Schizophrenic Snow Storm

It is two weeks before Israeli elections

Israeli election debate

and candidates are debating. But it seems the only thing

people are talking about in Jerusalem, Israel  

is the weather.

After all the rain of the last few days, snow was in the forecast.

Jerusalem schools were dismissed at noon.

storm in Jerusalem

The winds did blow and grey clouds covered the sky.

Jerusalem photo

But the weather cleared and skies were blue and the sun shone.

Jerusalem photo

Then for a few minutes some snow and sleet came down.

As the world was hearing of Jerusalem covered in snow,

Jerusalem photo

 there was a rainbow, but I could not get to my camera in time.

So if you see a photo of a rainbow over Jerusalem from today,

please let me know who the lucky person was.

But if you see Jerusalem, Israel covered in a blanket of snow…

that was NOT taken today, maybe tomorrow, but not today.

Today may have been a schizophrenic weather day,

but it was not a snowy day in Jerusalem.

Update: 

Around 9:00 pm, it did start to snow heavily,

but shortly later it was melting.

For a few photos see The Real Jerusalem Streets Facebook page. 

Post-Hanukkah Post

Did you hear that loud noise yesterday?

No, it was not an explosion or a riot,

but loud sighs of relief that the Hanukkah holiday season is finally over.

Hanukkah candles

Hanukkah may last 8 days with lots of candles in the rest of the world,

but in Jerusalem, Israel, it seems to go on forever.

Hanukkah photo

First there are the trips to school performances for each child,

after which children have over a week of vacation,

while most parents still have to go work.

Then there is the challenge  

sugganiah photo

of eating suffganiot

picture Hanukkah

and keeping your face free of all that powdered sugar or chocolate on top.

Haunkkah

It is truly a Hanukkah miracle to see how quickly those suffganiot disappear.

Ellie Klein donuts

Once again this year, the consumption award goes to Elie Klein, 

who ate 125 of these jelly donuts and raised $17,900 for 111 charities.

Haunkkah

The open windows that displayed the Hanukkah lights

are now closed to keep out the winter cold.

Hanukkah photo

Eight nights of Hanukkah were enough.

Flower photo Jerusalem

It is winter-time and so cold inside, but look as

Flowers Jerusalem

flowers are popping up all around this week.

And believe it or not, I already heard people discussing Purim costumes!

December, it’s Hanukkah in Jerusalem

Operation Pillar of Defense is over for most everyone,

wounded soldier

except for the wounded, and of course the families of those who were killed.

Iron Dome

The rockets destroyed by Iron Dome are less of a topic of discussion.

children playing in shelter, Sderot

Children in Southern Israel are no longer in shelters,

but have gone back to school,

Israel soldier

while their big brothers have returned to their regular military service.

Ethiopian children

The children of Kiryat Malachi still have a long, hard road ahead.

But enough of war and politics!  

The calendar has turned to December 

and Hanukkah is almost here!

Machane Yehuda Market strawberries

That means it is strawberry season

oranges

and fresh citrus fruit abounds in the Machane Yehuda Market, the shuk.

dreydels

Piles of dreydels are on display, 

sffganiah, donuts, suffganiot, jelly donuts.

platters of suffganiot, 

chaunkiah, street light menorah

and the streets are illuminated with colorful Chanukiot.

Chanukah bibs

Hanukkah is coming, ready or not.