Snow in Jerusalem

 

 

Last Wednesday it snowed in Jerusalem. It was a major problem in the country - the Highway 1 connecting Jerusalem and Tel Aviv was closed, 100 cars were stuck for many hours, major municipal services were suspended. It was really cold. And Miriam's school, Tiferet, had a scheduled Shabbaton in Jerusalem.

Miriam brought from home a fall jacket and a bunch of sweatshirts. Ramat Bet Shemesh is on the average 10-15 degrees warmer than Jerusalem. And just when it was really cold, they had to be in Jerusalem, take a walking night tour of the Old City, pray at the Kotel, and expose themselves to elements.

I was worried about Miriam getting cold and regretted not bringing her big winter coat on our Israel trip. What was I thinking, packing her tons of accessories and skin care products available 'only in America' and not bringing the winter coat!

Motzei Shabbos, at 1 am, I was up texting Miriam "How was Shabbos, did you stay warm?"

Miriam called back and in her chirping cheerful voice told that there was no snow. What do you mean there was no snow, it was all over the news! All snow melted on Friday, she said, there was no snow, and the temperature was in the 50's.

And then she said "You know, we had rocket attacks just over a month ago, and you are worried about snow?"

Snow and cold is something we are used to worry about, when it comes to kids. Rocket fire is unthinkable. It is beyond my power to protect her in the event of war, there is no coat that I could bring, no hat and scarf to remind about, we can only pray to higher power for kids safety.

Miriam said Israelis were joking that the country is better equipped to dealing with rocket fire than with the snow. Snowstorm of that intensity was a major event that unfortunately happens less often than armed conflict.

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow...