What an opportunity!!! Only a handful of people on earth can say that they spent part of their evening last night with a head of state, more specifically the Prime Minister of Israel, Ehud Olmert. I had known for about 2 weeks that this night would come and that I had been asked to attend the Prime Minister’s Sukkah at his house in Jerusalem on behalf MASA and Oranim to showcase the volunteer program I am currently doing, Israel Service Corps. It was such an honor that I never would have expected. After seeing Prime Minister Olmert take over the position in January after former PM Sharon’s stroke, I never in a million years would have guessed that later that same year I would be invited to his house and have such a great opportunity to speak with him. I had been asked to prepare a 3-5 minute speech telling about myself and about ISC. I was very eager to give the speech in front of such a crowd. For the Sukkah, 50 people had been invited to join the PM, new Immigrants from Russia, Brazil, Mexico, Turkey, Finland, England, Ethiopia, and the US and volunteers from, England, the Netherlands, Mexico, Canada, the US, and South Africa.

So the time had come when the taxi coming from Ramla with my roommate Liza, who was to join me at the Prime Minister’s house, had come to pick me up in Jerusalem where I had been staying for Sukkot. It was 3:45 and we had to be at the PM’s house at 4:15 to meet first with a representative from MASA, Revital Cohen, who was joining us for the event. We got there a few minutes early which was fine because there was so much security between the spot where the taxi dropped us off and the few hundred feet where we waited to enter the PM’s house that it was nice not to be rushed. After passing through the security entrance we were led into the PM’s back yard where there were snacks and refreshments and all of the guests were waiting to be ushered into a large Sukkah that was built abutting his house. I was just hoping one of my friends would call so I could tell them I had no time to speak because I was hanging out the PM’s house.

After entering the Sukkah we spent a few minutes moving around being told where to sit, and eventually I ended up sitting in the front row about 6 feet directly across from where the evening’s hosts would sitting. Liza and Revital unfortunately were sitting off to the side near the entrance to the PM’s house. I sat there patiently for a few minutes speaking with the 2 volunteers on either side of me, when Liza had got my attention and wanted to say something to me so I got up and walked over to her. After speaking with her for a moment I heard some commotion and rushed to get back to my seat only to realize the PM had just entered the Sukkah and I was walking right along side him on my way back to my seat. After a loud applause he sat down with his guests, Jewish Agency Chairman Zeev Bielski, Ministry of Absorption Director General Erez Halfon, and one of the PM’s spokesman. After thanking the crowd for coming and saying a few words (in Hebrew so I only nodded like I understood everything but really I understood almost nothing) PM Olmert asked the crowd to introduce themselves, stating there name, where they were from, how long they had been here if they were new immigrants, or which program they were representing if they were volunteers. After the introductions and a few more words from our hosts they began calling up people who were to speak about there program or about there experience making Aliyah. Unfortunately (for me) after a few inspirational speeches the PM’s rep signaled that they were out of time and that some people would not get a chance to speak. I was disappointed that I didn’t get a chance to thank them for inviting me and all of the work they have done for Israel and the Jewish people, but I was still happy that I got to attend. Now I just hoped that we could get a picture with the PM.

Just as I thought it was over, PM Olmert stood up and said he would pose for a few pictures. I was very excited but how can I get in a good picture with him when everyone in the room is going to rush to his side. Well, it was much easier than I had thought. He stood up from his seat in front of all of us and he sat down in the seat directly to my left. After realizing that he was talking the girl who was sitting there’s seat, he told her to sit down and that we could all fit. So he budged over with half a cheek on her seat and the other half on mine. WOW! Talk about up close and personal with the PM, he was sitting right next to me and it was like sitting 4 people squished in the back seat of a car. After politely asking him to look at Liza’s camera which she was snapping a photo of us, we sat there for about 3-4 minutes and everyone tried to get in the picture with us and at least 5 professional photographers where also taking as many pictures as time would allow. After his security staff indicated that it was time for the PM to leave he still walked out slowly allowing for as many pictures as possible to be taken. As he left the Sukkah he yelled to everyone “Todah Raba” and “Chag Sameach” (thank you very much and Happy Holiday) It seemed as though he as really enjoying himself the whole time, it must have been a very nice break from his usual daily routine. I have to thank him for allowing me to attend, MASA for picking ISC to represent them, and Momo for choosing me to go.

So what did you do last night?

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