Feast of the Sacrifice

Damascus Gate ready for Eid al Adha

Received the sad news this morning that our former principal of St. Gabriel's Sec. School passed away - Bro. Emmanuel. He's legendary in the Gabrielite circle of schools. Requiscat in Pace.

I made a mistake about Eid al Adha. It actually starts tonight and not yesterday night. Apparently they can't see the new moon so the date changed accordingly. The streets are filled with temporary stalls selling everything. And there're lots of balloons. And guys are lining up ... I saw it myself ... like 20 over guys ... lining up to get their hair cut. And everyone is buying new clothes ... of course the guys will have to go to swanky Mamilla Mall and buy Israeli or American branded clothes to show off. You get the same thing without the brand in East Jerusalem ... but that's not classy enough. So much money is thrown away for a couple of days ... I can't believe it. It's so wasteful.

Israel has always been participating in catastrophe rescue. This time in Houston, trauma-specialists are sent to the flood victims as well as other rescue workers.  https://www.timesofisrael.com/haredi-female-psychotrauma-pioneer-heads-to-houston-with-israeli-medics/

Balloons for sale

The ultra-orthodox rabbis are going overboard with exclusion of women ... this time on the pilgrimage to the famous Ukrainian tomb of Rabbi Nathan which is traditional for the New Year (Rosh HaShanah). Don't think that Islam is the only religion that puts down women. The rabbis are calling for jewish pilgrims not to buy from shops served by women, or stay in hotels with women employees and to prevent women from going near the tomb. https://www.timesofisrael.com/bratslav-elders-seek-to-keep-perimeter-of-rabbi-nachman-gravesite-women-free/