Page 48 - Hamizrachi #30 USA 2021 Yom Yerushalayim - Shavuot

THE PEOPLE AND THE LAND

Rabbi Barnea Levi Selavan

Cross that Border!

his Yom Yerushalayim we will Go down HaMetzuda and turn right onto produced clean, kosher flour until tech-
visit Yemin Moshe’s hidden Pele Yoetz Street, to the 1899 Beit Yisrael nology surpassed it. The British blew it
streets and parks. Last year’s Synagogue. Prayers continued here under up; it was a Jewish defensive post. Recently
tour on these pages traced the fire during the tough war decades. Broad restored, visit the wine store and fun activ-
TOld City wall; now descend into windows enable a view inside, enjoy the ity center, including a chance to operate the
the valley below Jaffa Gate, cross at the porch view and signs; descend the steps on windmill! (+97225661441). See Sir Moses’
traffic light. Enter the park where a globe the left into the former cistern, now a study recreated carriage (he traveled with a per-
beckons you to enter. Artistically repre- hall. Rabbi Chanoch Yeres invites your calls sonal shochet) and artistic depictions of
senting a medieval drawing of Jerusalem for assistance (+972 525666230). Below the his manifold deeds. The famed porch here
at the world’s center, enjoy the echo inside. synagogue is a kindergarten, once another faces the Old City and distant Jordan; catch
Continue forward to David’s Village gate, synagogue. The synagogue upstairs was a marriage proposal almost any night.
and see the Tannous Bros. stone sign and for the Prushim (Litvaks). The synagogue Up to the parking lot, right to signs enu-
historical explanation. I still remember the downstairs was for the Chasidim. merating Jerusalem’s growth since 1860;
original building; evoking life under Jorda- Continue to HaMigdal Street, down grassy knoll to your left. At its end, walk
nian guns, Jerusalem’s front line, 1948-1967. and right onto HaMevaser Street with art, forward and a touch left to an arbor cov-
Turn left onto a gravel path, up to the flowers and the stone square in the middle ering benches and overlooking a lovely
asphalt road, and follow it down left until which marks the entrance to the commu- fountain, with benches all around. A series
the right turn indicated by blue street signs nity water cistern. Continue another block of paths and parks leads through the Zion-
(Hatikvah). Once on the path, take the to the small, almost vertical alleyway called ist Confederation House gate, and onward
right-hand stairs, then cross to the left-hand R. Yitzchak Badahab Street, and turn left with steps and paths until you see a canopy
stairs, traverse the small, open park with to enjoy the 1897 Turkish Sephardic Syna- on your right. Weddings are often held
benches towards the left, and up again. A gogue, Malki Street No. 2. Jerusalem Mayor here. Look at the Old City, with Teddy
left onto a tree-lined broken asphalt road, Moshe Lion celebrated his election by Park and the artists area below. Now reach
sharp right up through a parking lot, and being chazzan here on Shabbat. Commu- the road – left takes you to the hotels and
left onto the first row of houses (shhh). nity members who lived for decades across down; right returns you to our starting
Follow Hatikvah Street until it dead-ends from Jordanian soldiers and snipers on the point below Jaffa Gate.
into HaMetzuda, and look up at the build- Old City walls were forced to sell and move You have freely walked through bor-
ing facing you, from where an Arab sniper out, and some walk in from all over the city. ders and can now appreciate the blessing
shot brave young fighter Avraham Michael Yemin Moshe Street straddling the bestowed upon us by the sacrifices made
Kirschenbaum on Shevat 30 5708 – he hill leads either down to the park and to in the Six-Day War, and all the decades and
was fighter 36 of the tragic “Lamed-He/35” restaurants and educational facilities, or centuries leading up to it.
massacre; due to a mishap that night, he to Mishkenot Sha’ananim, up to the wind-
was sent here instead. After being trans- mill. Moses Montefiore used a grant from R abbi Barnea L evi Selavan i s
ferred, a British sniper killed wounded Judah Touro to construct this first step Co-Director of Foundation Stone, running
Kirschenbaum; the synagogue memorial towards modern Jerusalem outside the Old educational programs in Israel and
plaque hints at who was responsible. All City walls (1860) followed by the adjoining overseas, and a licensed archaeologist
three Jewish militias mourned Yemin Moshe (1890s). and tour guide. selavan@gmail.com`
him. Kirschenbaum’s Right and up takes us to a little
grandmother was one staircase; to the left it brings us to A member of the Mizrachi Tour Guides Bureau
of the original tenants of the windmill door. mizrachi.org/tour-guides
Mishkenot Sha’ananim. She For 18 years, it
was the person who brought
milk to the area.

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