Hurva…No Longer

When Jordan attacked Jerusalem during the War of Independence and captured the Old City in 1948, the Jordanian Legion destroyed many synagogues, including the largest one in the Jewish Quarter.

In 1967, the Jewish Quarter came under Israeli control. In 1977, an arch was built to remember the Hurva or the Ruined Synagogue, on the spot where synagogues have been successively built and destroyed since the second century.

September 2009

                 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After years of delay and debate, a week before the March 15, 2010 dedication date, the construction was nearing completion, but there was still plenty of work left to do.

 

However, as the sun was setting on March 14, 2010,

 the synagogue was ready.

 Torah scrolls were brought up from the Kotel, the Western Wall, under a chupah, a special canopy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hundreds of men danced in front of the procession.

Thousands of people along the route sang, clapped and took photos.

 

 

A huge crowd filled the central square of the  Jewish Quarter as people enjoyed the live music.

The restored synagogue will not be exactly the same, however,

as this time the building is air conditioned.

The official dedication ceremony marks an historical end and a new beginning;

may this site become a place of prayer and study and see no more destruction.

What a Difference a Day Makes!

At first it seemed that no one even noticed,

 United States Vice-President Joe Biden was visiting  Jerusalem.

There is a difference when you are not number one,

but only number two.

As Vice-President Biden was to arrive, it was quiet around the Citadel Hotel.

 Biden arrived for breakfast at Beit HaNasi, the President’s Residence, 

on the first day of his visit. 

No United States flag was flying to greet a Vice-President. 

The temperature was already rising, 

the dirty air was not good for clear photos.

There were no paparazzi around Beit HaNasi,

  just a few big vans, some red police tape and one ambulance.

Security was very light, a real contrast to the bus blocking this intersection

and many streets being closed for hours before President Bush’s visit. 

At least the US Vice-President rated a security helicopter circling overhead

when he was arriving and leaving from meetings.

No complaints were heard from the residents of Jerusalem,

who were able to get around both by car and on foot. 

Unless you were stuck in traffic when his entourage was on the move,

you would not have known that Joe Biden was here.

Then, an announcement about new housing plans in the northern

Jerusalem neighborhood of  Ramat Shlomo 

and reports of his visit made headlines around the world.

           

A little perspective on housing:

to get anything built in Jerusalem takes time, a lot of time.

Something as simple as the addition of a small porch,

that all the neighbors agree on, can take ten years to be done legally.

One of Jerusalem’s biggest problems is the lack of housing,

especially affordable housing.

After the Safdie Plan failed to pass due to environmental concerns

there simply are not enough places for the people to live.

The real shame is that media coverage and world’s outrage

at this badly-timed announcement seems to have left no time

and space to cover the really disturbing news

of the massacres going on in Nigeria,

including  the slaughter of many young children…

When Vice-President Joe Biden left for Tel Aviv today,

the entire world was aware of his every move.

What a difference one day makes in Jerusalem!

This is Apartheid?

 Israel Apartheid Week is reported to be growing on college campuses;

its participants must  have never spent any time in Jerusalem.

Arab families often visit Gan Sacher and other Jerusalem parks.

 This is apartheid?

"Arab women", "Palestinian women"

 Hospitals are fully integrated; staff, patients, and visitors.

This is apartheid?

"Arab women", "Palestinian women"

 Shopping malls are open to all customers.

"Arab women", "picture Arab women" "Palestinian women"

These ladies hailed a taxi on King George Street

after a successful shopping day at Ben Yehudah Mall.

"arab women" , "Female shopper", "Palestinian woman"

Arab women shop on Jaffa Street on a regular basis, 

often shopping alone.

This is apartheid?

"arab women", "Israel abusing rights"

 Arab women walk freely in old neighborhoods, 

and in new areas. This is apartheid?

"arab woman and child","Palestinian boy".

However, with small children in hand,

women may not be able to move around quite so easily.

It is not simple for anyone to get a driver’s license in Jerusalem,

but the option is available to all.

  Arab girls wait to ride on a regular public city bus. 

"Palestinian family", "Israeli occupation",

As the world media focused on stone throwers,

this family was walking in nearby Baka. 

There are fewer photos of Arab men,

"arab man", Palesinian man", "Israeli oppresion"

 because unless they are with women dressed in traditional clothes

it is often hard to pick them out in a crowd. 

"racism in Israel", "racist Israel"

Yes there are serious problems, but

no legislation exists that discriminates against blacks.

Holy sites are open to people of all faiths.

"Palestinian woman", "abuse in Israel"

Democratically elected Arab members in the Knesset speak,

vote and can propose laws.

Jerusalem may have plenty of problems,

but this is not apartheid.