Oud 'til ya can't Oud no more!

Tonight we went to a concert of Andalusian Oud, one of the many concerts playing during the Jerusalem Oud Festival. The Oud is a pear-shaped string instrument that is closely related to the Lute. The concert tonight featured four very versatile and virtuosic musicians who each played a variety of cool and unusual instruments, including a medieval guitar, various flutes and recorders, and plenty of hand drums and tambourines of different sizes. The audience was totally into the music and we really enjoyed the eclectic nature of the concert! We definitely plan on going to at least one more concert during the festival.

I (Donna) spent some time in Rehovot this weekend visiting Savta and Saba; and of course returned to Jerusalem with two bags full of food that will last us for at least a month! We spent a rainy, gloomy day (so bizarre!) at the mall in Rehovot, where Savta spoiled me a little bit with some presents of clothing. Thanks to the abrupt shift in climate here in Jerusalem, I felt compelled to get a heavy winter coat which could probably keep me warm even in Boston! It's getting REALLY cold here, though, so I'm grateful to have it.

Last week I auditioned for the Jerusalem English Speaking Theater (JEST). The show is "Patience" by Gilbert and Sullivan, so of course I could not resist, being a huge G&S fan. I'm happy to report that I was cast in a supporting lead role as Lady Angela. The rehearsal period is quite long (only one rehearsal a week for quite some time), seeing as how we start this Wednesday and the show performs in mid-March!

Josh is keeping plenty busy with his schoolwork as usual. On Saturday he chanted from the Torah, reading from the same portion he did on his Bar Mitzvah. He did a marvellous job -- a colleague put it best when he turned around in his seat and said to everyone, "well, the bar has been set!" We are both participating this Friday in an ordination ceremony for the Israeli Rabbinical students (we'll be singing with the choir.) The ceremony is at the same time as the Gay Pride Parade that has faced such serious threats from the Orthodox community here. We hope that everyone will be able to march in peace and that nobody will be hurt. It is a shame that there should be such intolerance here in this holy city...

Our best to everyone back home! xoxo