Storm again

The awful news of the massacres in Aleppo continue to flow out. Many innocent people are sending out their last farewells because Assad forces are entering east Aleppo, driving out ISIS but killing everyone in the process. It is so tragic ... and the world remains silent. Shame on the UN.  http://www.haaretz.com/middle-east-news/syria/.premium-1.758722

Overcast skies today

Today's skies seem to reflect the frightening events in Aleppo. The rest of the country saw storms and flooding so bad that a man drowned in his car when a road in Haifa was overcome with flood waters. Extremely cold and strong winds beat down all day throughout the country. But there was no rain in Jerusalem, just some drizzle in the morning. People are saying that Jerusalem is punished by drought while the rest of the country is flooding. Forecast is heavier rains tomorrow. Well good luck to Jerusalem.

Meantime Israel's ultra-orthodox community begins to tighten the noose in the country as the Chief Rabbi declared that girls should not serve in the army (it's compulsory for boys and girls here) but rather do the laundry and cook. Then more restrictions on non-orthodox jewish women who pray at the Wailing Wall. And a dress code imposed in Parliament for women ... an assistant was prohibited from entering Parliament because her skirt was above the knees.  http://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/.premium-1.758568  But my biggest fear was the Minister of Health, an ultra-orthodox jews, announced publicly that Hannukah should not be celebrated by eating sufgoniot (jam-filled doughnuts) which is the traditional thing to do!! And I love sufgoniot!!! http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4891755,00.html

News just out: the Jerusalem Municipality will give out 150 free christmas trees.  http://www.jpost.com/Breaking-News/Jerusalem-Municipality-to-distribute-150-free-Christmas-trees-475255

Pruning palm trees

3 years ago this day we had the great snow storm of the decade. Newspapers have been floating pictures of the 4 day storm, stirring up not just memories but fears of electrical and food shortage. Well enough fear for the Municipality to prune all the Palm trees at Palm Plaza outside Damascus Gate. Any storm would uproot these palms and crash onto parked cars below.