Summer 2010: Jewish Immersion in Italy?
Jul 8th, 2009, 11:57 PM
#21
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As you know the etynology of the word ghetto is from the early 17th cerntury when Jews were in Venice.
Is there a Hillel on your campus?
Have you contated the World Jewish Congress?
Have you contatced ORT to see if you can volunteer work in Italy?
These organizations may be helpful in offering suggestions as to where to live and possibly work.
Is there a Hillel on your campus?
Have you contated the World Jewish Congress?
Have you contatced ORT to see if you can volunteer work in Italy?
These organizations may be helpful in offering suggestions as to where to live and possibly work.
Jul 9th, 2009, 01:26 AM
#22
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You will need health (medical) insurance for Italy. There is no reciprocal agreement between US and Italy, and even if you have a medical cover in US, it may not extend to Italy for more than a temporary tourist stay. This is often a condition for gaining a long-stay visa, whether you'll be working or not, and a sensible precaution in any case, as most medical attention (other than for pure emergencies in A&E), will be payable.
Jul 9th, 2009, 04:03 AM
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Do Italian Jews speak Hebrew? Or Italian? Because at least here they don´t speak Hebrew to each other. If your main goal is to be immersed in a Jewish community and speak Hebrew, shouldn´t you think Israel? I was there just last winter, and noticed that there are still many working kibbutzes that work on different fields. There you would get accomodation and food for free. And you would be surrounded by Hebrew, both spoken and written.
Jul 9th, 2009, 04:11 AM
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Elina where is "here?"
Most Jews, outside of Israel, do not speak Hebrew to one another. Hebrew is the language of the Torah. Most Jews speak the language of the country in which they live and then others may converse in Yiddish. Yiddish has it's origin basically in middle German but is written as a transliteration with Hebrew characters.
Most Jews, outside of Israel, do not speak Hebrew to one another. Hebrew is the language of the Torah. Most Jews speak the language of the country in which they live and then others may converse in Yiddish. Yiddish has it's origin basically in middle German but is written as a transliteration with Hebrew characters.
Jul 9th, 2009, 04:49 AM
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Where is in Finland. I know Hebrew is the language of Torah, but I thought that people around me (in Israel) also spoke Hebrew. Maybe they spoke Yiddish, but it didn´t really sound like it.
Anyway, just because Jews around the world tend to speak the language of the country they live in, I thought that Hannah would find what she is looking for easiest in Israel. For example one kibbutz where we had a great lunch had many young people working there.
Anyway, just because Jews around the world tend to speak the language of the country they live in, I thought that Hannah would find what she is looking for easiest in Israel. For example one kibbutz where we had a great lunch had many young people working there.
Jul 9th, 2009, 05:04 AM
#27
Last year in Antwerp I tried to ask directions of some orhodox Jewish men on the street. They did not speak English and I do not speak Yiddish, and as it turned out to my surprise neither did they, so I tried Hebrew and we ended up having a nice conversation. It seems that Hebrew is the street language among the orthodox there. I was amazed at how much of the language came flooding back to me after not having used it conversationaly for years.
Jul 9th, 2009, 10:53 AM
#29
I disagree that most Jews outside of Israel do not speak Hebrew to one another. For most of my Israeli friends here in L.A., Hebrew is their first language. When they are together, even though some are married to American-born Jews, they speak Hebrew. I don't think they know enough Yiddish to carry on a conversation.
Jul 9th, 2009, 12:45 PM
#30
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Wow, such an outpouring of posts since last night!
The deal with knowing Hebrew tends to be this:
It's the language of the Torah, and hence, the language of the State of Israel. *Because* it's the language of both those things, Jews tend to learn the language to some degree. Some never get past the alphabet, and others are capable of reading philosophic texts in Hebrew.It varies. (At least in the Orthodox world, though, most of us can speak at least passing conversational Hebrew.)
Ex-pats, or children of ex-pats, often grow up with Hebrew as their primary language.
I mentioned that I could speak Hebrew, because if someone knows a little Hebrew and no English, I'll be better able to communicate with them, and that can even help learning Italian. I don't want to be surrounded by Hebrew; I've been to Israel and I love it and it's beautiful... and this is a chance for me to go somewhere else.
Right now, Israel is the only place I've been outside of USA/Canada, and I want to fix that.
wxssxw:Turin is sounding nicer and nicer
I'm about to email the Rabbi there and see if he has any suggestions or can offer nay help. I just wanted to sort of narrow down the field before contacting members of the city. It's true that Jews do help each other, and I'm really hoping that next summer's trip will work out. Everything that you've suggested sounds like it's well worth trying in order to get a wonderful experience for an affordable price.
I know that au pair jobs may be hard to get in the summer, but to find a live-in babysitter to help watch kids in the summer may not be as hard, especially not if the live-in already understands the rules of living a Jewish life and keeps them herself. At least, that's what I'm hoping. That would give me a base, a family, a kitchen and soemthing exciting to do with my day.
A letter of invitation is a good idea. It could make getting the visa for 90 days that much easier. Something to think about. I don't know anyone there YET, though,so we'll see.
Aduchamp1: I've thought very seriously about spending my time in Venice. I hear it's crazy expensive to live,there, though.
I don't actually have a Hillel on my campus, but I will try contacting them anyway. WJC hasn't returned my emails, and I sent the first one a month ago. I'm going to try calling them soon, but I don't know if they will be able to help.
I didn't know about ORT, but a quick google search suggests that they may or may not be able to help and it's well worth a try. Thanks!
Alec: Thanks for the reminder. That's one of the things I figured I'd deal with as stuff got closer, but can't forget....
LAwoman: I don't actually want Hungarian/Romanian citizenship, I think. That sounds like a more complicated way to do things.... It's a good thought though.
To you all: Given that Turin, Venice and Rome seem to be the leaders right now... where would you rather live for three months? Why?
Assuming that I don't manage to find a fmaily's home to share, how much should I expect to pay for rent and other things?
How safe are these cities to walk around alone? At night?
Thanks for everyone's help!!!
The deal with knowing Hebrew tends to be this:
It's the language of the Torah, and hence, the language of the State of Israel. *Because* it's the language of both those things, Jews tend to learn the language to some degree. Some never get past the alphabet, and others are capable of reading philosophic texts in Hebrew.It varies. (At least in the Orthodox world, though, most of us can speak at least passing conversational Hebrew.)
Ex-pats, or children of ex-pats, often grow up with Hebrew as their primary language.
I mentioned that I could speak Hebrew, because if someone knows a little Hebrew and no English, I'll be better able to communicate with them, and that can even help learning Italian. I don't want to be surrounded by Hebrew; I've been to Israel and I love it and it's beautiful... and this is a chance for me to go somewhere else.
Right now, Israel is the only place I've been outside of USA/Canada, and I want to fix that.
wxssxw:Turin is sounding nicer and nicer
I'm about to email the Rabbi there and see if he has any suggestions or can offer nay help. I just wanted to sort of narrow down the field before contacting members of the city. It's true that Jews do help each other, and I'm really hoping that next summer's trip will work out. Everything that you've suggested sounds like it's well worth trying in order to get a wonderful experience for an affordable price. I know that au pair jobs may be hard to get in the summer, but to find a live-in babysitter to help watch kids in the summer may not be as hard, especially not if the live-in already understands the rules of living a Jewish life and keeps them herself. At least, that's what I'm hoping. That would give me a base, a family, a kitchen and soemthing exciting to do with my day.
A letter of invitation is a good idea. It could make getting the visa for 90 days that much easier. Something to think about. I don't know anyone there YET, though,so we'll see.
Aduchamp1: I've thought very seriously about spending my time in Venice. I hear it's crazy expensive to live,there, though.
I don't actually have a Hillel on my campus, but I will try contacting them anyway. WJC hasn't returned my emails, and I sent the first one a month ago. I'm going to try calling them soon, but I don't know if they will be able to help.
I didn't know about ORT, but a quick google search suggests that they may or may not be able to help and it's well worth a try. Thanks!
Alec: Thanks for the reminder. That's one of the things I figured I'd deal with as stuff got closer, but can't forget....
LAwoman: I don't actually want Hungarian/Romanian citizenship, I think. That sounds like a more complicated way to do things.... It's a good thought though.
To you all: Given that Turin, Venice and Rome seem to be the leaders right now... where would you rather live for three months? Why?
Assuming that I don't manage to find a fmaily's home to share, how much should I expect to pay for rent and other things?
How safe are these cities to walk around alone? At night?
Thanks for everyone's help!!!
Jul 9th, 2009, 01:03 PM
#31
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There's a very active Chabad community in the ancient Venice Ghetto. I'd start there. The jewish community in Rome is unfriendly and suspicious of foreigners. I tried to attend shabbat services three times but I was denied entry to the synagogue all the times.
I don't know if you need kosher food all the way but the people there (the Chabadniks in Venice) are very friendly and they can give you all the answers.
I don't know if you need kosher food all the way but the people there (the Chabadniks in Venice) are very friendly and they can give you all the answers.
Jul 9th, 2009, 06:40 PM
#34
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Here is a crazy suggestion. I understand that it is bit odd. Here are two kosher Italian restaurants in New York, maybe they have purveyors in Italy or have connections to the Italain-Jewish community there.
http://www.yelp.com/biz/tevere-84-it...urant-new-york
http://www.vabenenyc.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/tevere-84-it...urant-new-york
http://www.vabenenyc.com/
Jul 9th, 2009, 07:36 PM
#36
In my own experience, in order to attend services in Strasbourg, I needed to bring my passport that was held by security until I left. I Vienna, I wasn't allowed in at all. There is a high level of security conciousness in European Synagogues, and for good reason - it is not a matter of being unfriendly. In the Venice ghetto however, Chabad is there as an outreach organization - that is what they do.
Jul 11th, 2009, 06:51 AM
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"To you all: Given that Turin, Venice and Rome seem to be the leaders right now... where would you rather live for three months? Why?
Assuming that I don't manage to find a family's home to share, how much should I expect to pay for rent and other things?
How safe are these cities to walk around alone? At night?"
----------------
Hi Hannah,
Answering to your question is not really easy actually. First of all it depends on the money you have. Then it depends on where you find your place to live. Costs and conditions could be different between one neighbourhood to another.
As I told you, generally Venice and Rome, if you want to live in downtown are really really expensive. Turin is affordable.
The mayor of people in Venice are turists, a lot. In the centre of Rome you have a mix but still lots of turists. In Turin is different, you have more a mix of everything but more italians. Only that in august is not so crowd.
Unfortunately, baby-sitting is not really so easy to get. Italians don't generally leave their childrens with other people so easily. They prefer relatives, grandparents or friends if they can, so the market is not so opened but anything is impossible. You have to consider that childrens are on holiday between june to september. A lot go away too, vacation, summer programs and so on.
Actually, I think is good living in every city for just 3 months but it's better doing it in downtown. If you live too far from downtown, in Rome, it could be very boring spending a lot of time in transports.
In Venice and Turin, probably you could find places not so far from the centre for a good price.
You should consider also that everything will be more expensive in Venice, then in Rome and then in Turin. Where you have more turists everything is always more expensive.
In normal conditions (so more than 3 months) you could rent a room for 400€ per month in the centre in Turin and probably you almost double the price for the other two cities. But with the help of people living there you could be luckier.
Another interesting thing, you could find the internet sites where people share their apartments. Maybe there are students or people going on holiday renting their apartments just for 3 months. It could be very interesting in this case because you could get a flat for a normal price just for few months. Unfortunately I don't know any of these sites but I'm sure you could find them easily.
Prices and safety depend on the area where you live and so on the money you spend. If you are alone, without a family, it will be very hard for you to afford the centre of Rome or Venice. But check online maybe you could find something.
About the food, it depends on what you eat. Prices are the same than for the rents. If you prepare your food and if you are raisonable probably you can stay between 200 and 300€ per month. Then you add transports, entertainments and so on.
Generally, all the cities are enough safe during the day. Of course, in every place we should always pay attention but they are generally good. At night things could change depending where you go and how much it is late. I personally think it's always better don't walk alone too late if you don't know anything about the place.
Assuming that I don't manage to find a family's home to share, how much should I expect to pay for rent and other things?
How safe are these cities to walk around alone? At night?"
----------------
Hi Hannah,
Answering to your question is not really easy actually. First of all it depends on the money you have. Then it depends on where you find your place to live. Costs and conditions could be different between one neighbourhood to another.
As I told you, generally Venice and Rome, if you want to live in downtown are really really expensive. Turin is affordable.
The mayor of people in Venice are turists, a lot. In the centre of Rome you have a mix but still lots of turists. In Turin is different, you have more a mix of everything but more italians. Only that in august is not so crowd.
Unfortunately, baby-sitting is not really so easy to get. Italians don't generally leave their childrens with other people so easily. They prefer relatives, grandparents or friends if they can, so the market is not so opened but anything is impossible. You have to consider that childrens are on holiday between june to september. A lot go away too, vacation, summer programs and so on.
Actually, I think is good living in every city for just 3 months but it's better doing it in downtown. If you live too far from downtown, in Rome, it could be very boring spending a lot of time in transports.
In Venice and Turin, probably you could find places not so far from the centre for a good price.
You should consider also that everything will be more expensive in Venice, then in Rome and then in Turin. Where you have more turists everything is always more expensive.
In normal conditions (so more than 3 months) you could rent a room for 400€ per month in the centre in Turin and probably you almost double the price for the other two cities. But with the help of people living there you could be luckier.
Another interesting thing, you could find the internet sites where people share their apartments. Maybe there are students or people going on holiday renting their apartments just for 3 months. It could be very interesting in this case because you could get a flat for a normal price just for few months. Unfortunately I don't know any of these sites but I'm sure you could find them easily.
Prices and safety depend on the area where you live and so on the money you spend. If you are alone, without a family, it will be very hard for you to afford the centre of Rome or Venice. But check online maybe you could find something.
About the food, it depends on what you eat. Prices are the same than for the rents. If you prepare your food and if you are raisonable probably you can stay between 200 and 300€ per month. Then you add transports, entertainments and so on.
Generally, all the cities are enough safe during the day. Of course, in every place we should always pay attention but they are generally good. At night things could change depending where you go and how much it is late. I personally think it's always better don't walk alone too late if you don't know anything about the place.
Jul 11th, 2009, 07:37 AM
#38
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Hannah:
Please call Chabad in either NY (Brooklyn) or in Los Angeles.
Chabad has over 1800 locations around the world.
In L.A. Rabbi Boruch Cunin or one of his rabbi sons can help you decide regarding the Italian city that would come closest to your needs. You'll find that they are not only willing, but they are anxious to help...particularly for young people like your self. No, I am decidedly not a Chabadnick, but I have worked with them worldwide many times regarding specific research for my writing projects.
West Coast Chabad, 310-208-7511 (Gayley Avenue in Westwood)
As I said above, specifically ask to talk with the renowned director, Rabbi Boruch Cunin, or one of his sons. Tell the elder Cunin that I recommended you call on this question.
http://www.chabad.org/centers/defaul...adquarters.htm
Chabad Lubavitch World Hqtrs, Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn, 718-774-4000:
http://lubavitch.com/ (the drop-down box will give you information on all 1800 locations worldwide)
Good luck, Hannah...if you wish you can also write me directly [email protected]
Stuart Tower, Los Angeles
Please call Chabad in either NY (Brooklyn) or in Los Angeles.
Chabad has over 1800 locations around the world.
In L.A. Rabbi Boruch Cunin or one of his rabbi sons can help you decide regarding the Italian city that would come closest to your needs. You'll find that they are not only willing, but they are anxious to help...particularly for young people like your self. No, I am decidedly not a Chabadnick, but I have worked with them worldwide many times regarding specific research for my writing projects.
West Coast Chabad, 310-208-7511 (Gayley Avenue in Westwood)
As I said above, specifically ask to talk with the renowned director, Rabbi Boruch Cunin, or one of his sons. Tell the elder Cunin that I recommended you call on this question.
http://www.chabad.org/centers/defaul...adquarters.htm
Chabad Lubavitch World Hqtrs, Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn, 718-774-4000:
http://lubavitch.com/ (the drop-down box will give you information on all 1800 locations worldwide)
Good luck, Hannah...if you wish you can also write me directly [email protected]
Stuart Tower, Los Angeles
Jul 11th, 2009, 07:02 PM
#39
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ellenem: wait, I only need a visa for more than 90 days? I thought that the visa granted me student access to the country for UP to 90 days....
aduchamp1: that's a really interesting suggestion.... If the contacts I'm trying right now fall through, I may try that.
Thanks for the research and thought
wsxxsw: Thanks for the breakdown. So it seems like I'd need about $3000+ USD to make this possible. Luckily, that's how much the Italian government seems to require to let me in, so I'm going to have to have saved that much money anyways
[Oh, plus the money I'd want for a two week trip. Well, anything's possible.]
Knowing that that seems to be a reasonable budget, means that I also have some prices for comparison now. And that's ALWAYS helpful!!!
In terms of night walking, I guess I was just asking if any of them would be significantly safer at night, assuming I live pretty close to the city's center. If one's known for total crime and one's known for friendly drunks, that's going to play a big part in my decision.
Tower: check your email
aduchamp1: that's a really interesting suggestion.... If the contacts I'm trying right now fall through, I may try that.
Thanks for the research and thought
wsxxsw: Thanks for the breakdown. So it seems like I'd need about $3000+ USD to make this possible. Luckily, that's how much the Italian government seems to require to let me in, so I'm going to have to have saved that much money anyways
[Oh, plus the money I'd want for a two week trip. Well, anything's possible.]
Knowing that that seems to be a reasonable budget, means that I also have some prices for comparison now. And that's ALWAYS helpful!!!
In terms of night walking, I guess I was just asking if any of them would be significantly safer at night, assuming I live pretty close to the city's center. If one's known for total crime and one's known for friendly drunks, that's going to play a big part in my decision.
Tower: check your email
Jul 11th, 2009, 07:17 PM
#40
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As others explained earlier, any tourist from the U.S. can stay up to 90 days out of a 180 day period in the European Community countries. To stay more than 90 days, you need a visa. This number doesn't matter if you are a student.
