Almost three weeks ago looking out from Alon Shvut,
we knew Eyal, Gilad and Naftali were there,
somewhere,
but we were not sure if they were still alive.
This week the sad news was broken that their bodies were found,
Rav Adin Steinsaltz’s statement is worth sharing:
“A dark cloud has befallen our nation today. Our hearts are broken, yet united with the hearts of the boys’ families, as we mourn and we cry with them. We cannot erase the evil. But we can create good. We can transform the world through goodness by living as Jews and acting as Jews, with our Torah and mitzvot.”
The crowd to get on shuttle buses from Modi’in to the funeral,
was so large I had held up my camera to try to get a photo.
Not all those trying to get to the cemetery were young,
but only the quickest and pushiest could get on a bus.
I kept thinking this would certainly would never do in England.
Buses lined the way to the cemetery, while
thousands of people walked and filled the road.
Short cut? I am not sure,
but more buses and more people were as far as one could see.
It was hot, people were so crowded,
but I heard no reports of violence.
Most reports were of sharing water and food
or lending a hand or literally a shoulder to rest on.
A big thanks goes to the hatzalah driver who gave me water.
This was as close as I could get, and again had to hold my camera high.
I never planned to be out for eight hours until 11:00 pm,
but I am certain many got home much later.
What a week,
smoking forest fires, rioting in Shuafat, and talk of revenge.
Awful news filled much of the headlines,
but as always there is more happening in Jerusalem, Israel.
I finally got to the beach,
the Jerusalem beach that opened in First Station.
Unlike the last attempt bringing a beach to Jerusalem,
there is not only lots of sand, but also water,
and on a quiet night even a place to play soccer.
Also for many this week,
soccer was not just for little kids,
it is Mondial.
The AACI celebration for Canada Day and July 4th this afternoon
has expanded to include all olim at a Salute to OLIM Fair.
It is hot and it is a difficult time now, however,
we have friends who are on their way across the US to make aliyah.
They sold their beautiful home in California,
to follow their dream.
Too bad they will not make it in time for the concert today,
but they can join us next year in Jerusalem.
First Station
March Madness: Purim, Now Jerusalem Marathon
March Madness has a different meaning in Jerusalem, Israel.
Purim is a holiday that is celebrated to the max by everyone!
Not just for March Purim Madness time,
but all year around Queen Esther has her own street.
School children start with Purim on the first day of the month of Adar,
and this being a leap year, we had two months!
Gift baskets for Mishloah manot have been on sale for weeks.
The story of Esther was read in thousands of locations.
There were readings all Purim day at different restaurants,
Zazza on Azza by Chabad Rechavia was a huge success!
Some families take their costumes very seriously,
this one even dressed up their dog for a Purim outing.
One of my favorite costumes this year
was this baby as a super-sized bag of popcorn in a baby carrier.
There were a lot of winged-creatures on the streets.
OMG, this fellow looks just like Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat.
And HATS, lots of hats,
big hats,
fur hats,
pairs of hats,
hats with ears,
colorful hats,
and hats with feathers,
and here are more popular Indian feathers this year.
Not sure that his shaved head was only for Purim.
and this I really did not understand!
In busy Mamilla Mall there were lots of balloons.
Posing with cartoon characters
was for everyone, not only small children wanted photos.
Also spotted in Mamilla Mall,
at least one Santa’s helper,
a Google guy,
and one serious Arab shooter, aiming a nice Canon camera.
Some costumes
were obvious,
while others, a costume or not?
Thousands were in Mamilla Mall, but I thought it was less crowded this year than last.
First Station also attracted crowds this year,
and now some of the area is protected from the weather.
But watch out for wild animals!
And there were lines for the ice skating rink at First Station.
So by the time Shushan Purim,
the day Purim is celebrated in Jerusalem, Israel, is over,
posting photos seems like ending a marathon.
And now the streets are filled with signs for Friday’s
Jerusalem Marathon.
So until next year, Happy Purim.
More photos for those of you not fortunate enough to be in Jerusalem, Israel for Purim.
New Stop in Jerusalem at First Station
Israel’s universities finally started today “after the chagim.”
I am wondering how long I will be trying to catch up on things,
now that the holiday season is officially over?
The bins in front of Beit Hanassi, the Israeli President’s house were full
after Sukkot, after the sukkah was taken down until next year.
I wrote an entire blog post on Sukkot favorites,
and I left out one of the most important items.
The new-old Jerusalem train station, First Station,
has already become an important tourist stop.
The Jerusalem March began as usual at Gan Sacher, Sacher Park,
but this year for the first time it ended at First Station.
It has become popular with most everyone.
Tour groups are starting or ending at First Station.
It took awhile, but most eating places are up and going.
Not only is Fresh kosher, but special kosher,
under the new Chief Rabbi David Lau.
(After many years, there still in no chief rabbi for Jerusalem, Israel)
Supply and demand,
and in Jerusalem, mehadrin kosher,
is what many tourists want and seek out,
in addition to shade from the mid-day sun.
Large trees have been planted, there are new shaded areas.
Bikers and pedestrians make use of the special track,
but one still has to watch out for cars!
Seems everyone and
everything is trying to get to First Station.
A new sculpting exhibit is on the way.