Ofek
Many streets are shut and empty before protest rally.
The sun is trying to break through,
but the sky is full of sand over entrance of city.
Not the best day to visit Jerusalem, Israel.
politics
7 New Signs in Jerusalem
My father was born in the USA and served in the army during World War II.
He would not let even a small item made in Germany into our house.
Chancellor Angela Merkel and her delegation of 16 German government ministers
just visited Jerusalem, Israel.
Prime Minister Netanyahu welcomed her with the words
“Israel and Germany have a unique bond forged of tragedy and hope,
and a great friendship and cooperation.”
Then she was awarded Israel’s Presidential Medal,
a sign of how much things have changed.
2. Anyone who knows a 6-year old, kita aleph first grader,
knows that countless tables with piles of food,
like this one in Heichal Shlomo,
are the reward for sitting through hours of presentations.
This artistic creation is a sign of a siddur party,
only one of this week’s many extravaganzas,
where new readers receive their first prayer-book.
3. New bus signs were up on Friday.
Time will tell whether all the route and number changes are improvements.
But new #15 bus took us straight to bus station in minutes!
There was another new sign near the bus stop.
4. The “pillbox” got a new sign.
Please read it carefully.
In Palestine, in 1936, Arabs were rioting against Jews.
Long before the State of Israel was established,
the British built these to protect and defend themselves against Arab attacks.
The new Cinema City had its grand opening this week.
There was a small protest because it is to be closed on Shabbat.
5. But also, this sign with many new Shabbat activities was posted.
6. New signs for the Jerusalem Marathon seem to be popping up everywhere,
especially along the route of the March 21st race.
7. And to end with my favorite sign of spring,
the spring flowers blooming in the Valley of the Cross.
All photos available for purchase.
Israeli Knesset – Hadassah Outside and What’s Inside
The Israeli Knesset is open to the public.
But getting a chance to join a tour
with the Jerusalem Press Club and get a behind the scenes look
is hard to turn down,
especially when I can take my camera.
People behind bars?
Yes-striking workers from Hadassah Hospital,
hundreds of them in the Wohl Rose Garden,
demonstrating across from the Knesset.
Too bad PA leaders were not around
to see what a peaceful protest really looks like.
Problems have built up for years in the medical center,
and the complicated situation affects everyone.
The latest news – 90 day delay and staff is to get 90% of their salary.
Hadassah medical specialists are experts at saving lives,
not for organizing protest rallies that offer dramatic photo ops.
The demonstration could easily be seen from the Knesset.
Hopefully a resolution will be worked out soon.
Hadassah is essential to everyone in the Jerusalem, Israel area and beyond.
With security it always takes awhile to get inside the building.
A year ago after elections, a paper poster with the members of the Knesset
with their photos was posted by the entrance doors.
There were so many new faces,
that the guards needed photos to show who should be allowed in.
Now there is a screen which shows which of the 120 members
are present in the building and which are not.
The modern-day legislature has 120 members,
similar to the number of members of the Knesset Gedolah of ancient times.
We got to walk around and
see some of the small meeting rooms and many works of art.
In one of many photo galleries, this one of deceased Prime Ministers of Israel,
a spot is ready for Ariel Sharon’s photo.
The view inside the main plenary is familiar to all.
The room was packed when Stephen Harper,
the Prime Minister of Canada, spoke here recently.
But European Parliament President Martin Schulz and
David Cameron, Prime Minister of Great Britain,
are to speak also, but with much less hoopla.
UPDATE: Seems Schulz’s remarks did get noticed after all!
And Cameron had to cancel due to floods in England.
Every Knesset member had a copy of the State Comptroller’s report at their place.
But a few had other reading material on their desk.
I was glad to find at least one person is interested in the laws of shemita.
There was Rav Rimon’s book on the laws of planting in the seventh year,
but I could not clearly read whose name was on that screen.
The year is coming soon, last time in the cycle was a challenge.
The Knesset synagogue was on our tour,
but next time I really want to get a photo of the Muslim prayer room too.
MK Nachman Shai of Labor Party shared some of his views.
He had to leave to prepare his remarks,
as is the custom,
every Monday afternoon at 4:00 pm,
the opposition tries to “bring down the government.”
I guess he did not get a majority vote.
The present coalition government stands.
We are still here.
But Opposition is waiting to “ambush” at the right time of course.”
What a country!