Erev Yom Kippur in Jerusalem

What perfect timing for Clean Up the World Day!

If there was one thing that everyone agreed upon this week, 

it certainly was not what to do in Syria or Iran,

but emptying the trash dumpsters 

after a long three-day holiday weekend!

Cats in Jerusalem,

The cats, however, enjoyed the over-filled bins’

and contents that spilled on to so many streets

image piyut festival

Sounds of song and early morning prayers filled the streets.

I did not get to the piyut festival this year, 

man signing with backup live music

but last year the traditional melodies

could even be heard outside on King George Street.

This is the season of honey and apples, sweet foods,

and large quantities of delicacies at all the holiday meals.

image pomegranets.

Rimonim, pomegranates, are still piled high in the markets.

As Yom Kippur approaches,

once again the custom of the Kaparot ceremony 

with its use of live chickens is a topic of controversy.

At the Machane Yehuda Market, the shuk

Bee on sweets

where one can find most anything.

shuk photo, rubber chicken for dog toy, dog toys, image toys

these rubber chickens were on display. 

But my favorite during the week before Yom Kippur, 

is the bus sign with my wish for everyone, 

Yom Kippur photo, bus with sign for holiday

may you be “Sealed for a good year.”

“Well over the fast”

is what they say Down Under for Yom Kippur.

 Traffic is increasing, 

 and tourists are arriving on the Jerusalem, Israel, streets.

The holiday season has started.

Muslim Rage and Yom Kippur in Jerusalem

Tens of thousands of Muslims have been killed in Syria, 

and thousands more rioted around the world “about a movie.”

I wasted 13 minutes of my life watching this awful thing,

please save your time, I am being very generous to call it a movie.

A judge in Jerusalem, Israel ruled that Google does not have to take it down.

Too bad that over 11,000,000 people have viewed this poorly acted,

badly dubbed, lowest-budget piece of vulgar junk.

It is sad to think about how many better ways to use all that time.

If so many people did not die and so much damage wasn’t caused,

it might be considered funny.

In Jerusalem, Israel it is a time of feasting, fasting and food shopping,

so what about Muslim rage?

Supermarkets are usually crowded, crazy places at this time of year.

I hate going shopping, but big meals have to be prepared for the holidays.

While I was trying to decide on what kind of canned olives to buy,

niqab

two Muslim women dressed in hijab and one with niqab

covering her face were in the same aisle.

Arab women regularly shop in stores in many areas of the city,

 no surprise about that.

niqab

However, the young woman in niqab was also wearing long black gloves.

Often Muslim women cover their arms and wrists, but fingers too?

This was the first time I had seen such a thing, not only did it get 

  my attention, but also that of an Arab man working in the store.

Stores have lots of security checks for bags and people,

but what was happening on the streets?

Arab women

In Mamilla Mall, Muslim couples were strolling about as usual.

Arab girls

These Arab girls had a big crisis: deciding where to eat lunch,

arab girls

but these Muslim women picked a different restaurant.

Going to the Old City, near the entrance for The Kotel, the Western Wall,

Arab women

this was the scene, an Arab woman and boys walking freely.

Meanwhile, in Syria near Damascus, 400 Palestinians

 have been murdered in the Yarmouk refugee camp by Syrians,

  with another 18 killed yesterday, including 4 women & 3 children.

Arab women

And in Mamilla Mall, more Arab visitors arrived and went on their way.

The most shocking thing that I saw was in the Jewish Quarter,

old city jerusalem

 it seems barbed wire is being put up in some Jewish areas of The Old City.

On the way home I passed by Gan Ha’atzmaut, Independence Park,

Muslim prayer

where two Muslim men were bowing on their prayer rug.

I did spot an Israeli soldier standing with an Arab man at a traffic light.

Israel soldier and Palestinian

  Holding his lunch, not a rock or Molotov cocktail,

 my taking a photo seemed to be the only thing annoying him.

Yom Kippur, the Jewish holy fast day will be in a few days.

39 years ago on Yom Kippur most Israelis were fasting and praying, 

when the surrounding Arab countries attacked.

This year there is a new threat of a nuclear Iran

and growing Islamic extremism.

 Muslim calls have been to prayer and not rage in Jerusalem until now.

 We hope and pray that rational minds will prevail, in 5773 and in the future.

bus sign Yom Kippur

Bus signs have changed from a happy new year greeting to Yom Kippur one. 

May we all be sealed for a good year.