Hurva Synagogue rededicated tonight

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My world, for That's My World, very much revolves around the developments in Jerusalem of the past week.
This tall crane was taken down a few days ago, after four and a half years of work.

That is how long it took to rebuild HaHurva Synagogue in the Jewish Quarter of the Old City.

The previous one had looked exactly the same, built in the grand Neo-Byzantine style in 1864.

Photo from Israel Government Press Office as it appears in Wikipedia

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When the Israeli army won the battle for the Old City in the 1967 Six Day War, this is how we found the Hurva synagogue looking. The Hebrew word hurva means ruins.

In our 1948 War of Independence, Jordan's Arab Legion attacked the Jewish Quarter. The Israeli fighters of the Haganah had to use the synagogue as their last stronghold. We lost that battle, and all the Jews were expelled from the Old City or captured and held prisoner.

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The Jordanians blew up the building NOT in the heat of battle, but after they had already won the battle and taken over the Old City. Explosives were placed with careful thought exactly under the springing points of the domes of the great Hurva synagogue.
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This is actually the third rebuilding of this synagogue.
The first one, from the early 1700s, was burned down in 1721 by Arab creditors angry that the Jews were not quick enough in repaying the money they had borrowed to build it.

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The whole incredible history, international intrigues and all, can be learned at Wikipedia.
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Tonight, Rosh Hodesh Nisan, the Hurva was dedicated with much celebration.
After all these years, the mezuzah was affixed to the doorpost and Torah scrolls were placed in the holy ark.

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I will try to go soon to tour the interior and take pictures. Meanwhile, Arutz Sheva has a 5-minute video of the inside. The wall paintings are impressive.

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To get a feeling of the events of the 1948 war that we talked about above, I highly recommend the candid Life magazine photos. I just discovered a blogger who has put together the best Life shots here (and more here and here).

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Troubles

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The last two weeks have been hard on Jerusalem.

For eights days straight we have had an unseasonable heat wave and several days of bad dust storms (the sand blew over from North Africa).

Then there was the undiplomatic "mishap" when Vice President Biden was here.
And before that, the young Muslim shabab throwing rocks from the Temple Mount down onto Jews praying at the Western Wall.

Trouble is expected tomorrow. If you hear about it on your media, these two photos will help you in your orientation.
The night photo shows the Western Wall on the left.
Behind the wall is the Temple Mount on which is Al Aksa mosque. Its grey dome looks golden at night.
The ramp leads up to the Mughrabi Gate, one of the entrances into the Temple Mount.

Here is a better view of the ramp and Mughrabi Gate.
The golden dome is the Muslim shrine called the Dome of the Rock (on the Temple Mount).

If you enter the Old City wall through the Dung Gate, you pass through the security check at the lower right corner of the photo and enter the Western Wall Plaza.
On the horizon is the Mount of Olives.
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I am worried what tomorrow will bring.
Please friends, pray for the peace of Jerusalem.
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Locked in

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To find animal photo-ops for Camera-Critter Sunday I sometimes have to resort to pet stores, like this one in the mall.
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So many pretty little birds under lock and key . . .
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Shopping for shadows

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Hey, more "reverse shadows" for Hey Harriet's "Shadow Shot Sunday."

The rectangles of light come down from the windows in the Mamilla Mall dome.

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The opening of this first GAP store in Jerusalem was big news last August.

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And now, last week, everyone was talking about the opening of a Tel Aviv branch of the Swedish fashion house H & M. Shoppers waited in line for hours to be let into the new store.

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IKEA, the international chain selling Swedish-designed furniture, a few days ago opened its second branch in Israel, near Rishon Lezion. They say it is their biggest store in the Middle East. It is a 1.2 mile walk from one end of the building to the other.

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Oi, just the idea is enough to make me dizzy. I'm glad I don't need anything and don't have to go shopping. :D

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Reflecting on the shtender

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Perhaps in anticipation of "Weekend Reflections" this old carving was displayed with a mirror behind it at the Jewish Art Museum in Jerusalem's Hechal Shlomo.

The traditional Jewish prayer and study lectern or podium is called by its better Yiddish name: shtender.
Like most Yiddish words, it does not translate well.
When you are praying and studying the holy books all day and half of the night, like the yeshiva "seminarians" do, you really need a shtender.
When you get tired of sitting, you stand; when you get tired of standing, you sit.
The shtender rocks with you. The shtender leans with you. Or, it stands firm when it has to.
It has room inside and on top to hold your many books.
There's even a footrest.
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Soon, just before sunset, it will be time to light the candles and welcome the Sabbath.
The old wooden Jew from long ago joins me in wishing you Shabbat shalom, Sabbath peace.
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Update: I went back to the museum this week and was surprised to see that the man at the shtender was a lot smaller than I had remembered him from my first visit. Funny how things "grow on you."
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UPDATE Jan. 2015:  Everything you ever wanted to know about shtenders at the You're Not Crazy blog.
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A stairway to (a blue) heaven

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Israel's sky is blue with no rain in sight. All week we have been having a heat wave.
It's back to sandals and T shirts, for now at least.

As shot from the bus window, this is Yad Sarah House in Jerusalem.

Click the photo to see the unique staircase.
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Yad Sarah, the largest voluntary organization in Israel, provides a spectrum of free or nominal cost services designed to make life easier for sick, disabled and elderly people and their families.
There are over 100 branches all over Israel.

Yad Sarah is best known for its lending of crutches, wheelchairs, etc.
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Together with our Foreign Ministry, Yad Sarah is donating three tons of medical equipment to Haiti.
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Happy SkyWatch Friday!
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Vive la France!

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Today Jerusalem Hills Daily Photo is flying the French Tricolor in honor of Eric Tenin.
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City Daily Photobloggers are celebrating the 5th anniversary of Eric's blog, "ParisDailyPhoto, the blog that started the City Daily Photo community."
Click here to view thumbnails for all participants in this special Blog Day. We are all trying to post a picture imitating the Tenin technique/perspective.
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Consulat Général de France à Jérusalem stands proudly at 5 Paul Emile Botta Street.

The writing of the iron fence announces territory of the République française.
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The Consulate's website has photos of the interior and the more ornate side of the grand old building, built in 1930.
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(Other posts of French interest are about Paris Square in Jerusalem and Ben-Gurion Square in Paris.)
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Mazal-tov to Eric Tenin and many thanks for inspiring 1,178 of us to begin blogs about our hometowns. Together we are making foreign countries less foreign and more friendly.
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Ben-Gurion Square in Paris

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Bust of David Ben-Gurion at Hebrew University, Mount Scopus

We CDP bloggers are getting ready for tomorrow's Blog day: The Tenin Technique.
It is a 5th anniversary tribute to Eric of Paris Daily Photo. Eric started the "city daily photo blog" idea, and it has grown to 1,178 members.
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And what luck! Just in time! A Paris-Jerusalem connection!

Ynetnews writes that the French have decided to name a big central Paris square after David Ben-Gurion, Israel's first prime minister, and that the inauguration ceremony will be on March 13. [Hmm, on Shabbat?]

The Yediot Aharonot daily says, "The square, which has a large fountain at its center, is located on the banks of the Seine River opposite the Quai Branly Museum. A statue of Ben-Gurion is expected to be placed in the square.
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Come back tomorrow for a look at France in Jerusalem.
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How Israel is helping Haitians

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For ABC Wednesday's H day: How Israel is helping Haiti.

This photo is borrowed from a Facebook album of IsraAID: The Israel Forum for International Humanitarian Aid.

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After the earthquake Israel was prompt to send in medical and rescue teams and equipment.

Probably you followed on TV how everyone in Haiti loved the Israeli doctors and soldiers and volunteers. And here in Israel we could easily see in the videos that our people in the field were becoming very fond of the injured children and all those that they helped.

I think they were almost sorry to finish their mission there and fly home.

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So it didn't surprise us too much when this great news was announced last week:

(quoted from the Foreign Affairs Ministry website)

"The Israeli government has decided to continue its official assistance to Haiti as part of the global effort of reconstruction of the country. This will be coordinated through MASHAV - Israel's Agency for International Development Cooperation, Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The Israeli ambassador in Santo Domingo, Amos Radian, is in contact with the authorities in Haiti to find an appropriate site for building an Israeli Children's Village and to obtain the necessary approval. The project plans include an elementary school that will operate in two shifts, a playground/sports field, and a medical center. The site could also be utilized for conducting evening adult education classes. A planned community center will work with youngsters on post trauma treatment and counseling, psychological rehabilitation and afternoon activities.

In coordination with the mayor of Port au Prince, a local principal and teaching staff will be recruited for the school, which will be comprised of 6-8 classrooms (between 30-50 students per class). They will be joined by professionals from Israel and, possibly, volunteer teachers from Jewish communities around the world. Meals will be provided to the school through an arrangement with various NGOs."

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There are many other current Israeli aid efforts in Haiti.

I promise, it will make you feel good about humanity to read about them and about the many Israeli and Jewish volunteer organizations committed to helping where help is needed. Wonderful photos, videos, and links at the MFA website!

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It takes a village to teach Dina Arabic

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Earlier today I posted something for International Women's Day.
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But in addition, for That's My World Tuesday, I invite you to see my post of exactly one year ago which is a tribute to the welcoming and hard-working Arab women of Dirijat.
Please click here to go down to their village in the Negev desert.
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International Women's Day

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For International Women's Day I post two posters that were part of an exhibition at Ben-Gurion Airport a few months ago.

Please click on both photos to read the messages about women.

Golda Meir immigrated to Palestine in 1921, from Milwaukee, and soon began taking leadership roles. She was Israel's Foreign Minister from 1956 to 1966 and Prime Minister from 1969 to 1974.

The photo shows her dancing with women in Africa, way back when young Israel and the new countries of Africa were becoming good friends.

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The exhibit at the airport was about MASHAV, the Israel Foreign Ministry's Center for International Cooperation, which was established in 1958, following Golda's first visit to Africa.

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I am just now learning about a really great project that MASHAV is planning. Please drop by tomorrow and I'll try to tell more about it.

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Shalom to the women of the world on International Women's Day !

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Back to nature

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In yesterday's post I said the Hebrew University has many places that even little kids can enjoy.
Some readers assumed that meant dedicated playgrounds, but actually I showed only an art installation and the Nature Walk. Maybe I should explain better, with some more pictures.

The wooden Nature Walk goes just above rocks and plants, the same terrain that was there when construction of the university's second campus in Givat Ram began in 1953.
It loops around for a long walk or jog. It is wheel chair and stroller friendly.
You can walk your dog there--or your grandsons (like I did last year).

You feel like you are in the wilderness. It is so quiet. Almost no one to be seen.

Some corners of the elevated walkway have benches.

At several points there are stairs down to the ground.

That is what I meant, that little kids know how to explore and enjoy any place by using their imagination. They loved roaming down on the earth.
Eyal looked on as Dean examined the porcupine quill he had just found. A rare find!

Why did Dean climb the boulder? Because it was there!

And then we found a mysterious red mark that invited the three of us to observe and interpret it.
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All this was much more fun than playing on swings and seesaws!

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Shadows at play

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The Givat Ram campus of the Hebrew University Jerusalem has many places that even little kids (and their grandma) can enjoy.

Hopefully Hey Harriet and her "shadowy" group at Shadow Shot Sunday will enjoy the long shadows too.

Two brothers and two shadows holding hands.

The Nature Walk boardwalk goes over the boulders and natural vegetation in a still un-built part of the university.

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Lara ascending

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Sweet Lara among the winter rainy season greenery and flowers.

As spring and summer approach, all this will turn brown and dry.
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The stairs going from one terrace to a lower terrace were built by the 12th century Crusaders.
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Happy Camera-Critters Sunday to you and to the animals in your life.
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Pull out a seat, sit down!

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I found a small museum inside the Supreme Court Building.
It is called the Judicial Heritage Museum.
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At the center of the above photo is Israel's Declaration of Independence. (We do not have a constitution.)
Surrounding it are all kinds of video presentations about legal matters.
The screens are better seen in the reflections up on the ceiling--a gift for James and his group at "Weekend Reflections."

I was the only person in the museum (maybe it was after opening hours, dunno, just walked in).
But when a group comes in for a tour, each person can pull out a seat and sit.
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Maybe RuneE will count this as a bench for his "Bench on Friday"?
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The furniture in the Supreme Court Building was designed by the architects themselves.
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Dusk

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The best skywatching over the Jerusalem Hills (Judean Mountains) is during winter.
And the best time is right after sunset.
This sky came at 5:47 p.m. a few days ago. The days are getting longer. There is hope.
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Happy SkyWatch Friday to you all.
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Over the hill

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Before we get too far away in time from the Winter Olympics, I'd like you to see this.
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At a big electronics store in the Jerusalem Mall, these young religious girls were glued to the screen(s).
Strictly orthodox Jewish families do not have a television in their homes.
So for these girls it was a few minutes of being transported to another world--Canada, snow, skiiers. . .
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(Well, what am I saying?? I don't have a TV either. I too had fun watching all those skiiers come over the hill. But more fun taking the picture.)
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Gates, gardens, groves, and government

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Gee, it's time for ABC Wednesday already.

Still inside the Supreme Court Building, we look down the Knesset passageway.
The flag you see flying in the distance is atop the Knesset building.


I walked out the gate of the court and soon turned around to snap this picture.
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The Knesset passageway connects the Knesset, the legislative branch of government, with the Supreme Court building, the judicial branch.
The path represents both the connection and the separation between the legislative and the judicial branches of government.

In between these two important places is the Wohl Rose Park.
Click on the map to see how many gardens and groves there are.
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Foreign dignitaries can land on the park's helicopter pad, and then they are officially received on the parade ground.
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Covering 70 dunams, the public park is a venue for festive and public events.
Over 400 species of roses from all over the world bloom in summer.

Sure enough, the path led to the Knesset, with the famous menorah standing at its gate!
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Water over the dam

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When you take the bus from Jerusalem westward to my village, this is what you see from the window.
Click to enlarge this March 2008 photo and some blue will appear at the center.
That is water in the reservoir near Beit Zayit

The large reservoir is dry in the summer and dry in some winters too.

But the phenomenon which happened over the last few days is something the old-time residents here have not witnessed for many many years.
It rained so hard in the Jerusalem Hills from Thursday to Sunday that the water started flowing over the dam!
It flowed through the dry watercourse of Nahal Soreq like a mighty stream.

From up on the western side of our hilltop moshav I could actually hear the rush of the water and even see part of the river down in the valley. This was a first for me. An exciting first!
It even made the TV evening news.

For four straight days we had torrential rains, thunder and lightning, and even hailstorms.
The Jerusalem Hills got several times more than any other part of Israel, well over 200 mm (more than 8 inches).
This is equal to one third of the normal rainfall for an entire winter!

The reservoir collected rain as well as water from Motza Spring, Halilim Spring, Nahal Halilim, and other streams that fill up with winter rains.
The water captured in the reservoir will help to recharge the thirsty aquifer.
But the rains of last week came down too fast and furious with no time to percolate and mostly they became run-off.

The water over the dam made its way through Nahal Soreq clear across the country, discharging into the Mediterranean Sea at Palmahim.

On a personal note, for a few hours it rained so hard that for a short time part of my yard became a pool. My poor little house must have been sitting in it because water started to trickle in from between the ceramic tiles at the base of the kitchen wall.
The owner said that in all the house's 60 years standing, that had never happened.

I fought bravely to stem the tide on the kitchen floor, but I never want to do that again.
It is very unsettling.
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Thanks for listening. Here is a gift for you. The traditional mishloach manot, the food goodies that you give to friends on Purim.
Today Jerusalem celebrated the holiday of Shushan Purim.
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Happy Purim to all who come for this edition of That's My World Tuesday!
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Passageway into Theme Day

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The Supreme Court Building in Jerusalem has some great passageways.
Ironically, the sign in this one says "Ein ma'avar," meaning NO PASSAGE.
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Instead, tourist groups are guided through this passageway.
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March 1 is our Theme Day at City Daily Photo Blog, now with 1,170 members and still growing.

There will be passageways from all over the world.
Click here to view thumbnails for all participants
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