Started off Rosh Hashanah 5774 almost the same way as 5773 - a New Years 'Seder' dinner at the Israeli- Roths with Sharona's parents, brother and his family. Last year in San Francisco, this year in Israel. Very different venue, always the same great food. It is definitely different here, to wake up to the sound of the shofar - Israel's answer to the rooster this time of year.
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| "Seder" Plate |
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| Dome of the Rock from the Checkpoint |
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| Low Door in the Muslim Quarter |
After services on Thursday (all in Hebrew did not understand a thing except for the familiar prayers and melodies) I took a long walk in the Christian and Muslim quarters of the Old City. Even during the high holidays, these areas are bustling with activity. I got deep into the Muslim quarter this time, to the point where the guards at the checkpoints turned me back from the Muslim- only areas. A bit menacing but not too bad. I asked the guard how he knew I was not Muslim :), he answered me (in my NY Knicks hat) - "I just knew". I did buy a white shirt for Yom Kippur but Michelle thinks it's an Arab style, so might not be too well received in certain quarters (but better than wearing my jalabia).
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| Quiet Corner in the Christian Quarter |
Every time I go to the Old City I see something new - this time it was an area of street where Byzantine era cobble stones had been exposed in the course of building a new sewer line.
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| Byzantine Era Cobble Stones in Christian Quarter |
Ended up the day with dinner with Chana's (the woman whose house we swapped) parents and her brother's family. Lovely evening, super nice people, another late night for the kids but they can sleep in...
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