Praying for a peaceful Shabbat,
for all of Israel and the world.
שבת שלום
The Old City
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,
all looking for the perfect vantage point
to get the best shot of the Supermoon rising
over the Kotel, the Western Wall.
Oops–the first glimpse of light
was a tease, as it turned out to be hotel lights.
But there it really was,
the Supermoon rising
over the Kotel, covered by clouds.
The clearest photo of the Supermoon rising
was hardly an epic photo.
Photographers packing up,
a couple walking on the dark streets of Old City,
and the lights of the shops near Jaffa Gate,
all made for better photos
on the unusually warm November night.
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,
I chased around the walls of the Old City
to find the Supermoon
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,
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.
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.
Jerusalem More than Sukkot on Sukkot
Intense.
Exhausting.
Sukkot are special,
we even found one in the fields of a moshav.
However, in Jerusalem, Israel,
there was much more happening.
Birkat Kohanim, the Priestly Blessing,
attracted tens of thousands as it does every year.
Not just on Wednesday morning,
but on other days of the holiday
thousands walked to the Old City,
and to the Kotel, the Western Wall.
This way or that way,
on Friday of Sukkot,
thousands of Jews and Muslims
were walking toward the Old City together.
The annual Jerusalem Parade again
attracted thousands of international participants
with thousands of Israeli spectators.
The feel-good event started in Gan Sacher,
Sacher Park. where flags and flowers lined the street.
The Israeli Museum held its annual Kite Festival,
but you had to provide your own wind most of day,
so we did not get to see the huge kites in the air this time.
The musical events seemed endless,
with way too many to list.
However, a few of them
we wished we could have attended include:
Chabad had Yishai Lapidot at the Great Synagogue,
and at the Yellow Submarine were
our friends Moshe Hendel and Zusha.
Every night of chol hamoed
a large show was staged at the Sultan’s Pool.
Also, those Simchot Beit Hashoeva with music and more
at homes, yeshivas and places too many to recount.
Then there were the fairs!
A street fair on Derech Beit Lechem,
had this unusual dancer/s.
The only carved pumpkin I saw this week was at the fair.
There was everything from carved vegetables
to live musicians and more.
Thousands turned out for the evening fun.
Another new fair was held at Mamilla Mall,
where the young and not-so-young could purchase
Israeli products at a Mini-Market set up in the mall.
First Station had its stalls ready to sell goods.
For holiday tourists,
Octoberfest beer and food were also ready.
A parade of very different type,
Women Walking for Peace also ended
in Jerusalem, Israel, near the Prime Minister’s house.
Here four women are carrying a banner from the march.
Sukkot comes to an end with Hoshana Rabba.
Signs were up all week for classes
and all-night study programs
of all types and locations.
For those more into sport than study,
the Harlem Globetrotters were at the Sports Center.
I wanted to be sure that I had a photo of that sign
towering near the walls of the Old City.
And more sports,
new oleh and former NBA basketball star,
Amar’e Stoudemire came out to support charities
for his new Hapoel Jerusalem basketball team.
What next?
AniNation, an international celebration
of animation meets in Jerusalem, Israel.
I have no idea what that will be,
but first we have Simhat Torah.
Tonight the streets will be filled with thousands
celebrating, singing and dancing with the Torah.
Soon it will be after the chagim,
universities will begin their classes,
and children will go back to school and “normal.”
But first, for the last time for a while,
chag sameach.