The Shabbat Siren (and pictures!)

Every week at the start of Shabbat a siren blasts through Jerusalem. It is a long and consistent blast. I did not notice it my first week here. On my second Shabbat, it sounded at the exact perfect moment in our Kabbalat Shabbat service at HUC - it was a beautiful moment that we were able to adopt into our service while facing the old city. The following week I did not notice it - the trend at this point was if I was inside I didn't seem to hear it. Last week it blasted while I was at a service at the Tent City in Independence Park. On this my 5th Shabbat in Jerusalem, I have finally deciphered the siren from other noises. I have opted not to go to services this evening in exchange for a little more "me time" and I despite the traffic still rushing past my apartment and the sounds of "The Book of Mormon" soundtrack on my computer, my ears perked up to the sound of the siren.

The siren itself is not particularly pleasant, but it fills me with calmness. I hear it and acknowledge that Shabbat has come in, in Jerusalem, and the next 25 hours will be special. In Canada, in my family, Shabbat starts whenever we're ready to sit down to dinner. Here Shabbat starts for everyone at the same time, because the city tells us so. There's no requirement to start service or meals before or after the siren, but there will always be a siren to correct you.

Shabbat is special in this city and this country - it is special everywhere - it's different here. I will reflect more on Shabbat as I form more thoughts but for now think about the siren and the sense of everyone beginning their day at the same time, the feelings evoked from one monotonous sound can be so surprising.

Shabbat Shalom!

I finally took and uploaded some pictures of my neighbourhood and room, here they are:

Kikar Sarfat or Paris. At the intersection I cross everyday to get to school.

A view looking up my street from just beyond Kikar Paris.

Another pretty view walking up my street.

The walkway to my entrance.

The view of our balcony/apartment from the walkway.

My room.

From the other side.

My cupboards.

The wall beside my bed with the pretty tapestry Shayna bought me in India.

My window/exit to my balcony.

The mirror that faces my bed and the pretty lights I strung on it.