Inspiration from Story of Esther Today

Yet another red alert in southern Israel!

Talk of SodaStream ads and photos of Scarlett Johansonn

have made headlines around the world.

But I want to share some photos of real women in Jerusalem, Israel,

 that did not make the headlines this week.

image prayer protest, photo prayer at Western wall, picture Al quds

Thousands gathered  on Thursday evening

image Kossel, photo Kosel, picture Al Quds

at the Kotel, the Western Wall,

image prayer at Western Wall, photo Western Wall, picture Kosel,

for a special service with silver trumpets,

with tehilim, psalms,  and prayers,

image man praying, photo man covering eyes. picture man praying

ending as the sun was setting with the Shema Yisrael.

image Uri Ariel, photo MK URi ARiel, picture Uri Ariel at western wall

Housing Minister Uri Ariel was one politician who showed his face.

But did you read anywhere

prayer photo, image women praying at western wall, picture women praying

that the women’s section at the Kotel was full?

image women praying, photo praying, picture women at Kossel

Thousands of women were

image kosel, photo Western Wall, picture Kosel

praying for the future of Israel.

Also, this week was the Jerusalem Conference.

Out of the ten Jerusalem prize winners awarded there,

Geulah Cohen was only woman to receive the honor.

image Jerusalem prize, photo Jerusalem prize, image Nafatali bennetnt, photo Naftali Bennet

  Avraham Duvdevani was presented a certificate by Naftali Bennett.

Interesting that younger attendees had never heard of Duvdevani

and his contribution to Zionism and aliyah.

Last year I thought the lively “discussions” were because it was pre-election season.

photo Israeli politicians, image Michael Ben Ari, picutre Avi Wurtzman

But, with Rav Yisrael Rozen in the middle,

 MK Avi Wurtzman and former MK Michael Ben-Ari had quite an exchange

over government funding for education and families.

image panel at Jerusalem Conference, picture Rabbi, photo Israeli politicians

The entire panel got involved,

image Ayelet Shaked, photo Ayelet Shaked speaking, image Ayelet Shaked

but when MK Ayelet Shaked got the microphone

image Ayelet Shaked, photo Israeli politicians, picture Ayelet Shaked,

 and started to speak, everyone quieted down.

We may have had the driest January in history,

but this week we had enough rain to make tires spin on wet streets.

image tent, protest sign, photo mother vigil

 The week- long Mothers say YES to Israeli Sovereignty vigil

  near the Prime Minister’s House started off on a gloomy, wet day.

photo Nadai Matar, picutre Arieh Eldad, image food at protest

But there were plenty of cookies and drinks as former MK Arieh Eldad spoke.

All week long there has been a schedule of speakers.

photo tent, image Shani Taragin class, picture women studying.

The sun was shining when Rabbanit Shani Taragin led a class.

image vigil, photo Mothers say Yes, picture vigal at Prime MInister's hOuse

Even a neighbor coming to complain of noise could not stop her.

In an amazing Torah class she talked of Esther and Vashti,

so timely as Purim is coming.

Every child has had a special day of fun this week in school.

 The story of Esther is one of taking action, not giving in to an evil decree,

of not obeying a monarch, and of our survival and hope for future.

And finally to end on a bright note, the strawberries that were piled high in 

the shuk, the Machane Yehuda market, were so red I had to stop and look.

photo shuk fruti, image strawberries, picture strawberries in market

Maybe John Kerry keeps coming back to get away from the snow in US

and because he loves the strawberries that are in season in Israel?

Yihyeh beseder.

Real Colors of Jerusalem, Israel

Much of the world is experiencing freezing temperatures,

but yesterday it was so warm here, that is hard to believe

that snow covered the city just two weeks ago.

palm tree photo

The palm trees against the blue sky made for a great photo.

YMCA Jerusalem Israel photo

Some Cypress trees are still bent from the weight of the snow,

but the YMCA tower stands straight as usual.

Mamilla Mall art work, photo Jerusalem Israel

A new exhibit on satire and humor (humour) opened in Mamilla Mall,

making it hard to get through there quickly to meet friends.

So many tourists were out enjoying the day and the weather.

Jerusalem photo

The regular Thursday Bar Mitzvah crowds included many 

that came from overseas to celebrate at the Kotel, the Western Wall.

While yesterday the topic of discussion for some

was the meaning of the Israeli election results,

Jerusalem photo

what was truly impressive was the color and diversity on the streets.

woman at wailing wall

Was this woman with green herbs getting ready for Tu Beshvat?

Old City Jerusalem photo

In the Old City I saw nuns dressed in blue,

oldl city Jerusalem photo

monks in brown passing Arab women dressed in pink,

Jerusalem Old City photo

and groups os Christian tourists following a red and white flag.

Jerusalem Old City photo,

People were eating outside and walking around.

tourists Israel

Not everyone was smiling the entire time,

Ehtiopian children photo

and these boys were riding golden lions?

Israeli soldiers photo

There were lots of soldiers in green uniforms,

Golani tekes sign

 they came for a special swearing-in ceremony in the evening.

soldier at Wailing Wall

At least one soldier took the time to pray at the Kotel, the Western Wall.

sign Jerusalem Israel

On the way home I saw a sign announcing that the Kaiser

is coming to the Tower of David Museum.

photo Jerusalem Israel

Would the Kaiser in 1898 or anyone else imagine that Jews

and friends from all over the world would come to Jerusalem, Israel.

And who a few years could ago imagine that at the Kotel

people would Sykpe on an iPhone to families back home?