Day 6 in Israel (01/10/15)

It snowed last night! There are some great photos of snow on palm trees, flowers etc. that we took as we walked to the Conservative Synagogue this morning. Walking in felt very similar to entering a synagogue at home. I was given the 6th aliyah (the honor of saying the blessing before and after the 6th portion of today's Torah reading). The Rabbi (Rabbi Adam Frank) was very welcoming, particularly when I told him it was my first visit to Israel. After asking me what took so long he said "Welcome home.". He also asked about my yellow bracelet and when I explained it was for childhood cancer awareness, he announced that to the congregation. The drosh (sermon) was delivered by a guest rabbi, Rabbi Danny Schiff (originally from Australia). It was very good, combining what just occurred in France with today's Torah reading, the beginning of the story of Moses and Pharaoh's response to the Jews.

After a quick lunch in our room, we set off to walk to the Israel Museum. We took a path through a park and got some more snow photos. Unfortunately, the staff at the museum thought the road conditions were too icy this morning so they didn't open. We walked across the street towards the Knesset to a park that included a rose garden. You'll see photos of roses in the snow including the aptly named Rosa Iceberg. Everywhere there were families playing in the "snow" (there was no more than an inch!!), making snowmen, and taking photos. And, yes, they've all seen "Frozen" as everyone brought a carrot for the snowman's nose.

We strolled back to the hotel, rested, read, and checked e-mails. Around 4:30 Israeli friends, Yael and Ittai Gavarelli, picked us up and took us to a lovely place for coffee and dessert. It's a cafe in the Cinematheque -- a place that shows older films, has film festivals, etc. You'll see Kate's unmixed hot chocolate (hot milk with chocolates added) and our decadent dessert. It was fun catching up with them as we haven't seen them in a number of years.

After they dropped us back at the hotel, we strolled back to Mamilla Boulevard, the semi-outdoor mall with the upscale shops. We found a very nice restaurant Joy that is a meat restaurant. Then a little more shopping.

We've been packing as tomorrow morning our cousin picks us up to take us to Tel Aviv. It's supposed to at least be warmer there and we might even see the sun in the afternoon.

Day 6 photos