Abby Ravski, 25
Jerusalem - Intern & Arts Fall 2010
Hometown: Albany, NY
Fashion Institute of Technology - Advertising and Graphic Design
Jerusalem - Intern & Arts Fall 2010
Hometown: Albany, NY
Fashion Institute of Technology - Advertising and Graphic Design
I chose to participate in WUJS... after my husband and I made a last minute decision
to come to Israel for the year. I was looking for a program that I could learn Hebrew,
advance professionally, and still be able to travel and see the country as this is only
my 2nd time in Israel. It was very important to me that I did not let this year go to
waste professionally. I wanted to keep practicing graphic design, but break my way into
the Jewish work world. I hope to return to the US and do graphics work for a Jewish
organization (anyone want to hire me?). I work at Matan Media doing graphics for
Young Judaea. I am currently creating a Facebook and Google Ad Campaign for Young
Judaea's gap year program, Year Course. In my field, Facebook and online marketing is
very hot right now. Here I am in Jerusalem enhancing my resume and work experience
and after work I can go to the shuk and haggle over a sweet potato. Life is good!
What are the tracks like on WUJS?
It was not my original plan to participate in 2 tracks on WUJS, when I met the Ofra the
art's track teacher I immediately fell in love. With my years of Art History this opportunity
to learn about the history of Jewish and Israeli art sounded amazing. And it is amazing!
The classes and trips we have are well planned, interesting and I find myself sharing
and teaching my family and friends what I learn in my classes. My passion and love for
art was established in college. Now, as I participate in my WUJS art's track classes they
have helped strengthen my Zionist ideas and connection to the State of Israel.
What's one of your favorite moments in Israel?
I loved spending the High Holidays in Jerusalem. One image I will never forget is seeing
a orthodox man on his scooter and kittel (white robe) on his way to Kol Nidre. That's
when it hit me, I'm in Jerusalem, I'm a majority! The silence of the city for all of Yom
Kippur truly enhanced the day, and as soon as the sun went down, and people enjoyed
their food, the streets echoed with hammers and nails as residents built their sukkot.
Where else in the world can you experience this? I am a New Yorker and am used to
being surrounded by Jews, but I have found that there's something in Jerusalem for
everyone. Bars are packed at 3am on Thursdays with 20 somethings. H&M just opened
in the Malka Mall, the restaurants are amazing, affordable,and Kosher! I have found that
no matter what my friend's level of observance is they have found a love for shabbat,
sitting around the table with friends, eating, singing and drinking. What is usually said?
"When in Rome do as the Romans do!"
What's been most challenging?
I thought it was really going to be hard keeping in touch with family and I'd feel 6,000
miles away. Skype has actually kept us closer, being able to see everyone's faces on
Thanksgiving made the day go by much easier. What's even better is when you're in
Israel so many people come to visit! I came to Israel really wanting to learn Hebrew. It's
harder than I thought it would be! Being in Jerusalem everyone speaks English so it's
very hard to practice. I loved our Ulpan program, the teachers are our peers and we play
games and practice our Hebrew for practical situations. It has been a challenge keeping
up with the work, practicing in between class and feeling confident speaking out on the
street.
Tell us about your other world travels:
We had a short Hanukkah break. My husband and I took a trip to Paris. We
don't know a word of French, we passed a clothing store close to the Moulin Rouge.
As we shopped we were nervous because we had questions, but how would be
communicate in our non existent French? I look over and see a Hamsa on the wall,
that's usually a strong clue to speak Hebrew or defiantly NOT to speak Hebrew. I look
closer and he has a "birkat hanoot" (blessing of the store) hung on the wall. Soon
enough we said "Efshar medabear ivrit?" (can we speak hebrew?) His face lit up and
started speaking Hebrew a mile a minute. Soon enough we were saying "le'at le'at"
(slower slower!) He was an Israeli who grew up right outside of Tel Aviv and we know
we made his night! This was not the first time our Hebrew has come in handy in our
travels, now after 3 months of Ulpan I'm actually able to participate in these world wide
encounters! After our year in Israel we are spending the month of June backpacking
across Europe and visiting close to 9 different countries. We're excited to continue to
explore the world and then return to "normal life" back in the states in July.
to come to Israel for the year. I was looking for a program that I could learn Hebrew,
advance professionally, and still be able to travel and see the country as this is only
my 2nd time in Israel. It was very important to me that I did not let this year go to
waste professionally. I wanted to keep practicing graphic design, but break my way into
the Jewish work world. I hope to return to the US and do graphics work for a Jewish
organization (anyone want to hire me?). I work at Matan Media doing graphics for
Young Judaea. I am currently creating a Facebook and Google Ad Campaign for Young
Judaea's gap year program, Year Course. In my field, Facebook and online marketing is
very hot right now. Here I am in Jerusalem enhancing my resume and work experience
and after work I can go to the shuk and haggle over a sweet potato. Life is good!
What are the tracks like on WUJS?
It was not my original plan to participate in 2 tracks on WUJS, when I met the Ofra the
art's track teacher I immediately fell in love. With my years of Art History this opportunity
to learn about the history of Jewish and Israeli art sounded amazing. And it is amazing!
The classes and trips we have are well planned, interesting and I find myself sharing
and teaching my family and friends what I learn in my classes. My passion and love for
art was established in college. Now, as I participate in my WUJS art's track classes they
have helped strengthen my Zionist ideas and connection to the State of Israel.
What's one of your favorite moments in Israel?
I loved spending the High Holidays in Jerusalem. One image I will never forget is seeing
a orthodox man on his scooter and kittel (white robe) on his way to Kol Nidre. That's
when it hit me, I'm in Jerusalem, I'm a majority! The silence of the city for all of Yom
Kippur truly enhanced the day, and as soon as the sun went down, and people enjoyed
their food, the streets echoed with hammers and nails as residents built their sukkot.
Where else in the world can you experience this? I am a New Yorker and am used to
being surrounded by Jews, but I have found that there's something in Jerusalem for
everyone. Bars are packed at 3am on Thursdays with 20 somethings. H&M just opened
in the Malka Mall, the restaurants are amazing, affordable,and Kosher! I have found that
no matter what my friend's level of observance is they have found a love for shabbat,
sitting around the table with friends, eating, singing and drinking. What is usually said?
"When in Rome do as the Romans do!"
What's been most challenging?
I thought it was really going to be hard keeping in touch with family and I'd feel 6,000
miles away. Skype has actually kept us closer, being able to see everyone's faces on
Thanksgiving made the day go by much easier. What's even better is when you're in
Israel so many people come to visit! I came to Israel really wanting to learn Hebrew. It's
harder than I thought it would be! Being in Jerusalem everyone speaks English so it's
very hard to practice. I loved our Ulpan program, the teachers are our peers and we play
games and practice our Hebrew for practical situations. It has been a challenge keeping
up with the work, practicing in between class and feeling confident speaking out on the
street.
Tell us about your other world travels:
We had a short Hanukkah break. My husband and I took a trip to Paris. We
don't know a word of French, we passed a clothing store close to the Moulin Rouge.
As we shopped we were nervous because we had questions, but how would be
communicate in our non existent French? I look over and see a Hamsa on the wall,
that's usually a strong clue to speak Hebrew or defiantly NOT to speak Hebrew. I look
closer and he has a "birkat hanoot" (blessing of the store) hung on the wall. Soon
enough we said "Efshar medabear ivrit?" (can we speak hebrew?) His face lit up and
started speaking Hebrew a mile a minute. Soon enough we were saying "le'at le'at"
(slower slower!) He was an Israeli who grew up right outside of Tel Aviv and we know
we made his night! This was not the first time our Hebrew has come in handy in our
travels, now after 3 months of Ulpan I'm actually able to participate in these world wide
encounters! After our year in Israel we are spending the month of June backpacking
across Europe and visiting close to 9 different countries. We're excited to continue to
explore the world and then return to "normal life" back in the states in July.
Abby just completed the WUJS arts and intern track in February. For
the remainder amount of time in Jerusalem she's studying at the
Conservative Yeshiva and helping out with WUJS marketing and the new
machzor! Want to know more about Abby's time is Israel? Check
out her blog! http://havespousewilltravel.blogspot.com/
