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As the world focused on the lunar eclipse coinciding with the equinox,

visible in North America,

 the full moon over Jerusalem seemed exceptionally large and bright

and the views from the Jewish Quarter in the Old City were spectacular.

The days will be getting longer as the seasons change.

Sadly, retired Chazan Yaakov Yitzchak Spanglet,  

formerly of  Toledo, Ohio passed away quietly during the night.

Beloved  ‘Jack’ came to America as a young child, grew up in New York,

and raised his family in Ohio.

He had the zechut, the merit, to spend the last two decades

of his long life in Israel surrounded by family.

 

 “One season following another” was one of his favorite lyrics, 

 from ‘his’ song …”Sunrise, Sunset”.

 He will be remembered fondly by friends, his wife,

and many children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

May his memory be a blessing.

Hours after another firefighter died from his injuries in the Carmel fire,

around mid-day on  Sunday,  Jerusalem firefighters are on the scene

as smoke is coming from the roof of the Dan Panaroma Hotel. 

Fire trucks line the street in front of the hotel.

Firefighters go up and down in their extension ladder several times,

but traffic does not even slow down to notice. 

 

There was a lot going on: firefighters dressed in full gear,

a water pumper truck,

water spraying,

 two firefighters in hazmat suits,

 

and only a few people slowing down to look.

The ladder comes down,

 time to pose for a photo

 

with the fire equipment. 

Just another day on the Jerusalem streets… 

 

 On Tuesday, December 14, the skies clear, the sun comes out

and the clean up from the storm begins.

This large tree fell across a back yard during the storm,

 

with its branches blocking a public walkway and knocking a light pole.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Signs have been up announcing local community council elections.

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              December 14 is to be a new day in Jerusalem politics.

One place to vote is in the Ohel Aharon Synagogue, up the steps on the left, with no wheelchair access.

Oops, it seems the street number advertised in the newspaper is incorrect.

The English notice in the paper reads, “Possible to vote for any voting area from each ballot box.”

How many times can you vote?

The polling station opened later than the announced 8:00 am, some impatient voters did not wait around.

At 8:30 am, it takes no time to mark off two names on the simple paper ballot with a pen,

 but before election day it was not easy to find information on the candidates’ qualifications.

The blue cardboard voting booth is a statement of simplicity.

There were mobile ballot boxes at several locations, one in Katamon arrived an hour late.

 

The voter turn out looks better in the evening, as there are people waiting in line and a second booth.

 

Free drinks were offered to voters at the mobile ballot box at Coffee Shop at night

and around “Ginot Ha’ir”, of the the five Jerusalem neighborhoods voting this year,

 many free events were held during the day to entice young voters.

‘Ginot Ha’ir” is a newly created electorial entity that includes all the residents

of all the small neighborhoods from Rechavia to the German Colony and Greek Colony.

The tree is cut up

and pieces are going in a bin,

and hopefully the steps will be cleaned soon.

It has been ten years since the last local elections, some councilmen were appointed by Teddy Kollek,

 it may take some time to see the results of this election.

Meanwhile.

it is the last weekend of Hamshushalim,

a Jerusalem winter weekend festival with special discounts in many restaurants and museums,

so might as well enjoy .