NB - This was a blog entry written over a few days from Friday, November 20th to Tuesday, November 24th.

In keeping with my vow to Emma to blog more regularly, I bring you another blog entry!

As per usual, I have been very busy over the past 2 weeks...(more like 3.5 weeks at this point)

I got to spend two relaxing weekends in a row with my boyfriend and his family! Going there is like going home for me, so it was nice to have some R&R. I also spent a bit of time in Leeds, having meetings and making a lot of phone calls and travel plans.

On November 15th, many J-Socs participated in Mitzvah Day, a worldwide social action initiative. It was great to hear about J-Socs across the UK giving their time to communities, both Jewish and at-large.  From cleaning up cemeteries to collecting food donations in front of supermarkets, Jewish students found all sorts of ways to give back. Kol haKavod!

I spent November 16th in London at the office, working on various sessions for the upcoming UJS Summit, a training weekend for newly elected large J-Soc committees. That evening, I attended my first Lead Now session on Social Action. It was a talk given by 3 panelists from newly formed Jewish charities who are based in the Social Action Hub. We heard from Laura from Mitzvah Day, Sarah from RenéCassin and Matty from Jewish Volunteer Network. It was a very interesting session that offered us a lot of information and possible opportunities for internships throughout the year.

On November 17th, I flew up to Edinburgh to support Ben and his activists in their efforts to defeat an Israel boycott motion submitted to the Edinburgh University Students Association AGM. It was a lengthy and wide-ranging motion that essentially called for an academic boycott, as well as a boycott of all Israeli goods. There were four students, both Jewish and not, who spoke very well against this motion, from a range of perspectives. A Labour student, an Israeli student, a Politics student and a UK Jewish student each gave various reasons as to why the boycott was racist, intimidating and counter-productive to the peace process. The boycott was resoundingly defeated by Edinburgh students, of whom 80% voted against boycotting Israel.

The next day, I was privileged enough to attend one of Edinburgh J-Soc’s legendary Bagel Brunches. I met some more cool students (so many internationals) and watched people eat bagels (weirdo Celiac).

After Edinburgh, I was Glasgow-bound. The train is so fast to Glasgow Queen Street! Under an hour and you’re there. The lovely Adina came to meet me at the station and escorted me to my hotel. Up several hills. In the pouring rain. But who’s complaining? I met with the J-Soc committee that night and got to see newly-elected president Maurice in action at ‘Jewsdays.’ It was great to see the committee planning the end of their term. They have a great Hanukkah party coming up at the end of November and lots of cool things planned for next semester.
Did I mention that it rains a lot in Glasgow? On November 19th, I gave a lunch and learn on ‘Women in Judaism’ in the Chaplaincy building. I had an ‘Anytime’ ticket (meaning I can travel at any time during the day, as long as it’s on the date of my booking) so I wanted to get out of there quickly. I raced to the station to try and make a 2:40 train...which was 35 minutes late because of flooding. I ended up getting home after about 6 hours of delayed trains and not moving very quickly.I also learned that Carlisle is not in Scotland.
Fun Elana Fact: I have a Google Maps application on my BlackBerry, which I use to track my location when I travel. It's fun and cool!

As much fun as I had in Scotland, it was nice to come back to Leeds. Friday was spent working and catching up on emails and phone calls. Emma was also up in Leeds for the weekend to attend the J-Soc elections and the Leeds Hillel Student Centre official opening, so it was lovely seeing her. I had a great weekend spent with Alan and my friends...and did a bit of work as well. On Sunday, November 22nd, Sheffield J-Soc officially opened their newly renovated Hillel House. The event was attended by the University Vice-Chancellor, who introduced himself to me as 'Keith.' So nice and down-to-earth! It was well run, well attended and a great event all around.Good job to Mike and the J-Soc committee for all their hard work.

I did mean to post this blog last Friday, but Shabbat comes in SO EARLY these days. I am currently in Durham, after a great event put on by the J-Soc; a Sushi Speaker Social with sushi schlepped all the way from London with renown Rabbi Akiva Tatz, who gave a talk on medical ethics. Today I am going to York to meet with the J-Soc and then back to Leeds! Not as much travel over the next two weeks, compared to the past two months, but I'll still be busy.

Things I am looking forward to:

Chair Election Roadshow results and after-party in Leeds
UJS Summit in the West Midlands

HOME in less than two weeks!! (Well, it's actually more like 6 days, now...)

It's still hard to believe how quickly time has flown by - I can't believe it's already almost December (it was almost December in late November; now, it's December). So far it has been amazing and busy and fun and cool, but I am so ready for two weeks of down time at home. Well, 'down time' used loosely, because I know I'll be really busy seeing friends and family and shopping and eating a lot of food.

Since this blog was written over a few days and I have been a few places, it might be a bit confusing...but I am currently in Leeds, packing for home, prepping for the Chair Election Roadshow afterparty and getting ready for Summmit this weekend! My session has been written and I have ordered 12 hula hoops from Plymouth (thanks to all who contributed to my Facebook status about my desperate need for hula hoops...not the snack, the waist-twirling kind).

Apologies for the lengthy post - congratulations if you've made it this far. Alexa, if you're reading this, stop wearing my clothes.

Big hugs and kisses.

I remain your UJS Northern Development Officer,
Elana xxo