Breaking the Fast

Post Yom Kippur Josh and I broke the fast with Sam and Sacha. Much damage to food was done. Look at how happy we all look--it's because we are finally eating!

Penultimate Night: Pilgrimage to Wall

Several hours after Shabbat had gone out, we headed toward the Old City with our friends Sam and Sacha. Hordes of folks, still in their Shabbat finery were perusing the brand new, high-end, outdoor mall in Mamilla. It was the first time we had been there. Amazingly, after a few city blocks worth of Gap, Catsro, cigar shops, Stiematsky's, cafes, etc., you pop out right at the Yaffo Gate.

There were strong streams of Jerusalmites making their way toward the Jewish Quarter. Many chickens were available for the pre-Yom Kippur ritual of Kapparot. The chicken is swung around the head of a person, who transfers their sins upon the animal. (Not a very compassionate activity.)

The scene at the wall was both insanity and ecstatic. Natalie and Sam saw Ovadia Yosef (spiritual leader of Shas) enter wearing a full turban. Sacha and I pushed our way to the wall where a profound silence reigned.

Getting out I kept having flash memories of stories from Mecca, where dozens of people are crushed in religious festivals. Luckily, we escaped via the Dung Gate, walked around Mt. Zion, and caught a cab back home.

Again, junky movie clips, but they capture some of the moment. I especially like the one with the Kaddish being recited.

Some Scenes

Here is a random collection of some of goings-on over the past three weeks.

Spun Halva at the Shuk.

The bread stand at the Shuk. I'm partial to the olive loaf.

These are finger puppet Noahs that I made at Lifeline, where

I've been volunteering.

My cousin Anya. Look at her little face! So cute.

This borsch was made by my aunt and it was AWESOME.

The Spring of the Baby Goat

Last Shabbat we descended into the Dead Sea region of the country for a Shabbaton with the Yeshiva. We did enough davening over the course of those two days to atone for everyone's sins--so nobody worry vis-a-vis your souls.

But on pre-Shabbaz brought us to the psychedelic crag of Ein Gedi...basically a double wadi of fresh water springs. Water that has travelled through the hills of the Judean Mnts, and suddenly pops out of the rock about a mile from the Dead Sea. The swimming made everyone giddy. We also saw some wildlife. A Shafan: Small cross between a chunky cat and a ground hog. They just chilled out by the water with folks. A pack of Ayeliim: Ibex. And even a desert crab.

The videos are admittedly uneventful, and even banal. It was shot by Nat before she decided to plunge in...and you can overhear her initial attempts to lamely demure on the opportunity. Also, the man with the striking bare chest is not a member of our group...though glad he could make in the video with us. And that's me (josh) sneaking around on the edge of the water.

More significantly, today I fresh pressed some pomegranate juice.

We go out at night

Continuing my beloved tradition of punching photos.

Josh and Derek get seksi on the way home.

I really love this man. Don't mind the face he's making , he always does that in photos.

Derek has conquered on of the many columns in his apartment.

The Church of The Holy Sepulchre

On Friday Josh and I made our way to the Old City to see The Church of The Holy Sepulchre.

This church, or the land it is built on, is believed by many to be the site of Jesus' crucifixion and burial. Although it looks plain-ish from the outside, inside it is a mysterious space that feels like an never-ending labyrinth of huge, stone, semi-dark rooms. And the place smells really really good. Like 2000 of frankincense.

The entrance to the church.

Josh at the sepulchre

One of the cupolas.

The entrance to the cave of resurrection.

One of the many places to pray. This one is my favorite as people individually crawl into that little alter/fireplace to pray.

This church is intense. It is carved into the side of a mountain and heavily adorned with candles, gold, crosses, and people with hats/scarves tied around their head. I was briefly chastised by a lovely elderly nun for not covering my shoulders. She was very happy (beaming!) when I put on my cardigan. I really liked being in this weird and mysterious place. I think that's what struck me the most--the mystery of Jesus. Booya, next manuscript title!