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A young woman lies in a medically induced coma following surgery.

Last week she was injured by a speeding car, hit and thrown so hard her aorta was ruptured.

She is not a famous professor, so as long as she lives… it is not ‘news’.

Driving in Jerusalem

is not easy.

 

Car accidents are daily occurrences, drivers trading information at a “fender bender” is a common sight.

Even in well-marked cross walks, danger lurks every time one tries to cross a street,

 many cars do not stop for pedestrians.

This driver sped through too fast to take a good photograph.

The traffic situation in Jerusalem is a serious problem.

Student crossing guards are on duty during the time children come and go from school.

 

The sign at this corner had to be replaced, as it was hit so many times.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Illegal parking often creates an obstacle for pedestrians.

 The  speed limit is posted on Chaim Hazaz Boulevard, but when traffic is light

 many cars slow down only after they see their excessive speeds displayed.

These new bollards are already smashed–it takes a lot of force to cause this much damage.

And soon the traffic situation in the city center is going to get much worse.

Many bus routes go through the city center on Jaffa Street.

For trial runs of the the light rail system, Jaffa Street is to be closed to bus traffic.

Those large buses and thousands of passengers will be diverted to adjacent streets,

such as Hanevim Street, recently the scene of a deadly accident.

As the UN Global Plan for Decade of Action for Road Safety 2011-2020 begins,

we could benefit from improved road safety.

 Meanwhile, it seems all we can do is be careful out there

and pray for Royza Mindel Bas Rochel

who met with the real danger of the Jerusalem streets.

 

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…