Dateline Jerusalem — This week Israelis celebrated Yom Yerushalayim-Jerusalem Day, the reunification of the eternal capital of the Jewish people as established by King David approximately 1000 BCE. From 1948 to 1967 CE, a 19-year period of forced expulsion from Jerusalem was the only time in history that Jerusalem was divided. For even when the Holy Temple was destroyed and other nations and religions conquered Jerusalem, the city of Jerusalem had been unified.

Dateline Jerusalem — Somehow I skipped a day this week. I do not know how it happened. Perhaps I am too relaxed since I no longer have a job. All of a sudden I realized that tomorrow is really today and yesterday didn’t make it to my calendar.

Dateline Jerusalem — Almost 32 years ago I made my first visit to Israel. I was afraid to fly here, afraid of terrorists, afraid of everything associated with my visit. Over the years, my fears never abated. But I could not stay away. The land of Israel called out to me, hugged my soul, and lured me like a siren enticing lost ships.

Dateline Jerusalem — From sadness to joy within a matter of seconds, this has been a bittersweet week. From visiting cemeteries and standing at attention when the sirens went off once again only one week after Holocaust Memorial Day, but this time in remembrance of victims of terror and those soldiers and citizens who lost their lives protecting Israel, to fireworks and dancing in the streets in celebration of the 63rd birthday of the State of Israel, Israeli Remembrance (Memorial) Day and Independence Day rolled into one another at sundown the other day.

Dateline Jerusalem — The sirens screamed for 2 full minutes as all of Israel came to a standstill.

Dateline Jerusalem — Thunder and lightning. Wind-blown downpouring rain. Unusual weather for this time of year in Israel when the skies are normally pools of powder blue brightened by the golden heat of the sun. Springtime. And although the temperature is warm and my windows are open to the fresh air and sweet smelling colorful blossoms surrounding my apartment building, the rain continues to fall. Much needed sustenance for the parched dry land I call home.

Dateline Jerusalem — The year is 5771 according to the Jewish calendar, not 2011 (counted from the beginning of mankind…”Adam and Eve and the Garden of Eden”). This week Jews celebrated Passover (Pesach), commemorating the exodus of Moses and the Jews from slavery in Egypt to freedom in the land of Israel approximately 3,323 years ago. In this time of the “Season of our Freedom,” we remember the exodus from Egypt at Seder tables throughout the world. As my friend Davida from Nevada says, “May we have an exodus from the current horrors of the world.”

Dateline Jerusalem —If you think gasoline is expensive in the U.S., it is nothing compared to the price in
Israel. Although it is not measured by the gallon here, but by the liter, the equivalent would be about $8
a gallon. It is expected to rise almost 3 percent more because the oil market is unstable due to the
volatile situation in Arab countries throughout the Middle East. No wonder so many families have no car or
only one car. It can get very expensive. Public transportation by train and bus is somewhat affordable, and
getting even more so. The Minister of Transport in Israel announced bus tickets will be reduced almost
30 percent to encourage Israelis to ride, not drive.

Dateline Jerusalem —My apartment is an obstacle course in the making. Pesach (Passover) is
Coming, and this time of year is spring cleaning to the nth degree. Only one room is finished because
a lot of things were thrown in bags to sift through at a later date. I have help in the process.
But two days were spent putting together cabinets for the bathroom, cabinets that the guy at
the store said I could do by myself.

Dateline Jerusalem — As I stepped outside the bank onto a bustling sidewalk of pedestrians
shopping from store to store (doesn't anyone have a job anymore?), I was greeted by the
sounds of a violin. The violinist was standing in the shade of the bank's facade playing his
violin like a virtuoso. There were no jars or dishes laid out to collect tips as he played. He was
immersed in his music, playing for pure pleasure, both his own and ours. It is not unusual
to find street musicians in my town. I have enjoyed guitars, flutes, accordions, trumpets, even an
instrument I never had seen before moving to Israel, the melodica/melodion. It is a combination
keyboard and wind instrument all in one. A person plays the keyboard while blowing into a
mouthpiece on top of it.