Jerusalem 6 Months After Forced into the October War

Sitting down to do a weekly post it’s impossible today not to mention last night.

Iran’s attack on Israel overnight, 331 missiles were launched, including:

185 surface-to-surface missiles, 36 cruise missiles, and 110 ballistic missiles. Plus 180 drones for good measure.

All were intercepted except for 7 of the ballistic missiles.

Jerusalem, Israel had its share of interceptions, with one loud siren warning in the middle of the night..

So tired today that my watch ended up in the washing machine for a full cycle.

Surprisingly good news, it has the correct time and is still working!

Since October 7, the cloud formations at sunrise and sunset have been amazing.

A memorial event was held for Lucy Dee and her daughters murdered by terrorists on October 7, 2023.

Rabbi Shlomo Katz joined Rabbi Leo Dee in the new social hall in Efrat in memory of Lucy Dee.

Rabbanit Yemima Mizrachi spoke brilliantly as usual.

The hall was crowded to the max with friends and family and for words of Torah, comfort, and song.

The military cemetery in Gush Etzion has grown too crowded these past 6 months.

The new bright colors of spring flowers in Jerusalem offer contrast to lives lost too soon.

Rosh Chodesh Nissan has long been a time for anticipating spring and new life.

This past week a special Women’s Rosh Chodesh event was held at the Yeshurun Central Synagogue.

Hundreds of women and girls filled the sanctuary to hear Sivan Rahat Meir speak.

And join the main event –the musical Women Unite in Prayer – Hallel Nissan – Ricka Razel.

For those who love to hear women singing and celebrating – YouTube HERE

Afterward, walking on Keren Hayesod Street I noticed a new sign for US offices,

and for a new place to eat (and drink) that just opened.

And while stopping to speak with a long-time friend, it started to rain!

Spring rain is good for the new flowers, this Jerusalem flower bed now has two yellow ribbons.

The lions were bright yellow on Friday in the Old City.

Hundreds of children, parents, and grandparents attended special events before the Passover holiday.

It was also Eid al Fitr and hundreds of Muslim families were out near Jaffa Gate on their way to Old City,

and in Mamilla Mall celebrating the end of Ramadan.

So life goes on in Jerusalem, shopping and preparing the Passover, but under the constant reminder of the hostages who are still in captivity to come home and the threat from Hamas and Iran.

Day or night, highlights and beauty abound on the Jerusalem streets.

Jerusalem after a very Wet Week

Last week it rained, and then it rained some more.

Today the new members of the 19th session of the Israeli Knesset

Knesset building photo

eagerly await to be sworn in.

Those people who stayed up all night to watch the Super Bowl live 

are suffering from football fatigue and moving slower than usual.

But for most people, after a week of rain and grey clouds,

blue sky Jerusalem, photo Jerusalem, photo tour Jerusalem

 the big excitement is that sun came out and the sky was bright blue.

Montefiore windmill photo.

Runners were not the only ones out on the streets;

Jerusalem photo tour, photo Jerusalem street

 many people were happy to be able to walk outside again.

smiling baby, Jerusalem photo

Even little babies seemed to enjoy the warm temperatures.

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I love that a rose in the garden is budding in the middle of winter

Jerusalem flowers photo, photo tour, photo walk

and that flowers are blooming in so many small parks.

Jerusalem photo tour

But I hate that these steps are usually blocked by a parked car.

Free parking is hard to find in Jerusalem, but still, it is real chutzpah

to constantly block access to stairs leading to a public park.

Jerusalem sigh flowers, Jerusalem photo tour, photo walk

And what would Jerusalem be, 

cats photo, Jerusalem photo tour

without cats out enjoying the weather too?

It is clouding over again, so better get going before the rain starts.

Yes, we need rain, but people do smile more when the sun is shining.