Sketching Out Blog: Sketches of art, watercolor, photos, recipes, books, interviews, Jewish topics, and Highland Park, New Jersey

Assorted Israel Photos in Celebration of 68th Birthday

israel picnic table flowers
Last week on May 12 Israel celebrated its 68th birthday. And since I was working, I missed our local celebration (here’s a local Edison parade from a few years ago). Well, now I have a little time; I can share with you a few more photos from our January/February trip to Israel.

We went to visit my niece who teaches high school English in an international school north of Tel Aviv. The high school is in a youth village called HaKfar HaYarok – literally, the Green Village. Above is a picnic table with a pot of flowers. Wouldn’t you like to study math or social studies in February while sitting at a sunny picnic table?

Old City of Jerusalem, inside Jaffa Gate entrance

ilana-jaffa-gate
Here’s my daughter inside the Old City of Jerusalem, right near the Jaffa Gate.

ilana-jaffa-gate-620px
And here’s a similar photo inside the Old City of Jerusalem – how is this different from the one above?

Hula Valley, Galil, Israel Views

israel-birds-flight
Ah, birds in flight – probably cranes – at the Hula Valley nature reserve (previous post on this blog).

israel-birds-flight-hula
Even more birds in flight – how they fill the Hula Valley skies.

israel-golan-heights
In many spots in the Hula Valley you can see the Golan Heights off to the east. Here’s a dramatic photo of the Heights rising over the farms below. Before 1967 when Israel captured the Golan Heights in a defensive war, Syrian soldiers used to fire shots from the mountains down on the farmers below.

Back to Jerusalem

israel-carnation

These two photos (above and below) are both Jerusalem shots. The carnation in a pot is located in the quaint neighborhood of Yemin Moshe, a “suburb” of the Old City of Jerusalem. It was built in the late 19th century. I understand buying a home there now would cost you quite a pretty penny (can you afford a yacht?).

israel-jerusalem-lion-spits-bird-bathes
Finally, this is a cute bird diving into a little fountain with Jerusalem lions. It was near our hotel (the Inbal), north of the old train station that was renovated (and we did not get a chance to see – lots to do for our next visit).

Because there is some nature in this post (can you spot some?), I am including this post in Nature Notes:
Nature Notes

Lorri M. says

Lovely photos-of both nature and man. Birds, plants/flowers, trees, water, trees fields and mountains, nature's beauty. Your daughter is beautiful, also! I like the scenes inside the gate! The atlrchitecture and individuals are different in each photo-same building on the right-not pictured with as much windows and arches showing, comparitivly. Plus, the dress/caftan is being hung in one, abd already hung in the other!

Reply
leoraw says

I particularly liked the moving of the red caftan from pic to pic. Thanks for noting so many details.

Reply
Lorri M. says

I really liked that, as well! Made me smile.

Reply
Eileen says

Hello Leora, I love the views of the city and the beautiful Hula valley and birds. The flowers are lovely and I like the lions, fountain and the bird bathing. I see the caftan being moved in the second shot. Your daughter is beautiful.

Reply
Kathy Andrew says

Thanks for these Leora - The birds are incredible, and great to see a little more of Israel.

Reply
bettyl - NZ says

I don't have a clue what is different between the shots except the people moving...The birds are awesome as are the other pics around the city.

Reply
Michelle RWoods says

I enjoy getting to see places that I will not get to visit myself. I can't believe how grown up your beautiful daughter is...It must have been very special to take a trip with her that has so much meaning to you both...

Reply
Batya Spiegelman Medad says

This post has been included in Celebrating Israel and Jerusalem Havel Havelim! Please take a look, comment and share, thanks.

Reply

Please leave a comment! I love to hear from you.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.