Mother Rachel

If you happened to look at the Hebrew Calendar today you would have noticed that it is the 11th of Cheshvan, the anniversery of the Jewish Matriarch Rachel's death.

As this is a blog about Jerusalem, we aren't going to show you Rachel's Tomb as it lies just outside Jerusalem's municipal's borders in Bethlehem.

But, we will show you the road that leads to the tomb, Derech Hevron.

It has always been a mystery to me as to why the road that leads to Bethlehem is called Derech Hevron, while the parallel road is called Derech Beit Lechem (which if that road didn't end in a junction it would go straight onto Hevron).

The buses were lined up all the way down the road for those that wanted to visit.

And the buses were packed.

Rumor has it that 60,000 people visited Rachel's Tomb today.

Here is a visitor tent that was set up on the road.

SL

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Food, Glorious Food

You gotta hand it to the Mayor.

Since he took over, he has made Jerusalem a fun (and tasty) place.



Again the city hosted the Annual Sukkot Food Fair at the Old Train Station. All the latest restaurants were hawking their wares (OK, selling their food). Music filled the air alongside the aroma of tens of different types of ethnic food - all kosher, of course.

SL

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It's All Right (Nachon)

You're probably asking yourself, 'S.A. Nachon Street'?

Where is that? Is it even on the map?

You'd be surprised to learn what a busy little street this is.

To begin with, it is the home of the Menachem Begin Heritage Center. Well worth the visit and tour (make an appointment in advance).

Then, there is the famous Bnei Brith Bridge which crosses over Derech Hebron.

And of course, you want to cross over the bridge, because on the other side is the Cinemateque (in the Kidron Valley).

And looking up at the bridge and at the continuation of S.A. Nachon Street you see the part of the neighborhood of Yemin Moshe known as Mishkanot Sha'ananim.

In the background are some hotels, and the famous Montifiore Windmill (right side, in front of the King David Hotel).

Still not sure where it is, or why you should visit?

SL

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Swimming in the Sultan’s Pool

OK. You can’t really swim in the Sultan’s Pool anymore, unless you count swimming through the masses of people visiting there.

Between Yemin Moshe and the Old City, in the Gai Ben Hinom Valley, the Sultan’s Pool was originally a (Herodian?) reservoir that was created by damming the South side of the valley. It lies at the corner of the Jerusalem Brigade Road and the end of Hebron Road (Derech Hevron).

These days it is used for concerts.

And for housing an Artist Colony (they have to put the artists somewhere).

Every evening this particular week it is used for the International Arts and Crafts Fair.

And did we mention the food?

By the way, the word for "Hell" in Hebrew is "Gehenom" and some Jewish traditions place this valley as the entrance. The reason this valley was associated with Hell was that in ancient times it is believed that idolatrous practices (particularly child sacrifices to Moloch) were practiced in this valley.

Big change.

SL

Sponsored by Colony Real Estate Professionals

The Color Purple

If you drive on Derech Hevron on night, you will notice one of the nicest structures of modern Jerusalem. It is a simple bridge, and at night it is tastefully lit up in purple.

SL

Sponsored by Colony Real Estate Professionals

The Beer Festival

The Jerusalem Train Station has a lot of history. These past few years the city has been using it for outdoor events (more fun than historical). Here are pictures from the Jerusalem Beer Festival (It's early so a lot of people hadn't yet shown up) with Live Music.

SL

Sponsored by Colony Real Estate Professionals