Jerusalem, Israel – what is really happening
I was having trouble finding something positive to share,
as the clock ticked to the end of 2013 in Jerusalem, Israel.
Everyone has heard enough kvetching about the snow
and the massive clean up which is still going on.
The protest against prisoner releases was sad enough,
but the “March with Umbrellas” in the cold, wet dark night,
found many depressed by this “gesture of good will.”
The next morning the sun was shining,
and the fresh blue paint in the Liberty Bell Park looked good.
It was interesting to see how 100 years after
Rabbi Dr. Yitzchak Halevi Herzog z”l wrote on his dissertation
about Tekhelet, that maybe a “student of chemistry may be interested”
that a conference filled the auditorium at The Begin Heritage Center.
But it was still not what I wanted for an inspiring blog to end the year.
However, I was back at The Begin Center the next day,
for another conference with another long list of impressive speakers.
And then,
Noam Gershony stood at the podium and started to tell his story.
How he was so close to death the doctors held little hope for him.
How he lost his leg and almost his life in Second Lebanon War.
How his friend Dov next to him was killed.
How he slowly came back to life,
to play tennis,
to ski on Mount Hermon,
and to ride a bike.
By the time he finished his story of winning a gold medal
at the 2012 Olympics in London with the music of Hatikvah playing,
there was hardly a dry eye in the room.
After he finished and received a standing ovation,
Noam walked to the elevator surrounded by admirers.
That was it,
what I want to share,
what the world must see.
Certainly not everyone can win a gold medal in the Olympics,
but Noam Gershony exemplifies the Israeli spirit.
After what happened to him,
he did not become a suicide bomber,
but he does blow people away.
He inspires them to get up and get going,
no more excuses, too tired, too busy.
Now let’s make 2014 a good and positive year for all.
While the rest of Israel and world goes about its business,
in and around Jerusalem it is not back to normal yet.
Snow and fallen trees are piled higher than a bus stop.
This is just #blizzrael – Blizzard – Israel – Unreal.
If you have lived through a large snow storm,
then you are familiar with these grey piles of plowed mess on street corners,
trying to walk around them,
and sharing the space on the cleared streets with slow traffic.
But this is Jerusalem, Israel, not Boston, Buffalo or Brooklyn,
so there are plenty of palm branches on the ground too.
Another difference, people here do not leave a piece of furniture
on the street hoping to save their parking spot.
Most of the pretty white images from yesterday are gone.
There was one pretty scene in front of Beit Hanassi, the President’s residence,
I guess the President’s staff gave up on clearing the sidewalk,
hoping the sun would do the work for them.
It was warming up finally,
and this man was out in shorts.
The Jerusalem cats were back in their favorite spots,
but the Paris Square Fountain was not flowing.
I have dozens more not-so-pretty photos of mountains of snow,
but I won’t bore you with so many of them.
The clean up equipment was out,
only I always seem to find them on a break.
It is still a great time for tree-trimmers who work with large chain saws.
Along with the sounds of cars honking in blocked traffic,
is the welcome sound of buzzing of chain saws.
Just look at the amount and size of some of timber that was cut
and left in front of the Jerusalem Theater.
Now is a good time to collect wood for your fireplaces.
With so many scenes like this one on Emek Refaim Street,
and these dangerous snowy and icy walkways,
it is no wonder that a few guys’ crazy idea to run to Eilat,
doesn’t seem so crazy anymore.
That is confetti not snow, as the runners
left First Station at the start of their 36 hour, 360 km relay race.
Good luck guys!
We finally got full power back after a week,
so as long as it lasts I am going to
keep my feet dry
and hibernate.
