Oh wait, that's Canada....but Scotland is really great, too! All kidding aside, I have had an amazing and very fulfilling couple of weeks as a UJS Development Officer. While I have been running around like crazy, I have enjoyed every minute.
After returning to Leeds, following Yom Kippur, I set out on a little adventure even further north than West Yorkshire, armed with lots of kosher snacks, and a lulav and etrog. Starting in Durham, for the first day of their freshers' fair, I met Emily and Susie who had an amazing set-up. My only qualm was the ridiculously small table that the union had assigned to us! There was way too much good stuff to display: flyers advertising upcoming events, kosher sweets and chocolate, UJS sign-up sheets and their special Shabbat Dinner 3-for-2 offer. Great job :)
From Durham, I jumped on the train and headed to Aberdeen! I was SO excited to finally get to go to Aberdeen. I had been joking with the president, Reuben, about it for a couple of months already... who even goes to Aberdeen?? Turns out, some very cool people. Aberdeen, like many Scottish unis is replete with international students. I met Jews from Canada, the US, Poland, Germany, Israel and even England, to name a few. I was lucky enough to be joined by the Scottish region chaplain, Rabbi Garry Wayland, who knocked together an amazing, makeshift Sukkah. We enjoyed a great barbeque and discussed Sukkot, as part of the UJS Development team's Festival Experience Week. I am really looking forward to getting back to Aberdeen...but maybe I'll fly there next time.
After Aberdeen, I was St. Andrews-bound. It is such a stunningly beautiful city. The president, Amit, explained to me that residents have a bit of a complex - their city is fit, and they know it. St. Andrews is surrounded by the North Sea, with some beautiful beaches (aptly named West Sands, Castle Sands and East Sands...any guesses as to why?) and great history. It is also really into golf! My dad would have enjoyed St. Andrews for different reasons than I did - I loved the sights, he'd have loved the golf! Everything is walking distance and there are golf shops all over the place. I had a great meeting with the J-Soc committee in the evening, and was able to find out what they want and what they need for their society. The main issue facing most smaller and remotely-located campuses is the difficulty in getting kosher food. St. Andrews has a very active J-Soc, despite their limitations. The next day, Amit took me on a little tour of the city and I was able to get some great pictures.
On my way home from St. Andrews, I made a last minute stop in Edinburgh. I am lucky enough to have already visited Edinburgh last year when I was on exchange in Leeds, so it was great to get back. I had a little walk around before meeting some of the committee members.
As much fun as I had on my travels, it was good to get home. Shabbat and Simchat Torah were spent in Leeds at the amazing and newly-renovated Hillel House/Student Centre. On Friday night, I also experimented and made gluten free macaroni and cheese for dinner for my boyfriend and me. I have to say...it was really good!
Next week brings even more travelling - Scotland for the Northern Region Shabbaton, London for a day at the UJIA for the introductory session to Lead Now and Dublin to seek out Jewish students and offer them all the cool opportunities that students in the UK have.
Thoughts on X Factor? I am a BIG Stacey Solomon (from Dagenham) fan. Also, for any of you looking to get into a new television show, I highly recommend "Glee." Emma and I have been making our way through the episodes and loving it (however, credit for this discovery must go to my sister, Alexa!).
As I write this on my way back up to Leeds from London, flanked by a hot-pink setting sun to the west, I want to leave you with a thought: home is where your stuff is. I'm quite far away from my Canadian friends and family, but I have really felt so happy and comfortable in the UK. I am enjoying my job, my house in Leeds, spending time with my boyfriend and friends and the new people I am meeting along the way. This past weekend was Canadian Thanksgiving - for me and my family and friends, it is an opportunity to spend time together, appreciate what we have and be thankful for all the opportunities that we have been given in our lives. I am thankful for a lot of things, and have already written far too much to list them all...
Until next time!
Lots of love,
Elana xo
