Jerusalem More Than Dream

“Next year in Jerusalem”

has been for centuries,

the mantra of the Jewish people.

At the conclusion of the Passover seder

and at end of weddings by breaking a glass,

 the destruction of Jerusalem was remembered.

From May 1948 to June 1967,

the years under Jordanian occupation,

Jerusalem Old City Walls

reaching the Kotel, Western Wall or

walking near the Temple Mount,

was only for the imagination or in a dream.

A view from a look out at Notre Dame,

over a dangerous No Man’s Land,

was as close as a Jew could get.

For those under the age of 60,

the drama and trauma of the Six-Day War,

and the resulting victory are taken for granted.

The rush of feelings, of a miraculous deliverance

against giant Arab armies attacking on all sides is lost.

The significance of

Jerusalem 50 and its many celebrations are shrugged off,

Birhat Kohanim at Kotel on Pesach 5777

for today tens of thousands can reach the Kotel Plaza to pray.

However, the Six-Day War,

also saw the return to Gush Etzion,

At Harel Memorial distance to Gush Etzion lost in 1948 to Jordan

a distance 16 kilometers south of the Knesset.

And in the north,

Kinerret at Sunrise

 the beautiful Kineret, Sea of Galilee,

Golan, Kinneret

had Syrians in those Golan Heights towering above.

 Hadassah Hospital on Mount Scopus

was closed after a convoy of medical staff was ambushed

and 73 people were murdered in April 1948.

Memorial at Hadassah hospital to the convoy which was attacked and murdered in 1948

This memorial wall in the Mt. Scopus memorial garden

was backdrop for a reenactment of Hadassah getting its keys back

from Mayor Teddy Kollek, in June of 1967.

And the West Bank,

which was for centuries known as Judea and Samaria,

Benyamin region of Judea and Samaria

 the land of Benjamin,

West Bank land of Bemyamin

stretches as far as the eye can see,

Tel Shiloh in Judea and Samaria

and includes Tel Shilo,

which for 369 years was location of the Holy Ark,

before the time of King David and the Temple in Jerusalem.

50 years.

Half a century.

This is a wondrous time to be in Jerusalem, Israel.

The days of choking polluted air

from vehicles stuck in heavy traffic on Yaffa Road,

Jerusalem light rain train Israel Yerushalayim

are vanishing memories, as the light rail trains run by.

50 years,

things are far from perfect,

but I would not want to go back to 51 years ago.

12 thoughts on “Jerusalem More Than Dream

  • June 8, 2017 at 11:57 am
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    Thank you Sharon.

    Reply
    • June 8, 2017 at 1:54 pm
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      Pleasure, Shabat shalom and feel free to share.

      Reply
  • June 8, 2017 at 4:26 pm
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    I am old enough to remember the days of 1967 (and also the days of 1973) when Israel was most threatened. Like you, I never want to go back 51 years ago.

    I really enjoy your mailings. I am overdue for a return to Israel and Jerusalem. If my wife’s health permits it, I hope that we both will see Israel together as soon as possible. Keep up the good work.

    Reply
    • June 8, 2017 at 7:12 pm
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      Thank you for such a lovely comment. Hope you are here soon, and stay in touch.

      Reply
  • June 8, 2017 at 4:45 pm
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    Sharon
    You amazed me/ I had to look twice and study your photos.
    Thanks,
    Mom

    Reply
  • June 9, 2017 at 2:57 pm
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    Warmed my heart!! Makes me long for the time we will be zoche to come back Home …….for good. Thank you Sharon!

    Reply
    • June 10, 2017 at 6:10 pm
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      Thank you! Shavuah tov.

      Reply
  • Pingback: Jerusalem – mehr als träumen | abseits vom mainstream - heplev

    • June 12, 2017 at 6:06 pm
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      Thanks, no like button, but sharing is always nice.

      Reply
  • June 18, 2017 at 5:57 am
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    I always appreciate and enjoy your emails. Thank you.

    Reply
    • June 19, 2017 at 4:54 pm
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      Thank you Ruth, love hearing from you. Regards to all in Melbourne.

      Reply

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