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The Big Move<br />
Word had been circulating about Givat Ram for weeks: “The Big Move . . . The Big Move is<br />
coming . . . Are you ready for The Big Move?” I began to grow anxious in anticipation of the<br />
ominous-sounding event. Just what would it be like? Would my personal belongings survive?<br />
Would I?<br />
Soon it was a mere week until The Big Move. An orientation meeting was called—my heart<br />
skipped a beat. I knew that OYP orientation meetings heralded events of tremendous import.<br />
The Elef Dorms veritably shook with tension. The meeting only increased anxiety and confusion.<br />
I barely slept those nights preceding The Big Move.<br />
And then it was upon us. Looking back I can recall hysteria, heat, exhaustion, and profound<br />
boredom. The stern, dignified look the Inspector gave me will remain forever burnt into my<br />
memory. I melted before her gaze. And with her “beseder” my heart leapt—I was free of Givat<br />
Ram forever!<br />
As I shlepped my amazingly heavy duffles up to the bus, weaker OYP students lay sprawled along<br />
the path, their baggage beside them. They clawed at my legs, begging for help. Their luggage was<br />
far too heavy. Pretending not to notice, I held my head high and walked onward. I reached the line<br />
of proud but exhausted students who had made it this far. And I waited, and waited. Two hours<br />
later I was on the bus, insulated by tons of baggage.<br />
I recall my first sight of the Mount Scopus campus. Its tower rose over the horizon as the sun<br />
shone off its crown. Others crowded about me as the sea lapped against the hull of our ship.<br />
Deposited at Resnick dorms, I made it to the housing office. There I was all but physically abused<br />
as my roommate and I begged not to be given the room off the bathroom. “I’m allergic to stool<br />
odor,” he shouted. It was to no avail.<br />
We walked, numbed, to our new room and opened the door. We felt at first fear, then<br />
exhileration, then suspense, then worry, anxiety, relief, joy, ecstasy, indignation, anger, rage,<br />
indifference, apathy, satisfaction, resigned existentialist angstless Zen calm. Then we were very<br />
We had survived The Big Move.<br />
Andrew Kaplan
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