Shabbat

We walked to a 8:30 service at the Fuchsberg Center. It was a lovely service with many foreigners. Then we headed to the the Tower of David/Museum of Jerusalem. The exhibit gave you a good history of who occupied this land. I cannot pronounce all the names of who conquered and occupied this land.

After that we visited the Old City for some shopping. However, you don’t want to know about the damage.

Weather is perfect, blue skies and high 66/low 50 with low humidity. Tomorrow I climb Masada and we change the clocks tonight.

Jerusalem

After another delicious breakfast, we headed to the Hebrew University to visit the biological chemistry building where Dr. Victoria Kruskal taught in the 1960’s. While in Tel Aviv, we will see the home she built in the 1930’s.

Then we headed to the Israel Museum, which gives an excellent grounding in the region’s history in its huge archaeological wing and has another equally impressive wing concentrating on Jewish art and life. The fine arts wing has a collection of international and Israeli art, the museum’s grounds feature an art garden, and there’s a dedicated building showcasing the museum’s prize exhibit, the Dead Sea Scrolls.

First, we viewed the model that shows what Jerusalem looked like 100 BCE-100 AD.

The first scrolls were found in 1947 and date back to 132-35 CE. The Jewish art/life wing exhibits four complete synagogues brought from various locations and reconstructed. Also worth seeing is the painted Deller family sukkah (wooden dwelling erected during the harvest festival of Sukkot), which dates from the 19th century.

Our next stop was the Mahane Yehuda Market. All walks of local life converge at this bustling market. Crammed with fresh fruit, olives, nuts, vegetables and just about anything else grown in the local soil. At night, it is a restaurant and bar hub where locals and tourists hang out.

Jerusalem

Started the day visiting the Supreme Court. There are 15 justices that have to retire at age 70. Israel has no constitution and the Supreme Court hears appeals from the district courts. The building was financed by the Rothschild Foundation and built in 1992. Its interior and exterior architecture is modern and mostly constructed of limestone. The interior lobby floor has a design consisting of straight lines and circles. The straight lines ( yosher) means “integrity” and the circles depict “justice.”

Our next stop was Yad Vashem. Words cannot describe its impact. The memorial was built 8 years after the Holocaust. The first thing you see is the Avenue of the Righteous Gentiles with trees lined on either side. Each tree has a plaque with a name-Raoul Wallenberg, Oskar Schindler, and Rudy Edmonds. Each person has a story of selflessness and courage.

The Hall of Names is at one end of the museum and is organized around a hole in the floor that honors those victims whose names will never be known.

The Children’s Memorial is dedicated to the 1.5 million Jewish children who died in the Holocaust. Dug into the bedrock, the underground memorial contains a solitary flame reflected by hundreds of mirrors.

Chagall Windows are located in the Hadassah Medical Centre which was built in 1912. Each of the 12 colorful abstract panels depicts one of the tribes of Israel, based on Genesis 49 and Deuteronomy 33.

Jerusalem

Took a short nap and then off to the old city. Jerusalem is full of people, interesting smells, beautiful sights and lights illuminating every building. Walked to the Western Wall and of course stayed on the women’s side. After you approach the wall for prayer and /or reflection, you walk backwards to show respect. Had our first middle eastern dinner plate-falafel, humus, tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, coleslaw and pickles . It was yummy! Our tour guide, Itai, will meet us in the hotel lobby so our adventure begins.

All I can say is “WOW.” Itai picked us up after a delicious breakfast and took us all around the Old City-Muslim Christian and Jewish Quarter. We also did a tour of the Western Wall and tunnels. Would you believe a Toronto family gave a donation to build a small chapel next to the tunnels? Our tour guide, Leah, went there for Erev Yom Kippur service. Jerusalem is simply amazing!!!!!

Jerusalem

Had our first lunch at a sidewalk cafe that’s been in the city since 1953. Walking around our neighborhood getting a feel for the area. Jaffa Street is pedestrian friendly with electric trolleys and no cars.

Jerusalem

We made it. Air Canada Business Class on a 787 is a dream. Maybe that’s why the aircraft is called “Dreamliner.” You will see posted a picture of the former owner of our villa hotel-a Jewish doctor and his family.

On the way to Tel Aviv

Left DC on a beautiful sunny day. Flight took only 70 minutes to Toronto. Having a late lunch buffet at Air Canada’s Signature Club. The food is amazing. Will board flight to Tel Aviv in 50 minutes. I am ready for my pod. Be back in Israel.