Shabbat Shalom – Our Heritage is to Live

Another end of February approaches, not much has changed.

However, those little kitah aleph students are Bar and Bat Mitzvah age.

Last week began with a big disappointment,

as the predicted and much-hyped snow never happened.

It is a shame as Jerusalem in the snow makes for great pictures

Jerusalem street in the rain, man sleeping on sidewalk

while the hard rains do not make for pretty scenes.

But when the sun came out, there were puddles of water and birds, 

Anemones. red flowers in Jerusalem

 green grasses and red anemones. 

In 2000, Herman Wouk published a book titled,

“The Will to Live On, This is our Heritage.”

I thought of it not only for the weather conditions,

but also for the stormy situation in the Middle East and around the world.

In Israel there is no official Mother’s Day or Father’s Day.

children sitting and singing

 Family Day is celebrated on Rosh Chodesh Adar, the first day of Adar.

At one Family Day celebration children sang and danced,

parents sitting with chlidren

while the big people got to sit on little chairs 

grandmother and child light candles

and help light the candles at a Shabbat party.

Shabbat candles, Shabat candles, Shabat party in school

It is these lights of Jewish heritage and values that burn in Israel.

children singing in classroom

Songs of a Shabbat shalom, a peaceful sabbath…

not of war or hate.

“This is our heritage” as Wouk said, “the will to live on.”

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if these children had peaceful neighbors?

13 thoughts on “Shabbat Shalom – Our Heritage is to Live

  • February 28, 2012 at 2:01 pm
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    love your photos, thanx! keep up the great work!

    Reply
  • February 28, 2012 at 3:15 pm
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    Sharon,
    As always, you capture things we really don’t see or know about in the US. I only recently learned about Parents’ Day in Israel! And I like your Herman Wouk quote tying the message together!
    It was nice bumping into you at the OU Center recently! I can’t wait to see your Purim pictures!
    Gilla

    Reply
  • February 28, 2012 at 4:15 pm
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    Fabulous photos, love recognizing people I know 🙂

    Reply
  • February 28, 2012 at 7:37 pm
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    Just beautiful!

    Reply
  • February 29, 2012 at 2:36 am
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    Need I say that this just might be my favorite post of yours yet? The beautiful photos and your beautiful text tell a tender story about our beautiful granddaughter and her generation, who we pray will soon know peaceful neighbors. Nana was sitting on one of those little chairs in spirit….
    Your work keeps getting better and better!

    Reply
  • February 29, 2012 at 9:44 am
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    Hi Lin, I sent this post to you. Please comment and send on to everybody. Love You Av

    Reply
  • February 29, 2012 at 1:36 pm
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    my favorite post yet:) But in all seriousness, so beautifully written.

    Reply
  • March 4, 2012 at 11:02 am
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    Songs of a Shabbat shalom, a peaceful sabbath not of war or hate.
    I love, love, love your work.

    Reply
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