Historic Haggadot Exhibit at the National Library, Jerusalem

My friend and I decided to go to Jerusalem yesterday, to the Kotel, Western Wall. But after our bus never showed we ended up in a ride with neighbors who said that they were going to the ספריה לאומית, Sifriya Le'umit, National Library to see an exhibit of Haggadot from the time between the end of World War Two until the Establishment of the State of Israel. That sounded interesting, so we changed our plans.

The National Library is located in the middle of Hebrew University's Givat Ram Campus. We wandered around until we finally found it. The first few people we asked didn't know, but eventually someone pointed out the way to us.

Armed with our official Senior Citizen cards, finally entered and discovered that there wasn't a fee at all. There also wasn't all that much to see, and we had trouble actually finding the exhibit. But eventually we did and enjoyed it.

Following are some photos I took. Afterwards we had a nice simple, inexpensive Kosher for Passover lunch out and went home by bus.

What is Your Passover Celebration?

Matzah cover my parents gave us as newlyweds. As you can see from the wine stains, it has been used many times.

Pretty much every year there are polls published saying that most Jews celebrate Passover in some way or another.

our Hagaddah collection

My parents, even when they did not keep a kosher home at all, still had another complete set of dishes, pots etc which were for Passover. And my mother cleaned the kitchen before switching. My parents also had, hosted or went to, two s'darim (seders.) A number of my cousins fondly remember those at my parents' house. We followed the Hagaddah, Maxwell House of course, until the meal. And the meal ended the Seder. As a child I always wondered why only two of the songs I had learned in Hebrew School, Avodim Hayinu and Dayeinu were sung at our S'darim. Later on, when I attended full S'darim which continued after the meal, I discovered that the rest of the songs were from that ignored part.

For half a century I only attend a complete Seder during which we read and sing from the entire Hagaddah, whether we are the hosts or the guests.

Passover for us is not just the Seder; it's a week-long holiday. The food restrictions last a full week, and the last day of it, here in Israel, is a Jewish Holiday.

I'm curious how you Jewish readers celebrate Passover. Is it a full week's holiday, or do you just have a special symbolic meal with matzah and songs? Or do you do something in between? Please let me know in comments, thanks.

Matzah cover found in my parents' closet when we were emptying out the house. I have no idea how old it is. 

Visit Shiloh, Passover and Beyond...

As every year, there will be activities in Shiloh Hakeduma, Ancient Shiloh at Tel Shiloh over Passover.

Activities for the entire family, really! There's more information on the Hebrew site.

To summarize:
April 5-8, 2015, 9am-6pm, tours, crafts etc at Tel Shiloh.
April 9 will be the Biblical Marathon and other races from 9am - 6pm, plus other activities; more information in Hebrew.
There are entrance fees. Tel. 02-9948011

Besides that, I'm planning my usual Women's Rosh Chodesh Prayers, which we haven't done for a couple of months due to snow and then a Shabbat Rosh Chodesh.

Women's Prayers at Shiloh Hakeduma, Tel Shiloh Rosh Chodesh Iyyar

Monday April 20, 2015

1st of Iyyar, 5775, 8:30am

Tour of Tel Shiloh

Dvar Torah, Short Torah Lesson

Please come and invite family, friends and neighbors

תפילת נשים ראש חודש אייר בשילה הקדומה, תל שילה

יום ב' 20-4  א' אייר, תשע"ה 8:30

יהיה דבר תורה קצר וסיור בתל

כדאי לבוא ולהזמין חברות, משפחה ושכנות

Please save the date, publicize it and join us.

Reflecting on Over Thirty Years in Shiloh

Cross-posted on me-ander.

Shiloh isn't just any old town in the world.  It's not just any location, piece of land with amazing views, clean air and relatively mild weather.

A "self-portrait" shot at Tel Shiloh

Today's Shiloh is the actual location of the Biblical Shiloh.  Shiloh is where Joshua took the Jewish People when it was time to establish a capitol city and more permanent location for the Mishkan, Tabernacle, the forerunner of the Beit HaMikdash, Holy Temple. 

Shiloh was "waiting" for Joshua.  It is one of the ancient cities that did not need to be conquered.  Most of the book of Joshua is a report of the progress the Jewish People made in conquering the Land.  Quite a number of the battles didn't go all that well and easily until the Jewish People and their leaders understood that victory only came with G-d's help, by following G-d's instructions.

Shiloh is in the center of the Land of Israel, on a high mountain.  It's convenient and is surrounded by excellent agricultural land.  Today biblical fruits, such as grapes, figs and olives grow easily here.  If my husband and I can enjoy the grape and olive harvest, then it means that the Land must be especially suitable for those crops.

Chazal, our sages, tell us that the Shechina, Holy Spirit never completely deserts a location where it had been for hundreds of years.  The Mishkan and Shechina  were here for almost four hundred years.

I'm not the same person I was before I moved with my family to Shiloh.  Living in Shiloh has connected me to the Tanach,  Bible in a way I could never have been before.  I feel the presence of Chana, Hannah and I sense the pilgrims who once came to pray here.  Their prayers and subsequent miracles haven't left here at all.

That's why I've been organizing Women's Rosh Chodesh (beginning of the Jewish Month) Prayers at Tel Shiloh the past few years.  I also try to publicize other events.  This Passover, during the Intermediate Days, Wednesday and Thursday, March 27 & 28, 2013, 9am- 5pm, there will be activities for the entire family, tours, crafts, shows and more.  For more information check the Shiloh Hakeduma site or contact us.



Next Rosh Chodesh, Rosh Chodesh Iyyar, will be soon after Passover is over.  So please mark it in your calendar already.

Women's Prayers at Tel Shiloh
Rosh Chodesh Iyyar
Thursday, April 11, 2013
1 Iyyar 5773 8:30am
Tour of Tel & Dvar Torah, Short Torah Lesson

Please come and invite family, friends and neighbors

תפילת נשים
ראש חודש אייר בתל שילה
יום ה' 11-4 א' אייר תשע"ג 8:30
יהיה דבר תורה קצר וסיור בתל
נא לבוא, לפרסם ולהזמין חברות, משפחה ושכנות

And don't forget that the Tel Shiloh, aka Shiloh HaKedumah is open for visitors six days a week. For information call 02-994-4019.  Please join our facebook group/page.