Almost a Month!

With the help of Larry and Natalie, I think I may have successfully uploaded my first picture onto my blog...THANK YOU! I'll upload more in the next posts. 


I can't believe almost a month has gone by! Whenever I'm walking outside, I'm always laughing and smiling, because I still can't believe I'm here, I'm SO lucky. I'm sure that the Argentines think I'm crazy (because everyone walks outside with a serious and stern face) but no me importa. 


There were two cool events at Hillel this week. There was a Truco tournament, an Argentine card game (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Truco). I played with my friend Nico, who tried to teach me how to play but I still don't fully understand the game. There are many rules and how they count up/earn points I don't get. Never the less, I had a fun time and I'm going to keep practicing and hopefully before I leave Argentina I'll understand the game and play like a pro. There was also "college day" where high school seniors came to the Hillel house for the first time and spoke with Hillel members about different majors that they could study in university and what each major entails. This was a cool event for me because I got to know people more (what they are studying and why) and I also met a lot of new people. 


Not much is different at the Social Welfare Center. I was told that November is a busy month and I will have a lot of work to do. It's the month where we need to ask the recipients for their information (social security number, passport number, telephone, address...) and they pick up their resources...and there is a lot! I only went to work there on tuesday because wednesday was a holiday (which I'll talk about in a little bit...keep reading!)


At Macabi everything is the same. I had a meeting with Damian, the director of Macabi about what I should be doing, what will happen in the summer, how Macabi functions ect. I think the meeting went well and we both agreed that for now, the best thing for me to do is observe. He told me that because it's the end of the year, people are tired, want to finish the year and are eager for summer to start. He said that in February/March they will start to have meetings and develop programming so he said that would be a good time for me to really start. I guess he's right, and it's true, everywhere I go people are talking about summer. 


Although nothing too exciting happened at work, it has been quite an interesting week in Argentina. Wednesday was a "holiday" declared by the government, because it was national census day and they wanted people to stay home. Government officials went from door to door giving out a census (this happens every 10 years), basically asking questions about economic and living situations (married, single, how many bedrooms, how many bathrooms, how much money do you make...). Someone came to my door and afterwards I felt very Argentine. 


That same day, Nestor Kirchner, the previous President of Argentina and husband of the current president, Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, past away at 60 years old due to heart problems. It's a good thing that Wednesday was a holiday, because when his death was announced, I felt as if everything shut down. The only thing to watch on TV were news alerts about his death, all the flags were lowered, and it was the only thing that people could talk and think about (I talked about it with my Argentine friends). That night there was an honorary ceremony for Nestor in the Plaza de la Intendencia which I attended. There were people from different political parties and people from all over Argentina gathered together to share their last thought/memory of Nestor. People were marching and singing, I'm assuming patriotic songs or songs that were somehow related to Nestor (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F7f43c3RfaY). Many people gave speeches which was followed by a roar of clapping and whistling (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=04J_kOQ_u5E). For me, this was a really cool experience, being an American and witnessing this ceremony, watching people from all colors and backgrounds coming together to mourn. 


Friday, I had the pleasure to speak with Esther, the JSC fellow in Estonia (http://estinestonia.tumblr.com/). It was great comparing notes with her, about our feelings of being lost, confused, not understanding, cultural differences, work, the great food, discovering new places in our cities ect. Friday night I had shabbat dinner at Chabad (I know what you are all thinking...). I had dinner there because a guy from NASA was in town and was giving a lecture about his job and what he's doing in Argentina. He went around the room and asked us (we were about 50 people) if we knew that Argentina has a space program; one person raised their hand. He went around the room and asked us if we knew that Argentina has satellites in space; one person raised their hand. Apparently, the Argentine space program is run in Cordoba and the satellites are launched from here too! Right now he is working with the Argentine government to develop a satellite that will go into space, trying to find new planets and to look for life. Also, together they are building a satellite that will circle the earth to test the ocean, soil and air to find more information about global warming. Did I mention that this guy is an Orthodox Jew that doesn't speak a word of Spanish?! The lecture I thought was quite interesting, and what was even more interesting is that out of the whole group, only one person (who was an astronomer) knew about Argentina's space program! The rabbi and his wife were very nice and welcoming. They are Americans, from Crown Heights and the rabbi is good friends with Rabbi Smoller. 


That's basically the highlights from my week. So excited to start again! 

Mi Tercera Semana

Hello Again! So I was writing another lovely blog post and when I clicked "Publish Post" it got erased. So now I'm trying again...I hope it will get posted...

Another lovely week has passed in la linda city of Córdoba. Last week it was freezing and when I say freezing, it was about 40 degrees, in spring! I have never felt so cold in my life! I don't understand how you guys can live in NY, how do you deal with the cold?! 

I'm starting to get a bit more work than last week but I wouldn't say that "estoy de full" or that I'm super busy. At Hillel I have been working a lot on Alternative Spring Break, when Hillel groups from the U.S. come to Córdoba in March. I've been helping with finding hostels, looking at them to make sure they are adequate, planning recreational activities in the mountains and community service activities with Hillel of Córdoba and the Hillels from the U.S. This has been especially fun for me, because I've read about previous Alternative Spring Break programs and now I'm planning it! Also, I've really enjoyed learning more about Córdoba. I had no idea that just 40 minutes outside the city there is repelling, white water rafting, bungee jumping and more. I'm also translating several documents which is so difficult because Spanish and English are so different, and it's the first time I'm translating long documents. Yesterday I translated for 4 hours and I was so brain dead that I went hope and watched TV in English for 3 hours. But not to worry, now I'm totally refreshed and ready to get back to work but wow, translating is tough! 

This week I wasn't at the social welfare center much. I had a few minor problems with my apartment and unfortunately the only time the handy man could come was during my work time at the social welfare center. I know that they are very eager to teach me the SIC medical online system so I think that will be my main project for next week. The women that I work with in the ropera are adorable. They are always asking me questions about San Diego, they are eager to practice English with me (although many of them only speak a few words) and they always invite me to drink café with them. Tuesdays and wednesdays are the busiest days at the social welfare center because that's when people come to get their resources such as food, clothing, medicine ect. This past tuesday for the little time I was at the social welfare center, something very interesting and eye opening happened to me. A woman that appeared to be around my age came to the ropera to buy clothes. She wanted to buy a pair of jeans for 10 pesos (U$S 2.56) but she said that was too expensive so she didn't buy them. Shortly after, I overheard a conversation that she was having with one of the señoras that works at the ropera. She was explaining how she lives in a villa (a shanty town) and was hit by a car (this is very common in Argentina) and is unable to work because she is injured. This really gave me food for thought, and I thought to myself how lucky I am to have my health, have the ability to work and live in a safe and clean environment. Everyday this woman is battling with life, constantly up against her health, wellbeing and her pursuit to happiness. By living in a villa, this woman is living the poorest, most dangerous and unsanitary living conditions. The other day I didn't go to work because I was waiting for the handy man to fix a few light bulbs and the microwave. I wonder what this woman would think of me if she knew that I missed work for this, and even worse, that I was fretting that these things were not working. I felt a little embarrassed and ashamed of myself, for worrying about something so minor and stupid when everyday she's probably worrying about if she will be able to eat dinner or if she will survive tomorrow. 

Honestly in all the places that I'm working at, I'm the most confused and lost at Macabi, the JCC style center. During the week they have no activities, just meetings which I attend with the roshs', the leaders of the teen movement and the board of Macabi. Saturday is their big day of activities and it's very structured, I have no idea where I fit in and how I can contribute. I've been trying to think outside the box, trying to think of how I can create an environment outside of Macabi so I can get to know the teens. I'm thinking of maybe having a Halloween party or a Thanksgiving dinner at my apartment so I can get to know them and teach them about U.S. customs and culture. But then the question is how do I recruit teens and get the message out that I'm having this event...I am open to any ideas/thoughts/advice…

I'm sure that over time, I will start to feel more comfortable and I will really get into the groove of Macabi. 

Wednesday I attended a Hillel event called "Ciclo de Cine" or "A Series of Movies". The event is open to public and every Wednesday, we watch an Israeli movie and think about how it relates to today’s Jewish identity. At the end of the movie, a professional (usually it's a professor, rabbi or psychologist) analyzes the movie and gives his/her opinions and at the end there is time for questions and answers. It was my second time going and I really enjoyed it. 

I've been trying to figure out how to upload pictures onto my blog so you guys can see what I'm doing and see pictures of Córdoba but I can't figure it out! Can anyone help me please?!?!? Like I said before, I'm so "gila" with technology! 

I'm sure more things have happened during the week but for now I can't remember. I'll write about them in my next blog post...stay tuned for next week! 

My first time blogging...EVER!

Hi everyone. So I decided to make a blog because I think it may be a more fun and interesting way for everyone to read about what I'm doing rather than sending out emails. It's also very much encouraged by previous JSC fellows so I figured I'll try it and see how it goes. Where to start...?


Where in the world am I?!?!?!
 - I'm living in in the city of Córdoba, Argentina, the 2nd largest and most important city in Argentina located about 500 miles north west of the city of Buenos Aires (40 minute flight/ 10 hour car ride). In my opinion, it is the Boston of Argentina, being the hub for university students throughout Latin America. Here in Córdoba (just in the city, not including the province), there are 7 universities, one of them being the famous Universidad Nacional, the oldest, largest and one of the best universities in Latin America. I'm living in the neighborhood of Nueva Córdoba, the neighborhood where most of the students live because it's close to the universities. Everyone that I live by is around my age which is great. There are always people walking around with friends, going to the library, going to drink cafe...basically there are young people everywhere all the time! My neighborhood is also filled with gyms, shopping (lots of shopping), restaurants, coffee shops, bars, nightclubs "boliches" ect. I can walk to anywhere I need to go which is nice. Everyone asks me how Córdoba compares to Buenos Aires and this is my response; How does Boston compare to New York? 


What am I doing here?
   - I feel very privileged to have been given the opportunity through the JDC and BBYO to work within the Jewish community of Córdoba, Argentina. I am working at the Hillel, Social welfare center and the Córdoba JCC style center. As of now, there is not much work to do because I am new here and for now they want me to observe until I get the hang of things and then they will put me to work. I am doing some work though, doing a bit of translating for Hillel and I will help them plan for "Alternative Spring Break", when Hillels from the U.S. come to Córdoba for Spring Break. At the Social Welfare center I am working with bubbies, zaidies and eemas, working in the pharmacy, organizing medicines and organizing clothes for the "ropera", the salvation army style clothing store. Soon they will teach me how to use the SIC system, which is a pharmacy/medical system associated with the Argentine government to ask, distribute, and give medicine to the poor people. This probably won't happen for a while, as the system is complicated and the vocabulary is not easy (medical terms in Spanish, oy vey it's hard enough in English!). At the JCC, for now I'm just observing the activities and what they do. The whole social/programming system is very extensive and complicated, and it doesn't help that all the terms that they use are in Hebrew, and thanks to my wonderful Jewish education, the only Hebrew I know is Shalom, Glida and Kessef (although those are very important words). At some point when I feel comfortable, start to get how things work and when they feel comfortable with me, I will do some programming with teens. 


What are people like here??!?!?!
  - The people here are super nice and seem to be real and down to earth (this was hard for me to find in Buenos Aires). People that live in Córdoba are from all over Argentina and Latin America which is awesome, I NEVER hear English! I love how the city is cosmopolitan but in a Latin way, if that makes any sense. When I tell people that I'm from the United States, they get really excited and tell me, "Oh I want to practice my English with you!" or, "Can you teach me English?!"So basically I'm really liking the people here. The Jewish community here is small and intimate (about 10,000 in the city), and I get the feeling that they do EVERYTHING together aka they go to school together, go on vacation together, do extra curricular activities together ect. I could be wrong, but like I said before I need to observe more to learn more... 


There's not much else for me to say. I have taken a few pictures of the city that I will put up once I figure out how to do that. I am terrible with technology or as we say in Argentina I'm "re gila", so it may take a while...
I'm so excited to be here, to explore Córdoba and learn more about Argentina on a deeper level, work within the community and get to know them, make lifelong friendships, learn lifelong skills, make a difference and more!!!!!!!