Looking To September

While Hurricane Irene soaked the eastern United States last weekend,

it will be some time before there is a threat of rain in Jerusalem.

Seems the only ‘rain’ here are the missiles, grads and rockets from Gaza,

which continue to fall in southern Israel in spite of a Hamas call for a truce.

All was quiet this morning, but last night

  loud music and the sounds of teenagers laughing ended near midnight,

possibly neighborhood complaints of noise were all that dampened

 the end of summer party for a Jerusalem Israeli scout troop.

It was quite a contrast to the terror attack the night before in Tel Aviv.

A man from Nablus carjacked a taxi at knife point, cutting the driver,

 then rammed the stolen vehicle into a police barrier that

 was erected to protect a dance club teenage end of summer party.

Eight people were stabbed as the terrorist yelled “Allah is Great”

August coincided with the Muslim Ramadan holiday this year.

The Eid Al-Fitr, end of month celebrations silence the jack hammers in Jerusalem

and the construction cranes stop flying, while in Syria more people were killed.

In the Jerusalem neighborhood of Silwan

the colored lights at night were bright

as were the ones in the Old City.

Colored lights were strung at Jaffa Gate,

 Damascus Gate,

and Herod’s Gate.

Late at night, young men came to sell food and merchandise

and women sat to enjoy the cool night air.

Even young children would be out late at night during the month of celebration.

As the sun set, smoke

and more smoke from the food being cooked to break the day’s fasting

 filled Gan Ha’pa’amon, the Liberty Bell Park .

There is often a rise in violence after this month devoted to Koran study.

A molotov cocktail was thrown at an Israeli ambulance this week,

no one thought to bother this PA ambulance.

As we look to September, security is again heightened near Eilat

and security precautions are in the news.

Hype about a PA statehood vote in September at the UN  is gaining steam,

while the PA and Hamas cannot even agree on one time zone.

As for the real streets, everyone is looking anxiously to September,

  September 1 is the first day of school.

The last week of August there is no regular day care,

  every grandparent, friend and neighbor is called on to help out hassled parents.

Who is the most excited for the first day of school?

The sound of the shofar this morning announced the Hebrew month of Elul,

 Chodesh  tov…

here’s hoping and praying for a good month 

and

looking to a peaceful September!

0 thoughts on “Looking To September

  • August 31, 2011 at 3:09 pm
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    Lets hope and prat that you can get a calm September.
    Your picture is great and I longing back to this streets in Jerusalem.
    Happy week:-)

    Reply
  • August 31, 2011 at 5:10 pm
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    This is especially interesting to observe the Arab Israeli celebrations this week. Good contrast to the Israeli kids anticipating school. Thanks for your fine photos and insights.
    Shalom, Edith

    Reply
  • August 31, 2011 at 5:16 pm
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    another great post showing how the arabs are free to walk & party in peace in the real Jerusalem streets – we wouldn’t dare attempt such a normal act of daily living in any of “their” streets. cute grandchildren getting ready for school!!!!!!

    Reply
  • August 31, 2011 at 6:12 pm
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    Boy, Sharon, you really made it to all the Gates of Yerushalaim!! Thanks!

    Reply
  • August 31, 2011 at 7:35 pm
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    Kol Hakavod! You capture so well the diversity and tolerance of our beautiful city! Keep up the good work!

    Reply

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