In Jerusalem, February got off to a Busy Start

What a week, this was an unusual week!

The weather went from sunny and spring-like to cold, wet, and rainy. Here are a few highlights for you of what happened on the Jerusalem streets as January ended and February began.

Monday

Monday at the Knesset there were clouds gathering – weather-wise.

Inside the Negev Meeting Room, a meeting was held to discuss the hot issue of the government report on antisemitism that was released to the public.

Convened by the Israeli Minister for Diaspora Affairs and Social Equality Amichai Chikli, the meeting included leaders of organizations involved in the field and personalities active in social media.

Various Members of Knesset arrived, spoke, and left. It was a busy day with meetings throughout the building. I liked seeing one tour for individuals in wheelchairs and another for young mothers with babies in strollers.

The bottom line, antisemitic attacks have increased.

Outside the Knesset orange tulips were open in the sunlight in Jerusalem.

But at night the rain began as we attended a wedding in Beit Shemesh.

Tuesday

The Montefiore Windmill was lit at night on my way to Yemin Moshe.

An interesting evening in Mishkenot Sha’ananim hosted by the Jerusalem Press Club was in memory of Yossi Nesher z”l. An Israel radio Arabic-language broadcaster, he spoke to the new immigrants from Arabic-speaking countries in a language they could understand.

Glad I took an umbrella. I walked home in the rain, pouring rain.

My boots were finally dry enough to wear again by Friday afternoon.

With the rain pouring down, it was a good time to stay home and zoom.

Wednesday

A CAMERA webinar highlighted a serious issue in US public education.

Ethnic study activists are promoting courses that are anti-Israel and support BDS, through Teacher Development training, community groups, and classroom materials. With no standards and no transparency, political activism is getting into schools. Too many are unaware that these courses vilify Jews and are meant to turn children against Israel.

Thursday

On Groundhog Day 2023 – Punxsutawney Phil predicted 6 more weeks of winter in the US, but in Jerusalem, Israel we had a little sunshine.

Here’s a view from a sixth-floor window at Hadassah Hospital on Mt Scopus in the late afternoon.

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How sad to see the memorials inside of Eli and Natali Mizrahi z”l, who were murdered in Neveh Yakov by a terrorist the week before. She had worked at the hospital.

Friday

On Friday I noticed this sign near the exit to the “Founders whose great generosity has made them Partners of Hadassah in Mount Scopus reborn.” Remember this Jewish hospital was not accessible from 1947-1967.

And sitting near the sign was an elderly Arab man in a Yad Sarah wheelchair. Oh, the not-so-simple Jerusalem streets!

Shabbat

The flowers were so colorful – perfect for a simple Shabbat greeting.

Tu Bishvat

It’s that fun time of year again! The almond trees bloomed early.

Almonds on display in Jerusalem Machane Yehudah Market before Tu Bishvat

Remember it was all almonds last year? Now off to find something new to share next time from the multiple Tu Bishvat events.

February has only begun, just another week in Jerusalem with so much more happening soon! Come and see for yourself or host an online tour.

Jerusalem: Wet, Windy and Wonderful

In Jerusalem, Israel,

it was a wet and wild week.

On a clear day on a walk into town,

Street scene Jerusalem Israel

I found this interesting door, but did not enter.

Man blowing shofar and son watches and soldier passes by

A man was blowing a large shofar in front of

a gift shop on Ben Yehudah Street.

Nearby,

Israeli security women at lunch on Ben Yehuda

 female border police officers were having a lunch break

Arab girls shopping in Jerusalem Israel

as these two young women were shopping.

But the wet weather this past week

Rainy day in Jerusalem Israel, dark, wet and cold

often made for dark and dreary photos.

Walls of Old City seen through rain covered window at Begin Center Jerusalem Israel

Can you tell those are  the walls of the Old City

through rain drops on the Begin Center’s windows?

After heavy rains

Water after heavy rain in Jerusalem Israel

 this unsightly puddle remained.

Broken IKEA umbrella in street garbage bin after heavy rain.

This IKEA umbrella could not withstand the Jerusalem weather.

IKEA is to open another Israeli store in Beer Sheva.

When it rains and the wind blows,

it’s best to forget using any umbrella.

Besides the weather,

Rubbish bin overflowing with trash during Jerusalem strike

trash piled up in bins during a brief strike.

which closed Agrippas Street with mountains of mess.

The only good part of it was that it was short and soon cleaned up.

However,

while the weather and strikes made news,

there were good things happening too.

International visitors gathered to celebrate weddings,

bar mitzvahs and bat mitzvahs, and more.

Off the Jerusalem streets,

in Beit Hanasi, the Israeli President’s Residence,

another 929 Bible Study group was held.

Beit Hanasi for 929 study group

The chapter of the day was

 from Shir HaShirim, the Song of Songs,

read by actor and radio announcer Dan Caner.

He read beautifully.

Rabbi Benny Lau speaking at Bible Study lesson at Beit Hanasi

Rabbi Benny Lau and President of the Israeli Supreme Court Esther Hayut

were at the head of table with President and Mrs. Rivlin.

929 Shir Hashirim study at Beit Hanasi

This is the 16th time the Rivlins have hosted

the daily Bible study initiative.

The main hall was filled with guests as speakers

elaborated and studied the text.

Another closed event was held at the King David Hotel.

King David Hotel lunch for NATO Ambassador countries in Jerusalem Israel

Ambassadors to Israel from the NATO countries.

had lunch with the Israeli Prime Minister.

Wet and wild weather

left the skies clear and clean and blue,

and it was hard to figure out what to wear.

Will it be hot or cold?

No one knows what will happen next .

But of one thing you can be sure,

Flowers on display in King David Hotel lobby

the flowers in the King David Hotel lobby,

rain or shine, hot or cold outside,

 will be impressive.

After Hail on Passover, What Next?

Hail in April,

in Jerusalem, Israel?

Not only was there a hail storm as the holidays ended,

April hail storm in Jerusalem

but this was the scene the next day also.

It looked and felt like winter, not spring.

scene of Jerusalem String Bridge during hail storom

The city looked black and white,

Hail stones from April storm

as 4 mm hail stones fell.

But now,

the Passover things are put away,

and visitors have returned home.

The Happy Passover signs on buses have changed,

bus sign in Hebrew

to wish Jerusalem riders “have a good trip.”

 The skies have cleared

Street near Kikar Safra

and people have returned to the streets,

two Muslim Girls walking in Jerusalem

 some of which are lined with flowers.

Pres and Mrs Rivlin

Two hundred and fifty invited guests associated with OneFamily

filled the main room

at Beit Hanasi, the Israeli President’s Home,

with President Reuven and First Lady Nechama Rivlin,

Tastes of Life

to launch a new cookbook.

“Tastes of Life” features foods that mothers made for their

children who were victims of terror.

Each mother shares not only a recipe,

but memories of their loved ones that are gone.

Very different,

but still another way to remember a lost loved one,

St Lousi French Hospital Jerusalem Israel

a new Healing Garden was dedicated by a New York family

in the Hosptial Saint Louis Francais.

In the sunshine, supporters of Kashouvot,

an organization advancing Pastoral Care,

heard the story of Randie Malinsky z”l

who passed away in October

after losing a battle with cancer.

Now hospice patients and families can sit in the garden,

French Hosptial Jerusalem

to talk or watch the light rail and the rest of the world go by.

The “French Hospital” was built in the mid-19th century

and stands next to the Notre Dame,

across from the Old City Walls, near New Gate.

It boasts the only strictly kosher nunnery in world.

Also this week for all to see,

car flag for Yom Haatzmaut

the first Israeli flags are flying from car windows.

Flags over Jerusalem Israel streets

And the large trucks have gone around hanging Jerusalem,

Blue and white flag

and large Israeli flags over the Jerusalem, Israel streets.

The radio is playing sad, slow music,

as soon it will be Yom Hashoah,

Holocaust Remembrance Day,

and the beginning of another busy holiday season.