Another week — where to begin and what to share?
No, this is not a Six-Day War.
However, life is beginning, ever so slowly, to return to the Jerusalem streets.
The buildings are rising higher and higher than in the past.
The shops are opening after dark again.
Winter clouds fill the skies and the weather is again a topic of conversation.
The “activity” on the northern border reminded me of this photo from the last trip to the border with Lebanon when we were shooting each other with cameras, not missiles. Hezbollah was already on the border, in violation of UN Resolution 1701.
The residents of northern communities have been evacuated from their homes for months, as well as the residents of southern communities. Up to 300,000 Israelis cannot go home yet.
However, to start the New Year, the barrage of rockets fired from Gaza reached the partygoers in Tel Aviv.
On December 31st, there was a well-attended book launch and program at Ohel Nechama Synagogue in Jerusalem.
The farmer’s markets have become a regular sight, along with soldiers in uniform with a weapon over one shoulder and a child in tow.
Baking has become a weekly event in thousands of households. Thousands of challahs and cookies are being sent every week to soldiers on all fronts, as a way for those not toting a weapon to support the war front from home.
The delicate beauty in nature can still catch your eye if you walk along the Jerusalem streets.
However, a favorite sighting was the new Japanese Pagoda in the Jerusalem Botanical Gardens lit at night as seen from the road. It is planned to open when the cherry trees next to it start to bloom, which is only a few weeks away. Perhaps it will be on schedule.
While plans for events in the future are limited, some are being held. One bat mitzvah girl had a party for close friends to mark the occasion, a larger event for family will be held later. Each girl made two bracelets, one for themselves, and one for a girl who was evacuated from her home.
So Jerusalem streets are filling with honking traffic again, with reminders of those still held hostage in Gaza to “Bring them home now.”
And below this sign, near the Jerusalem Botanical Gardens, I saw a Gett taxi driver who had just gotten off his knees after evening prayers. As he tossed his prayer mat into the taxi, I walked around and up the stairs to go home.
Just another day on the real Jerusalem streets that does not make headlines.
that was the book launch for Rabbi Adler’s new book, right?
yes, I updated with link to Facebook photos, thanks for the reminder!
You are maligning Hamas by claiming a New Year’s rocket barrage upon the greater Tel-Aviv area. They were firecrackers, truth be told, just simple firecrackers. Any sirens sounded was pure overreaction by Israel.
Right…