It looks like I’m not going to say much about Spring Break, given that some time has passed and I really need to spend a lot more time with my friend Jehu. I’ll say simply that it was probably my best Spring Break when I didn’t leave home. Admittedly, it feels weird to call wherever I am “home,” but I wasn’t off in some strange land without my wife and kids, so let’s call it home. We had a wonderful time with a group of students who drove forever to see us. We saw where JFK was shot, visited DTS, had a “work day” (and barbecue), played games, and read the Gospel accounts through Passion Week. 
We also watched Ushpizin. It’s possible that you have never heard of this because it is an Israeli movie (and in Hebrew). But I checked at two Blockbusters and they both had it available for rent, which means that somebody is watching it. The story is about a religious couple in Jerusalem who is celebrating Sukkot (Tabernacles) when a couple of guests (ushpizin) show up. I liked the movie because 1) it is so very Israeli; 2) it has so much Jewish culture, especially if you know a little about Sukkot; 3) the characters are interesting; 4) the storyline is not the same old Hollywood storyline; 5) it covered the range of emotions; 6) it was good to hear Hebrew again.
If you’ve been to IBEX for a semester, you’ll enjoy it. If you’ve been in the fall semester, you’ll like it even more (if you forgot what a pitam is, read this). Even if these don’t apply, you might like watching something different than standard Hollywood fare.
thanx for the recommendation. I assume it’s subtitled? Even though i took Modern Hebrew whilst at IBEX…I’m pretty sure I couldn’t get pass ‘Shalom’ and a few other advanced words.
:)
never mind…I got my answer at Amazon…for all others wondering, yes English subtitles.
Yes, good movie!
I don’t think I could watch it unless I get a 1-10 rating INCLUDING A DECIMAL POINT!!
P.S. it was our best spring break ever to TEXAS!!
I’m sitting here with the flu mentally unable to get any John questions done, so I tried your recommendation and found it on Netflix movies on demand. Heather and I both enjoyed it! Reminded us of Israel. I also thought of Proverbs 25:17.
My hebrew teacher suggested Ushpizin to our class last fall. It was a great film! Invoked lots of memories of FA ’99 :)
Thanks Todd. Have this one at home right now, but just have not sat down to watch it yet. Israel has pushed out some great films and they even had one up for an Oscar (Beufort??? Dealing with the pullout from Lebanon).
Thanks for reminding me to watch this.
If you get a chance, watch “The Kite Runner” … somewhat sentimental look at the Afghanistan situation.
James’ Journey to Jerusalem is another good one! Social commentary on undocumented African workers in Israel and somewhat comedic. Fascinating. Nothing like trying to work on a dissertation to give you a burning desire to watch foreign films! Can’t. . .stop. . .reading. . .