Happy Waitangi Day to New Zealand

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City Daily Photo bloggers are helping our New Zealand members celebrate their national day, Waitangi Day.
You can see what connections different bloggers have to New Zealand at the CDP portal. 
My own fondness for NZ is based on Middle-earth and Hobbits and such . . . .

 But Jerusalem's big link to New Zealand is, sadly, in the [British] Jerusalem War Cemetery on Mt. Scopus.
Every April I attend the ANZAC Day Commemoration Service there.

(The photos here can be much enlarged with two clicks.) 

The World War I Australian and New Zealand Army Corps soldiers were welcomed by the Jewish population as liberators in Jerusalem in 1917, having fought their way from Egypt, through the Sinai, Gaza,  Beersheva, up to Jerusalem.

The Memorial Chapel was erected by men of the Egyptian Expeditionary Forces "to the honoured memory of their comrades who fell in the Palestine Campaign 1914-1918.

Above the lintel quoting the Apocrapha Book of Maccabees, it says "The interior has been decorated by NEW ZEALAND in honour of the members of the NEW ZEALAND EXPEDITIONARY FORCE who took part in the operations in Sinai and Palestine 1916-1918."

"From the uttermost ends of the earth" -- yes, how true.
Represented are Hope, Humanity, Faith, and Patriotism.
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Happy Waitangi Day, Kiwi friends.
We thank your ancestors who died fighting here in the Holy Land.   May you never know war again.
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To learn more about ANZAC Day in Jerusalem and about the lovingly-tended big  cemetery of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission on Mt. Scopus, please see my posts here, here, here, and here.
Or click on my label ANZAC Day. 
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Nobel Prize winners

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Well, the Nobel Prizes have all been awarded for this year.
Wouldn't it be a great miracle if next year's Peace Prize could go to someone in the Middle East?

Meanwhile, if you walk up the ramp at one entrance to the Hebrew University Mt. Scopus campus, you  pass photos of the university's many Nobel Laureates.
Or in Hebrew, ha-Nobelistim.
Including  Prof. Albert Einstein.

The best part is the big question mark hanging at the end.
How many students and teachers passing by dream of seeing their photo there someday?
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(A post for the meme Signs, Signs.)
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Pyramids here and there

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 Yigal Arnon Square?
It is funny to call a pyramid a square. ;-)

Water runs down from the top of the cylinder.
Often a crow sits on it and drinks.

It's a little oasis in the middle of Hebrew University's white stone buildings on Mount Scopus.

On Saturday night an Egyptian TV show hosted radical Salafist Jihadi  sheikh and scholar Morgan El-Gohary  and he called for the destruction of Egypt's pyramids and the Sphinx because they "were once worshiped and could be worshiped again."

He proudly  recounted  how he participated in the blowing up of the Buddha statue in Afghanistan in 2001 when he  fought along with the Taliban.

If you don't believe me, see ahramonline. 
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(For Our World Tuesday meme.)
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Lucky campus cats

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These are not just any stray cats.
They are smarty cats, Hebrew University cats!
They even have their own feeding station!

A pan filled with water and two stainless steel dishes for food.

See how fat and happy they appear?
The white one was crunching away at dried cat food when I came to the beautiful Mount Scopus campus yesterday  morning.

There are no classes on Fridays so the campus was empty and the cafeteria near the cats' place was closed; but still, someone had put out  food for the cats.

My discovery of a dedicated feline feeding station started my day on a happy note.
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(A post for Camera Critters meme.)
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A window to the past

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The Institute of Archaeology at the Hebrew University on Mount Scopus gave a wonderful tour this morning.
More about that in the coming days.
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In the Museum for Jewish Antiquities I was leaning over, trying to read in the glass  display case about the 1931-35 excavations in Samaria, and a reflection kept getting in my way.
Then I realized it must be a sign from James and it wanted to join in his Weekend Reflections.
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It was one of many high windows, with a graceful grate and a tree branch.
But why the light became bands of pink and pale blue, this I don't understand.
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The historic building, built in 1941 in the International style, has a magic all its own, even without the fantastic treasures inside.
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Maybe today's persistent colored reflection was like a window to the past.
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Raoul Wallenberg, of blessed memory

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I saw this plaque tucked away in a little garden at the Hebrew University on Mt. Scopus.
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Friday, January 27, many in the world mark International Holocaust Remembrance Day (although Israel's Yom HaShoah is in April).

This year, 2012, many countries and especially Hungary are having events to commemorate the 100th birthday of Raoul Wallenberg.

The young Swedish diplomat was posted in Budapest in July 1944, four months after the Nazis marched into Hungary
In the space of a few months he managed to save 20,000 Jews from deportation and from the Hungarian nationalist socialist Arrow Cross by issuing Swedish diplomatic papers and establishing “safe houses” throughout the city.

Raoul Wallenberg was taken into custody by the Soviets on January 17, 1945 and was never heard from again. He was 32.
His disappearance remains a mystery.
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Mixed memes

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With all the holidays and special events to blog about of late, I've gotten behind in the memes.
This may not be kosher, but I'm going to group three in the same post--for Shadow Shot Sunday, Weekend Reflections, and Camera-Critters.
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At the Garden of Gethsemane, next to the old olive trees.
Doesn't it look like stick-figure people are joining hands and . . . and what?
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Another scene from St. George's Anglican Cathedral, the church we saw in yesterday's post.
The Order of St. John of Jerusalem, or the Knights Hospitaller, was founded during Crusader times and functions as a humanitarian organization till today.
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These birds feel at home in the (British) Jerusalem War Cemetery on Mt. Scopus.
Seen at the recent ANZAC Day commemoration.
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Wishing you all a good weekend.
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Update: Mayday, mayday! I just realized tomorrow is May 1 and we need a City Daily Photo Theme Day post too. About mailboxes.
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From Fiji Islands to Sinai to Jerusalem

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Shalom dear reader. I hope you saw yesterday's post about the ANZAC [Australian and New Zealand Army Corps] Day commemoration because this is a continuation, on a more personal level.

Presenting Lance Corporal Etuate Kori, MFO Fijian Contingent.

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I arrived at the Jerusalem War Cemetery an hour before the 10:00 ceremony was to start.
Trying to be as inconspicuous as possible, the bugler you see here had found a corner outside the chapel, near the memorial wall, to play some "scales" and warm up his horn.
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The printed program indicated he would be sounding The Last Post and The Rouse.
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It would have been a great photo of his back but I chickened out when he suddenly stopped and turned. I continued my walk up and down the many rows of tombstones.
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The nice outdoor commemoration service contained much but lasted less than an hour.
Then guests and soldiers and ambassadors walked over to a shadier place and chatted over refreshments.
Well, they chatted. Everyone was with their mates (Australian for friends or co-workers) and I suddenly was aware of my aloneness and my shyness.
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OK, I had a sandwich, boreka, brownie, and coffee. Can't complain.
People were getting their picture taken with the Australian and New Zealander soldiers in their crisp uniforms, some pinned with many medals. Oh yeah, and with one man wearing a kilt.
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Then for a minute the soldier from Fiji was standing alone. I asked if I could take his picture. Finally, a human being to talk to!
And so human "Eddie" was!
He was so full of gratitude and marveled that he could be here in Jerusalem!
He wanted to drive now to the city center with his MFO mates and purchase a Bible, as a souvenir of the Holy City.
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He asked why I was at ANZAC Day and I said simply because I have three born-in-Australia grandchildren and have lived with them for extended times and love Australia.
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Etuate is probably back now at his MFO base in the Sinai desert.
I thank him and his fellow peacekeepers. God bless and keep them safe and sound.
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From the interesting (with photos and maps!) MFO website:

"The Multinational Force & Observers (MFO) is an independent international organization, headquartered in Rome, with peacekeeping responsibilities in the Sinai. The origins of the MFO lie in Annex I to the 1979 Treaty of Peace between Egypt and Israel, in which the parties undertook to request the United Nations to provide a force and observers to supervise the implementation of the treaty. When it did not prove possible to obtain Security Council approval for the stationing of a UN peacekeeping force in the Sinai, the parties negotiated a Protocol in 1981 establishing the MFO “as an alternative” to the envisioned UN force. "

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ANZAC Day commemoration in Jerusalem

An Aussie or a Kiwi soldier stood with head bowed at each of the four corners of the catafalque.

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This morning ANZAC Day was commemorated for the 96th time.
A time to honor the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps.

Here are some pictures from the Jerusalem War Cemetery on Mt. Scopus.

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The Australian flag with its stars of the Southern Cross constellation.
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The cemetery, begun in 1917 by the Imperial [now Commonwealth] War Graves Commission, overlooks a Jerusalem much larger than it was during World War I.
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With today's modern technology for making war, it is hard to imagine these men going to battle as "light horse brigades" and, like on this tombstone, even the Imperial Camel Corps.
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The flag of New Zealand in front of the memorial chapel.
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A book with information was in the chapel.
You can read this page and/or learn more at my previous posts about this beautiful cemetery.
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Some of today's invited guests.
I like the Embassy of Turkey next to the Israel Defense Force representatives.
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Following the prayer of remembrance by Pastor Evan Thomas and Psalm 23 recited by Rabbi Dr. Raymond Apple, the ANZAC Day Address was given by Ms. Andrea Faulkner, Ambassador of Australia.
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Everything said was short and to the point, moving but not overly sentimental.
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The poem "We shall keep the faith (1918)," by Moina Michael, "the poppy lady," was read, followed by the laying of wreaths.
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The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland brought the small wreath looking like poppies.
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It is nice that UNTSO, the United Nations Truce Supervision Organisation, adds "In the service of Peace."
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The always tear-producing "Ode to the Fallen" was read. All repeat: We will remember them.
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A soldier from Fiji (more about him tomorrow) played The Last Post.
After we stood for one minute of silence, he played The Rouse.
And all said "Lest we forget."
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The national anthems of Australia and New Zealand.
Benediction Prayer.
Catafalque Party dismounts.
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After the official ceremony, those who wished followed Rabbi Apple (Rabbi emeritus of Sydney's Great Synagogue) to the graves of 24 Commonwealth Jewish soldiers.
He read a Psalm and El Maleh Rachamim and we all said Kaddish.
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Everyone gathered for refreshments and conversation.
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In the Jerusalem War Cemetery are 2,515 Commonwealth burials of the First World War, 100 of them unidentified.
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On the wall on the sides of the chapel are engraved the names of 3,366 Commonwealth servicemen who fought and died in Egypt and Palestine during the Great War and who have no known grave.
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Who can comprehend such great numbers!
We remember them.
And those who continue to serve in the ANZAC spirit, in our region and around the world, we thank them too.
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Jerusalem above and below

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Enlarge the photo and you can see a guide with arm outstretched and his two tourists looking and listening.
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They are standing on this observation plaza, and the guide is pointing to the vast stretch of Jerusalem to the west.

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Just below is the donors' wall with names of those who contributed for the construction of this corner of the university.

Behind the trees are the outer buildings of the Mount Scopus campus of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
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At the foot of the modern outlook I was surprised to find ancient burial caves.

I counted some ten or eleven kokhim.

Actually, the whole ridge of Mount Scopus was a huge necropolis for the dead of Jerusalem some 2,000 years ago.

I'm glad the excavators and conservation people found a nice way to preserve this part of the cemetery and even integrate it into its new surroundings.

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Here ends today's tour for That's My World Tuesday. Shalom!

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A reflection of Creation

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"GENESIS" by Israeli artist Belu-Simion Fainaru
1997. Jerusalem stone, glass, light bulbs
Loan of artist to Hebrew University, Mt. Scopus campus
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I quote the sign near it:

"How to look at the scuplture Genesis by Belu-Simion Fainaru"
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"Genesis is a structure reminiscent of a house, perhaps of a tomb of a Tzaddik, or even an ossuary. It is too small to be a house however, and the feature that most signifies the idea of a home, a door by which to enter, is missing.
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There are windows permanently illuminated from within, but they do not look like the windows we are familiar with. In fact, their unusual shapes arouse the question: what are they meant to be?
If we look carefully, we see these are Hebrew letters, from aleph to vav, each representing one day in the week of creation.
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We realize the letters are written backward.

The only way to see them correctly is to look at their reflection on the floor.

In order to encompass all the days of creation one has to encircle the sculpture completely.

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Just as it is impossible to enter the sculpture to see the letter-windows properly, it is also impossible to fully fathom the depth of creation.

Our understanding will always be a mere reflection of the act itself."
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A profound piece for James' Weekend Reflections, I believe.

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To read about the importance of the artwork's venue, please click on the sign above.

The Bima it refers to was posted previously here.
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Shabbat shalom, peace to you all on this Sabbath when God rested from his creating.

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An Arab hospital in a German fortress

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We have seen some pictures of the Lutheran church at Augusta Victoria on Mt. Scopus; but today, for the That's My World tour, let's walk around the hospital part of the compound.
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We can enter through the gate house.
Kaiser Wilhelm II built the huge complex, completed in 1910, naming it after his wife, the Empress.
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It was built as a hostel for Christian pilgrims and as a rest home for the German population in Eretz Israel.
Many of the materials were imported from Germany.
It was the first building in the country to have electricity, powered by a diesel generator.
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Step in and be greeting by a fantastic doorway!
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I had to remind myself that I was entering an Arab hospital and not an old castle in Germany!
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Victory.

Trampling out the evil creatures.

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You don't often see gargoyles in Jerusalem!

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Here is the back of the building, which was fashioned as a medieval German fortress.

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During the last century it passed through many different hands.

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The Turkish army headquartered here from 1914 until they surrendered to the British in 1917.

Then it became General Allenby's HQ.

From 1920 to 1927, Augusta Victoria was the official residence of the British High Commissioner of the Palestine Mandate.

After damage from the big 1927 earthquake was repaired, it was converted to a hospital during World War II for the British forces.

From 1948 to 1967 it became under UN control in the buffer zone of Mount Scopus, but was actually a hospital for the Jordanian army.

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In the Six Day War of 1967 the second floor was destroyed by shelling between the Israeli paratroopers 55th Brigade and the Arab Legion.
After Israel's victory Augusta Victoria was incorporated into the unified city of Jerusalem, and today it is a 161-bed hospital serving parts of the Arab population.

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More photos and information at their website, Wikipedia, and BibleWalks.com.

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BYU

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Did you know Jerusalem has a Mormon university?

On the left of the photo you see its graceful arches built on 8 different levels on Mount Scopus.

Brigham Young University Jerusalem Center for Near Eastern Studies was opened in 1987.

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It is even more beautiful inside. You can see the video or take the virtual tour at their website.

Read about the sometimes troubled history of the building of the campus at Wikipedia.

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If you are ever in town, take the one hour guided tour, complete with organ recital.

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Enjoy other tours in different places around the world at That's My World Tuesday meme.

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Views from Mt. Scopus

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The natural place to get closest to the sky in Jerusalem in on Mount Scopus/Mount of Olives, with its elevation of 2710 feet or 826 meters.

So, for SkyWatch Friday here is the sky and the land in all directions as seen from this highest point.

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East--the Judean Desert

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Southwest--the Temple Mount (enlarge to find the golden Dome of the Rock) inside the Old City
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Northwest--the tall mast of the Calatrava bridge, at the western entrance to Jerusalem, is on the skyline at the right.
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South--A-Tor and the tall Russian Orthodox Church of the Ascension.
Herodion is visible on the horizon.
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