To Remember

Yom Hazikaron

Israel Remembrance Day

4 Iyar 5770                April 19, 2010

As the sun was setting on the eve of Yom Hazikaron,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 shopping areas closed down and the streets became quiet;

scouts and youth groups slowly and somberly gathered.

A televised military ceremony at the Kotel, the Western Wall, involved thousands of people,

  thousands of families gathered at the International Convention Center;

and there were also many well-attended community memorial events.

One Family, an organization aiding victims of terror, held a ceremony in Katamon.

Nearby, hundreds of people gathered to remember fallen soldiers of all the Israeli wars and those killed in terroist attacks. At 8:00pm at the sound of the siren, all stood in silence.

Torches and memorial candles were lit.

The names and histories of those killed

were read; to remember.

Soldiers in uniform attended.

Besides memorial services at cemeteries during the day,

there were neighborhood ceremonies where  memorial wreaths were laid.

At 11:00 am,  people came outside the walls of the Old City to watch the traffic

come to a stop at the sound of a two minute-siren.

The memorial flame was attended all day by a changing military guard.

To remember.

Hurva…No Longer

When Jordan attacked Jerusalem during the War of Independence and captured the Old City in 1948, the Jordanian Legion destroyed many synagogues, including the largest one in the Jewish Quarter.

In 1967, the Jewish Quarter came under Israeli control. In 1977, an arch was built to remember the Hurva or the Ruined Synagogue, on the spot where synagogues have been successively built and destroyed since the second century.

September 2009

                 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After years of delay and debate, a week before the March 15, 2010 dedication date, the construction was nearing completion, but there was still plenty of work left to do.

 

However, as the sun was setting on March 14, 2010,

 the synagogue was ready.

 Torah scrolls were brought up from the Kotel, the Western Wall, under a chupah, a special canopy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hundreds of men danced in front of the procession.

Thousands of people along the route sang, clapped and took photos.

 

 

A huge crowd filled the central square of the  Jewish Quarter as people enjoyed the live music.

The restored synagogue will not be exactly the same, however,

as this time the building is air conditioned.

The official dedication ceremony marks an historical end and a new beginning;

may this site become a place of prayer and study and see no more destruction.

This is Apartheid?

 Israel Apartheid Week is reported to be growing on college campuses;

its participants must  have never spent any time in Jerusalem.

Arab families often visit Gan Sacher and other Jerusalem parks.

 This is apartheid?

"Arab women", "Palestinian women"

 Hospitals are fully integrated; staff, patients, and visitors.

This is apartheid?

"Arab women", "Palestinian women"

 Shopping malls are open to all customers.

"Arab women", "picture Arab women" "Palestinian women"

These ladies hailed a taxi on King George Street

after a successful shopping day at Ben Yehudah Mall.

"arab women" , "Female shopper", "Palestinian woman"

Arab women shop on Jaffa Street on a regular basis, 

often shopping alone.

This is apartheid?

"arab women", "Israel abusing rights"

 Arab women walk freely in old neighborhoods, 

and in new areas. This is apartheid?

"arab woman and child","Palestinian boy".

However, with small children in hand,

women may not be able to move around quite so easily.

It is not simple for anyone to get a driver’s license in Jerusalem,

but the option is available to all.

  Arab girls wait to ride on a regular public city bus. 

"Palestinian family", "Israeli occupation",

As the world media focused on stone throwers,

this family was walking in nearby Baka. 

There are fewer photos of Arab men,

"arab man", Palesinian man", "Israeli oppresion"

 because unless they are with women dressed in traditional clothes

it is often hard to pick them out in a crowd. 

"racism in Israel", "racist Israel"

Yes there are serious problems, but

no legislation exists that discriminates against blacks.

Holy sites are open to people of all faiths.

"Palestinian woman", "abuse in Israel"

Democratically elected Arab members in the Knesset speak,

vote and can propose laws.

Jerusalem may have plenty of problems,

but this is not apartheid.