tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10144443909698396202024-03-14T08:15:01.360+02:00Jerusalem Hills daily photoPictures of life in Jerusalem and the Jerusalem Hills. And since August 2013 also a look at the northern Negev, my new home. Dinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03461925401870320466noreply@blogger.comBlogger3002125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1014444390969839620.post-75869394498677918262019-11-01T20:47:00.000+02:002019-11-01T20:47:16.819+02:00Israel's brown desert .<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YiXBGqkphfY/Xbx63C6nvuI/AAAAAAAA2r0/8-D9aSSwTBYs56H9V8fuciHg_8xgx9VIgCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_8421.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YiXBGqkphfY/Xbx63C6nvuI/AAAAAAAA2r0/8-D9aSSwTBYs56H9V8fuciHg_8xgx9VIgCKgBGAsYHg/s400/IMG_8421.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Brown goats, brownish sheep, a brown shepherdess, and the brown Negev desert. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Yep, BROWN is today's November 1 theme for City Daily Photo group. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">See what fellow bloggers found for the subject <a href="https://cdpbthemeday.blogspot.com/2019/10/november-2019-gallery-brown.html">here</a>. </span><br />
.Dinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03461925401870320466noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1014444390969839620.post-43736031381572068692019-06-09T18:42:00.001+03:002019-06-10T07:09:22.838+03:00I Dieci Comandamenti .<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3lftOD5w7mw/XP3Xw8vBYPI/AAAAAAAAwSw/ovQsBe0L-BEvYamcScPDV5KhAYatdkD7ACKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_7720.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="998" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3lftOD5w7mw/XP3Xw8vBYPI/AAAAAAAAwSw/ovQsBe0L-BEvYamcScPDV5KhAYatdkD7ACKgBGAs/s400/IMG_7720.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Happy Shavuot today! </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">It's the Jewish festival celebrating the giving of the Torah on Mt. Sinai (and also the grain harvest). </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Just before my recent trip to Italy I bought this little Holy Land olive wood Tablets of the Covenant, in a Jerusalem church. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The Ten Commandments -- in Italian!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">Chag sameach, happy holiday! </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">And to the Christian friends, happy Pentecost! </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Same day.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">.</span><br />
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: large;">More posts about the Ten Commandments are here:</span></span><br />
<a href="http://jerusalemhillsdailyphoto.blogspot.com/search/label/Ten%20Commandments"><span style="font-size: large;">http://jerusalemhillsdailyphoto.blogspot.com/search/label/Ten%20Commandments</span></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">More about Shavuot:</span><br />
<a href="http://jerusalemhillsdailyphoto.blogspot.com/search/label/Shavuot"><span style="font-size: large;">http://jerusalemhillsdailyphoto.blogspot.com/search/label/Shavuot</span></a><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">.</span>Dinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03461925401870320466noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1014444390969839620.post-25487236327823903892019-06-01T10:54:00.001+03:002019-06-01T10:56:14.040+03:00A pink house.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_YaxjWH87bU/XPIthLUBjyI/AAAAAAAAvcA/P9bYuysjAjgkG_Hc828fHaw6z1YBIGB3QCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_6593.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_YaxjWH87bU/XPIthLUBjyI/AAAAAAAAvcA/P9bYuysjAjgkG_Hc828fHaw6z1YBIGB3QCKgBGAs/s400/IMG_6593.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">A pink house in Calabria, south Italy.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Taken quickly from our moving bus.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Yes, bella Italia! I am in a writing seminar on Memory and Heritage given by the University of Calabria's Italian Diaspora Studies.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">My first time in this country and loving it!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">PINK is the theme for June 1 for City Daily Photo group. See what other bloggers have come up with at the <a href="http://cdpbthemeday.blogspot.com/">website</a>.</span><br />
.Dinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03461925401870320466noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1014444390969839620.post-23641894081824540632019-05-03T20:20:00.000+03:002019-05-03T20:20:07.837+03:00Anne Frank's memorial in the forest .<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Zxbzf5gPl64/XMxu3r2VjQI/AAAAAAAAsmg/9UrafjRu_iEJcIDK7rNDlY54wVJA98UzgCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_6098.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Zxbzf5gPl64/XMxu3r2VjQI/AAAAAAAAsmg/9UrafjRu_iEJcIDK7rNDlY54wVJA98UzgCKgBGAs/s400/IMG_6098.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
In the final hour of daylight my town's touring group just made it to Ya'ar HaKedoshim, the Holocaust Martyrs Forest.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-68AVF8VFIts/XMxvk3HsXGI/AAAAAAAAsm0/5aXO-YiDi1AJWliJ5-RnwdLFJePAgK4cACKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_6099.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-68AVF8VFIts/XMxvk3HsXGI/AAAAAAAAsm0/5aXO-YiDi1AJWliJ5-RnwdLFJePAgK4cACKgBGAs/s400/IMG_6099.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
On the path leading to the new (2011) memorial to Anne Frank were signposts quoting her famous diary.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tVNWiNB2ng0/XMxvzIABHRI/AAAAAAAAsm4/rizbhiHNyCoZDE3bkg1Ya1A700_2IqtgwCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_6107.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tVNWiNB2ng0/XMxvzIABHRI/AAAAAAAAsm4/rizbhiHNyCoZDE3bkg1Ya1A700_2IqtgwCKgBGAs/s400/IMG_6107.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rkjkrO3N50g/XMxv7ThIf0I/AAAAAAAAsm8/2haj0l8fJ1U0xJYomEfm89rme1BZ1YnlACKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_6104.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1363" height="351" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rkjkrO3N50g/XMxv7ThIf0I/AAAAAAAAsm8/2haj0l8fJ1U0xJYomEfm89rme1BZ1YnlACKgBGAs/s400/IMG_6104.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #3d3d3d; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; text-align: justify;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #3d3d3d; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; text-align: justify;">"The memorial is a sculpture created by designer Piet Cohen, and is the form of a room made of rusted steel. In the corner of the structure sits an uncomfortably high stool, from where the viewer can see an engraved image of the famed chestnut tree which Anne Frank wrote about so lovingly in her diary. The viewing experience is meant to recreate the feeling of imprisonment, isolation and discomfort while looking longingly through a window at the world outside." *</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sQ_yk0grz-A/XMxwBTWvNTI/AAAAAAAAsnA/s6pVJmF2-6crZ-aLDhkvrngrJSY1AV0FwCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_6102.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sQ_yk0grz-A/XMxwBTWvNTI/AAAAAAAAsnA/s6pVJmF2-6crZ-aLDhkvrngrJSY1AV0FwCKgBGAs/s400/IMG_6102.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-efHnptdzGeg/XMxwMet9DbI/AAAAAAAAsnE/-6PchOjeZFU5F0CCYK180Olf43QcwuVRwCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_6100.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-efHnptdzGeg/XMxwMet9DbI/AAAAAAAAsnE/-6PchOjeZFU5F0CCYK180Olf43QcwuVRwCKgBGAs/s400/IMG_6100.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dBdHAyxke_o/XMxwWH_iPmI/AAAAAAAAsnI/3806n5a-RTgngyKnz1jan9AQCYG86hnMwCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_6113.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dBdHAyxke_o/XMxwWH_iPmI/AAAAAAAAsnI/3806n5a-RTgngyKnz1jan9AQCYG86hnMwCKgBGAs/s400/IMG_6113.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
If you are ever in the Jerusalem Hills, look for this sign and follow it into the forest.<br />
It is a moving experience.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dittQ7MF1Mw/XMxwcdxBRrI/AAAAAAAAsnM/0yxW_mAJSJIdjkIVWbbYduAqRmf2DLDbwCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_6097.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dittQ7MF1Mw/XMxwcdxBRrI/AAAAAAAAsnM/0yxW_mAJSJIdjkIVWbbYduAqRmf2DLDbwCKgBGAs/s400/IMG_6097.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
* For very interesting details about the Anne Frank Memorial Park and about the Martyrs Forest with its six million trees, please see the Jewish National Fund/Keren Kayemet page<br />
<a href="http://www.kkl-jnf.org/people-and-environment/kkl-jnf-projects-partners/dfu-2012/holocaust-martyrs-forest-anne-frank-memorial/">http://www.kkl-jnf.org/people-and-environment/kkl-jnf-projects-partners/dfu-2012/holocaust-martyrs-forest-anne-frank-memorial/</a><br />
especially now, just a day after Yom Hashoah.<br />
.Dinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03461925401870320466noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1014444390969839620.post-79741404317435171172019-02-28T19:15:00.000+02:002019-02-28T19:15:29.850+02:00Stopping to smell the flowers .<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DAxeZXqdNiw/XHgStC9BaeI/AAAAAAAArJ4/-bMvDPpw_Ww9Vm0lmI6BT5Hj8iW4rU_OACKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_5743.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DAxeZXqdNiw/XHgStC9BaeI/AAAAAAAArJ4/-bMvDPpw_Ww9Vm0lmI6BT5Hj8iW4rU_OACKgBGAs/s400/IMG_5743.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
On our monthly outing last week part of the group got out of the bus and walked into a meadow to marvel at the glorious blooming wildflowers and to hear guide Dudu explain. <br />
Everything was so green and wet from the blessedly rainy winter Israel is finally having!<br />
This was at Ramot Menashe, the plateau between the Carmel mountain range and the Jezreel Valley, toward the country's north.<br />
<br />
GREEN is the topic for <a href="http://cdpbthemeday.blogspot.com/">City Daily Photo </a>bloggers theme day. Take a look.<br />
Bloggers in other countries may take green fields for granted, but Israelis get really excited to see this temporary color in winter, before the long hot dry season turns things brown.<br />
.Dinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03461925401870320466noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1014444390969839620.post-78261640482214317892018-12-29T06:56:00.000+02:002018-12-29T06:56:01.212+02:00Beware of butcher birds.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cvWBcSTzQz0/XCb7pcAktpI/AAAAAAAApFQ/ukgIl2SaNuU9bejiib58VwnokMQpQV3kQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_5443.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cvWBcSTzQz0/XCb7pcAktpI/AAAAAAAApFQ/ukgIl2SaNuU9bejiib58VwnokMQpQV3kQCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_5443.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-size: 14px;">You know you're not in Israel when the only potential danger from above is a BUTCHER BIRD attack! </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-size: 14px;">I saw this sign while walking my granddog in our leafy northern suburb of Sydney; I didn't know whether to laugh or run!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">(I came to Australia in November to see the grandchildren and now I am housesitting for them until late January while my daughter and their family tour America.)</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A little research came up with this:</span></span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #f2f3f5; color: #1c1e21; font-size: 13px;">Called butchers because they hang their meat: "Grey Butcherbirds are aggressive predators. They prey on small animals, including birds, lizards and insects .... Uneaten food may be stored in the fork or a branch or impaled." and "Butcherbirds get the</span><span style="background-color: #f2f3f5; color: #1c1e21; font-size: 13px;">ir name from their habit of hanging captured prey on a hook or in a tree fork, or crevice. This 'larder' is used to support the victim while it is being eaten, to store several victims or to attract mates."<br />Another source says "With its lovely, lilting song, the Grey Butcherbird may not seem to be a particularly intimidating species. However, with its strong, hooked beak and its fierce stare, the Grey Butcherbird is not a bird to be messed with. When a nest or newly fledged chick is around, if you venture too close, a butcherbird will swoop by flying straight at your face, sometimes striking with enough force to draw blood, and each swoop is accompanied by a loud, maniacal cackle."</span><span style="background-color: #f2f3f5; color: #1c1e21; font-size: 13px;">Another source says "With its lovely, lilting song, the Grey Butcherbird may not seem to be a particularly intimidating species. However, with its strong, hooked beak and its fierce stare, the Grey Butcherbird is not a bird to be messed with. When a nest or newly fledged chick is around, if you venture too close, a butcherbird will swoop by flying straight at your face, sometimes striking with enough force to draw blood, and each swoop is accompanied by a loud, maniacal cackle."</span></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Happy new year 2019 to you all! </span><br />
.Dinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03461925401870320466noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1014444390969839620.post-7061315241030263702018-12-25T13:42:00.000+02:002018-12-25T13:44:26.812+02:00Wreath time in Australia .<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xge5o5jS8Gk/XCIV6aCk-FI/AAAAAAAAodQ/CJcXpdpVMngAFX0g6HUwAQ_OLjqDvp7OACKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_5334.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xge5o5jS8Gk/XCIV6aCk-FI/AAAAAAAAodQ/CJcXpdpVMngAFX0g6HUwAQ_OLjqDvp7OACKgBGAs/s640/IMG_5334.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">You know you're not in Israel when your Jewish grandson comes home with a Christmas wreath. </span><span class="_47e3 _5mfr" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 0; margin: 0px 1px; vertical-align: middle;" title="smile emoticon"><img alt="" class="img" height="16" role="presentation" src="https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/images/emoji.php/v9/t4c/1/16/1f642.png" style="border: 0px; vertical-align: -3px;" width="16" /><span aria-hidden="true" class="_7oe" style="display: inline; font-family: inherit; font-size: 0px; width: 0px;">:)</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> Eyal's 5th grade class here in Australia made wreaths this December. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">From coat hangers and cut up garbage bags! </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Eyal chose fragrant yellow ones for his wreath. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZCxRDlXfRp8/XCIWFf__QmI/AAAAAAAAodU/-0kiYF_lmjs3y2cl4eRzfwNkMUaLKQ6VACKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_5341.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZCxRDlXfRp8/XCIWFf__QmI/AAAAAAAAodU/-0kiYF_lmjs3y2cl4eRzfwNkMUaLKQ6VACKgBGAs/s400/IMG_5341.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
Libby and Billy the Cavoodle enjoyed having their first-ever wreath.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7QgF2IHljTs/XCIWRIq626I/AAAAAAAAodc/HxAIdSXpZmEQL1okJj1vnVhzhx-E_txfACKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_5331.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7QgF2IHljTs/XCIWRIq626I/AAAAAAAAodc/HxAIdSXpZmEQL1okJj1vnVhzhx-E_txfACKgBGAs/s640/IMG_5331.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Merry Christmas to all our Christian friends! </span><br />
.Dinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03461925401870320466noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1014444390969839620.post-24447851354929843172018-12-09T13:03:00.001+02:002018-12-09T13:03:07.675+02:00All 8 candles .<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HniZdG5z_fc/XAzz85ky4JI/AAAAAAAAl9E/gyjktzp1iPQ3OZTU4lmJqiTwunofITl-gCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_5297.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1517" height="316" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HniZdG5z_fc/XAzz85ky4JI/AAAAAAAAl9E/gyjktzp1iPQ3OZTU4lmJqiTwunofITl-gCKgBGAs/s400/IMG_5297.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Happy 8th and last night of Chanuka! </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Grandkids Eyal and Libby lit the eight candles.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w220AqOc9mw/XAz0EQFc-FI/AAAAAAAAl9I/gF3ug21h6qAoDBRNTO7N5M8U3mKiW6NIgCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_5295.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1204" height="397" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w220AqOc9mw/XAz0EQFc-FI/AAAAAAAAl9I/gF3ug21h6qAoDBRNTO7N5M8U3mKiW6NIgCKgBGAs/s400/IMG_5295.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I am spending a few months with my daughter, son-in-law, and three grandchildren down in Australia, in their home just north of Sydney. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Whether you are doing Chanuka or Advent right now, I wish you all a happy holiday season.</span><br />
.Dinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03461925401870320466noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1014444390969839620.post-26882875146979846082018-10-30T16:05:00.000+02:002018-10-30T16:07:42.521+02:00Exercising the right to vote .<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Skim-xvXjt4/W9hgc8VDthI/AAAAAAAAka4/MeLw27XJiI03VbvOFdSrPCRjL9vHMZJDgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4730.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Skim-xvXjt4/W9hgc8VDthI/AAAAAAAAka4/MeLw27XJiI03VbvOFdSrPCRjL9vHMZJDgCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_4730.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I was happy to vote today!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Israel had municipal elections and it was a <i>yom shabbaton,</i> a day off from work and school.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Two of our town's schools had polling places for the roughly 6,500 residents old enough to vote. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">It was a festive atmosphere in Meitar, with folks walking in, stopping to chat, and smiling at one another. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">And music and booths just outside the schools' gates. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">It happens every five years.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Democracy in action. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">May the best man win! </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">.</span>Dinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03461925401870320466noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1014444390969839620.post-62132362263130652582018-09-30T18:05:00.002+03:002018-09-30T18:06:25.173+03:00Change for the pushke .<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pr8DAF1TTo0/W7DfGmE3XvI/AAAAAAAAj-A/45mrOPToL-Muq_5BJRszoALLM1c0P7w0wCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_4648.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1160" data-original-width="1200" height="386" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pr8DAF1TTo0/W7DfGmE3XvI/AAAAAAAAj-A/45mrOPToL-Muq_5BJRszoALLM1c0P7w0wCKgBGAs/s400/IMG_4648.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Almost full!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Quite some time ago our town's Chabad rabbi gave me this <i>pushke. </i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">It was empty then.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Rabbi Shneor's hope was that I would put in some loose change every day--not because he needed the money for Chabad House, but because he wanted me to learn the habit of giving <i>tsdakah</i> every day. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-try-dxa6TrM/W7DfUCuuYGI/AAAAAAAAj-E/Uf92vZ3l1s0JxmIfyfftFiJuVO1YFIJdACKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_4651.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-try-dxa6TrM/W7DfUCuuYGI/AAAAAAAAj-E/Uf92vZ3l1s0JxmIfyfftFiJuVO1YFIJdACKgBGAs/s640/IMG_4651.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Tsdakah</i> in Hebrew means justice or righteousness but is often translated (for want of a better English equivalent) as "charity."</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Today's Theme Day subject at City Daily Blog is CHANGE and I decided to go with coins as change. But to see how other bloggers did it, see </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://cdpbthemeday.blogspot.com/">http://cdpbthemeday.blogspot.com/</a> .</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">To read about the uniquely Jewish perspective on charity, please see</span><br />
<a href="https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/814118/jewish/Tzedakah-Charity.htm"><span style="font-size: large;">https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/814118/jewish/Tzedakah-Charity.htm</span></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">and</span><br />
<a href="https://www.learningtogive.org/resources/pushke"><span style="font-size: large;">https://www.learningtogive.org/resources/pushke</span></a><br />
.Dinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03461925401870320466noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1014444390969839620.post-11310020549792255142018-09-18T18:04:00.002+03:002018-09-18T18:04:58.095+03:00The Book of Life is still open .<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DNWtnlFVZjk/W6ESquHUWJI/AAAAAAAAj5g/b-3bvCDeeC0inVCS3UgOiI6M_EHPLKX1ACKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_3899.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DNWtnlFVZjk/W6ESquHUWJI/AAAAAAAAj5g/b-3bvCDeeC0inVCS3UgOiI6M_EHPLKX1ACKgBGAs/s400/IMG_3899.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Just before I shut down the computer for the next 26 hours of Yom Kippur, let me wish you a gmar chatima tova.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">May you be written and sealed in God's Book of Life for a good new year of life! </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">For more Day of Atonement posts please see<br /><a href="http://jerusalemhillsdailyphoto.blogspot.com/search/label/Yom%20Kippur">http://jerusalemhillsdailyphoto.blogspot.com/search/label/Yom%20Kippur</a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">.</span></div>
<br />Dinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03461925401870320466noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1014444390969839620.post-15505280798820251332018-09-13T23:43:00.001+03:002018-09-14T09:05:27.526+03:00Fun in the park .<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3Xv9H__2wb4/W5rKonXWpPI/AAAAAAAAj3s/4UAU0mJGB0kG7ToHUv-p_xhVT6H68WaHwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4627.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3Xv9H__2wb4/W5rKonXWpPI/AAAAAAAAj3s/4UAU0mJGB0kG7ToHUv-p_xhVT6H68WaHwCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_4627.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
Fun at the big annual AACI Association of Americans and Canadians in Israel picnic at a Beer Sheva park.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0p6tZDTGWpk/W5rLJahtgdI/AAAAAAAAj38/d8WEub3tNvoXhXg_BH2F9vyIHlwtT964wCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4623.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0p6tZDTGWpk/W5rLJahtgdI/AAAAAAAAj38/d8WEub3tNvoXhXg_BH2F9vyIHlwtT964wCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_4623.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
.Dinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03461925401870320466noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1014444390969839620.post-47510791356159222432018-09-10T13:53:00.000+03:002018-09-10T14:02:03.452+03:00The honey tower .<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LXP4irjYGOU/W5ZK1K0rvsI/AAAAAAAAj2w/0r3azsdjDqwu5cT6tHFEtaUdcBQM--tmwCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_4635.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LXP4irjYGOU/W5ZK1K0rvsI/AAAAAAAAj2w/0r3azsdjDqwu5cT6tHFEtaUdcBQM--tmwCKgBGAs/s640/IMG_4635.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Happy new year, everyone!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">May the year that begins today, 5779 AM (Anno Mundi, "since the creation of the world"), be a good and sweet one for you. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Tradition calls for dipping apple slices in honey at the Rosh Hashanah dinner table.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Yesterday a friend gave me this strange gift--an Eiffel Tower full of honey made by the bees of Kfar Chabad in Israel! </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">If you'd prefer some serious thoughts about the holiday, please take a look at my previous posts at<br /><a href="https://jerusalemhillsdailyphoto.blogspot.com/search/label/Rosh%20Hashana">https://jerusalemhillsdailyphoto.blogspot.com/search/label/Rosh%20Hashana</a></span><br />
.Dinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03461925401870320466noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1014444390969839620.post-15644617935859249022018-09-01T23:00:00.002+03:002018-09-02T19:39:28.350+03:00Teach .<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N8Y7V7kDJqc/W4rtEKj9EvI/AAAAAAAAjzc/Oc_G5QDZFU4SoRUPaa_45qYxL4qRjEbhQCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_0119.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N8Y7V7kDJqc/W4rtEKj9EvI/AAAAAAAAjzc/Oc_G5QDZFU4SoRUPaa_45qYxL4qRjEbhQCKgBGAs/s640/IMG_0119.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Torah was given to teach us. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">And today's <a href="http://cdpbthemeday.blogspot.com/">City Daily Photo Theme Day</a>'s focus is <b>TEACH</b>.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SBaXU3jS4gU/W4rtEONqs1I/AAAAAAAAjzc/PTdsdG4DiugjxwyJWD3q_dMk4Rka-DiKgCKgBGAs/s1600/1st%2BTorah%2Breading%2BJan.2006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SBaXU3jS4gU/W4rtEONqs1I/AAAAAAAAjzc/PTdsdG4DiugjxwyJWD3q_dMk4Rka-DiKgCKgBGAs/s400/1st%2BTorah%2Breading%2BJan.2006.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Pirkei Avot 4:15 in the Talmud says</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #2c1d07; font-family: "source sans pro" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Rabbi Elazar ben Shamua taught: "The dignity of your students should be as precious to you as your own. The dignity of your colleagues should be as precious to you as your reverence for your teacher. The reverence for your teacher should be as great as your reverence for God."</span></blockquote>
<span style="font-size: large;">And the daily prayer Kaddish dRabbanan blesses our teachers:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="border: 0px; color: #2c1d07; font-family: "source sans pro", arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</blockquote>
<span style="font-size: large;"> "<span style="color: #2c1d07; font-family: "source sans pro" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">May you be blessed and strengthened </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #2c1d07; font-family: "source sans pro" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">as you have blessed </span></span><span style="color: #2c1d07; font-family: "source sans pro", arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">and strengthened your student.</span><br />
<div style="border: 0px; color: #2c1d07; font-family: "source sans pro", arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: large;">May you have peace, grace, kindness, mercy, long life and</span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #2c1d07; font-family: "source sans pro", arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: large;">everything you need."</span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #2c1d07; font-family: "source sans pro", arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: large;">. </span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #2c1d07; font-family: "source sans pro", arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Good luck to the 2,310,000 pupils in Israel who start the new school year tomorrow, Sunday, Sept. 2. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">And blessings to their teachers!</span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; color: #2c1d07; font-family: "source sans pro", arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: large;">.</span></div>
Dinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03461925401870320466noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1014444390969839620.post-80091386649850517052018-08-23T22:53:00.000+03:002018-08-23T22:59:23.288+03:00Sheep, then and now .<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UzLaqjSl5Yo/W38JtLJekmI/AAAAAAAAjtg/NSE5uz8UilQkw-1HmhnRgHLOAcrPyzpYgCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_3923.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="816" data-original-width="1600" height="203" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UzLaqjSl5Yo/W38JtLJekmI/AAAAAAAAjtg/NSE5uz8UilQkw-1HmhnRgHLOAcrPyzpYgCKgBGAs/s400/IMG_3923.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">These sheep are most likely on the table now during this week of Id il Adha, the Muslim Festival of Sacrifice.<br />Click to enlarge the photo. See a lone goat going in the wrong direction? :) </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Oc1F4QgTCHY/W38JtOHhYuI/AAAAAAAAjtg/r4XYwqNSwBQ8_j-CweDpZQiLigOswM_wQCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_3924.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Oc1F4QgTCHY/W38JtOHhYuI/AAAAAAAAjtg/r4XYwqNSwBQ8_j-CweDpZQiLigOswM_wQCKgBGAs/s400/IMG_3924.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">We saw them in April crossing a road just northwest of my town in the Negev. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gU7PmeJsxQg/W38JtGGshaI/AAAAAAAAjtg/scSyNh0-M8M1K5hOQco5GWmqhsetWIrSACKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_3925.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gU7PmeJsxQg/W38JtGGshaI/AAAAAAAAjtg/scSyNh0-M8M1K5hOQco5GWmqhsetWIrSACKgBGAs/s400/IMG_3925.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tseqphrWjGw/W38JtJFJY_I/AAAAAAAAjtg/6A6p3_4tdJ8oyUlFp-EiHr1SbuzknmmSgCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_3927.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tseqphrWjGw/W38JtJFJY_I/AAAAAAAAjtg/6A6p3_4tdJ8oyUlFp-EiHr1SbuzknmmSgCKgBGAs/s400/IMG_3927.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1m6lKzYst5w/W38JtDZFGII/AAAAAAAAjtg/lffAkxRMXrQ-mja_rgI3SbeXzoksUdwgQCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_3928.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1m6lKzYst5w/W38JtDZFGII/AAAAAAAAjtg/lffAkxRMXrQ-mja_rgI3SbeXzoksUdwgQCKgBGAs/s400/IMG_3928.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">A friend and I were driving home parallel to the security wall. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">On the other side is the West Bank. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Id mubarak</i>, wishing a blessed and happy holiday to the Palestinians across the way and to our Bedouin neighbors here in the Negev. </span><br />
.Dinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03461925401870320466noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1014444390969839620.post-73176403999258367902018-08-15T21:48:00.002+03:002018-08-15T21:49:27.737+03:00New Domino's Pizza scooters <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M3XdK7QEm9M/W3R0DtedrpI/AAAAAAAAjrk/meKpYQm0o8UjYuDxpPFCHYXmwTQx_OB2wCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4577.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M3XdK7QEm9M/W3R0DtedrpI/AAAAAAAAjrk/meKpYQm0o8UjYuDxpPFCHYXmwTQx_OB2wCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_4577.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Brand new, still partly wrapped additions to the Domino's fleet in Beer Sheva!</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JuT6tfJcC8Y/W3R0DWv5bPI/AAAAAAAAjrg/2t_sMPBSh5skRaLiXJC8sb_B2oC0whqHwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4578.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JuT6tfJcC8Y/W3R0DWv5bPI/AAAAAAAAjrg/2t_sMPBSh5skRaLiXJC8sb_B2oC0whqHwCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_4578.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Soon they will get their blue boxes mounted on the back to keep your pizza hot en route. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">. </span>Dinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03461925401870320466noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1014444390969839620.post-60244517068231443592018-08-11T12:44:00.001+03:002018-08-11T12:44:42.667+03:00Beer Sheva billboard work in progress .<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-o8kOzX13YRE/W26reLclCLI/AAAAAAAAjp4/brds1XdfYtIK1j_-pgn8NJlByxLIJx6tACKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_4603.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-o8kOzX13YRE/W26reLclCLI/AAAAAAAAjp4/brds1XdfYtIK1j_-pgn8NJlByxLIJx6tACKgBGAs/s640/IMG_4603.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Don't you love to watch guys tearing down the old ads and putting up new ones?! </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MmY3UNExXjE/W26rjz8j1YI/AAAAAAAAjp8/5q58vXdcPeIlqbsFX1jJfCa3WbWWaxuYgCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_4602.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MmY3UNExXjE/W26rjz8j1YI/AAAAAAAAjp8/5q58vXdcPeIlqbsFX1jJfCa3WbWWaxuYgCKgBGAs/s400/IMG_4602.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I almost never pay attention to billboards (maybe because I never buy or need anything), but I do enjoy observing the low-tech old-fashioned work that goes into them. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SzVhrDaeh7s/W26rpBMTnQI/AAAAAAAAjqA/gvJU5GDfU-MZ25cw_C2QZsVQCFYVzjX0gCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_4601.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SzVhrDaeh7s/W26rpBMTnQI/AAAAAAAAjqA/gvJU5GDfU-MZ25cw_C2QZsVQCFYVzjX0gCKgBGAs/s400/IMG_4601.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Even if we consider roadside billboards like this one in Beer Sheva to be "visual pollution" we can still appreciate the men who work on tall ladders in the hot desert sun to keep them maintained and up-to-date. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">And yes, Israel does have many digital billboards, but they lack this human touch.</span><br />
.Dinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03461925401870320466noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1014444390969839620.post-33113373530804184062018-08-08T15:21:00.001+03:002018-08-08T15:22:36.962+03:00The cat with only one ear .<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Kzn_XWQHEwo/W2reBQfWAOI/AAAAAAAAjoo/-R7GYTRGDVsaVLS9eYzfmzZ1KjmulKchQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4277.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Kzn_XWQHEwo/W2reBQfWAOI/AAAAAAAAjoo/-R7GYTRGDVsaVLS9eYzfmzZ1KjmulKchQCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_4277.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Happy International Cat Day to this wary one-eared long-tailed cat.<br />
I locked glances with him outside a Beer Sheva restaurant.<br />
.<br />
Dear readers, I'm sorry for the long time since my last post.<br />
Guess it was a combination of sudden busy-ness, procrastination, long hot summer laziness, and bloggers block. I'll try to do better now.<br />
Happy August to you.<br />
.Dinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03461925401870320466noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1014444390969839620.post-80392626015419062382018-07-03T11:06:00.001+03:002018-07-03T11:06:25.496+03:00The Great Spirit's gift to us .<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QNrOcT54x9s/Wzsr0lZkNYI/AAAAAAAAjOM/_ye-3ey-DZYNqi67b_vprAuWhrGn0xKwwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0120_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="920" data-original-width="690" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QNrOcT54x9s/Wzsr0lZkNYI/AAAAAAAAjOM/_ye-3ey-DZYNqi67b_vprAuWhrGn0xKwwCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_0120_1.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">SPIRIT is the <a href="http://cdpbthemeday.blogspot.com/">City Daily Photo group's theme day topic</a>.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">This disintegrating trunk of a burnt tree on a white boulder reminds me, in a reverse sort of way, what I read years ago concerning the Great Spirit.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: #fff3db; color: #29303b; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", sans-serif;">Tatanga Mani, a Stoney Indian, said on page 106 of </span><span style="background-color: #fff3db; color: #29303b; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", sans-serif; font-style: italic;">Touch the Earth: A Self Portrait of Indian Existence </span><span style="background-color: #fff3db; color: #29303b; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", sans-serif;">by T.C. McLuhan this wisdom</span><span style="background-color: #fff3db; color: #29303b; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", sans-serif;">:</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #fff3db; color: #29303b; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="background-color: #fff3db; color: #29303b; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", sans-serif; font-style: italic; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 0.6em; padding: 0px 32px;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> You know, if you take all your books, lay them out under the sun, and let the snow and rain and insects work on them for a while, there will be nothing left. But the Great Spirit has provided you and me with an opportunity for study in nature's university, the forests, the rivers, the mountains, and the animals which include us.</span></blockquote>
.Dinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03461925401870320466noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1014444390969839620.post-28421037084911273402018-06-30T18:35:00.002+03:002018-07-01T11:20:31.848+03:00Red roses in the green vineyards .<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1UQ8yhXRLEE/Wzebji1LtPI/AAAAAAAAjNI/KaOOU51krmA2-LcGXmkEddKv16DF_qVEwCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_4508.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1UQ8yhXRLEE/Wzebji1LtPI/AAAAAAAAjNI/KaOOU51krmA2-LcGXmkEddKv16DF_qVEwCKgBGAs/s400/IMG_4508.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Roses planted in a vineyard??<br />
If you are from rural Italy or France or California you probably know about this tradition.<br />
But it was news to me when our tour guide pointed it out on June 12, just as the scene was quickly disappearing from the bus window.<br />
We were traveling through the Jerusalem Hills, west of Jerusalem.<br />
<br />
He explained the roses as an early warning system.<br />
<span style="background-color: #f9fdf3; font-family: "lora" , serif; font-size: 16px;">Roses are more susceptible to the same type of fungal disease (e.g. powdery mildew and downy mildew) than the grapevine. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: #f9fdf3; font-family: "lora" , serif; font-size: 16px;">So if there are signs of trouble on the roses the farmer knows that action needs to be taken soon or the grapevines will be infected next. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: #f9fdf3; font-family: "lora" , serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: #f9fdf3; font-family: "lora" , serif; font-size: 16px;">I later read on a <a href="https://chateaufeely.com/roses-planted-end-vine-rows/">European website</a>: </span><br />
<span style="background-color: #f9fdf3; font-family: "lora" , serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span>
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #777777; font-family: "nobile"; font-size: 16px;">Another reason I have heard is that in addition to being a ‘canary’ when the vines were worked with draft horses or oxen, roses encouraged them to turn properly at the end of the rows because of their thorns, ensuring that the working animals weren’t tempted to cut a corner and damage the last vine.</span></blockquote>
Or this from <a href="http://www.dejavuestate.com.au/blog/2012/09/why-are-there-roses-planted-at-the-end-of-each-row-of-vines">Australia</a>:<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="background-color: #e9e9e9; color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , "microsoft sans serif" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">". . . many a vineyard manager would smile at this quaint romantic notion. Their job is more sophisticated than watching the roses bloom. In these days of modern technology roses are planted at the rows end for purely cosmetic reasons, but don't let that spoil another great story...</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #e9e9e9; color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , "microsoft sans serif" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Some time ago in the Hunter Valley in New South Wales I quizzed one of the “old timers” in the area about the same issue. His response left me wondering whether or not he was “having a lend of me”.</span><span style="background-color: #e9e9e9; color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , "microsoft sans serif" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">In the early days of grape growing, before any mechanisation, the vineyard work was completed using horses and horse pulled equipment. The best source of strong “draught horses” were the local coalmines where any pulling work involved horses.</span><span style="background-color: #e9e9e9; color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , "microsoft sans serif" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Sadly the distance underground was so far that the horses used were stabled in areas deep underground and, while they were very well cared for, their eyesight eventually became a casualty of the environment. The period horses were kept underground was mercifully short but permanent damage to their vision occurred. As the horses were “traded out” the local farmers and grape growers sought to utilise their great strength and stamina, particularly working with ploughs in vineyards where the rows were quite narrow.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #e9e9e9; color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , "microsoft sans serif" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Now the reason for the roses at the ends of the rows, as explained by this particular veteran, was to let the ‘blind’ horses know when they reached the end and it was time to turn. Roses in the Hunter Valley constantly bloom almost all year. I was never able to convince myself either way with his story; Australians can be very straight-faced when “spinning a yarn”. I will leave it up to you to decide."</span></blockquote>
<b>UPDATE</b>: See more in the Comments section about the "pit ponies," the horses, mules, and ponies which worked in the dark coal mines of many countries for more than two centuries.Dinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03461925401870320466noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1014444390969839620.post-70317324557140195762018-06-16T23:00:00.001+03:002018-06-17T11:53:14.396+03:00Down on the farm .<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_M3xQs8nKFE/WyVpJEm8OKI/AAAAAAAAjG0/Trn_l2jMia46r11inGlqBFmsTquiYzEsgCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_4424.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_M3xQs8nKFE/WyVpJEm8OKI/AAAAAAAAjG0/Trn_l2jMia46r11inGlqBFmsTquiYzEsgCKgBGAs/s400/IMG_4424.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Last week's farm pictures from the middle of Israel.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">They are snapped through the window of a bus, so it's better if you click a few times and open them to the large version. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">You can see the sharp line dividing dark soil from green plants.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">According to the hats, I reckon those are workers from Thailand harvesting whatever crop that is. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tbWoXG9MmFI/WyVpPTutQ2I/AAAAAAAAjG4/g9ExAOdBWKIt4DqC1iAn2k_gq091Qir-wCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_4423.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tbWoXG9MmFI/WyVpPTutQ2I/AAAAAAAAjG4/g9ExAOdBWKIt4DqC1iAn2k_gq091Qir-wCKgBGAs/s400/IMG_4423.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">And here a truck with trailer goes along the farm road leaving a trail of dust. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Israel is in her fifth year of drought. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Most of our water now comes from desalination. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">UPDATE: I just learned that today is <a href="http://www.un.org/en/events/desertificationday/">World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought</a>!</span><br />
.Dinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03461925401870320466noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1014444390969839620.post-3473401362775061302018-06-09T16:07:00.002+03:002018-06-11T16:04:02.802+03:00Iftar (my first!) at Wadi Attir in the wide desert .<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L_xdiXIbzcw/WxvBkKhuNBI/AAAAAAAAi2s/SSEe6y_s160zCsDrs3Oe_M033s3cailJACKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_4379.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L_xdiXIbzcw/WxvBkKhuNBI/AAAAAAAAi2s/SSEe6y_s160zCsDrs3Oe_M033s3cailJACKgBGAs/s400/IMG_4379.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
I got to participate in a lovely iftar this week, my first!<br />
No, it wasn't in this big Bedouin hospitality tent, but it WAS in the courtyard of the new buildings next to it.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-56e8OscSnxg/WxvBkDD8jwI/AAAAAAAAi2s/Nf1EP3z_gDYJV9njApUBnOJsi0lajsKpACKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_4380.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-56e8OscSnxg/WxvBkDD8jwI/AAAAAAAAi2s/Nf1EP3z_gDYJV9njApUBnOJsi0lajsKpACKgBGAs/s400/IMG_4380.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
It was at Project Wadi Attir, a new and growing Bedouin + Jewish sustainability initiative in the Negev desert.<br />
If you enlarge this photo all the way, you can see the modern and clean sheep and goat shed.<br />
One of their ways to have income is to make and sell cheese.<br />
Traditional Bedouin medicinal herbs and cosmetics are another.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CXQGjt7kce8/WxvB2kW-P5I/AAAAAAAAi20/zhnnUNEi7SsA7cAc1n3_ZOcU7-oaHCt4gCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_4381.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CXQGjt7kce8/WxvB2kW-P5I/AAAAAAAAi20/zhnnUNEi7SsA7cAc1n3_ZOcU7-oaHCt4gCKgBGAs/s400/IMG_4381.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Here is the courtyard where we assembled and later, at sundown, ate.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-W-hU4r4Xu1A/WxvB2rlJB4I/AAAAAAAAi20/6XNH7CGCA-Q35pZYXk_yoiUQTTYFAyhCgCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_4385.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-W-hU4r4Xu1A/WxvB2rlJB4I/AAAAAAAAi20/6XNH7CGCA-Q35pZYXk_yoiUQTTYFAyhCgCKgBGAs/s400/IMG_4385.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
The iftar was in collaboration with <a href="http://womenwagepeace.org.il/en/">Women Wage Peace</a>, a multi-faith non-political movement formed by women in the aftermath of the big 2014 conflict with Gaza.<br />
They arranged a panel discussion by a Muslim of Wadi Attir, a Polish Catholic priest from Beer Sheva, and a woman rabbi, who presented the different attitudes and approaches to religious fasting.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4cCmvJThAzk/WxvB2pFB1UI/AAAAAAAAi20/tFNL8B6WpjwCWuUVdlMMgX5fvTjpEe2iwCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_4386.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4cCmvJThAzk/WxvB2pFB1UI/AAAAAAAAi20/tFNL8B6WpjwCWuUVdlMMgX5fvTjpEe2iwCKgBGAs/s400/IMG_4386.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
On the left: Lina Alatawna, the new young (!) female (!!) Bedouin Director General of Project Wadi Attir--a big success story! See here:<br />
<a href="http://www.sustainabilitylabs.org/wadiattirnews/lina-alatawna-named-general-manager-of-pwa/">http://www.sustainabilitylabs.org/wadiattirnews/lina-alatawna-named-general-manager-of-pwa/</a><br />
<br />
On the right: "Ghadir Hani, formerly our Executive Secretary, has begun working with Ali in the Field Crops department, managing outreach and sales, and helping with special programs. In addition to farmer's markets, Ghadir has also been introducing the products to new markets through word-of-mouth marketing events in people's homes in nearby neighborhoods like Omer, and has been a fixture at special local events..." quoted from the <a href="https://us10.campaign-archive.com/?e=&u=ba96d4e0f62661caf99a278e0&id=16f815d551">April newsletter</a>.<br />
<br />
The man wearing a kipa is my town Meitar's mayor; he also spoke, as did the mayor of our neighboring Bedouin town, Hura.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UhLRx128R2A/WxvCpbWAGUI/AAAAAAAAi28/CK1wLPj-G6EDVEEDTyX28wHZ4FJgzSNYgCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_4389.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UhLRx128R2A/WxvCpbWAGUI/AAAAAAAAi28/CK1wLPj-G6EDVEEDTyX28wHZ4FJgzSNYgCKgBGAs/s400/IMG_4389.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
While the adults heard the talks, the Bedouin kids and their young Jewish guests made squares for a peace quilt out in the tent.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BFqg6Uc_ehw/WxvCpQFey9I/AAAAAAAAi28/J1mPdeQOg908vj88Fb1izL8Pnlt1h5MEQCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_4390.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BFqg6Uc_ehw/WxvCpQFey9I/AAAAAAAAi28/J1mPdeQOg908vj88Fb1izL8Pnlt1h5MEQCKgBGAs/s400/IMG_4390.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
The following day, Unity Day in Israel, this happened (quoted from Women Wage Peace English Facebook page):<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Unity Day at the Women Wage Peace Mothers’ Tent outside the Knesset<br />
=================<br />
On June 6th, Unity Day, we will spread out 150 quilts which were sewn from thousands of Pieces for Peace which we received from all over the world; we will then create a human chain of unity, and will express our common longing for peace; later Yael Decklebaum will join us at the tent and will sing her songs and talk about her journeys to peace; we will sing the Prayer of the Mothers with her.<br />
1-4 PM Presentation of the Peace Quilts in the Rose Garden<br />
4 PM A human chain along the street leading to the Knesset</blockquote>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qkKekUlBJwA/WxvCvns_TLI/AAAAAAAAi3A/d-xepfZaJkYrL90BzhX3K6l159dJ0n4tgCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_4387.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qkKekUlBJwA/WxvCvns_TLI/AAAAAAAAi3A/d-xepfZaJkYrL90BzhX3K6l159dJ0n4tgCKgBGAs/s640/IMG_4387.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
After all was said and done, the sun set and we hastened outside to the waiting tables full of good food (some prepared by the hosts and some brought by us guests).<br />
The Muslims dug in without hesitation.<br />
<b>They had been fasting from food AND water from before 4:00 a.m. until 7:47 p.m.! </b><br />
I can't imagine having that kind of self-discipline and devotion for the entire month of Ramadan, which often falls during our very hot summer.<br />
.<br />
Here is a nice explanation from "<a href="https://www.thekitchn.com/what-you-should-know-before-attending-your-first-iftar-245656">What You Should Know Before Attending Your First Iftar</a>."<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "palatino" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino lt std" , "book antiqua" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 18.2px;">The fast itself is considered a purification of sins and a time to cleanse mind, body, and soul. Feeding a fasting person is believed to come with great reward from God and therefore many individuals, organizations, mosques, and community centers will offer an Iftar gathering in which the breaking of the fast is celebrated. It's usually not a ceremonial affair, although at many community gatherings this is often seen as an opportunity to educate and create an inter-faith gathering with delicious food, friends, and conversation.</span></blockquote>
<span style="font-size: large;">Ramadan kareem!</span><br />
(This blessing/greeting means "May you have a generous Ramadan," i.e. be generous in your giving to others.)<br />
.<br />
(Linking to <a href="https://inspiredsundaymeme.blogspot.com/2018/06/inspired-sunday-267-june-9-11-2018.html">inSPIRED Sunday</a>.)<br />
.Dinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03461925401870320466noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1014444390969839620.post-24854838081558917142018-06-08T13:16:00.000+03:002018-06-08T13:17:44.377+03:00Back in Jerusalem for a day .<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kEor5_ByLAI/WxpMkBlp23I/AAAAAAAAi2E/x4-HIU66h8wY1MZUW8qLimJR8D1U24kSgCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_4397.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kEor5_ByLAI/WxpMkBlp23I/AAAAAAAAi2E/x4-HIU66h8wY1MZUW8qLimJR8D1U24kSgCKgBGAs/s400/IMG_4397.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Yesterday I traveled northward an hour and a quarter by bus.<br />
Getting off the bus, I stood on the corner for a few minutes marveling at how different Jerusalem is compared to the Negev.<br />
There was Calatrava's graceful Bridge of Strings which I watched <a href="http://jerusalemhillsdailyphoto.blogspot.com/search/label/Calatrava">being built</a> since the mid-2000s.<br />
Never mind that a Brink's armored truck photo-bombed the picture. :)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KlnpiMLACrA/WxpMkI3DhiI/AAAAAAAAi2E/gySF7sZ4LMoyiFwv102b4EpUBgeSRuv8QCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_4399.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KlnpiMLACrA/WxpMkI3DhiI/AAAAAAAAi2E/gySF7sZ4LMoyiFwv102b4EpUBgeSRuv8QCKgBGAs/s400/IMG_4399.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
I turned to my right and this huge banner gave me a jolt; like, "Dina, we're not in Beer Sheva anymore!"<br />
In not-very-religious Beer Sheva you see many different groupings (Ethiopian Jews, Russian immigrants, Bedouin, etc.), but ultra-orthodox Jews are few and far between.<br />
In the photo is <a href="http://rabbimeirbaalhaneis.com/Rabbi%20Mordechai%20Tzemach%20Eliyahu.asp">Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu</a> who was the Sephardic Chief Rabbi of Israel 1983-93 and died on June 7, 2010.<br />
The banner calls people to attend a "<i>hilulat Maran</i>," a celebration of his life on the anniversary of his death at his tomb in Jerusalem.<br />
To learn about the Aramaic honorific title "<i>maran</i>" for highly respected rabbis, see <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maran">Wiki</a>.<br />
<br />
Shabbat shalom!<br />
.Dinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03461925401870320466noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1014444390969839620.post-16899217857896385582018-05-31T22:52:00.000+03:002018-05-31T22:52:01.827+03:00Me having fun.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-skHBa-UW9uY/WxBNMLFhHvI/AAAAAAAAip0/BW1i8P-rFuYYGxipzgVbSoIcvVIlOwApQCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_1886.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-skHBa-UW9uY/WxBNMLFhHvI/AAAAAAAAip0/BW1i8P-rFuYYGxipzgVbSoIcvVIlOwApQCKgBGAs/s400/IMG_1886.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Woohoo, I got to climb up a huge ladder and play in a HUGE truck! </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">What a fun day that was in Ramla! </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jW_8IkxhlgI/WxBNTXFdd8I/AAAAAAAAip4/2O7jqZGmexAi4m2JsfMV1DrGdoL8dVcyACKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_1892.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jW_8IkxhlgI/WxBNTXFdd8I/AAAAAAAAip4/2O7jqZGmexAi4m2JsfMV1DrGdoL8dVcyACKgBGAs/s400/IMG_1892.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Look at the size of that thing!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Standing under it is Dani, the man responsible for Kibbutz Gezer Olives. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">On our day off, Dani took us volunteers and WWOOFers on a tour of the city of Ramla, including this new museum for old vehicles. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OMnHwUN-0hQ/WxBNTRlqmtI/AAAAAAAAip4/bLYh07T7aCokVSEKo2KRqn1ByROBmdczgCKgBGAs/s1600/23172625.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OMnHwUN-0hQ/WxBNTRlqmtI/AAAAAAAAip4/bLYh07T7aCokVSEKo2KRqn1ByROBmdczgCKgBGAs/s400/23172625.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Ashlea, Dani, Dina, Luke -- what a team! </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">There are lots <a href="http://jerusalemhillsdailyphoto.blogspot.com/search/label/olives-Gezer">more posts</a> about our olive harvesting adventures last autumn. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">For June 1 theme day, <a href="http://cdpbthemeday.blogspot.com/">City Daily Photos</a> bloggers are posting on the subject <b>ME</b>.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">It's a rare chance to see photos of the photographers themselves. Take a look!</span><br />
.Dinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03461925401870320466noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1014444390969839620.post-83153791835894943072018-05-27T23:10:00.000+03:002018-05-27T23:10:31.915+03:00Moonrise, sunset, colors, silence .<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2N2lM2nj1fA/WwsMf0KSHxI/AAAAAAAAiac/O5azQgiMgmcF3Wd5jBy5hDg9olTNL3QdQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4375.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2N2lM2nj1fA/WwsMf0KSHxI/AAAAAAAAiac/O5azQgiMgmcF3Wd5jBy5hDg9olTNL3QdQCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_4375.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The light and colors were beautiful when I went walking just outside of town tonight between 7 and 8 pm! </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I had the whole desert all to myself. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_QL1opAwdY8/WwsMfWwy5QI/AAAAAAAAias/r15IrrfslxAhHvFy9AhYoDX5Racvl-znwCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_4374.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_QL1opAwdY8/WwsMfWwy5QI/AAAAAAAAias/r15IrrfslxAhHvFy9AhYoDX5Racvl-znwCEwYBhgL/s400/IMG_4374.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Meitar Forest is always green. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jhfhbhIksYQ/WwsNFYzh-DI/AAAAAAAAia4/UZKe0v-u3YwrzrBTiRKOUq4LFZLmz7nkwCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_4366.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jhfhbhIksYQ/WwsNFYzh-DI/AAAAAAAAia4/UZKe0v-u3YwrzrBTiRKOUq4LFZLmz7nkwCEwYBhgL/s400/IMG_4366.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The dry season is beginning and all the green grasses have turned golden. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UZmlWTEh0Bg/WwsMfXR4JEI/AAAAAAAAiao/n7guX83_Yg4fDHA9yirNVlZ8Zfh1jXdiwCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_4372.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UZmlWTEh0Bg/WwsMfXR4JEI/AAAAAAAAiao/n7guX83_Yg4fDHA9yirNVlZ8Zfh1jXdiwCEwYBhgL/s640/IMG_4372.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">In the east -- moonrise over Meitar. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RjzLsbnh9E0/WwsMfUhw3PI/AAAAAAAAiak/IjLoQvthAZohKHrHD3WaN55trCz6ZnQdwCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_4373.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RjzLsbnh9E0/WwsMfUhw3PI/AAAAAAAAiak/IjLoQvthAZohKHrHD3WaN55trCz6ZnQdwCEwYBhgL/s400/IMG_4373.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;">In the west -- sunset. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">And to all a good night. </span><br />
.Dinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03461925401870320466noreply@blogger.com7