experience, to the point that my nickname is now Apple Crisp. I'll be sure to put that on my résumé.

A Vegetarian Thanksgiving?

2005-11-25T00:09:00.000-05:00

Tonight I enjoyed perhaps my first completely vegetarian Thanksgiving dinner, at Nili and Yosh's round house. No kidding. And best of all, no tofurkey. Yosh cheffed a delicious meal including shepherd's pie, acorn squash stuffed with organic apples from our local orchard, and more goodies. Plus, Nili baked fresh breads served with a variety of spreads. And, of course, there was pumpkin pie for dessert, made with pumpkins from the Sadeh, along with angel food cake and a tri-berry topping.

Good company including the same from last night less Rebecca, Zim, and Gabe, plus a couple of Nili's old friends from college and their kids. I wasn't in the mood to chat much, but it was a fun evening.

A Night Away . . . at Home

2005-11-24T10:21:00.000-05:00

Just spent my first full night at the Adamah House, distinctly deciding that I'm too long for this couch when I got up a bit sore. However, I woke to piles of snow outside, snow that continues to fall as I type. Last night, the few of us left of the TevAdamah crew (Rebecca, Zim, Gabe, Sabrina, Linda, and me) cheffed a delicious meal, shared with Gilad, Michal, Jason, and Uman. [Gilad is Freedman's mashgiach (kosher supervisor) and his wife, Michal, is the vegan chef; Jason did Adam over the summer and stayed part of the fall to work on energy projects, including the major biodiesel operation centered in the Adamah garage; and Uman recently departed another Freedman staff position.]

Anyway, there were appetizers and a main course, and plenty of entertainment to follow. Michal showed her wedding pictures and we listed to good music for a while. Later, the six of us watched an episode of Da Ali G Show and followed it up with Harold & Maude, a 1970s film Sabrina really wanted to see again. Most of us fell asleep during the latter; the music was good but the plot was weird.

By midnight when I put the movie on (on my computer, to which I had downloaded it last week), I figured I wouldn't be going home to Brown House. Later on I realized that there really wasn't anything I would have done there differently than staying here. I had my life with me due to Sabrina's viewing desires and good company to go with. So, a fun time all the way through. Not to forget making rolled french toast for anyone who wanted to enjoy it. Yes, rolled, that is, made with dinner rolls, because I couldn't find any other bread to use. Though, now that I think of it, there should be half a loaf of marble rye somewhere, but the rolled idea was cool and funny, so that was good.

Soon, I'll be headed back to campus. Need to do energy rounds, which I skipped yesterday, and start heating up the cabins for the wedding this weekend.

Visions of My Future

2005-11-23T11:35:00.000-05:00

Yesterday, Adamah had a segment of its leadership development program for each member to summarize in five minutes his/her future path and/or goals in life. I was offered the opportunity to do the same at dinner. Now, in reflective preparation to be featured in an upcoming PC Weenies cartoon, I've thought further about where I've been so far in life, what might be next, and how it all fits together on my path of life. Here's my summary:

So . . .

At heart I am an environmentalist and also a Mac power user. These aspects of my life are constantly clashing because of all the toxins and heavy metals used to produce my computer of choice. However, for the moment, I accept that Apple is doing its best so far to keep products Earth-friendly and will continue to improve over time. Its environment Web page is pretty comprehensive and attractive.

On the Mac side, I'm an independent consultant with a handful of individual users. With patience and simplicity, I help them become more productive and effective in their computing experiences. My business is called Sustainable Computing.

On the Earth side, I'm currently working for the Teva Learning Center, a Jewish environmental education program for Jewish day school students in the New England and Mid Atlantic regions. My role has been primarily administrative and technical in supporting the staff, whilst watching them suffer on their Windows PCs. No offense, though, to an organization that can't afford more than donated computers at the moment.

Soon, I'll be returning to my home in Takoma Park, Maryland, and my job at the DC Energy Office (District of Columbia Government) where I'm engaged in a range of environmental programs. DCEO is a completely Windows-based office except one: me. I carry my office to work and use my PowerBook there because I just can't be productive on Windows. I don't handle much tech support there, but I'm always noticing how people's workspaces are slowed by the narrow functionality of Outlook, for example.

My overall visions for my life: simplicity through effective communication; care for the Earth based on common sense; from pieces, peace. The latter perhaps a new interpretation of E Pluribus Unum, now that I think about it.

Snow!

2005-11-22T17:51:00.000-05:00

Wow, the weeks just keep flying by. I can't seem to keep up with them anymore. Today we had our first snow. And it was a great one. It's mostly slushed and melted by now, but it was a beautiful fall. More forecast tonight, tomorrow night, and Thursday, as temperatures continue to drop. Thirties tomorrow and Thursday will lead to teens at night the latter half of the week. Three cheers for dressing in warm, comfy layers!!!

Last week was the first time I really had a set schedule of work times and activities during the week. I stuck to it most of the way and ended up amounting all the hours Nili and Adam have expected me to. That felt good. Also, having stuff to do all the time made having a schedule more worthwhile. This week, not so much, though, as all of Teva is gone for the holiday week. I'm still here, though, hanging with Adamah and working for Teva and Freedman as usual, just not as regular.

Nili invited me over for Thanksgiving festivities Thursday. She and Yosh have a whole gala planned, it seems, with people from their family and circle of friends, plus Teva bits, and more. That'll be a fun night!

Meanwhile, for the DC Energy Office, the GreenList is going strong and the January 2006 Green Calendar will be out in a couple weeks. Here's hoping people receiving the GreenList actually have time to read and enjoy its content. I admittedly don't always read the entirety of most of the articles I post and summarize, but I'm getting only positive feedback so far about the distribution. Again, let me know if you want it, too.

Unbelievably only three weeks left with I think 13 schools yet to come. Adamah officially ends the week before, but a lot of folks are planning to stay for the winter and some might even return next summer or fall to work on the campus in some other position.

As for me, Ian (Adamah fellow, native to D.C.–Baltimore corridor) has offered to drive me home on Monday, December 19, the day the rest of Teva is scheduled to depart. So, with his pickup, no worries about getting all my stuff home, including everything I've accumulated since I've been here.

Next year? I don't know yet where Teva might fit into my future. I look forward to spending more time with this community. Perhaps I'll look at scheduling and see if the spring season interferes with GreenDC Week plans with DCEO. As Nili has said before, if I can get a grant to pay me to work for her, I can come back. Also, Casey and I have been talking about continuing our "roommateship," which would be really cool. So, we'll see.

Now, need to write a letter before dinner to an author to try to get free copies of a book that is central to Teva's Shomrei Chayyot (guardians of the animals) curriculum.

Another Busy Week . . . But With a Catch

2005-11-11T09:12:00.000-05:00

Wow! I'm so stressed out from this week. Mostly my work has been fun and it really continues to be, but there was just so much of it seeming to come from all directions this week. Perhaps some of the stress also came from the hours I spent installing and running Norton SystemWorks on the Teva computers; the concept of having to keep them virus-free and to fix problems that the complexity of Windows coding brings about is stressful in and of itself. Further frustrating is that Microsoft is taking so long to improve a now four year old operating system, which itself is practically still built on the code of a 14 year old operating system. Oh well. Always happy to come home to my office and a system that really works.

The catch following all this, with joy I get to report: Mom's arriving today for a weekend visit and workshop on Sunday as part of Teva's staff development programing. I have to work a while this morning and afternoon, but she should be here around noon and we'll have a couple hours before I have to help Vlastik with his pre-retreat weekend site check. Then, a fun Shabbat with Ilan and his mother planning to come, too, and yet other guests to boot. I'll offer the full report in a couple days.

Best Shabbat of the Season?

2005-11-07T17:10:00.000-05:00

Could have been among the top few . . .

It began with a leisurely wakeup, contained a wild game of Ultimate Frisbee at its mid afternoon core, continued with me making french toast for Brown House for dinner, and concluded with a late night party in the K'far (K'far-ty?—perhaps not) hosted by Adamah for all who wanted to come. We jammed and sang and enjoyed the heat of the bonfire and the sweetness of chocolate fondue-dunked strawberries and bananas!

This shabbat was also a major relief after our busiest week. There were both Shomrei Adamah (6th grade Guardians of the Earth) and Shomrei Chayyot (4th grade Guardians of the Animals) programs for four and three days, respectively, plus a two-day Shomrei Adamah introductory program for an Orthodox school whose students have never been to Teva before and didn't leave until after dinner Thursday. This made for a continuum of work and little time to stop and breathe, which I was really happy to do when Friday evening finally came around. Teva enjoyed its first quaint Shabbat in Brown House with no guests, which we notably enjoyed.

Now, we are once again in a "regular" week, normalized to a smallish group (about 60 kids), only 6th grade Shomrei Adamah among them, and the calm, smooth, soothing workflow we probably haven't experienced since the first week. I've spent my weekend and today handling mostly office technical upgrades, cleanup, and organization. Maybe tonight I'll get to watch another episode of CSI:. Thursday night I'll be showing What the Bleep Do We Know?! to our community of "TevAdamah," as we've cleverly named it.

I've been sharing the GreenList with TevAdamah and now many visitors to the DC Energy Office booth at Green Festival are also receiving it. Nili commented last week about how grateful she is as a recipient as each time she sees in the GreenList all the news she's missed during the past week, she's been frustrated because she wishes she had so much time to read it, too. Let me know if you're interested in receiving this compilation of environmental headlines and news summaries I send every Tuesday morning.

Dinner's in half an hour and I have more maintenance to handle between Nili and Adam's computers. Back before long!

We Closed the Shul!

2005-10-29T22:43:00.000-04:00

I've started reading another The Cat Who . . . book (by Lillian Jackson Braun) again. I gave up on reading them in order and picked up one of the latest at a bookstore shortly before I left for Teva. I'm enjoying making free time for reading it; haven't read a book in a very long time.

So, I spent most of the week in New York City. Heading out Tuesday afternoon, Dave (friend of Gabe from Adamah) drove Rachel and me south. He dropped his car at a friend's place in Larchmont and we took Metro-North, bus, and subway to Sarah Chandler's for dinner, minus Dave who was headed elsewhere at the end. Met Shoshana, Sabrina, and Linda (Adamah), and Dan (old friend of Sarah) at Sarah's and together (less Dan) went to B'nai Jeshurun (BJ) for Simchat Torah. That's the holiday when there's little focus on praying and mostly on dancing around with the Torah(s) and singing and celebrating the cycle of life.

Simchat Torah is when Jews roll the Torah back to the beginning to restart the story of our history. BJ is a famous, large congregation on the Upper West Side of Manhattan that affiliates with the Conservative Jewish movement but felt so comfortable and different for this particular holiday. The tradition is to dance around the synagogue seven times before engaging in a normal prayer service. In this case, the celebration began at 6:45 pm and ended at 10, each round lasting about half an hour with constant dancing, singing a different nigun each time, and many of us becoming exhausted by the end of the night.

After people started to leave around 11, we were left a quainter group of maybe 30 and we sang great songs and there was a drum circle and we danced some more. I was actually pretty tired; could hardly get my hands together with force enough to clap, but it was such an exhilarating and fun experience. At midnight, security walked in and said they were closing the building and we had to leave. (There's always excitement and good humor in being the last to depart and being forced out. We were having so much fun!)

Then, we walked to a dessert party at the home of a friend of Sarah and enjoyed some delicious treats (fruit included) for a couple more hours. I was conking out for a while on the couch after I'd had my fill and woke when Jonathan told me people we heading out. As it ended up, though, the Jonathans, Ariel, and Linda stayed longer and the rest of us (five) went back to Sarah's for the night. Seven altogether slept in Sarah's small apartment and somehow were all comfortable doing so. Wednesday was a slow day for me, spent at Sarah's. Others went to services and lunch and elsewhere while I hung out there and did some work and ate some and waited for their 4 o'clock return. That evening we made a most delicious pumpkin desert with minimal sugar and maximal yumminess. Late, I headed to Noam's for the night in Brooklyn (Park Slope).

Thursday, I worked from home (Noam's) for both Teva and Freedman. Most of my time I did a research project for Nili on the status of the Endangered Species Act. I learned about its recent struggles against Rep. Pombo (R-Calif.) and the opinions of liberals and conservatives in reaction to his bill, the Threatened and Endangered Species Recovery Act. He has some good points about focus on species recovery but screws up on the financial end. We're writing to the 7th graders of a particular school (students who were at Teva a couple years ago) to develop and long term connection with the school and get their help fighting for the original ESA, which Pombo is trying to dismantle.

Friday, I went into the Teva office with Noam, with stops first and at lunchtime to pick up computers that he was receiving as donations to Teva and Surprise Lake Camp. Completed Thursday's project and checked out the new old technology, besides my regular news reading and Web browsing.

Teva alumna Shirley hosted a dinner party Friday night at her Brooklyn apartment and the evening went by quickly. This morning, we went to services at large apartment where the couple was hosting a young Park Slope minyan and also offering everyone a major feast afterward. Shortly after I got back to Noam's after lunch, I started preparing to leave. This included coordinating a transportation scheme to get the Jonathans home, too, as they were staying in the City this evening for a concert. The plan became that Matt and Lisa would drive a Teva vehicle plus JD's car to the Dover Plains Metro-North stop where they would pick up Eli (who just returned from a week in France and Italy) and me, and leave the extra car for the JD and JR to pick up and drive home late tonight. (They'll be taking the last train at midnight and getting back probably around 3 am.)

Another part of my work on Thursday was scheduling tomorrow's activities. We'll be touring the Torrington Water Pollution Control Authority. (I think that's the politically correct way of saying wastewater treatment plant, which itself I thought was more politically correct than sewage treatment plant.) Apparently, this was a hit last year when Matt and Eli had a blast talking to one of the tour guides, whom we'll again see this year. Also, after lunch, Clarkson—who helps with Freedman carpentry and construction—will be leading us on a tour of the hydroelectric system that provides minimal power to the Kfar: low level lighting in the cabins and electricity to the composting toilet activator. (You may recall that we didn't have this power available two months ago because the region was still in drought, of which I'm guessing we're now officially out.)

Little more to say tonight. I made a delicious omelet when I got home a couple hours ago: three eggs with red pepper, fresh parsley, and cheddar. Still need to unpack and relax. Perhaps an episode of CSI: will entertain me, too. I'm impressed that I had the patience to say so much in this entry; I was worried that I wouldn't want to spend much time on it. I'm glad I've shared my week with you, though I'd really like to commit to shorter, more frequent entries. Among all the occasions when I stop by my computer to check headlines and read articles, I ought to be able to pull a moment here or there for a paragraph.

We have crazy week coming up with five schools on three schedules and two programs. I'll tell more tomorrow and as the week progresses. Shavua tov! A good week past and another to come. Don't forget about Daylight Savings Time ending tonight for those of you who observe it. (Read about the support in some states for moving to permanent Daylight time?)

Wow! What a Week

2005-10-19T19:19:00.000-04:00

Gee. A whole week since I last wrote. It's been a busy and exciting one, though, to say the least. Mid last week was Yom Kippur with the first shared retreat between Isabella Freedman and Elat Chayyim, the other Jewish retreat center in this neck of the woods. It was a phenomenal beginning as the two centers begin a new partnership with much support from their respective communities. It was also my first opportunity since probably ALEPH Kallah 1999 that I've davvened a full service with Shefa Gold.

The full experience brought my spirit home and offered me a chance to relax and enjoy Yom Kippur, rather than stressing over it, as has seemed the norm before. With services led primarily by Shefa and K'vod Wieder, there was chanting and reflection, thought sharing and storytelling.

Over the weekend, we constructed a communal sukkah for Freedman and a second, smaller one, attached to Brown House, for our more private enjoyment, preparing for our week-long celebration of Sukkot, which began Monday night. The latter sukkah was the result of an amazing feat, in which the entire structure was constructed and decorated in a span of only three hours, completed just in time before sundown. I'll be sure to acquire some photos to share the process and the completed beauty.

It was otherwise a quiet weekend, the first unscheduled in many months, so a great time to relax. Only other excitement, I suppose, was when Sara and I spent Saturday night organizing the kitchen and labeling shelves and cabinets so Ron, who came in to cook our meals Sunday and Monday, could find everything. And, of course, so the rest of us can hopefully keep the place a bit more organized the next couple months.

I've been spending time with Adamah a lot lately. We all went there for Shabbat davvening and dinner Friday evening. Last night, I joined them for dinner and an evening in their sukkah which, among other cool decorations, has a revolving door! Perhaps I'll sleep there tonight, as they've got the fancy mattress action going there, which far surpass the comfort of our thin sleeping pads.

Today, I went to a private orchard, with which Freedman has a special relationship, to pick apples for Teva and Adamah to enjoy. Fresh local apples are one of the blatantly obvious missing pieces of life here. We're working on forming relationships with local orchards so we can start enjoying them more, instead of the fruit shipped from far, far away.

Also today, the first group of kids in a couple weeks arrived. From Rodeph Sholom in Manhattan, 95 4th and 5th graders have tackled our attention for a three-day program until Friday. Everyone's overjoyed to have the youngins around again. While they're enjoying night hike and camp fire tonight, though, I'll be joining Adamah to watch The Next Industrial Revolution at Adam's. I've read the books and met and heard the experts on the subject, but haven't yet seen this quintessential film.

Movie starts in about half an hour so I'm going to take some time to clean up my room a bit and maybe wash some dishes, too. We have a tremendous amount of kitchen cleanup still to do from the last few days of eating at home.

A New Director . . . naaaaahhh

2005-10-12T14:26:00.000-04:00

To quote the Jonathans Sunday night, "You're gonna be running this place pretty soon!," in reaction to my comment about reprograming the hot tub again. Ben finds yet one more task to create change at Freedman and people are yet happier resulting.

Anyway, no, I don't see myself as a future director here, but I do wonder further where Teva and Freedman fit into my future. More ponderment for later.

Meanwhile, Casey and I were Adamaniks yesterday. While the rest of Teva was in Philly for a one day Shomrei Chayyot (guardians of animals) retreat with fourth graders, we enjoyed meals and an afternoon Botany 101 workshop lead by Ian. Thus, I ate well (as always) and remembered many aspects of plants I'd learned in grade-school that I'd quickly forgotten . . . and learned some cool, new stuff, too!

Teva staff got home late last night. Today, I've got to continue helping prep for the Yom Kippur retreat (shared between Freedman and Elat Chayyim because E.C.'s drinking water system is dead; not exactly sure what's up there), which officially begins at 3.

Lazy TV Saturday

2005-10-08T18:48:00.000-04:00

Woke about 11 today and, breakfast in hand at first (and other foods throughout the day), I'm enjoying a lazy day of this past week's television. Watched episodes of CSI: New York, Joey, and Everwood, sometimes with Yosh in company. Matt also brought in episodes from the first season of The Muppet Show to share with us. Still got two more episodes of Joey and the first three episodes of CSI: from this new season to see.

Headed into Havdallah mode shortly, but just wanted to say hi. Perhaps Adamah will see my face later. Perhaps the hot tub, too, which Teva has enjoyed more than once today, now that I've programed it successfully.

Great Times on the Trail

2005-10-06T21:22:00.000-04:00

Got back to Freedman yesterday afternoon after a great holiday spent on the trail and camp. We hiked Undermountain Trail and Paradise Lanes up to the Appalachian Trail Monday morning and a bit further to Sages Ravine, a favored campsite of Tevaniks past. The first group up was Noam, Eli, Eli's friend Matt, and me. Noam went off to do his own thing and I napped at the campsite while Eli and Matt eventually headed back down; Matt had to head home for work the next day and Eli had to get back to Freedman to pick up a stove, which we'd forgotten, among other necessities.

About dusk, Eli showed up again, towing Cara, Lulu, and Jason, who needed to be at Freedman to work half the day before they could join us. They ended up hiking up and down Bear Mountain on the way. In the meantime, I'd awoken to help Noam set up tents and gear, and collect water for the evening.

Noam cheffed delicious meals both Monday and Tuesday nights. There was couscous, veggies, tempe, and much more. Given the holiday, such a gourmet camping experience wasn't so inappropriate. Certainly made us happy, anyway. Tuesday, after impressing Noam with how late we slept in (I was in bed by 10 and not up until 10 the next morning), we breakfasted and headed out for a day on the trail.

Hiked up Race Mountain and ate lunch at the peak with a great view in front. Eventually, Eli, Noam, Jason, and Cara decided to continue the trail a bit while Lulu and I were ready to go back down. Besides the latter, others got split up on their way down for various reasons of intention. Noam prayed a bit, Eli enjoyed some waterfalls, etc. I wrote in the trail journal at the Massachusetts border at the bottom of the hill.

Tuesday evening, Isaac appeared, having decided to join us for the night. After dinner and digestion, Isaac fell asleep while Eli realized that to avoid a lot of weight we'd have to carry down the next day, we should take the opportunity to eat it instead. So, we had a food binge! Wednesday morning, Jason was out early, expecting Ian to pick him up to get back to Freedman to work. A few hours later, the rest of us staggered our exit. Noam was far ahead, but decided to hike Bear Mountain, so he finished last. Next left Cara and Lulu, and soon behind them, Eli, Isaac, and me.

We three had some fun conversations about school, technology, politics, and more on the way through Paradise Lanes. Then, I scooted ahead and hiked fast down Undermountain to the bottom, where I found Cara and Lulu only five minutes ahead of me and . . . Jason, what are you doing here still?! Apparently, the whiteboarded directions for Ian had been erased and his road trip search and rescue journey was futile. Anyway, a perfect way to spend the holiday, we had a fabulous time.

Yesterday, I received a new toy; a headlamp I'd ordered from REI. I realized that carrying a flashlight isn't particularly convenient, much as I generally like to have my hands free. More fun at night! Yay! This morning, I worked for Freedman for a few hours. Programed the hot tub for automated weekend running at the designated hours, among other tasks. This afternoon, we trekked to a National Audubon Society nature center and trail system in Sharon, Connecticut. Nature center wasn't much special but some of us had fun out on a trail. Isaac and I did some tree climbing and we all had some fun conversations.

Camp is pretty quiet this week and weekend without guests around again until Yom Kippur next week. I was invited to star gaze tonight (now) so I think I'll see who/what's happening out there for a bit and then perhaps return to watch CSI. Got a handful of episodes from the new season to watch.

Hiking AT for RH

2005-10-03T00:20:00.000-04:00

Today was a somewhat fun-filled day of converting vehicles to SVO (straight vegetable oil). The fact that the technology exists and has for so long is cool; there just wasn't much for some of us to do most of the day. Eli and I headed home for lunch about 1; enjoyed more pizza bagels. I relaxed for a bit and eventually his friend, Matt, arrived. So, we headed back to the farm to check on stuff. After not so long, though, we left and went to visit the Sadeh, where we helped weed beets. Then, after a short tour of Falls Village, we headed back to Freedman for dinner.

I went out to do my Energy Man rounds, checking thermostats, lights, and windows around camp. Also did some other work for Adam, and watched this past week's episode of Alias. Finally, Eli, Matt, and I went to pick up Noam from the train station, and stopped at Adamah on the way home to chat with Cara about the hike this week.

So, yeah, tomorrow, for the first time in many years (seven, I think), I'm hiking on the Appalachian Trail. We're going to setup base camp tomorrow around lunchtime and enjoy day hikes in the afternoon and Tuesday and Wednesday. Matt will leave tomorrow evening around the same time Cara, Lulu, and Jason meet up with us for the rest of the trip.

I'll be out of electronic contact until our return Wednesday evening, though I'll probably carry my phone just in case there's a signal. Otherwise, I look forward to telling you about it when we get back. Now, time to stage and pack! Hag Sameach (Happy Holiday).

Shabbat with Adamah

2005-10-01T23:30:00.000-04:00

So, this weekend I spent Shabbat with Adamah. I communed with folks for lunch yesterday afternoon in the Gan (garden) and by the cob oven, which was being prepared for cooking dinner. Also participated in their week closure circle, similar to Teva's Thursday afternoon check-in/communal meeting. Then, after some time home, I headed there for the evening. Fun davvening and dinner as always. I helped clean up the table and get the space ready for eating. Gabe's salad was probably the highlight of the meal: fresh spinach, acorn squash, and ___ from the Sadeh, mixed with tofu, apple, and walnuts. Yum!

Home to Brown for the night but I was back with the crew most of the day. Made conversation this morning with the goats and chickens and Adam led yoga in the yurt a while later. Then, after a shower and some delicious cheese blintzes with maple syrup, I was back to the Adamah House for lunch and the afternoon. Washed dishes from lunch, making up for my loss of opportunity last night when I was exhausted. One hour for a double sink full and only two soup pots full of water used, having first stopped home to pickup Dobie and Ecover for effective washing.

Did some reading (first time in such a long time that I sat down to read a book!) and took a short nap while others walked to the Sadeh to show guests. Eventually, we enjoyed a small seudah shleesheet (third meal) and did havdalah together. Also, Rebecca and I drove to Stop & Shop to satisfy some communal cravings for chocolate. I bought a pint each of New York Super Fudge Chuck and Chunky Monkey to share. Everyone who ate was happy. Hung out there for a while and also helped Steve transfer supplies for tomorrow's biodiesel workshop. We're converting four vehicles.

That's about it for now. Not sure yet what all I'll be doing this week. Still have to spend some time with the network, trying again to figure out how to fix the connection sharing issues. Fun times to all!

Diagraming of a Ceiling

2005-09-30T09:59:00.000-04:00

Yep. After we dismantle the drying tents in the Oolam this morning, we'll be diagraming the ceiling. Adam needs to send detailed specifications of the upward uneven surface of beams and lights to an Israeli later today, who will be creating a wavy fabric surface to beautify and acoustify the room.

A Long Week Ends

2005-09-29T15:59:00.000-04:00

OK. So, one week is really no longer than the next, but this one was hectic and busy. Most work was done in good spirits, though. However, I was so happy when the kids were gone at 2 and I had just five minutes to drown in one of the couches of the mo’adon (lounge), time when I was neither working nor sleeping. Yeah, that felt good.

Shortly, my note taking skills will be put to good use during the Achdoot conclusive staff meeting. Then, dinner at 5, after which I help clean up the kitchen. Afterward, it’s party time! Nili’s birthday is today and we’ll be saying goodbye to several folks who were only here for the first month; Ilan, Yoni, and Mel on headed off. On the plus side of that, Yoni will be representing Teva as he assists with cleanup work in New Orleans. Our blessings to him and the rest. Nili’s blessings to us, since that’s the tradition around here for birthdays. Yakir is leaving for two weeks for the holidays, but will be back to assist with random Freedman tasks and surely will find his place with Teva along the way, too. Naturally.

Glad to have this opportunity to write to you this afternoon, before all the action of the rest of the day. Adamah will be joining us for the celebrations, too. Meanwhile, folks are getting ready to leave for the holiday week. I’m hanging around here, though currently planning to join Noam, Eli, and a few others on an Appalachian Trail backpacking journey that departs Sunday. That should be a perfect way to celebrate the new year. I’m excited about it, anyway.

Network continues to be funky around here. I’ve spent various hours troubleshooting and found two problems. For one of them, I think I understand the root cause but I haven’t a clue how Windows wants me to fix it. Not enough choices, as far as I can tell. Funny thing.

The Bring It Back to Our School administration is getting easier for me. I’m happy about that, as I imagine Nili is, too. Less stress for her during the week.

OK. Off to my meeting. Talk to you soon. Or, perhaps, let me know whether you want to hear from me.

A Little More Background on this Season

2005-09-28T16:14:00.000-04:00

I realized I haven’t spent much time telling you how Ben at Teva originally came to be. In mid June, I contacted Nili Simhai (director of Teva), Noam Dolgin (associate director), and Adam Berman (director of Freedman). First I offered some background about my current environmental activities at the time. For example, I commented about my participation in a workshop hosted by the U.S. Partnership on the Decade of Education for Sustainable Development and the United Nations Environment Program. At the time, I was also unsure about the length of my future at the DC Energy Office, where for two years I’ve been working on faith- and non-faith-based environmental programs. That feeling changed once new staff came on board and I felt I had work to look forward to every day and exciting people to share it with.

Then, I offered a handful of skills and possible responsibilities, given up front that I was not interested in being a Teva Educator. I followed up with phone calls to both Nili and Adam within a couple weeks and started a correspondence with them to develop a position for me. Long story short, Nili was reluctant to hire me into an undefined space for which she could not pay me, but I persisted, practically insisting that I would be spending the fall here regardless. So, with basic expenses of room and board covered, a small stipend, and the beauty of this awesome community, she and Adam have accepted me and, so far it seems, found me hard to be without.

I have called my position “Staff Support,” however informally, I think “Ben” covers it. I’m here to keep people productive, happy, and having fun, in pretty much any manner that works for them. In exchange, I get to eat and sleep and socialize with a most amazing and special team of Teva educators and Adamah farming fellows. I think this life is hard to beat and I’m willing to consider how Teva might fit into my life in the future.

In Nili’s words, said with a smile, of course: “Are you good at grantwriting?, because if you can find the money to pay yourself, you can come back and work for me again.” Sounds good to me!

Metric System to Be Customized for U.S. Market

2005-09-28T15:54:00.000-04:00

See what you make of this article. Let me know if and when sense approaches.

Metric System to Be Customized for U.S. Market
Conceptual Artist Offers Consumers Personalized Kilogram, Watt, Calorie... First Revolutionary Change to Weights and Measures Since 1793... Major Victory for Democracy in the 21st Century...

SAN FRANCISCO—Following several years of highly-secretive privately-funded research, conceptual artist Jonathon Keats announces comprehensive improvements to the metric system, anticipated finally to make the meter a viable unit of measure in the United States. The system will be introduced to the public at Modernism Gallery, in San Francisco, on October 27, 2005. Mr. Keats will be available to provide expert calibration.

"The metric system was developed in the 18th Century as an alternative to measurements based on the dimensions of kings' fingers and feet," explains Mr. Keats. "It was a decisive break from monarchy, but it wasn't decisive enough." The trouble is that one totalitarian system was replaced with another. "We did away with Louis XVI and Henry VIII, only to chain all measures, of everything in the universe, to the circumference of the Earth."

More specifically, the standard meter is 1/10,000,000 of the quarter-meridian, redefined by the Conference Generale des Poids et Mesures (CGPM) in 1983 as the distance traveled by light in 1/299,792,458 of a second. What Mr. Keats has proposed is an approach as rigorously mathematical as the metric system, that will prioritize the individual rather than the planet. His modification is simple, yet the consequences are profound: Instead of using the earth's spin as the basis of time, he's elected to use people's heartbeat. "Galileo timed his experiments with his pulse," Keats notes. "If it was good enough for him, surely it's good enough for us."

Mr. Keats's system makes everyone's clock personal. Because his own heart beats 1.1 times faster than the terrestrial second, for example, his day is a mere 21.816 terrestrial hours long, and his year is nearly 33 days shorter than you'd see on a calendar (except in leap year). From that, it's a straightforward calculation to derive the length of a personal meter, the distance traveled by light in 1/299,792,458 of a heartbeat. Mr. Keats's meter, for instance, is 0.909 meters international, or approximately 2.982 feet. The length of others' meters may differ. (For example, Mr. Keats recently determined that Craigslist founder Craig Newmark's meter is a more compact 0.833 meters international.)

A liter is the volume equivalent to a cubic meter, a kilogram is the mass equivalent to a liter of water, and units including the watt and calorie can likewise be mathematically derived (as can conversions to imperial system units such as horsepower). In consultation with mathematics professor David Steinsaltz of Queen's University, Ontario, Mr. Keats has developed algorithms to facilitate the calculation of personal standards such as these. At Modernism Gallery, individuals will be invited to commission customized conversion tables, as well as engraved brass meter rods and clocks that beat at their heart rate. A member of the National Conference on Weights and Measures (NCWM), Mr. Keats will be on hand with stethoscope and adding machine to ensure that all measuring instruments and charts are accurate.

"In this day and age, everyone has an iPod, and most people have TiVo," Mr. Keats argues. "Mass-customization is the cutting edge of democracy. By taking this personal approach to measurements—to standards of time and space and energy and power—we can each become completely autonomous."

Mr. Keats is widely known for his rigorous approach to art. Most recently, he attempted to genetically engineer God in a petri dish, in collaboration with researchers at UC Berkeley and the University of San Francisco. He has also previously copyrighted his mind in the interest of attaining immortality (offering futures contracts on his brain to fund the operation), and petitioned Berkeley to pass a basic law of logic—A=A—a work commissioned by the city's annual Arts Festival.

For more info, contact Jonathan at jonathon_keats@yahoo.com.

Has this been one or two days today?

2005-09-28T01:09:00.000-04:00

Today has been quite long feeling, at times as if it should have been Wednesday already. Six kids went home today, homesick and otherwise disinterested in being here, despite the beauty of the place and the awesome educational opportunity. Further, we’ve observed some extreme differences in mind maturity between this week’s fifth graders and the sixth graders we see every other week.

Food waste is one example: the past groups have enjoyed developing a consciousness for the amount of food they can eat during a meal and decreasing the amount of leftovers. This week, waste has increased at least once already from one meal to the next and some kids have expressed specific interest in opposition to the concepts discussed.

Meanwhile, Noam and I this afternoon met with the Heschel staff to talk about their first ever Bring it Back to Our School program. They are very enthusiastic about their students starting an energy conservation program at school and, as a future initiative, are driven to work out the kinks preventing a school-wide recycling program, especially for paper. In the morning, I need to work up their summary sheet to get ready for the student BBTOS session before lunch.

Finally, I have further proved my worth and usefulness by spending almost two hours tonight helping Noam reconstruct his résumé, which has gone untouched for about six years. We made tremendous progress, activating verbiage, fixing grammar and style, and improving layout. Noam is now very happy that this major part of his application to the Environmental Leadership Program is complete.

Time to go to bed, now. Got to be up in six hours to hear from Nili, who needs to rent a car in the morning due to a second emergency of the week. The first was the laundromat I found for the Achdoot group after they got swamped by the thunderstorm that hit yesterday afternoon. Then, a vehicle broke down and couldn’t get fixed in time for their departure tomorrow.

Talkin' Bout a Tevalution

2005-09-27T12:33:00.000-04:00

Saturday night, a bunch of us sitting around jamming in Brown House kitchen happened upon Tracy Chapman’s “Talkin’ Bout a Revolution” and JR decided to write lyrics to a Tevalution take on the song. Pretty soon, we had people offering lines of song left and write and Jonathan wrote them on a piece of reused paperboard. Later, I ran to get my computer and typed and edited the lyrics. Also got my headphones so I could listen to Tracy’s version and fit our version better to the rhythm and order.

Here’s what we created, to eventually perform during a WTVA skit. (WTVA is Teva’s live-action TV program, put on for the kids twice a week.)

Talkin' Bout a Tevalution
(to the tune of "Talkin' Bout a Revolution" by Tracy Chapman)

Don't you know, talking about a Tevalution sounds like a mitzvah
Don't you know, talking about a Tevalution sounds like a simcha

While they're driving on the highway lanes
Waiting in traffic in their autos of consumption
Wasting life with factories and planes
Sittin' around creating air pollution

Don't you know, talking about a Tevalution sounds like a mitzvah

The trees are gonna rise up and get their air
(and sun and soil and water . . .)
The Earth is gonna rise up and give some care

Don't you know you better run run run run run run run run run run run and scream
Talkin' bout a Tevalution
Oh I said you better love love love love love love love love love love love and sing
Talkin' bout a Tevalution

Yes finally the compost is starting to turn, talkin' bout a Tevalution
Yes finally the biodiesel's startin' to burn, talkin' bout a Tevalution
Talkin' bout a Tevalution

While they're driving on the highway lanes
Waiting in traffic in their autos of consumption
Wasting life with our factories and planes
Sittin' around creating air pollution

Don't you know, talking bout a Tevalution sounds like a mitzvah

Yes finally the compost is starting to turn, talkin' bout a Tevalution
Yes finally the biodiesel's startin' to burn, talkin' bout a Tevalution
Talkin' bout a Tevalution
Talkin' bout a Tevalution

Network Works Again

2005-09-27T12:04:00.000-04:00

After an hour spent last night and a bit more time with Martin a short while ago, the Freedman network connections are back up, hopefully for good. We’ll see how long it lasts, but it’s been quite a frustration this past weekend.

Now, on to more exciting events . . . like lunch!

Yay for Short Updates!

2005-09-27T00:02:00.000-04:00

Yeah, so I’ve set aside the .Mac blogging idea for now and turned to Blogger for ease and convenience. Another week has passed in a flash. Feels like just two days ago that we had the last Monday night campfire with the kids, and as much Sunday night in the hot tub felt so soon after last weekend’s time there. Yep, not only am I whelmed (not overly so) with fun stuff to do, I’m also having a blast with everything else, too.

Last night, I went to the Adamah house to hang out and we watched Space Balls full of laughter and fun times. Every day I witness how perfect this community is for me. On Saturday, Adam Berman (Freedman director) and I enjoyed a 90-minute bike ride over the local mountains including down and exciting dirt road. On the way down, we saw two enormous houses that look like hippopotamus heads. At the bottom, Adam asked that I remind him never to ride his road bike down that road again. “It wouldn’t have survived had we not pumped the tires before we left,” he said.

Stepping back another day . . . we had 34 people in Brown House kitchen Friday night. Finally we had an opportunity to do Shabbat together with Adamah. (Last week they were occupied with a specially scheduled shabbaton for themselves alone.) Guests included, getting food was a challenge alone, but still so much fun.

As for work during the week, much of my time has me working on Teva’s Bring it Back to Our School (BBTOS) program. Teachers and Teva educators discuss possibilities based on what students have done or attempted in the past, what they’re studying this year, and what might interest them. Then, with clever guidance from the collective staff, students select a project and produce a basic plan for carrying it out. So, I’ve been participating in Nili’s meetings with teachers and serving as a resource to them and to students, too, during their planning sessions.

Other excitement: on Saturday, I was named Superman after I performed some feat of constant goodness to our community. I don’t remember what it was, but every day I’m getting recognition for my positive participation in people’s lives. This place will be hard to leave at the end of the year.

So, with my continued feeling that I’m not journaling enough about my experiences, I’m going to fit in one or two short posts each day about my activities. See you in the morning!

Hot tub & jammin'

2005-09-19T07:49:00.000-04:00

Two highlights of this phenomenal week just past. Last Sunday was our first opportunity to enjoy the hot tub, one of the newest additions to Isabella Freedman. It’s not open to us when guests are on site, and we’re working on getting tub time on Thursday nights, too, but in the meantime, Sunday nights have become a treat.

Two and a half weeks ago, so I forgot to mention, we went bowling on our Thursday night off. Among about 10 players on two lanes, I impressively scored far highest; strangely even higher than Jonathan D., who until this past spring worked in an alley and played in leagues. Guess it just wasn’t his night. 172 may even have been my all time high score; I guess I found my groove, hitting several strikes and spares during just one first and only game of the night.

This past Thursday, we had a jam session on the porch of the main building. I brought my drum, which I haven’t played in many moons, and had a blast playing it and some others while about a dozen of us from Teva and Adamah (the Jewish sustainable farming fellowship program at Freedman) jammed together for three hours. Though exhausting, it was so much fun! Drums, dance, tap dance, guitar, mandolin, and more all came together.

More to say about the past week, the first with kids, and my new responsibilities. I’ll continue writing later today.

First two weeks passed

2005-09-10T12:29:00.000-04:00

In reflection on my first two weeks here, I’ve realized how busy I can be that I hardly feel able to make time to journal about my experiences. I plan to set aside this time from now on, hopefully more than just once a week, at least to get some thoughts down about each day or two.

Last weekend was incredible! People started showing up for the Hazon Shabbaton weekend festivities by noon on Friday and we had a relaxing weekend with phenomenal food. Havdalah probably had more energy in the room Saturday night than any previous Ride and I was thrilled to be part of the Teva community that held the core of this spirit. Then, we promptly moved into the busy logistics of getting ready for the Ride: safety meetings; crew, marshal, and medic meetings; etc. Nigel had invited me to be a marshal this year, meaning I would be a step up in responsibility for offering riders assistance and keeping them happy. That was an easy task as I again rode with my Bicycle Stereo hooked up to my iPod and music streaming from my handlebars throughout the pedaling. Fellow riders enjoyed their normally brief occasions to ride near me and enjoy the tunes.

Highlights of the Ride included a 6.5 miles segment of the Harlem Valley Rail Trail, which was part my second completed century on Sunday. I also enjoyed sticking to high gears during a 12 mile piece of Route 22. My Teva friends, who saw me at rest stops along the way, were impressed that I seemed to hardly break a sweat and kept my cool as if there was no effort in the extent of my riding. I rode 104 miles on Sunday and another 60 on Monday, finishing as usual at the Boat Basin in Manhattan. A later arrival there due to the longer second-day trip left us with lemonade and Ben & Jerry’s. (I finally got to have my first B&J’s ‘wich.)

We got Ride t-shirts, too, and then formed our critical mass four block ride to the JCC. And in pure excitement, Nili (our Teva director) rode this last piece on the back of my Xtracycle.

These last few days since the ride have found me getting busier with office tasks and also helping prepare for this weekend’s wedding. Bigger highlight though: we moved out of the Kfar (our campy village in the woods) and into Brown House, where we’ll reside in comfort for the rest of the season. I had an opportunity to select Casey as my roommate and he was mutually a great choice. Midweek, we spent many hours kashering the kitchen, after Freedman staff left in covered with the remnants of many pig feasts among more unclean grossness. I’ve gotten mostly settled, though I’m still working on finding places to store a few remaining pieces of my life.

So, tomorrow, while the rest of Teva gets ready for the first round of student arrivals Monday, I’m on duty all day long helping the wedding flow smoothly. We’ll see how that goes. In the meantime, we’re going out now for a hike out through a gorge to a waterfall that used to be on the Appalachian Trail.

In the beginning...

2005-08-30T22:01:00.000-04:00

I’m way overdue with beginning this journal however I will do my best to sum my experiences the last five days.

On Thursday, I rode up to the Teva Learning Center with Laura Bellows and Rebecca Lemus. (I really had to struggle there for a second to remember that I knew their last names. This is another place where last names generally aren’t of much importance.)

Teva’s fall season takes place at the Isabella Freedman Jewish Retreat Center in Falls Village, Connecticut. Anyway, we had a pretty uneventful trip up. We stopped often enough for bathroom and stretch breaks, and once to fill up the tank of the Toyota Prius Laura had the awesome opportunity to borrow until this weekend.

Anyway, not to leave you with too much detail, the first few days here have been a blast, living and learning with many friends old and new. I’ve spent most of my days with the Shomrei Adamah group, made up of new Teva educators, who will be working with students who start to arrive in about 12 days. Shomrei Adamah students learn on Isabella Freedman property (trails, etc.); other groups with returning educators spend more time in the field, on offsite overnights, for example.

These first couple weeks are a training and orientation opportunity, in addition to bonding with each other. However, now that I’ve helped get the temporary Teva office set up and gotten oriented to some administrative work for Freedman, I’m starting to transition to spending more time in the Centers’ offices and less time learning with the group. This is not to say, though, that there will be any shortage of time to spend hiking and having fun.