How are You Preparing for Rosh Hashannah?

We've done shopping, since we must eat festive meals on Rosh Hashannah. And we have freshly picked pomegranates, too.

And for the second time ever, I've attempted to cook lamb. I managed to cut the leg of lamb into two giant pieces, without harming myself. I seasoned and wrapped them in foil. Then I baked them in a hot oven until the entire house smelled "lamby" and fat escaped the wrapping.

My favorite pre-Rosh Hashanah activity is going to Tefilat Chana, Hannah's Prayer at Shiloh Hakeduma, Tel Shiloh.

I joined women, young and old, praying and enjoying the scenery. Of course, for me it was especially easy to get there, since I live in Shiloh.

The main speaker, and only guest speaker this year, was Rabbanit Yemima Mizrachi, who was super inspiring as usual. The musical entertainment was the Yonina Duo, a very talented young couple, who encouraged everyone to sing along.

There were stands selling jewelry, clothes, food and Judaica. Also, besides the usual public toilets, there were enough of the "portable chemical" ones, so there weren't long lines at all.

Shiloh Hakeduma, a recognized archaeological site, is open all year, except for Shabbat and Jewish Holidays. There are always special activities on Chanukah and the Intermediate Days of Succot and Passover. I highly recommend visiting. There are attractions for all ages.

Tefilat Chana, 2018, תפילת חנה 5778, Here in Shiloh

Last night was the annual Tefilat Chana תפילת חנה at Shiloh Hakeduma, Tel Shiloh. Thousands attended, mostly high school girls. Over the years, when Tel Shiloh was under different managements, there were other programs called Tefilat Chana תפילת חנה.  I believe that last night's basic program featuring an inspiring talk by Rabbanit Yemima Mizrachi followed by female singers was the seventh.

Shiloh Hakeduma, Tel Shiloh opened for the event from 5pm, and Rabbanit Yemima Mizrachi gave her talk at 8pm, so there was plenty of time to walk around, buy food and noshes, jewelry, clothes and various Judaica. And there was also a special prayer program at the site of the Mishkan, Tabernacle.

To be honest, I didn't check out the prayer at the Mishkan, Tabernacle site. I looked at the crafts and jewelry and even bought myself some gorgeous earrings made and designed by Miriam Feyga Bunimovich. She's selling her jewelry and her husband's woodwork in the First Station to day and tomorrow. Hint...

There were other stands with jewelry, but most were the same you'd find anyplace. I was impressed by the practical Judaica, like the covers for Shabbat hotplates. I received one years ago and still use it on Shabbat and Jewish Holidays.

I also met with friends who were attending. The weather was perfect. What surprised me was the amount to attendees who said that it was their first time in Shiloh.

Tefilat Chana is held the week before Rosh Hashanah. Please try to attend next year.

Shabbat Shalom and Shanah Tovah

"The Unexpected" Me and "Run," 52Frames

This week's 52Frames theme was the hardest for me yet. That's for two reasons. One was that last week was the two day Rosh Hashanah holiday, when I was very limited in the time I could photograph. And the second problem was the theme, "My Personality."

I just couldn't figure out how to visualise myself at all. I had images of piles of junk, anarchy, balagan = a big mess as it's said in Hebrew. I also thought of a nice sunrise or sunset for "transition." Isn't life one big transition? But there was a horrendous sandstorm in Israel that went on forever and made those usual times of beauty into a grey indistinguishable mess. I also thought of using a photo of my Rosh Hashana fruit head, but then realized that I had taken it before the permitted time.

After Shabbat, in a panic I went through the few photos I had taken during that hectic week and just found some from my late summer, dried out garden.

Even in a dried out grape vine, you can sometimes find some delicious grapes.

the original photo

I cropped the grapes from the picture, and above is the result after changing colors and visual texture. I used the free IrfanView which comes with my rather old computer.

The well-cropped photo-edited grapes:
Unconventional, non-conformist, unique. Well, I must admit that this week was tough. I just couldn't find the right photo, nor much time with a major Jewish Holiday when I couldn't take pictures at all for two days. When I took the photos of the overripe grapes on my vines, I was going to call the photo, "past its prime," or "over-ripe" or something like that to refer my age. But then I decided to play with the colors, and only a grape grower expert would guess that these grapes are from the very end of the season. 

I did the best I could, which in sense makes it the perfect photo to visualize "My Personality!" I did not give up, nor give in. 

The previous week's theme was "Run." As you can see in the background sky, the sandstorm had already begun, and running was not something anyone in their right mind would be doing. And I certainly wouldn't ask anyone to run for me. Many people barely walked out of air-conditioned homes and offices. I was planning on using a timer or clock to visualize "running out of time." But those girls saved me at the Tefilat Chana.

Run
"Running to the Site of the Tabernacle"
After praying at the site of the Biblical Tabernacle in Shiloh, I noticed these girls running and managed to capture them for this week's photo. I have no idea who they are, but from that gorgeous grin you can see here, it didn't seem to bother them that I was taking their picture.

Tefillat Chana, 5775, Shiloh Hakeduma

Cross-posted on Shiloh Musings 

Thousands of females, ok, the percentage of those past their teens was lower than usual, braved the raging sandstorm on Wednesday to attend the annual Tefillat Chana at Shiloh Hakeduma, Tel Shiloh. For many it was their first visit to the popular holy site. I found myself answering a lot of questions, as if I was wearing a sign on my backing saying:

I live here; I'm your unofficial expert re: Tel Shiloh. Just Ask!

Honestly, I wasn't. But of course I answered as well as I could. I used to give tours of the Tel on rare occasions. And as you probably know, I go to doven at the Tel on Rosh Chodesh, the beginning of the Jewish Month with some friends. I started that as a reaction to the mobs fighting to get space in Kever Rachel, Rachel's Tomb. Shiloh was the location of the Mishkan, the Tabernacle which was the forerunner of the Holy Temple. The Jewish People carried it throughout the wandering in the desert/wilderness after the exodus from Egypt, and then when they entered the Land of Israel, it was brought to Shiloh and set up here for worship. That period, when Shiloh was the religious and administrative Capital of the Jewish Nation lasted for 369 years.

The holiness never left Shiloh, even when the Tabernacle was no longer.

It was wonderful seeing all those women, young and old, walking, praying, learning, exploring and experiencing the event. Here are some of my pictures:

Yes, there were men around who had jobs to do. Here some are dovening mincha, praying the afternoon prayer.

Shani Taragin at Shiloh Hakeduma,
Tel Shiloh, at the Tefilat Chana 

And this year there was a talk in English by the well-known, popular Tanach/Bible Teacher, Shani Taragin, which was greatly appreciated. She gave a riveting talk. There were problems with the lighting so the photo didn't come out well. And as in previous years, the Rabbanit Yemima Mizrachi also spoke.

Afterwards there was a musical performance, but I didn't stay.

As you can see from the pictures, everyone had a wonderful time.

Energy Sapping Weather- Challah Kneading to the Rescue!

This sand/dust storm has been awful.

This is not sepia colored. This is what really was outside on Tuesday morning during the dust/sandstorm.

My schedule has been busy enough, but oxygen isn't reaching the brain. It's not enough just to drink water. People with lung and breathing problems should be closed up inside airconditioned buildings.

On Tuesday my mind went blank, and I called a neighbor by the name of her daughter. Within a minute I found hers, but it was spooky. And then on the train (Jerusalem lightrail) the woman sitting next to me went into a panic and began asking why we were riding on the tracks. She called the security guy who had just gotten on. And then suddenly she realized that we were on the train. The driver was right there in front of us. I told her that it was because the sand/dust is fogging our brains.

The next day, Wednesday, I could barely get myself to function. Ok I must reveal that we do not have airconditioning and things might have been better if we did. I have so much to do before Shabbat and Rosh Hashannah. By early afternoon I finally got moving on challah baking. Of course, first I had to look up my recipe on the internet, since I couldn't remember where it was or if it was written on paper.

At first I worked rather mechanically, and then I remembered that challah-baking is supposed to be full of blessings, so I thought of my children and grandchildren and blessed them while kneading the dough. I actually began to feel better. And the challot ended up looking gorgeous, if I do say so myself.

After putting them and the unused dough in the freezer, I went, yes walked, down to Shiloh Hakeduma, Tel Shiloh, for Tefillat Chana, which was wonderful.

But more on that at a later time. I'm busy today, very busy.

Ladies, Live The Dream!

Har Habayit, The Temple Mount

As far as I'm concerned we're all living in a very special time of Biblical significance. Hadn't the Jewish People been dreaming of a return to the Land of Israel and Jewish Sovereignty for thousands of years?

Shiloh Hakeduma
Tefillat Chana

The Jewish State has come back to life, and mass influxes of Jews to the Holy Land have been happening for close to a century. I personally have memories of miracles of Biblical proportions, the 1967 Six Days War, the 1973 Yom Kippur War and other amazing Israeli victories and impossible, though true stories of Jewish survival.

Shiloh HakedumaTefillat Chana

Since 1967 some of Judaism's holiest places are now in our hands and still easily accessible. One of them is Shiloh, yes where I live. Shiloh was Judaism's first religious and administrative capital, yes before Jerusalem. The Holy Mishkan, Tabernacle stood here for 369 years.  It was the center of Jewish Prayer, personal and national. Today's Jewish Laws of Prayer were formulated on how Chana prayed in Shiloh for a son. That son was born, Shmuel Hanavi, Samuel the Prophet. Today women can come to the very location where Chana prayed so successfully and pray for whatever is important, whatever they need. There's no reason to travel to Uman or to fight over the limited space in Kever Rachel (Tomb) when Shiloh is so large and the air so inviting.

Shiloh HakedumaTefillat Chana

In Shiloh we feel the holiness all around and don't have to touch stones or tombs.

One can come to  the holy site of Shiloh Hakeduma, Ancient Shiloh almost anytime. Guided tours can be arranged through the Shiloh HaKeduma, Ancient Shiloh office. Email visit@telshilo.org.il or phone 02-994-4019.

I organize Women's Rosh Chodesh (first of the Jewish Month) Prayers, and the there is also a very impressive and enjoyable, Tefillat Chana, Hanna's Prayer, an afternoon/evening of special activities for women and teenage girls.

It will be this Wednesday. Information is on the poster.

Shiloh Hakeduma, Tefillat Chana

Ladies, Make Plans for Tefilat Chana!

It would be a shame to miss it!

It will be on Wednesday, 25th of Ellul, 5775, September 9, 2015.

This year there will be two amazing shiurim, talks/lectures. From 7-8pm by Shani Taragin in English and then from 8-9 by Rabbanit Yemima Mizrachi in Hebrew. And also this year, there will be tours of Tel Shiloh in English from 5pm.

Tefillat Chana 5774, 2014

This is your chance, ladies, to doven at Shiloh Hakeduma, Tel Shiloh, the holy place where the Prophetess Chana prayed thousands of years ago. For travel information call 02-5789111/22.

Tefillat Chana 5774, 2014

Photos From the 4th Shiloh Conference כנס שילה

Here is a selection of photos from yesterday's 4th Shiloh Conference כנס שילה totally out of sequence. I hope that doesn't bother you too much.

The next big event at Shiloh Hakeduma will be Tefilat Chana with Rabbanit Yemima Mizrachi as main speaker.

It will be 9-9-2015 Thursday from 4pm.