Month: April 2010

The week started avikh, with so much dirt and sand in the air that it was hard to breathe;  

grit got in your mouth.

 

 The sky was white and grey, no sun or blue sky could be seen.

Then strong winds blew away the sand, and a different kind of dirt filled the air;

news broadcasts concerning the HolyLand building bribe scandal filled the airwaves.

Towering over the Jerusalem skyline despite multiple building regulations;

no one in Jerusalem was surprised that bribery could be involved. 

The sadness in the air after Yom Hashoah seemed to linger with the news of former Mayor Lupolianski’s arrest as a bribery suspect. As head of the Yad Sarah Organization, he helped so many people. 

But nature goes on, and in the air day and night…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

birds, resting in a tree

 flying or soaring at he Kotel, Western Wall; Jerusalem is their oasis between the desert and the sea.

At  Gan Sacher a ball is often  in the air. 

This week, blue and white returned to the skies.

  The air filled with flags, Israeli and those of the city of Jerusalem.

On government buildings,

the Knesset,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 commercial areas and gardens:

rows of flags

were in the air

 and

 

 

 

 along the streets

 and on cars;

 Jerusalem readies for Yom Hazikron and then Yom Ha’aztmaut next week.

 

 Pesach 5770          Passover 2010

As Jerusalem residents waited by the bus load to get out of town,

flags lined the roads welcoming the visitors coming to Jerusalem.

After suffering in traffic jams and road closings while trying to get to the Old City,

visitors were greeted by sounds of music from a boys’ choir at the plaza outside of Jaffa Gate.

 

For the holidays, construction mess at Jaffa Gate was cleared to make room for the thousands of visitors.

 

 Easter celebrations were held this week, adding thousands of Christian visitors to the Passover crowds.

The Kotel, the Western Wall, was crowded all week, and not just for the Priestly Blessing on Thursday morning.

 

 

 

The Old City’s Jewish Quarter was  filled with people and activities.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Recently opened Hurva

Synagogue was standing room only

for the afternoon services.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

However, there were a few quiet spots to be found,

  

and even an occasional quiet moment in a busy location.

 

But the Holiday Week was mostly about lots of people,

like those standing in lines at security to get to the toilets in the Mamilla Mall;

and more crowds.

A week of families and food; a  picnic in the park,

a brunch on a roof top,

  a meal in a restaurant served with rolls that look like bread,

 and white cotton candy.

  

 

 

 

 

The boxes for burning Chametz were now cold and quiet on street corners;

 but anywhere there was a patch of green grass,

grills full of roasting meat filled the air with thick smoke well into the night.

For most people,

the end of Passover means

no more matzah

until next year.

The Mimouna festival

begins soon after the sun sets

on the Passover holiday;

and  it is perfect time

for those who want to party

a little longer and

 grill even more meat.