I know I haven't posted in about 15 months, but these were funny enough to post somewhere.

Coming back from seeing hairspray with the List College Freshman class, we were trying to squeeze onto an uptown #1 train (after many of us being stuck on a downtown train for 30 minutes on the way there)...
Ploni (unnamed List student), echoing the conductor: "stand clear of the closing doors..."
"F... that S..."

Later back at Machane Mathilde-aka Camp Ramah in Harlem
"This is going to sound really bad, How do I get my vacuum cleaner to stop blowing and start sucking"

It feels quite wierd right now that this coming week I will not be returning to CHAT, or starting universuity, but spending the best year of my life on Nativ with some of my current and future best friends.
Its hard to say goodbye to Toronto, my home for the past three years (my family, my room, Adath Israel (at least during the week), BEBY (on Shabbat, especially the Hashkama Minyan), Our many delectable Kosher Restaraunts, my ECRUSy and CHAT friends who won't be in Israel, etc.)
However, I can't wait for Israel (Shorter Maariv :), Beit Nativ, מלך הפלאפל, Sumoburger, Dirt Cheap ספרים, Marzipan, Great Synagogue, Yedidya, Yemin Moshe, עברית, the חגים, The Shabbat Siren, Conservative Yeshiva, וכו',!)

Tommorow I go to renew my OHIP (free healthcare), and chill with Jacob and Shosh.  Shabbat morning I will be reading Torah at the BEBY hashkama minyan, and then heading to Adath Israel to hear my  אבא speak!

שבת שלום ולהתראות!

I'm finally home for about 2 weeks before I leave for Israel! Please let me knowe if you want to stop by and say hi!

P. S.: I'm writing this on my new Dell laptop...exciting!
more later.

Well, Tonight was the night. Three years of CHAT, 4 of High School and 13 of Day School have come to an abrupt end. Graduation was actually a pretty cool experience, and did help put things i perspective. While there were some sappy and happy moments, the most surprising and exciting one came whwen during the Israel Scholarship announcement, I found out that I recieved the NCSY Israel Study Award! At first I was shocked, but then I though, "If only they knew...!" Although I've never been to an NCSY event in my life, they are indirectly financing my studies at the conservative yeshiva on Nativ!

And since everyone else is doing it (yeah peer pressure!), I wanted to inform everyone that I will be leaving on Wednesday for 9 wonderful weeks at Ramah Day Camp at Nyack. Please send letters, thoughts, jokes, ectc. to:
Gabe Seed
Ramah Day Camp in Nyack
P.O. Box 807
Nyack, NY 10960

Todah Rabbah Ul'hitraot!

Although I can hardly believe it myself, as of 11:30 AM today, I have unoficially completed high school, with the printing out of my studies in literature exam.  With 36 Credits, I have hopefully achieved an OSSD and a CHAT Diploma!
Mazal Tov class of '06!

First off, Shavuot this year was absolutely insane: From the USY Tikkun at Beth David to my crazy Aseret Hadibrot reading (x2)while exremely sleep deprived tospending the Chag with the Wallachs and Naomi Cooperman to our exclusive USY kiddush at BEBY on Shabbat, it was quite intense. more details if I get a chance.



On to the subject of this post. I was walking into the Adath Israel for Mincha /Maariv about an hour ago as I usually, and I noticed that there was a wedding going on, but I didn't think much of it. However, I was blown away a fraction of a second later when Julie Zucker ran up to me screaming and hugged me, telling me that It was her cousin's wedding. She also informed me that Ima and Abba Goldberg/ Uncle Joel and Auntie Lani were there, and sent my regards! The story doesn't end there though. I walked into the chapel for Minha, and a few minutes later, Ezra and Jeremy Moses's Grandfather Joe and uncle Eldon walked in for a Yahrzeit. And that's the story of how a normal Mincha/Maariv turned into some great Jewish Geography



2 Exams

11 Days until Graduation

17 until Camp!

Between last Saturday night and now, I've had a lot of CHAT (i.e. Graduation trip from after Shabbat thru wednesday, and Prom yesterday), yet surprisingly a lot of fun.  While I've never become so close with our whole grade, a bunch of amazing people made the whole thing worth it and made my CHAT experience much more enjoyable and amazing then it ever could have been.
And now, for a shoet summary of Prom (pictures as well as ones from washington are waiting to be viewed on facebook!):
Just as a preface, I believe that my experience proves that one can have an amazing time without wasting an arm and a leg on a tux,. after prom, hotel, limo and all that shtuyot. just thought that I'd get that out.  So my abba dropped me of at Beth Tzedec a few minutes after 5:30 (the time for our 'cocktail hour'), and the only person in sight was Amanda Goldberg who had just been dropped off as well.  hen we finally found the one door of Beth Tzedec which was open, we went in to find that we were numbers 2 and 3 at the prom, as the only person there to greet us was David Shefer.  The three of us then decded to take a walk around the block, and when we returned others began to arrive.  The limos began to pull up, and I was thankful that I didn't waste all of my money on one when a grp complained that their driver let them off after their 5 minute ride and wouldn't even drive them around a little more.
At around 6:30, we started going inside and had a few orderves, and we soontook our seats.  I was seated next o Amada and Q, but tat soon changed as we squeezed Arielle in on one side since she clearly should have been at our table, and Rebecca would later join me on my other side).  The meal started with Mitch and Kayla as MC's, with the former cracking jokes about how little hebrew he had learned in his 4 years in New stream. This ws followed by a feeble attempt to introduce the theme of candyland.  Mrs, fox then spoke, and trioed to say how amazing we were, and then the chairwoman of the board basicaly said, I hope you'll keep giving us money.  Motzi was said by Rabbi Mandel and the meal began. We enjoyed a d'var torah from Ben singer, and then walked around a bit.  I chilled a little with Tamara before returning for the meal.  The food wasn't bad, though it wasn't Ima's home cooking either.  The slide show and video were shown (with Margel's tech help, of course), folliowed by Birkat led by Mr. Cohen (no, not Mr. Collins as some people though they heard).  i made sureto loudly and proudly add the harachaman for Israel.
We then got a quick minyan together in the hallway led by Bierstone, as the shawls came off and the dancing began.  I availed myself of the attractions in the lobby: a lecture by Bierstone on all the halachot he thought we were breaking, and Q and Ari entertaining themselves wth politics.  At that poiunt, I went in to the dance and tried to have a good time, which worked a bit.  Sometime around dessert, our whole table (with the exception of Ari Fine, who's mom had forced him to go to after prom decided to have our own alternative after party at Margel's house.  This workwed out well, as the ballroom had totally emptied out by around 10:30 since people had to go get changed for after prom.  We (Vardit, Yoelit, Rebecca, Arielle, Margel, Bierstone, Q, Amanada, Emily, Margel and I)  ended up being the last people there, and were thus requsted to take home certerpieces. 
   Vardit's mom drove us to margel, where the real party started.  we basically had some quality chill time for about 1.5 hours.  I found it so bittersweet at how close our group has come, and how we'll miss our lunchtimes (Grade 10: outside the library (after the 2nd floor was closed to eating), Gr. 11: 2nd floor C wing, gr. 12: Outside A107) and just chilling, and of couse, Talmud class for most of the bunch.  What a way to end off the night.
Washington update may come if I have the energy...

A little over an hour ago I completed my last day of high school.  It was very sentimental, despite only coming in Grade 10 and despite CHAT having its flaws, I still feel that my experiences here have made me a wiser and more experienced Jew and Human being.  (and no, I haven't been brainwashed...)
WARNING: This is going to be a bit sappy....
I'd like to thank the following for making my CHAT career what it was...
Minyan: Although I usually davan in a conservative environment without a mechitza, the CHAT minyan has become my second shul, so to speak, and has made me feel more than welcome.  Thank you to Rabbi Sacknovitz, Rabbi Mandel, Daniel (my Co-Gabbai), Joel and Pratzer (05-06 Gabbaim),  and all of the daveners...
Talmud Classes (Grades 10-12): Though we've gone from 21 to 28 to 17, the essence and pupose has remained.  You have been one of my core groups of friends at CHAT (how could rthat not happen spending at least 6 hours a week together).  if there's any class that I had to put as my favourite at CHAT and that I'll miss the most, this is it folks.
Rav Gurvitz:
To be continued (aka Time to pack for Washington..39 Hours...)

For those of you who hjave been on pilgrimage, you probably remember a hilarous video presentation at the Timna copper mines.  Well guess what?
I was watching the Jerusalem Online English news report from Israel, and there happened to be a clip about the Timna copper mines (about 1/2 way through the broadcast) and that a mexican company has decided to invest there and reopen the copper mines.
Maybe copper really is the hero..or It could be for the Israeli economy.

I failed my driving test, for not coming to complete stops at stop signs. I don't know when I'll have time to take it again, but I definitely need to book some more lessons with Imre first. I know it's not the end of the world, but it still sucks. At least shabbat is coming!
"Lo Kala hi lo kala darkenu!"
"Our way is sure not easy"

I had quite a good Yom Tov, which was a lot of fun, despite meaning that my 2 week vacation is coming to a close. :(
Here's some highlights:
- I lead plenty of tefillot over the last few days, inluding musaf sunday throigh tuesday, Wednesday ma'ariv and this afternoon's mincha.  Its such an amazing spiritual feeling to lead tefillot, and especially with the Yom Tov nusach.
-Yesterday, when I returned home from shul, i recieved acceptences from my last 2 Universities: University of Toronto and McGill. Although I already sent in my first deposit to List College, it still feels good that I got into 6 of the 7 schools i applied to.
-The rest of the tefillot over the chag were also enjoyable.  On wednesday, our Chazan Sheni davened, which was much more pleasant than the cantor/choir.  It also meant that we finished davening @ 11:25. Rabbi Schild gave anice sermon as well.
Today, since the cantor was davening and my Abba wasn't speaking, i decided to take a leisurely walk to BEBY (or according to the congregational E-l Maley : בית אמת בית יהודה אנשי אנגלנד Beit Emet Beit Yehuda Anshei England !  I thought I would have to sit alone since everyone else would be in the kids services, but I was plesantly surprised when I saw David Goldberg walk in. I went to sit down with him after Hallel, and found out that he had walked downfrom Thonhill with Uncle Mark, and was having lunch with Cliel. Rabbi Morrison gave an amazing sermon, connecting Yesiat Mitsrayim with the need to call out against the murder going on in Darfur. As e mentiopned from the bimah, there is a rally @ Queen's Park on April 30 at 1 PM. Anyone living near Toronto should consider going Check out this website for more details : http://www.projectequity.org/

That wraps up an intense Pesach holiday. Tommorow brings my first attempt on my G2 road test..wish me luck, although I'm not so sure if I'll pass. In any case, shabbat is coming again.

Shavua Tov..but not for long!

I was browsing at the empress walk Future Shop, looking for potential shidduchim in laptops, while I was on the way to the subway after a doctor's appointment nearby.  When I walked in, I was both pleasantly surprised and startled to hear 'Bo'i' by Idan Raichel playing (you can listen to it on my Myspace @   http://www.myspace.com/gaby_baby ).  Oh man, look how far we've come- it's not even just Matisyahu now!

I just (~10 minutes ago) recieved my first rejection of the 2006 application season, from Yale University.  I was only upset for about 5 seconds, before I realized that I'm still goiung to be at an Ivy League school. List College, here I come in September '07! ---- Tommorow I'll be taking that great public transit trip (Subway/GO bus) down the lakeshore for another crazy intense Shabbat in hamilton, followed by the ECRUSY winterleague finals. Shabbat Shalom L'kulam!

This past weekend, from Friday through this afternoon, was the ECRUSY specialty kinnus. It was pretty intense, despite having fewerr people then last year.  I was also happy that tefillot went well (although shabbat shacharit was long thanks to a rediculously long kriyah.  As well, my sessions also went amazingly, better then I could have thought. Of course, seiing everyone was the highlight..especially our host home with all of the senior guys plus Jonah and Noah, and lots of dead animal at 1 AM!

I got home, was planning on resting, but instead got a few phone calls. The first was from Carleton University, asking how I was doing?  I didn't get enough in edgewise to tell them that I'm not too interested anymore, but it felt good that I have plenty of other options nw, including my first choice of course, List!
The second call was from Jacob Zeliger, saying that his sister Shira had invited the two of us a Koach (Conservative campus organization) program. At first, I hesitated, seeing as I have a bit of work and got no work, but I decided in the end to go.  I think I made the right call, as it was a lot of fun: Here's some highlights:
-Jacob and I arrive, and then it hit me how many people I already knew. Andre Ivory was there, along with David Goldberg, David Grundland, and Ezra Balser, whom I met for the first time.  When we went around and introduced ouselves, Jacob did as first year Schulich Business school, and I did as first year JTS!
-Yad making program: It looked to be a lot of fun, but i justified my not making one in the fact that that I already have 5 from my Bar mItzvah, and I haven't used one since I had trouble going through airport security with one in my Tallit bag.
-Dinner was pretty good, make your own subs. (not meat, but I can survive for one meal!)  It also featured a conversation on how
-Meditation Ma'ariv:  Although meditation has never been my favourite thing, this service beat the one from last year's Spring by a long run, and I enjoyed it a lot.  We followed the entire traditional liturgy, while adding some niggunim, poems and meditations. I feel that it did help me to pray with more kavannah.
I really like this feeling like a university student thing.  It also happened earlier today during our TiKuhn Olam Dare program (during which Josh Goldberg was forced to sing Sharm A Sheikh), when I sat down with the three 'poor university students' (David, Goodman and Lior) and dared people to pay our Tution!

Laila Tov!

I finally got home this afternoon, after a week being away (Heschel Kinnus, Staying at Rabbi Bauman's while my parents were in Mexico). I checked the mail. A letter from JTS about my financial aid status.  That left me still wondering, did I get it in or did I not.  I go to shul for mincha/Maariv, and try to concentrate on davening. Well, God must have been listening.  When I got home there was a message on the answering machine from  Zach Phillips, one of the List Admissions interns, congratulating me on my acceptance and asking me if I had gotten the mailing about accepted students day.  Do you know what I said: "I hate this postal service!"

This leaves me at 4/7

I'm in:
York
Carleton
Maryland
List (JTS/Columbia) !!!

Haven't heard yet:
University of Toronto
Mcgill
Yale (Yeah, right?)

They were both at CHAT today!
The Grad Photos: When I was running around trying to prepare for my history presentation (which didn't end up happening), the photographer randomly was in the Atrium handing out proofs!
Ezra: I had run across the street to get a spoon for my yogurt, when I ran into Ezra Wasser. I mistakenly asked him if he was on his lunch breaking, forgetting that CHAT is in a bubble and the rest of the world is on march break). He then returned to school with me to visit people.
Here's a scan of my Grad Photo proofs-let me know which ones to order.
In other news..David Goldberg and I are having Basar (aka ded animals...mmm) for dinner tommow night, in order to work on the ECRUSY translitereated siddur (I'll post a link soon!)
AND..Heschel's in <48 Hours. It's going to be intense!
( Read more... )
Not bad?Yes. Reasonably priced? No!

Purim @ CHAT beat my wildest expectatios!
I davened P'sukei, and read chapters 9 & 10 of the Megillah (which explains the ttitle of this post).  I thought it went quite well, and I enjoyed being able to read for the first time in 3 years! Both Tamara (The artist formerly known as TK) and Ariel (AGS) were present, along over 200 students and faculty who decided to come to school on their day off.  Along with the teachers came tons of cute little kids and grandkids.  Besides for the enjoyable tefillah and Megillah reading, the best part was the skit that Joel, Ben, Daniel and Amanda put together in honour of Rav Gurvitz.  I feel bad for those there who don't take Talmud, because both Rav and I were falling off out seats in laughter. It made me realize how much I'll miss him at the end of the year and how much I've learned ftom him in the past three years.
In a few minutes we'll be having a rocking seudah with the Bauman, Morrison and Silverman/Smiley famileies..sure to be intense.
Chag Sameach to one and all...and remember, don't drink tooo much :)

I recieved the following email a few minutes ago:

While Itzik's suggestion is nice, I emailed him back saying that I'd rather do Kibbutz for the 2nd half, since I think I'd enjoy it much more (and I don't know anyone doing Kehilla).
I'll see what he says in response.

Nevertheless, this makes me quite happy, and will make my purim even sweeter knowing that my new one will be in Jerusalem with many of my closest friends!

Chag Samech to all!

More later...

---EDIT---
After speaking with Itzik, I'm now officially in the Yeshiva/Kibbutz Track. WooHoo!

Last night was one of the flagship events of the USCJ Canadian region, which usually features a guest speaker, followed by sessions with local rabbis. This year was a lot of fun, because of the presence of a bunch of USY friends, and the keynote speaker, Rabbi David Golinkin, President/Rector of Machon Schechter (the JTS affiliate in Jerusalem), who also happens to be a passionate, yet humorous speaker. After a USY-led Havdalah, Rabbi Golinkin enumerated his list of 7 major challenges facing the Jewish community today (including as I can best recall):
-Who is a Jew?
-בורות (nicely translated as lack of knowledge)
-Lack of Observance
-Klal Yisrael (Or as Schechter would put it, Catholic Israel)
-Medical Ethics
-Technology/Halacha
As a special treat, I got to see Rabbi Vernon Kurtz (President, Mercaz USA, and Past President, Rabbinical Assembly), my host for pre-convention @ IC '04 in Highland Park, IL!
-There was a great SSAUSY representation: 2 Wallachs, Max Marmer, Elliot Rubin, along with former ECRUSYers Leah Weinstein and Aaron Marmer!
-Paul and Barbra Kochberg were also present, Along with Ariel G-S, but Tamara was in Israel (poor her-not really!)
Session I: Bible/Biblical criticism by Rabbi Berman - A pretty thorough review of different options available to reconcile the souce hypothesis with God and Halacha
Session II: Jewish Life on Campus: Rabbis Gorman-Although I hope that I will have some clear answers for my university career regarding Jewish observance because of my strong upbringing, it was still informative to hear from those who have actually gone through the experience.

I would say that it was quite a fun and informative evening, despite unfortunately missing the BEBY Jerry Garcia Night and Julie's birthday party.