I sit here with a bowl Middle-Eastern flavoured chicken soup in one hand (yes a bit under the weather), a MacBook in the other, and reflect on the spectacular few weeks that have just passed.

August has recently ended, which means I have just turned 28. For the first time in my life I am indifferent to becoming another year older, even slightly enthusiastic. If one’s age is indicative of how they feel, then I have never felt younger ☺

Jerusalem continues to shine through August – September, full of events where guests can enjoy the mostly improved weather that has come about.  As the clock ticks, the highly anticipated chagim (Jewish festivals) are just around the corner, and I have chosen to stay in Israel this year for the duration.

I pack up my apartment in Jerusalem as I figure out the remainder of my time here (even if it means commuting). Who am I kidding?! Tel Aviv is always a good idea!

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OurCrowd

It has been busy at OurCrowd despite the fact that August tends to be a month where most people are on holidays. We hosted two great events, one in Tel Aviv and one in Jerusalem, where we were enlightened about the powerful software behind the Iron Dome. We also heard from an OurCrowd General Partner about ‘Seed Funding’ in Israel. Did you know that whilst last year VC fund investment hit a new high, only 5% was invested in Seed Funds?

Lots of visitors come through the office, even some friends of mine from home. It is always fun showing people through OurCrowd, you can never predict their response. I am now deep into my own projects, with new initiatives on the horizon.

In parallel, I had been busy planning an exciting event back home (literally). Sadly, I had to postpone it (good news for my peeps). I’ll definitely reignite the flame soon, as there has been so much interest in Melbourne in regards to OurCrowd and how to join the party!

Speaking of party, I was sitting at my desk one afternoon and a work mate said to me, “Amanda, aren’t you coming to the Brit Milla (circumcision)?” I must have missed the memo.  I spring up and an hour later find myself in Beit Shemesh at a lovely celebration of the birth of a friend from work’s newborn son. An abundance of food and a superfluity of interesting characters filled the room. I expected nothing less at a celebration in Israel.

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A night in the desert

In the thick of the wedding season, I am invited to a wedding in the desert near Masada. The location – Kfar Hanokdim. I bused to Be’er Sheva to meet my friend, then catch a taxi into the heat of the desert at 6:30pm, right in time for sunset.  If you haven’t been to an Israeli wedding, it’s a must! At a typical Israel wedding you enter to a selection of hor d’oeuvres (appetizers). This time we are eating delicious mini-schwarmas, tuna sashimi cones and a plethora of Israeli salads in the desert while sipping mojitos. Pretty cool!

Under the nearly full moon, a French-Israeli friend married a gorgeous Israeli girl. It was so powerful to see the Rabbi pull out a guitar and start singing during chuppah (ceremony). We danced to an array of tunes in numerous languages until the sunrise like no one was watching. The sleeping situation was rather unique too, with huge tents and mattresses set up. However, the sound of camels in the early morning did not let me sleep a wink! Oh well…

Birthday celebrations

Being in Israel for my birthday, I couldn’t resist planning a special day with my two best friends from home. As I tell everyone we meet, how many friends do you have since birth?

The three musketeers (and previous Think BIG team) spoil ourselves to a night at the Cramim hotel. ‘Spectacular’ wouldn’t do this hotel justice. Overlooking the breathtaking Judean Hills, this relatively new hotel boasts class and charm.

We meet together for the first time in months and eat at a local Arabic favourite call Neora in Abu Gosh (the town is famous for its humus). Our table is filled with falafel and nearly 20 salads and we had no room in our stomachs for even half of it. The lights dim and out comes a giant sparkler with the funniest ‘Happy Birthday’ tune I have heard yet! Going back to the room I am enveloped with presents from my friends and sweet family. Totally unexpected.

Waking up to the unspoiled views, on our morning stroll we find ourselves in someone’s garden. We leave with a hand-full of fresh gapes as a ‘take-home present’. We relax by the pool in the afternoon, soak in the sun and have some much needed ‘girl time’.

Returning to Jerusalem for sunset, I take my friends to my favourite rooftop, which is the top of the Mamilla hotel. It’s now night-time and we finally arrive at the much anticipated Machaneyuda! We were dancing on tables, banging plates, running around the preparation area with the chefs, and eating the most mouth-watering food I have yet sampled in Israel. For my cake, they roll out an entire roll of silver-foil and fill it with the most scrumptious selection of deserts. Of course my friends smash my face with cream and we end up having a dessert fight!The night was so unforgettable and the love I received on my birthday was truly overwhelming. I have only pure gratitude.

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Spicing up Shabbat

Being in a country without my family means that each Shabbat I have to find my own way. I mix it up from one week to the next. No matter where I am it seems to always be memorable.

First Shabbat is in Tel Aviv. We attend a White City Shabbat – which started off in a synagogue (they say that when Ben Gurion was alive this was his chosen ‘synagogue’). I then join a nice prayer service and a dinner with expats and Olim (Jews who have moved to Israel from around the world). I spend the weekend visiting the beautiful Michmoret beach and hang out with my friends feeling ever so local!

The next Shabbat was spent in Jaffa (Yafo), an ancient port city where and one of the first settlements in Tel Aviv. I went for a pre-Shabbat dip in the beach and make a peaceful dinner in the old city of Jaffa with paper bag candles and lots of red wine. Lunch was in Jerusalem with a bunch of Aussie friends. We ended the Shabbat chilling out at Gan Sacher with the hippies of the town.

The last began with an ‘Indian Summer Fashion’ style Shabbat dinner, both cultured and colourful. A banquet of locally sourced Indian food under the banner of EatWith, a new concept I was unfamiliar with. In short, it’s a global community that lets you enjoy authentic and intimate dining experiences in people’s homes. My friend hosted this one and welcomed a mixed crowd of people of different ages and ethnicities into his home. I have the honour of doing the ha’moitze (prayer for the bread). Instead of challah, we had naan bread as a suitable substitute.

I end Shabbat with a beautiful session at the Kotel (wailing wall) with dear friends from home. As Michael Ronnen Safdie so eloquently put it in his book, The Western Wall, “this place is the site of a huge reunion, it is a reunion with their history, and their past, even with their dead, And, with all reunions, many of them are personal”. It is a mystical city of, “God Seekers, hope seekers, peace seekers”. I am given a branch of mint, as it is customary to be sniff spices at the conclusion of the shabbat. Why? When the spiritual Sabbath leaves and another work-week arrives, it is necessary to resuscitate ourselves by smelling a pleasant fragrance.

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Magic in Cesaria

It’s now Sunday and my week begins with the most gorgeous chuppah facing the ocean for the wedding of two friends from home. It was Australia meets South Africa meets Israel this time. The Rabbi Menachem Wolf (from Spiritgrow a synagogue in Melbourne) stole the show with humour, equanimity and meaning. It was a ceremony to remember and a beautiful night on the water.

It’s now Sunday and my week begins with the most gorgeous chuppah facing the ocean for the wedding of two friends from home. It was Australia meets South Africa meets Israel this time. The Rabbi Menachem Wolf (from Spiritgrow a synagogue in Melbourne) stole the show with humour, equanimity and meaning. It was a ceremony to remember and a beautiful night on the water.

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AJJ’s Tips of the Week

• Hottest restaurant of the week: Kadosh café: Established in 1967, This Middle-Eastern family own restaurant has a real Eastern European vibe. Hands down – the best breakfast I have had in Jerusalem
• Funniest interaction:  Amongst my bag of Jewish goodies for my birthday was a Hologram of a Rabbi. When I asked my friends who this this, they honestly had no idea!
• New discovery: Have you heard of a Gazoz? Internationally it is known special lemonade like soda drink. I tried my first Gazoz with a twist at a hidden treasure, Levinsky 41 in South Tel Aviv. It’s more like a special potion, and if you want to feel a natural high, go there!
• Coolest Bar: The summer bar at the American Colony Hotel in East Jerusalem. Had a thought-provoking night with some friends there
• Startup to be on the lookout: Pickcha – met these enthusatic guys who have just completed their accelerator program. They have developed a startup whereby handling a real photo that is developed on the spot straight from their own mobile phones. All through a QR code!

Shanah Tovah (Happy New Year) from Israel. May your New Year be as sweet as honey. While every year I bring the most creative version of apple and honey to my workplace, this year at OurCrowd they bring it to me.

AJJ xx