Beit Sarah & Beit HaAchim

4. We continued around the infamous 'separation wall', a slate of slanderous remarks written by ungodly, anti-Semitic Europeans. Two modest Jewish homes, Beit Sarah & Beit HaAchim, sit on the hillside where we had lunch. And in spite of the graffiti, we breathed in the life produced by Jews reclaiming the heartland of Israel. But joy & laughter was not deterred from the huge concrete wall that loomed over us from our backside, because everyone was taken in by the mystical view of the ancient city and the Temple Mount that was before us.

5. We eased our way from Abu Dis to the Mount of Olives viewing extravagant Arab homes who want the wall moved far enough West to envelope their homes for fear they will be demolished as some 200 illegal Arab houses are up for destruction since they are hell-bent on the government destroying anything Jewish.

Beit Orot

6. We arrived at Beit Orot, established after the Six Day War. It has a successful yeshiva and has begun building a basketball court, and soon will build some eight new residential dwellings.

Shimon HaTzedik

7. Our last destination of the day was the neighborhood of Shimon HaTzedik in the heart of the Arab Sheik Jarrah neighborhood. Proof of former Jewish residents was evident on external walls of buildings such as the Magen David over the door of the synagogue, and an indentation remained of a Mezzuzah on the doorpost of another building occupied by returning Jewish families. Several buildings on the street below are homes of amazing Jews, even though local Arabs have established a tent on the private premises and set up housekeeping in the street. The Arabs continue to harass the residents and their visitors, yet the Jewish residents are undeterred by the threats and screaming.

The Arabs were infuriated as the group belted out the song: "AHM YISRAEL CHAI!!!"

100201 IN SEARCH OF THE ILLUSIVE RED FIELDS

ROADSIDE BEAUTY

While on a trip in search of the red calaniyot, I stopped at a roadside park as we approached Beit Shemesh. I growth around the water pond caught my attention. The rising sunlight in the background flickered through the leaves and the vegetation swayed in the soft breeze, changing color with changing wind.

HAPPY FACES

I pulled over to the side of the road immediately when I caught a glimpse of these happy faces swaying in the wind. There's just something that makes me happy and want to laugh when I see these bright sunflowers spread their beauty in the fields. I got a lot of cat-calls from passersby as I lay on my stomach to get face to face with these beautys winking at me through the eye of the camera.

Safari Camels Await

Drawing nearer to the location of the calaniyot, I had one last pitstop to make. A small roadside delicatessan which serves vegeterian or cheese sandwiches along with piping hot delicacies. The place was packed out so I took advantage of my 'kind of camels' which were awaiting tourists for a safari into the desert. Okay! So I have a vivid imagination! And they are my 'kind of camel' since they DON'T move. And they were clean and colorfully well groomed. Can't get better than that!

BLANKETS OF RED

We reached our destination and it was well worth the drive south to Be'eri Park. The view was breathtaking! Underneath the sparse forest of trees were blankets of red calaniyot and I was so glad I went on a weekday so I could appreciate the quiet beauty. It seems as though the fields of red are more illusive each year since the seasons are more unpredictable. But it also helps to know where to go when you do go out. The dirt roads of the Be'eri Park were partly washed out after early heavy rains, so driving was unpredictable and I had to maneuver over some rough terrain, or retreat altogether. But walking was no problem and far more enjoyable. Yet, the early rains had a lot to do with making available so much red. I often wonder if the fall of Gush Katif has anything to do with a shortage of numbers in the calaniyot. Since the expulsion of the residents of Gush Katif, each year there is less and less growth in the area that once led to their homes. Areas which were filled with so much color and beauty.

NEW YEAR FOR THE TREES = Tu b'Shvat 5770

(15th of the Hebrew month 'SHVAT')
NADIA & DAUGHTER NAVAH dig into the soil of the Land they are dedicated to preserve for the heritage of the L-rd, the Jewish People.
(This event was sponsored by Women in Green & The Committee for a Jewish Shdema)
Israeli school children venture out to the hills and valleys to mark early spring by planting trees every year at Tu b'Shvat. It is not a Torah commandment, but a minor festival designated in the Mishnah. And it has nothing to do with modern-day ecology and environmentalism.
It is considered important to participate in connecting with Hashem through a show of appreciation for the Land He has given the Jewish People and the command to build and to plant for its restoration.
The mitzvah to plant was never intended for Chutz la'Aretz, yet Jews of the Galut have raised money for years to buy saplings to be planted in Israel.
I personally joined up with a group of die-hards committed to preserving Israel. We went to the hillside of Netzer which lies between Alon Shvut and Elazar in Gush Etzion. A vineyard was planted along with trees, especially olive trees. In areas known as 'no-man's-land', the first to plant becomes the proprietor of the area.
To view more children's photos and information about Tu B'Shvat activities, go to http://www.tzometfriknfrak@blogspotcom

100126 Early Rains Bring on Flooding

Heavy rains brought with it surprising floods throughout Israel. I didn't have to venture out past my back yard to see the gully-washers clearing out trash and other debris. The almond trees are in bloom, and with the rain drops dripping from their budding flowers, it made for some great photography.