Jerusalem, Israel – what is really happening
The sun is shining over Jerusalem, Israel streets.
Friday there is much to do in the kitchen to prepare for Shabbat.
However, it is so good to get out and walk and see the wonderful sights.
I made two posters for Shabbat Shalom, but could not decided which to use.
It’s a double month of Adar, so I decided to post them both.
Inspired by the flowers blooming this time of year.
Which is your favorite?
שבת שלום
In Jerusalem, Israel, it is hard to predict what will happen next during the winter.
One day it’s rainy and grey. Then the next day, skies clear and the sun warms up the streets.
Inside is another story, even with heat my feet are cold wearing boots or furry slippers.
But if you get out and walk on the Jerusalem streets, oh the colors you can see.
In the morning a shopkeeper gets ready for the day in his little alleyway.
You can see the public toilet in the park is clean.
You can see graffiti and a clear blue sky in an old building under renovation.
You can see the blue sky through white clouds, and building cranes reaching toward them.
You can see the construction for new light rail stations, this view from Har Hotzvim.
It is winter, look up and see the lemons are yellow on the tree.
Look down you can see yellow flowers on the ground.
Here pink flowers are peaking out on top of a wall.
Those orange aloe flowers abound.
In Hansen Garden the aloe plants are huge and green.
This old brown palm tree needs to be propped up, but the ground is covered in green.
In the park across the road, after winter rains it is also green.
And the blossoms can be seen on trees all around.
Winter and delicate roses are in bloom.
White or pale pink, I love the ones that bloom in winter.
As much of the northern hemisphere is frigid and covered with snow, here in Jerusalem flowers flourish outdoors in winter.
These flower pots at Beit Hanasi, the Israeli President’s Residence, are hard to see from the street.
But once inside, even the 28 visiting UN Ambassadors stopped to have a look and pose for a photo.
Oh the colors of flags you can see in Jerusalem!
The President of Austria received a red carpet welcome along with his red and white flags.
For official diplomatic visits you can see and hear the police band,
and see the colors of an IDF honor guard.
President Alexander Van der Bellen spoke on serious issues, of the Holocaust and antisemitism.
But you could see a smile on President Rivlin’s face when he mentioned schnitzel.
There were many blue and white flag lapel pins, for Israel and for EU.
If you looked hard you could see this tiny, red and white lapel pin.
It made me think of candy canes.
The presidents met so long not many stayed around to see the pen did not work when signing the guest book – Oops, quick get a new pen.
Across the street at the Islamic Museum there is a new exhibit.
These large photos are printed on special wallpaper like panels. Taken with special camera equipment, you can see fine details.
However, at the entrance to Jerusalem you can see even larger photos.
It’s election time again. The Likud Party had its primary elections yesterday.
Winners and losers and predictions flow from pundits over the air waves.
But no matter who wins, when the weather clears, and one gets out to walk on the Jerusalem streets, chances are you can see a black cat staring back.
The first thing to know is that amygdalus communis is the scientific name for the almond tree. With Tu B’Shvat, the song of “almond trees bursting out” (or flowering) can be heard throughout Israel in school classrooms sung by small children wearing floral wreaths on their heads.
Every year when I review and remember past celebrations of Tu B’Shevat, I stress over how to spell ט”ו בשבט in English. I have found 8 options and already used two here.
Every year I want to bring to you something new and interesting.
Dried fruit and nuts fill the stores and markets as every year.
Carob trees tower over many Jerusalem, Israel streets. This tree is near the Prime Minister’s Residence. I wonder how many of the thousands protesting there noticed it?
For those of us who grew up in the US, Tu B’Shvat meant getting a piece of dark brown, dried out bokser.
Hard to chew and unattractive, why would anyone want to eat it to celebrate the holiday?
Along Jerusalem streets in time for Tu B’Shvat, there are piles of dried pods fallen from the trees, with new growth peaking its way through.
The Knesset opening and birthday are held on Tu B’Shvat. In honor of 50 years in its present location, in 2016 a major celebration was held.
There was a special afternoon service in the old Knesset Synagogue followed by wine and fruit.
These Girl Guides were celebrating Tu B’Shvat in Jerusalem in 1928, on an outing in Beit Hakerem.
Since Biblical times almonds, amygdalus communis, have been a sign of spring, a sign of new life and God’s promise.
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Almond, the first tree to flower before winter’s end, symbolized fast-moving events. “…the almond tree blossoms, the grasshopper drags itself along, and desire fails; because all must go to their eternal home…” -Ecclesiastes 12:5
Anyone interested in the nature and the environment of Israel, with the special emphasis given to the linkage between the plants and Jewish traditions and literature, will appreciate the Hebrew website Wildflowers of Israel.
In addition, their English pages have a wealth of information. Hours of dedicated work have gone into research and photography devoted to the study of wild plants of the Land of Israel, a point of interest for people all over the world since Biblical times. In spite of Israel’s small size it has 2,500 plant species. There are about 100 plants mentioned in the Bible, and about 400 mentioned in the Mishnah and the Talmud.
Thanks to Sara Gold, my contact whenever I need information on a flower or plant. (I know next to nothing about Israeli flora and fauna.) Who knew aloe plants flowered?
In honor of Tu B’Shvat – I searched for the almond – Amygdalus Communis.
I searched in the Valley of Cross on the path to the Israel Museum, and there were no almonds bursting forth, but I did find these first flowers in bloom.
I went to see what new trees were planted in Kikar Safra, Safra Square.
Thankfully some tall palm trees survived last year’s infestation and are standing tall.
I searched the gardens at Beit Hanasi, the Israeli President’s residence, and there were no almonds bursting forth, but these new potted flowers were enjoying the morning sun.
In the Beit Hanasi gardens there are 60 olive trees, a line of kumquat trees ripe with fruit, but not one almond tree.
Our lemon tree is full of ripe fruit too. In my search this year, I found no almond blossoms in Jerusalem. It is still too early. They really do seem to burst out when they appear.
So it seems as of now, the best place to search and find those bursting Amygdalus Communis is Wildflowers of Israel – HERE.
Tu B’Shvat is to be celebrated beginning the night of January 20, and on January 21.
In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, falling the same day this year, here is a new photo of the Jerusalem street sign with trees in distance.
Snow is in the forecast for Jerusalem. Rain has started to fall. After sunny morning weather, this photo is again appropriate.
Jerusalem weather and politics are hard to predict. Both can change quickly.
UPDATE:
When snow started coming down, I grabbed phone and ran outside. This was best photo of predicted snow storm, to see real snow, back to 2015 HERE.
But greetings of a happy Tu B’Shvat and Shabbat Shalom, are good to be repeated every year.