Inspiration from Story of Esther Today

Yet another red alert in southern Israel!

Talk of SodaStream ads and photos of Scarlett Johansonn

have made headlines around the world.

But I want to share some photos of real women in Jerusalem, Israel,

 that did not make the headlines this week.

image prayer protest, photo prayer at Western wall, picture Al quds

Thousands gathered  on Thursday evening

image Kossel, photo Kosel, picture Al Quds

at the Kotel, the Western Wall,

image prayer at Western Wall, photo Western Wall, picture Kosel,

for a special service with silver trumpets,

with tehilim, psalms,  and prayers,

image man praying, photo man covering eyes. picture man praying

ending as the sun was setting with the Shema Yisrael.

image Uri Ariel, photo MK URi ARiel, picture Uri Ariel at western wall

Housing Minister Uri Ariel was one politician who showed his face.

But did you read anywhere

prayer photo, image women praying at western wall, picture women praying

that the women’s section at the Kotel was full?

image women praying, photo praying, picture women at Kossel

Thousands of women were

image kosel, photo Western Wall, picture Kosel

praying for the future of Israel.

Also, this week was the Jerusalem Conference.

Out of the ten Jerusalem prize winners awarded there,

Geulah Cohen was only woman to receive the honor.

image Jerusalem prize, photo Jerusalem prize, image Nafatali bennetnt, photo Naftali Bennet

  Avraham Duvdevani was presented a certificate by Naftali Bennett.

Interesting that younger attendees had never heard of Duvdevani

and his contribution to Zionism and aliyah.

Last year I thought the lively “discussions” were because it was pre-election season.

photo Israeli politicians, image Michael Ben Ari, picutre Avi Wurtzman

But, with Rav Yisrael Rozen in the middle,

 MK Avi Wurtzman and former MK Michael Ben-Ari had quite an exchange

over government funding for education and families.

image panel at Jerusalem Conference, picture Rabbi, photo Israeli politicians

The entire panel got involved,

image Ayelet Shaked, photo Ayelet Shaked speaking, image Ayelet Shaked

but when MK Ayelet Shaked got the microphone

image Ayelet Shaked, photo Israeli politicians, picture Ayelet Shaked,

 and started to speak, everyone quieted down.

We may have had the driest January in history,

but this week we had enough rain to make tires spin on wet streets.

image tent, protest sign, photo mother vigil

 The week- long Mothers say YES to Israeli Sovereignty vigil

  near the Prime Minister’s House started off on a gloomy, wet day.

photo Nadai Matar, picutre Arieh Eldad, image food at protest

But there were plenty of cookies and drinks as former MK Arieh Eldad spoke.

All week long there has been a schedule of speakers.

photo tent, image Shani Taragin class, picture women studying.

The sun was shining when Rabbanit Shani Taragin led a class.

image vigil, photo Mothers say Yes, picture vigal at Prime MInister's hOuse

Even a neighbor coming to complain of noise could not stop her.

In an amazing Torah class she talked of Esther and Vashti,

so timely as Purim is coming.

Every child has had a special day of fun this week in school.

 The story of Esther is one of taking action, not giving in to an evil decree,

of not obeying a monarch, and of our survival and hope for future.

And finally to end on a bright note, the strawberries that were piled high in 

the shuk, the Machane Yehuda market, were so red I had to stop and look.

photo shuk fruti, image strawberries, picture strawberries in market

Maybe John Kerry keeps coming back to get away from the snow in US

and because he loves the strawberries that are in season in Israel?

Yihyeh beseder.

0 thoughts on “Inspiration from Story of Esther Today

  • February 6, 2014 at 2:30 pm
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    In Alon Shevut on Hazayit is a blooming almond tree!

    Reply
  • February 6, 2014 at 3:39 pm
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    I can’t think of any other possible reason for Kerry’s visits!

    Reply
      • February 6, 2014 at 3:48 pm
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        We just got back from our glorious trip to Israel. Even though I did have the pleasure of shoveling snow in Efrat, I also had the pleasure of eating many delicious strawberries. And now I have the pleasure of shoveling here and eating plastic-tasting strawberries.

        Reply
  • February 6, 2014 at 6:32 pm
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    I bought strawberries here in the US, but I’ve been spoiled forever by the ones I ate from the shuk a couple of weeks ago.

    Reply
  • February 6, 2014 at 8:09 pm
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    wonderful post. Did anyone record Shani’s shiur? Why didn’t you post a picture of Geula Cohen?

    Reply
    • February 7, 2014 at 9:15 am
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      Yes, Shani was wearing a microphone, let me know if they edit out when she stopped briefly for the protester. Did not attend entire conference.

      Reply
  • February 6, 2014 at 9:03 pm
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    …time for the voices of women and of men who are embracing the transformational spirit of shekhina…full of wisdom and vision. I am very appreciative of MK Ayelet Shaked and I’m very tired of all of the old voices that are in the majority, right now

    Reply
  • February 9, 2014 at 12:45 pm
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    Fabulous! If Shani’s recording is available, please let me know.

    Reply

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