Sukkot
is the season of open houses.
The International Christian Embassy in Jerusalem
opened its gates to visitors.
The beautiful gardens
and provided a perfect setting for hundreds of international tourists.
A large sign welcomed visitors to the sukkah at the Beit Hanasi,
the President’s Official residence.
However, many visitors who had passed metal detectors and x-ray machines
were forced to wait outside.
People standing in the blazing sun while the doors to the building were shut
did not feel very welcome and
the cloth-covered barriers made it impossible to leave.
As one man began to collapse, it was too crowded for him to fall down.
The barriers slowed emergency personnel,
but at last they were able to take him inside.
Before the office door was shut, some people got a glimpse of the president.
Finally, reaching the sukkah,
it was full of color and flowers and fruit and vegetables.
Out in the garden,
Science and Technology Minister Daniel Hershkowitz
seemed to be having a good time.
Also many young people
seemed to be enjoying themselves.
For the majority of visitors, the photographs of
President Shimon Peres with former President George Bush and
the Pope were all they would see of him.
In the evening, Mayor Nir Barkat and his wife hosted an open house,
but More Open Houses will have to wait…time for the Jerusalem Parade.