Happy Birthday to Me!

I've celebrated 19 birthdays in this city. That's hard to believe. It occured to me that I have lived here in each decade of my life since age 27. Here I am now in my 50s and I am reflecting on the various stages of my life here in this city. I first came here with 1 child, and now I have 3 children, married, with 2 grandsons, each one a blessing from God.

Likewise, I have watched the changes of this city - my neighbhorhood - transform since we first came here in 1980. The growth of this city has caused new housing tracks all over, bursting at the seams it seems.

Today we celebrated my birthday with a lunch just on the outskirts of Jerusalem in an Arab village called Abu Ghosh. Israeli's love to come here because they are welcomed as customers, especially on the weekend when they go out with their families. This restaurant is called Lebanese Restaurant, which boasts the famed "best humous" in Israel award! Their speciality is the stuffed chicken with rice, raisins, and pine nuts. Abu Ghosh stands as an example of a community that is blessed by God because of their choice not to join in the a conflict with their Jewish neighbors. Instead, they have chosen to act neighborly. As a result, their economic exchange with Israel has caused their village to be quite wealthy. Those who own businesses are friendly, courteous and hospitable towards their Jewish neighbors.

I always enjoy going to Abu Ghosh to have lunch because of the friendly atomosphere and delicious foods. Today we selected a Kubbeh, homemade pickles, humous, salads, kabobs, lamb, and barbeque chicken. We were surprised at the end of the meal when the waiters brought in a plate of baklava, sweet Turkish coffee and sparklers! They heard us talking about my birthday! Happy birthday to me!

Ancient Temple Aquaduct

One day on our exercise walk, we came across the ancient aquaduct used to direct the flow of water to the ancient Temple inside the walls the Old City of Jerusalem.

The ceramic-made tunnel was still quite evident and you could follow the tunnel passage from the highest point of city close to the Arab villages, along the apple orchards of Kibbutz Ramat Rahel and then winding down to the place where we stood.

We stood atop a high point of the south hills that stand around Jerusalem at the Haas Promenade. When my husband and I first moved to this neighborhood of Talpiot Arnona in 1981, we used to come to this hill top just to take photos. In one sweeping glance at the Haas Promenade, you are able to see Jerusalem - the Old City walls, the New City buildings, and the ancient villages -all blended into one panoramic view of the city.

Below are two photos my husband took at different angles and time of day.

Atop this hill buried in deep in the earth lies historical secrets of ancient Jewish residents that archeologists are working hard today to uncover. The amazing architechtural feat of the Jewish Temple Aquaduct is only one such treasure we are amazed to consider as we kick up the dirt with our exercise sandles in this modern era.

The War Drill

We had an air raid siren drill today. Actually it was an all chemical and biological war drill throughout the country.

All the emergency agencies staged a mock drill.

The State warned us ahead of time when the sirens would be sounding, but it was still nerve shattering. Our apartment is situated fairly close to the siren so whenever it sounds, you have to respond.

I remember the first time we ever heard the siren in our neighbhorhood...in 1980. My oldest daughter was only 3 at that time and her and her Dad were coming home from the store. As it happened, they were walking directly under the siren when it suddenly sounded. My daughter Heather was in such shock at the piercing sound that she burst out screaming, mouth opened as wide as possible, tears jerking out of her eyes, only no sound could be heard. Poor baby...From then on, I took careful note of when the siren was going to sound (a few times a year) and would take my young children into an inner room, explain what was about to happen, cover them in thick blankets and hold them close as we awaited the 2 minute siren. Even so, they would all burst out crying loudly, looking at me with pleading eyes, no sound could be heard except the siren.

Unfortunately, Israel has an enemy in this neighbhorhood who has publically boasted of its intentions to "wipe Israel off the map." The State of Israel takes all credible threats seriously and seeks to protect its citizens. Today was a drill in the event that this enemy should try to make good on the threat someday in the future. We captured this drill today...My trust is in the God of Israel who "never sleeps nor slumbers." May He who makes peace in the heavens, bring us His shalom. Amen.

Kosher For Passover!

The supermarket was a mess and it was hard to navigate my shopping cart through the narrowed aisles. It took me a few minutes to understand why. Then I remembered Passover would be here in about 2 weeks time. From here through Passover week, all items not "Kosher for Passover" would be removed from the normal shelves and transferred to a special place in the store that would be papered off so customers would not buy the items.

I'm always surprised at the items not available for purchase at Passover. All items that are allowed for Passover are stamped in Hebrew "Kosher for Passover" which is especially important for those households that have worked so hard to make it clean and acceptable for the week-long biblical celebration.

My neighborhood has been hard at work radically cleaning and preparing their households for Passover since just after Purim. Professional cleaners are often hired. Our elderly neighbors, a Rabbi and his wife, hired a young Yeshiva student to come and clean their apartment top to bottom. They will be inviting their sons and their families to spend the night of Passover, celebrating the special meal long into the night.

All the stores and markets - large or small - are preparing to make their shopping environment free of hametz (rising agents) so all products sold will be "Kosher for Passover."

Snowing in Jerusalem!

What a great day! It snowed off and on all day from 8:00 am this morning. With concrete walls and marble floors, it is really hard to get the apartment warm enough. But, I took my laptop to the couch, surrounded myself with warm blankets and pillows and worked while I watched the snow fall today.

This video clip was taken outside of our living room balcony.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-1249000236123282492&pr=goog-sl

All of Israel enjoyed a special day. Our computer technician came today to drop off some equipment. He reminded us that the last time he came to our home, it was a snow storm also! Funny when you consider it doesn't snow very often. By Sunday, it will be warm again, and the Land of Israel will be green, lush, and blooming with wild flowers.

Recipe of the Day

It is a crisp, clear and sunny spring March day today. I headed off this morning on my walk, the same route I took 2 days ago - towards the Kibbutz at the end of our street. At this time of year, I'm always on the lookout for my favorite green bush - the Jerusalem "Bread plant." This lowely weed has an unusual history. the story goes that during the seige of Jerusalem, when the residents were starving, this homely little plant sustained them. The pods that grow can be dried and ground up find, hence the name "bread plant."

To find this plant, I first look for the varigated Nettle plant. In the midst of the stinging, spikey nettle plant grows the bread plant. Also growing in the midst of these two plants are dandelion greens, a popular Middle Eastern favorite for salads.

One day, as I headed to a vacant field in my neighborhood, I was joined by several Arab women, bent over carefully selecting their greens as well. We exchanged greetings in Hebrew and Arabic and lots of sign language, each heading off to their homes to make dinner for their family. Me included.

Today I had to search the kibbutz grounds for a clean nylon sack. I located several large bushes of bread plant greens and wanted to pick a selection of young green leaves to acccompany my salmon meal. As I went from bush to bush, I considered how the ancient residents of this neighborhood also gleaned the greens of these fields each spring. The bread plant only gives its leaves for a few weeks, dries up and dies until the next spring.

Loaded with iron, vitamins and minerals, it has been recommended that we all eat more greens with our meals, doctor recommended! Here's a simple and nutritious recipe for spring greens, and you can substitute spinach, collard, beet or bok choy leaves: Saute chopped onions and a couple of slices of low fat smoked lunch meat in olive oil until onions are softened and begin to turn brown. Toss in the washed greens and cook until softened. Meanwhile, toast about 1-2 tablespoons of pine nuts in a dry pan, shaking often, taking care that they do not burn. Turn the greens into a serving bowl and add about a tablespoon more of olive oil; sprinkle on the toasted pine nuts and toss together.

I find it amazing that God provided for the Jerusalem residents in the midst of such dire circumstances with this little green weed.

Jerusalem Rush Hour

This morning I had to drive my husband to Moshav Yad HaShmona, the north entry to the city. We made our way at 6:50am from the southern Jerusalem neighborhood of Talpiot Arnona through the sleepy community of Ein Kerem, bypassing the main highway to avoid the traffic that floods the arteries in and out of the city. This route circles the city through the wadis, up and down the hills, and I think, much more picturesque.

Coming back from the Moshav was a different story, however. By 8:15, the arteries in and out of the city were jammed, bumper to bumper. I have been amazed at the increase of cars on the road since first coming to Israel in 1980. Many of the immigrants who have come in the past decade have purchased a car, and the traffic has increased greatly.

Nevermind, the drive home was pleasant, and surprisingly, the drivers were tolerant of each other, polite even. Perhaps the last two day of great joy in celebrating Purim - the deliverance from the enemies of the Jews - was spilling over to this morning. As I descended into the Ein Kerem wadi's winding and bumpy road, the 8:00 morning news report came on the radio, catching me up-to-date on the concerns of the country. I took note of the "mountains around Jerusalem" as I made my circuitous way home. The red wild tulips and daffodils are coming up on the hillsides, the green grass covering the hills turns brilliant when the sun breaks through the gathering clouds. Rain sprinkles dirtied my dusty windshield as I climbed the hill to the ancient road to Hebron. Jerusalemites inched their vehicles forward, anticipating the traffic light change, no doubt late for their office jobs. We all vied for the same narrow lanes, turning left.

The road work continues on the Hebron Road, nearing their deadline to institute the new city-tram system, the Jerusalem Light Rail. The hope is that with the new transit system in place, the roads will be cleared of thousands of cars leading into the capital city.

Glancing at the clock upon arriving home, I was surprised to realize that the little trip across town had taken nearly an hour and a half. Such is life in the Holy City at rush hour. I think I'll have another cup of Turkish coffee.

Walk Around Jerusalem

I took a different route this morning on my exercise walk. Heading towards Kibbutz Ramat Rahel I enjoyed the clear spring air, and blooming flowers. The surrounding wadis and hills leading up to Bethlehem were bright green. Beautiful.

Passing by the spa facility on the guest grounds of the Kibbutz, I headed towards the archeological site that overlooks the west part of Jerusalem. I was taken once again with the history buried deep in the soil of every step I take.

The archeological work going on here at this kibbutz is exposing remnants of a king’s palace from the First Temple period and the hidden layers of 7th and 8th century B.C.E. They are exploring "the stratigraphic continuity of layers from the Persian, Hellenistic, Roman, and Byzantine periods" (from their website).

Each summer they accept volunteers to dig down into the layers of history. Check out their website if you are interested in reading more or volunteering.

Reading the plaques assigned to each portion of the dig, I was again struck with the fact that communities of peoples lived on these grounds for centuries. What I observed as mounds of dirt since living here from 1980, are now uncovered and taking the shape of an organized compound of previous Israeli kings. This neighborhood I live in was definitely strategic with its panoramic 360-degree view.

Heading home, I had the sense that even though I live in Modern Israel, the lives of those gone before us -- with all of the events of their day -- is not too unlike what we face once again as Jerusalemites.

Shabbat

What a beautiful spring Shabbat day! March definitely came in with a storm, as goes the saying.

Tonight will be wonderful for the celebrants of Purim.
Hag Purim Sameach Israel.