Chasing Supermoon in Jerusalem

Chasing Supermoon in Jerusalem

Supermoon, a very hyped supermoon,

was to be seen over Israel,

the largest since 1948.

Feeling much like Don Quixote,

I joined other photographers before dark,

Supermoon in Jerusalem Israel

all looking for the perfect vantage point

to get the best shot of the Supermoon rising

Kotel, Western Wall time for supermoon Jerusalem Israel

over the Kotel, the Western Wall.

Oops–the first glimpse of light

Nighttime view of Mount of Olives

was a tease, as it turned out to be hotel lights.

But there it really was,

Over the Western Wall supermoon

the Supermoon rising

Supermoon at Kotel

over the Kotel, covered by clouds.

Old City Jerusalem Kotel for supermoon

The clearest photo of the Supermoon rising

Kotel for supermoon photo Jerusalem, Israel

was hardly an epic photo.

Ktoel for supermoon from Kisgav Ledach Street Old city

Photographers packing up,

Street in Old City Jerusalem Israel

a couple walking on the dark streets of Old City,

Inside Jaffa Gate at night shoppers.

and the lights of the shops near Jaffa Gate,

all made for better photos

on the unusually warm November night.

Shaer Yafo for supermoon Old City Jerusalem

Finally, by the time I got to Jaffa Gate,

the clouds had cleared and the moon was high in the sky.

So as the Man from La Mancha chased his windmills,

Jaffa Gate, Old City, supermoon,

I chased around the walls of the Old City

Supermoon over Tower of David

to find the Supermoon

Walls of Old City lit at night from Jaffa Gate

 appearing over the walls.

It looked like it usually does,

every month on the night of a full moon.

Today on social media there are some epic photos,

plus #supermoondisappoint comments and pictures.

So here you have it,

Moon supermoon

my Supermoon over Jerusalem, Israel.

I would like to know how anyone got a good shot

without combining two photos.

I did not catch the moment.

post production of supermoon to make it look pink

Later at home,

 I was able to color my moon pink.

If anyone who wants one to look like blue cheese,

I can do that on request.

Lots of hype, lots of hopes,

but my advice is

  come visit us any month to see the full moon.

No need to wait for another Supermoon.

Aliyah: 10 Years, 7 Years, and Today in Israel

 Ten years ago we made aliyah

and moved to Jerusalem, Israel.

Seven years ago I started taking photos of

 what I saw on Jerusalem streets and posting them,

photos of everyday scenes,

the ones the mainstream media never seemed to share.

Jerusalem Israel winter scene at park with white flowers blooming

I am still amazed to see white roses blooming in November.

While a few trees do turn colors,

most winter vegetation will now turn green.

Oud Festival sign in Jerusalem Israel

I am getting used to the Oud Festival signs,

as Arab music is growing in popularity,

these festivals are growing each year.

I could do a post each week about Arab girls

Muslim women shopping on Yaffo in Jerusalem Israel

and Arab women shopping on Jaffa Road.

Construction sites are another regular sight.

Old Mashbir building construction for We Work space

Work is progressing slowly at WeWork at the old Mashbir building.

The Hebrew language is another story.

I guess I am not alone,

Sign about learning to speak Hebrew

as this poster went viral

twice when posted on Facebook.

Why the sudden nostalgia?

Because yesterday was Aliyah Day,

the first national celebration of immigrants to Israel.

Binunei Hauma main hall on Aliyah Day

The Jerusalem International Conference Center

was filled with thousands of olim.

One of my favorites was

Russian man wearing medals on Aliyah Day in Jerusalem Israel

this man proudly displaying his Russian medals,

and on the other lapel, a white Aliyah Day sticker.

Jerusalem ICC Ethiopian Israelis in main hall

Many Ethiopian-Israelis attended.

Three men posing for photos with Israeli flag on aliyah Day

Men posed waving Israeli flags.

Teens arriving to fill upper level at Jerusalem International Conference Center

Soldiers and young people came to fill the upper level

Performance at binunei Hauma for Aliyah Day

and listen to the performances on the main stage,

attended by the Prime Minister and his wife and a list of dignitaries.

But I left early

to attend a special Kristallnacht program.

Aliyah Day is to be celebrated every year on the 7th of Heshvan,

marking the week when the Biblical portion

describing Abraham’s journey to the the Promised Land

is read in the synagogue,

and this year it fell out on November 8.

November 9 is the traditional commemoration

of the “night of shattered glass.”

In Berlin, 78 years ago,

it marked the end of Jewish life in Germany,

as Jewish hopes, homes and lives were destroyed.

Miriam was sent by her parents on a Kindertransport to England,

Miriam Litke speaking at OU Israel Center for Kristalnacht

and she and her brother were the only family members who survived.

 Miriam retold her remembrances of that horrible night,

the morning after and its destruction.

It is important for witnesses to retell their stories.

Meanwhile, thousands of olim from around the world

were listening, singing and dancing to music

in celebration of Aliyah Day.

Another day in Jerusalem, Israel,

  with highs and lows,

celebrating and remembering.