Shabbat Shalom – United in Jerusalem

August 23, 2019Sharon A

I took many photos of diversity in Mamilla Mall yesterday: Muslim women eating at the table next to us in a cafe, and Arab families shopping in the Jerusalem mall.

But decided to share my favorite photograph this week which was published by United Hatzalah.

These smiling medical volunteers posed in Jerusalem with visiting Sheryl Sandberg, the chief operating officer (COO) of Facebook. Sandberg along with her parents are visiting in Israel and donated an ambulance dedicated to Sderot.

Female volunteers of United Hatzalah with Sheryl Sandberg in Jerusalem — Photo Credit: United Hatzalah

Jerusalem, 22.8.19 – Sheryl Sandberg and her parents, Joel and Adelle Sandberg, honored first responders at the national headquarters of United Hatzalah, Israel’s largest all-volunteer EMS organization. The visit culminated in a dedication ceremony of a new ambulance donated to United Hatzalah by Joel and Adelle Sandberg…

During the visit, the Sandberg family met with members of United Hatzalah’s diverse women’s unit and its founder, Gitty Beer. The women’s unit sends female EMTs to treat other women in an effort to make patients feel more comfortable, particularly when dealing with sensitive or private issues such as childbirth or miscarriage.

The Sandbergs met with volunteers Sassya Simon, an Orthodox mother of three who studied pre-med in the US; Rania Abu Shaban, a devote Muslim woman who joined the organization after her grandmother died waiting for an ambulance; and Kayla Tzur, who responds to multiple emergencies a day via electric bicycle.

I totally agree with Sheryl Sandberg’s statement:

“United Hatzalah’s work to quickly respond to emergencies and save lives is one of the most impressive programs I’ve ever seen,” said Sheryl Sandberg. “I’m in awe of these brave women and all of the United Hatzalah volunteers, who race toward people when they need help most.”

Wishing all a safe, happy and healthy Shabbat Shalom.

שבת שלום

Finding Valuable History under Jerusalem Streets

August 21, 2019Sharon A

I’ve repeated countless times that you never know what you will find on the Jerusalem streets,

The saying that you never know what you will find under the Jerusalem streets takes upon itself new meaning daily.

An archaeological dig at the prophet Samuel’s Tomb was halted recently when workers exposed a World War I artillery shell.

Emek Tzurim National Park is in the upper reaches of the Kidron Valley.

The park provides this impressive view of Jerusalem and it is the location of the Sifting Project.

The Sifting Project, in the Zurim Valley, has a display of finds from the Second Temple period salvaged from the earth that was dumped by the Waqf.

In November 1999, Waqf carted away nine thousand tons of earth filled with centuries of history buried in it, to make an entrance to a new underground mosque for 10,000 Muslim worshipers.

I wrote about Dr. Gabi Barkai and this story four years ago.

The revised Sifting Project is open to the public and ready for new amateur archaeologists.

The soil being checked currently is from the Pilgrims Road and Drainage Channel digs near the Jerusalem Old City Walls.

Each portion of the earth is carefully washed and searched.

No gold bell or ancient coins, but we did find this piece of pottery in our bucket of dirt and rocks.

Our guide gave a demonstration. The staff is around to assist and supervise.

In this display case were colorful pieces from ancient wall mosaics.

This child’s ring may have fallen in the street and ended up in the drainage channel 2000 years ago. It was found recently.

The tiny ring was a popular item to photograph.

Also in the soil from outside the walls of Jerusalem was a metal tip from a Roman arrow.

Did you know the Romans had dice similar to those we use today?

One of the valuable coins from the Roman period, proclaiming the independence of Jerusalem.

After searching and sorting out valuables, the dirt is dumped and carted away.

As we were leaving families arrived at the Sifting Project. All seemed engaged and eager to see what valuables they could find in their pail of earth.