Passover in Jerusalem, Israel, as always, was like nowhere else.
10 rockets rained in from Gaza to the south and Sderot.
In Jerusalem, it rained dirt for a short while; what a mess for the cars!
But it cleaned the air and with much less traffic,
everyone was breathing easier.
This 24/6 store was closed for seven days,
and bread bakeries were shut tight.
One restaurant was selling used books instead of food.
Passover matzah meals were enjoyed on the streets,
as families paraded in their matching holiday outfits.
A banner welcomed all to the National park that surrounds the walls of the Old City.
A small, peaceful protest about the Temple Mount
at Jaffa Gate was not newsworthy.
Arab protesters and rock throwers got all the media attention,
but I was impressed with this police officer,
armed for serious crowd control – with a bull horn.
I was not the only one this year to come to the Jewish Quarter after the big
Birkat Kohanim, the Priestly Blessing at the Kotel, the Western Wall.
Last year was such a mob scene.
Popcorn and fresh juice were for sale on the route through the Old City.
Bagel shops were closed,
but the shwarma bar was open, with its tables covered.
The image of the new Hurva Synagogue
against a blue sky is always impressive.
People were dressed in so many ways for the holiday,
as they offered holiday greetings to one another.
Many Ethiopians gathered around their leaders,
who stood under their colorful umbrellas.
But theirs were not the only umbrellas on the Kotel plaza.
With so many people converging in a small area,
the streets outside of the Old City were blocked to cars.
While inside the Old City roads were also blocked,
these young Arab men making a delivery had no trouble getting by,
and this Arab woman also walked freely.
However, I was not allowed to use my regular exit.
We had to walk all the way around.
Look at the nice view of Jordan in the distance,
for nothing is very far away in Israel.
These people stopped to enjoy the view.
Another barrier,
but this time ice cream trucks were ready for tired tourists.
And all day every day, tourists kept coming.
Then another closed road at Zion Gate,
but this car got through.
Finally outside the walls, a picture perfect time,
that rock throwers did not ruin for the hundreds of thousands
of visitors who came from around the world.
There was as always too much to do and too little time,
and too much to eat.
And this year some major supermarkets ran out of eggs.
Big news,
that the new Waldorf-Astoria Hotel opened its doors to the public,
but that will have to wait for next time…
must go bake some cookies now before all the kids go home.
As usual, I loved all your beautiful photos and they made me realize how much I missed as I cooked and baked not too far away from where it was all happening! Kol Hakovod for always being in all the right places. Phyllis Koenigsberg
Thank you! Sorry I know how had it was to get out of the kitchen with a crowd of guests!
You took my words right off my keyboard. I also do not understand how she manages to be in all places at the same time (it sure looks like it anyway). Amazing photos of our Jerusalem. We can always come back to these Jerusalem sites to visit our Holy City, even from the beautiful Galilee.
Thank you! Glad you liked it!
Reblogged this on Oyia Brown.
I so enjoy these photographs. I have never been to Israel and so these photos are very valuable to me, to see up close and personal what I may never see in person! Thank you for taking your time to share with us. The small details are very much appreciated, also.
Thanks for this wonderful photp essay on the chag! I guess now we will have to get an upgrade to the Waldorf (now that King David is not enough.)
Barry
OMG wait until you see what it looks like! Need a whole post just for it, was so overwhelmed by the top hat and flowers…
Barry,I had lunch today (Thursday April 24) at the Waldorf. I don’t recommend the lunch food. After 17 days open, it is far from good, let alone superior, which one would expect from a Waldorf chef. Better stick to the King David!
I know that food service needs great improvement, they had only ordered a fruit platter, and got three from three different slow waiters. There is still plenty of work to be finished up. But it has taken so long already, what is a few more months?
My adult kids went on sat night and said the food was excellent! Beautiful hotel
And friends had a breakfast celebration on Friday in private room and loved it. Seems to improve daily!
Thanks so much for giving us a “second best to being there” experience…we hate crowds and traffic so very much appreciate what you do!
Thank you, feel free to share.
These are awesome! I was missing Jerusalem so much this Pesach!
Thanks, missed you too!