One great joy here was interacting with BYU students. Each term had +80 students (> 2:1 females to males). We met over 400 students during our 18 months. Besides advising the student Hosting & Humanitarian Committees, we joined students for classes, field trips & many other activities.
The Forum. Directly below the auditorium was another large hall. It was built without windows for videos and less formal student events.
Weekly Forums. Local experts lectured on diverse political & cultural views.
Khaled Abu Toameh, a TV/journalist now with the Jerusalem Post, was an Israeli-Arab-Muslim who worked with the PLO and Al Jazeera. He saw both sides of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and famously said: "I'd rather be a 2nd class citizen in Israel than a 1st class citizen in any Arab country."Bernard Sabella was a committed Palestinian Parliament member.
Also, Jan Levine (U.S. Embassy) impressively detailed the U.S. - Israeli relationship, including possible solutions to existing Israeli conflicts.
LDS General Conf. The Forum is darkened to view a large screen.
Informal talent shows. These & other fun activities were held there.
Like this whistling duet by Ann Killian & Charles Wilson (Fall '10).
On 6/9/11, our wives got into the act, with "Waking up is hard to do."
It went so well, they did a reprise with the Fall '11 group on 10/13/11 -- with the new faculty wives.
Dr. Val Chapman came to the rescue in a creative stop-action, fast-motion act. And Thomas Kelly was an amazing rubber/pretzel man!
The Ludlow girls (ages 6 & 8) stole the show -- with help from Koryl. Then little Melia did a solo from The Wizard of Oz: "If I Only Had a Brain."
On 6/9/11, virtually all spring/summer students got onstage for creative acts.
They played Karl Bloch's Nigun -- just like Becky Douglas taught Becca in Atlanta. (Marilyn had also played it with Becky in Laguna Beach.) On 8/20/11, Marilyn also did a Sacrament Mtg. solo: Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing.
The Summer '11 group performed a true variety show, ranging from Ariel Petersen's Rhapsody in Blue to the ukelele boys.
Our HTs even got into the act. Jarom Smith sang On the Street Where You Live. Jarrett Lever sang Lean on Me. [Some later took him literally.]
Sharla also sang, beautifully. Ashley Wilkinson did well on the guitar.
After Joni Johnson's Arabian Nights dance with scarves, all "felt the love."
Another wonderful pianist was Marianne Owen (rt. below, Rachmaninoff's Prelude). Allyson Reeves (behind) was the MC.
Scott Walker & Thomas Kelly reminded me of Master & Commander. Marissa Ludlow (age 10, O Holy Night) had only taken flute for 6 mos.!
Some other excelling soloists included Rivkah Steele (operatic, O Holy Night) and Eliza Sallstrom.
Winter '11 students were very talented. They all had a great time doing a superb program. (See updated Dec. '10 post, Yearend Holidays).
Our last talent show was with the Winter '12 students. On 2/23/12, Marilyn accompanied Rachel Huntsman (age 14) -- singing Sally DeFord's "Miracles."
Dome Theatre. This held over 100. It was used mainly for Church meetings, small assemblies and hosting large tour groups (over 50).
Classes. Students were serious about their studies. Each class was very well taught -- by local non-LDS professors for Hebrew, Arabic and Modern Near East History. And by BYU professors for Ancient Near East History, Field Trips and Old & New Testament. We enjoyed Bible classes most days at 8 am. [See June '11 post, JC Faculty & Families.]
Computer Lab. Also on the 6th floor was a large room with several rows of modern computers.
Adjoining the computer room were several smaller group study rooms
Snack Bar. Beyond those rooms was the student lounge/recreation room -- the "Shekel Shack." It was stocked with treats for sale. Profits were used to provide T-shirts and/or "Memories DVDs" at the end of each term.
Library. This space had modern technology, research resources (7,000 books), individual illuminated carrels, overhead skylights -- and silence!
This Library ante-room had excellent Wi-Fi and was good for studying. We also held all of our Humanitarian Committee organizing meetings there.
Students also enjoyed group study -- and socializing.
They met & interacted with fascinating new friends & colleagues-- both both young and old, American and local.
Humanitarian. This was our main active interface with students. We made hygiene kits, "sang to seniors," painted murals and taught young Arab school kids. [See posts Sept. '10 Outreach & Kits, Oct. '10 Humanits. - Old City, Feb. '11 Princess Basma.] We had some great student committees. On 7/10/11, this one planned our support of two charities' summer camps
Hosting at Concerts. We also oversaw the students' Hosting Committee. Students enjoyed greeting, attending the doors and taking tickets.
Oasis Cafeteria. All JC meals were eaten at the Oasis cafeteria (6th floor) -- also good for parties, games, crafts and other fun activities.
The splendid new wall mosaic added to the serving area's atmosphere.
We often sat at this table -- with the senior couple in charge of food.
Students cemented friendships in many ways -- like singing farewell to Ted & Rae Okiishi the night they left Jerusalem (9/9/10).
July 4th BBQ. Actually celebrated on Fri. 7/8/11, it began in the Forum with a video of the BYU fireworks show. Then came great Oasis food -- 4 kinds of meat, buns & trimmings, fries, salads, drinks and desserts!
We ate on the balcony with Ray & Bobbe Graham (new in the Galilee) and the Ohmans.
Students always enjoyed being together and with the faculty children.
It then became a carnival, with face painting, fishing games, etc.
Everyone had a great time -- especially the children.
Thanksgiving 2011. On 11/24/11, students returned from their 2-week Galilee trip to find a turkey feast. [See Dec. '10 post, Yearend Holidays.] Then they celebrated with their version of a Michael Jackson tune.
They also celebrated Kristine Jolley's 21st birthday with 21 chair lifts. Not to be outdone, Matty Crandall (Anaheim) got 25 lifts on 12/3/11.
Student dorms: Are small and sleep four each in single beds. There is a tiny bathroom but no kitchen -- all meals are eaten in the Oasis.
All rooms (even dorms) have great views!
Gymnasium. There are fine facilities for sports, dancing & other activities.
Local Sports. JC teams played some spirited intramural games. Our Fall '11 men played a top local Palestinian basketball team. The first one on 10/20/11 was a heart stopper. Michael-Sean Covey hit a free throw to go into overtime, 65 to 65 -- but missed the 2nd one to win. Down by 6 points, he next hit two 3-pointers to go into 2nd overtime. As time ran out, he hit another 3-pointer (total of 8 all night) to tie at the end. So they left all even ... and still friends.
Front: Michael-Sean Covey, Andrew Zenger (HT), Izak Rock, Jeff Nuckles. Rear: Jared Ludlow, Jeff Perry, Taylor Crane, Adam Petersen (HT)
Students with the Bentleys. Marilyn used student advisors with her YW. I took students on several District speaking visits. We always had fine monthly Home Teachers [see Sept. '10 post, "Church Service"]. And we both gave a fireside in Galilee (March '11). Some students also reciprocated with us.
These students came to our apartment for cookies & Home Evening on 3/1/11.
We also had "heart attacks" from Winter '11 students on Valentines Day 2/14/11 and from Spring/Summer students on Marilyn's birthday, 5/12/11. Jill Judd baked her a birthday cake; I supplied the ice cream.
On my return from Galilee on Father's Day, 6/18/11, Joni Johnson, Erica Clark, Jenny Montgomery & Katie Buhler brought me cookies. Later, a surprise doorstep "heart attack" yielded an even larger platter.
We really did love these guys -- and it seemed to be mutual.
Student Farewells. At the end of each semester, there was a farewell dinner as we said goodbye to each group that we came to love.
On 8/12/11 the Spring/Summer students left. Fall '11 students started coming on 9/1/11 -- exactly one year after our own arrival.
Fall '11 Students. Due to Fall '11 Hurricane Irene (East Coast) and many plane cancellations, the 82 BYU students came on 9 different flights -- arriving over 5 days (9/1 to 9/5/11). That marathon schedule broke the prior record of 7 arrivals when our own Melissa came. We helped to bring some from the airport -- including Cali McMurtry, arriving all alone from Amsterdam by 3 am on 9/5/11. (That's early!)
Two sets of siblings came -- the Cunningham boys (Carter & Caleb, chair of our Humanitarian Committee) and the Quist girls (Nicole & Danielle -- who had toured the JC the prior summer with their parents).
Mission Calls: During the Fall '11 term, two students received theirs: Jared Ludlow (to Boston MA) and Kristine Jolley (to Croatia).
Our Kitchen. Fall '11 students often enjoyed baking cookies here. Marilyn with Katherine Redd did some for Fri. kit project days -- and several times after that. On Thurs. 12/8/11, Lauren Heyland & 3 roommates (Katie Robison, Elyse Barnes & Andrea Nelson) made cookies for all faculty & senior couples.
Student Departures. We grew close to the Fall '11 group, taking many local field trips plus Turkey and Masada / Dead Sea with them. Leaving on 12/15/11 for a land of snow, they decorated the JC with snowflakes.
Their delicious farewell dinner also had a Christmas motif.
After their evening Memories slide show on 12/15/11, they had a paper "snowball fight." We were glad they stayed to pick up the mess.
This group bonded with all new faculty families and our 3 senior service couples as one big, happy family.
The joy of new friendships was balanced by tearful farewells.
BYU Arabic Students from Jordan. One hour after all Fall '11 students had departed, 52 more and their leaders (Drs. Dilworth Parkinson, Kirk Belnap + wives & others) came to spend a week in Jerusalem after an intensive semester in Amman. They had gained language proficiency & understanding of Arabic culture and history. We gave them a short version of our JC tour, as they did not hold any classes there.
Excess Clothing. When students returned home, they left behind clothing exceeding their weight limit due to Holy Land purchases. We sorted it out & bagged it by size & type -- then donated it to charities, JC workers or needy LDS members living here.
Winter Term '12 Students. Getting 82 students here can be an adventure. It took 9 flights for the Fall '11 group; but only one flight for 82 on 1/4/12. (Bryson Toth, on standby, came the next day.) This time, no luggage was lost.
All assembled to sing Israel, Israel God Is Calling -- accompanied by Richard Elliott, Principal Tabernacle Organist. Just as the sun set over the Old City, the Auditorium curtains were opened. What a way to begin their JC experience!
After orientation session conducted by Kent Jackson (JC Academic Dir.), we organized student walking tours of the JC in 9 groups.
My group included (L-R): Vlade Falk, Alec Park, Maddie McCann, Danielle Crossley, Trav Richardson, Dan Edmunds & Cameron Pappenfuss.
After retrieving their luggage, they all had a welcome dinner. At our table was Claire Larson -- a Lutheran student!
The next morning, we all did a city orientation walk -- also in small groups. [See Jan. '11, Orientation Walks]
In my group were: Letty Wursten, Madison Smith, Janae Davis, Annalise Harker, Boone Parkinson, Jen Farrell, Amy Penn & Tucker Davis.
The sun set again after another splendid day. These were the last students we knew before leaving 3/1/12. They got off to a great start.
They were open and friendly but generally not as loud, as some other groups. We loved them all.
Homecoming. On Easter Sunday, 4/9/12, look who we met after our Sacr. Mtg. -- Piers Tueller & Kelsey Hutchinson -- just married in Feb. '12. They said Stacey Forsyth & Brock Wright, Susie Robison & Lawrence Stubbs and Kelsey McIntyre & Josh Steele had also married -- all from the 2011 Winter Term.
No comments:
Post a Comment