Sunday Evening Concert: The Tempera Ensemble

Almost every Sunday evening the Jerusalem Center, known as the "Mormon University," hosts concerts in the auditorium. Seasoned musicians from all over the world come to perform. Last night's concert was unique in the fact that the music was not classical but contemporary music of 20th century composers. Garth is in charge of setting everything up for each concert: printing the programs; submitting checks to be paid (each performer is paid to perform); getting fresh flowers on stage; setting up the green room for the performers which includes putting out refreshments ; greeting the performers; being the MC for the concert; counting donations (yes, those who attend give gratuities and 100% goes to the performers); tear down after the concert. All of this takes quite a lot of time and preparation so that each concert is successful. This is a photo of the stage around 5 PM. The stage is very impressive but the backdrop of the lights of the city provides a spectacular view for the audience. The Tempera Ensemble's members are four leading Israeli musicians. They have already generated worldwide interest through their unique style of virtuoso. They play music as diverse as Berstein, Bartok, Shostakovich, Cage as well as compositions written especially for them. The musicians are men in their early 40's and when Garth met them he said they seemed just like kids to him. He was so impressed that these musicians held very prestigious positions with the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra and have traveled all over the world to perform. I snapped these photos while they were rehearsing. Yigal (Trumpet); Gan (Sax); Tomer (Percussion); Amit (Piano)

In the meantime, Garth and Neomi were ready to greet and hand out programs to those who attended the concert. The audience really enjoyed their performance and clapped them on for several encores. The musicians who perform in the auditorium say they love to come here and this is their favorite venue. People who attend the concert come back week after week not only because they love them but also because concerts are free and it's a great place to be on a Sunday evening. Our next event is a jazz concert Thursday night and then another one Sunday night. We feel so privileged to be part of this amazing center.

Saturday - The Sabbath in Jerusalem

I am having the hardest time remembering that Saturday is our Sabbath and Sunday is a regular day! Today the student choir sang one of my songs in church and I was touched when a student handed me a note afterwards: "I really felt the spirit while listening to the choir sing "Safe Within His Keep". I loved the imagery of little lambs being taken care of and sought after by the Savior." I am loving working with these students and helping them with their music and feel like I'm back to the days I loved so much when I was teaching at Suomi College in Michigan. Here is a photo that was snapped during rehearsal just before church started. This is a photo of Caleb, assistant student organist, and Sabrina just before church. Sabrina is my "right arm organ assistant". She helps change the settings when I play the prelude and postlude music and is extremely responsible. I also started teaching her piano and whenever I am with her, I feel like I'm just a little closer in thought to my grandchildren.

Informal Student Talent Show

Tonight was such a fun evening! The students presented an "informal talent show" and came up with 20 really creative acts! We laughed, clapped, screamed, hooted, and had a great time. Here are a few photos from the evening. The program started with a Samoan Dance/Haka by some of the girls.

The guys didn't want to be outdone so they came out with painted faces and Samoan grunts.

Dr. Muhlestein and his family sang their own interpretation of "I Love Rock and Roll".

There were ballroom dancers . . . .

There was a Bollywood dance by the girls . . .

There was a crazy lip-sync of "Jericho" . . .

And the three religion professors hammed it up with their rendition of "By the Rivers of Babylon". It was a real hoot to watch them really let down their hair.

Who would have thought that Dr. Andrew Skinner would become a rock star! The students work hard but they also know how to play hard. It was a great way to spend Thursday evening.

Blood donation at the Jerusalem Center

Today the students participated in a blood drive. Amanda Farnsworth and JT Carden both participated.

Amanda did great with her blood draw until she got up and then felt faint. I went back to get my camera in our apartment and when I returned, I found her on the floor with her feet up. She was a real champ and laughed about the experience.

The Army in Israel

Israel is a beautiful country and we are learning so many new things about it. Almost everywhere we go, we see men and women serving as army officers. We have learned to realize this is really a good thing and the people at the Jerusalem Center who have either served or have children who are currently serving give this a thumbs up. Everyone goes directly from high school into the military.

The army is officially known as the Israel Defense Forces or IDF and is a central institution in Israeli society. The majority of Israelis serve in the military and most men continue to serve in the reserves until middle age. In addition to defending the country against violence, the army serves as a symbol of Israeli strength, efficiency and effectiveness.

Some may ask, "Who serves?" All Jewish men are required to do 3 years of regular military service. Religiously observant women are not compelled to serve and, of course, married women and mothers are also exempted. Fifty percent of women who do enter the regular army now serve approximately two years. Most non-Jews are not required to serve in the army and some Arab and Bedouin men do volunteer for army service but from what I understand, many choose to make it a career. If so, then they are trained in very specific duties. We met a young woman on the plane to Israel who was on a two-week break from the army. She said she loved being part of that and planned to make it her career. She was 20 years of age. On our first visit to the Old City, we saw this army group touring. My heart jumped a beat when I noticed how close their hands were to the triggers of their guns.

One week ago we saw these army officers in an ice cream shop and I was surprised they seemed so comfortable relaxing in front of the ice cream shop. The girls must have been just out of high school. From what we have seen thus far, the girls don't seem to have restrictions on how they can wear their hair and I thought their long hair made them look beautiful!

After their regular army service, men are taken for roughly a month of reserve duty every year. During this time they leave their families and their civilian jobs in order to carry out military functions, which for some means front-line action. In times of war, the reserves are called up for active duty. Thus, Israeli Jewish men continue to serve in the Israeli Defense Forces until their mid-forties or early fifties.

Take heed!

Before shopping today at "The Shuk," we went to a kosher restaurant and I was delighted to see large basins where we could wash our hands without having to go into a restroom. This is such a wonderful idea and I wish all restaurants had these wash basins. Take heed restaurant owners!!

A visit to Mahane Yehuda (The Shuk) is an experience!

Despite the rain and cooler temperatures, we spent a few hours today shopping at the most interesting of all places: "The Shuk," otherwise known as Mahane Yehuda. This is a market place which was originally open-air, but now is partially covered in Jerusalem. A very popular place for locals and tourists to shop, it offers more than 250 vendors that sell fresh fruits and vegetables; baked goods; fish, meat and cheeses; nuts, seeds and spices; wines and liquors; clothing and shoes; housewares, textiles, and Judaica (Jewish gifts). In an around the market are juice bars, cafes, restaurants, fish market, and just about anything you could imagine. On Thursdays and Fridays, the marketplace is filled with shoppers stocking up for Shabbat until the Friday afternoon sounding of the bugle that signifies the market will close for the Sabbath. Jeff and Joyce lead the way and the entrance looked like we were going to the ghetto. It truly reminded me when we were in Russia as we were lead from the street to a place we never could have imagined.

At the base of the steps, this was what we saw.

Before we knew it, we saw the most wonderful shops. We stopped at a cheese shop Jeff and Joyce buy from frequently.

We spent the next hour+ walking around and looking at the many shops. This is a spice shop.

The vegetables were amazing and I couldn't resist buying some fresh vegetables.

We also brought several loaves of freshly baked bread.

This is a very strange looking fruit . . anyone know? NOTE: Jan Clayton, past organist at the Jerusalem Center commented: The fruit in question is called Pitaya in Mexico, where they are usually white on the inside. The locals call it "dragon fruit."

Loaded with bags of wonderful purchases, we walked outside so Jeff could show us how the train stops right in front. However, we are not allowed to ride it due to a safety issue. Outside we found many more shops but we didn't stay long because it was raining and cold.

Right before we left the Shuk, we stopped to sample herbal teas and couldn't resist buying several kinds but our favorite was the pommegranite. It is really divine and on a cold evening it is just what we need to warm up. The pommegranite tea is at the far left of the photo. The shop keeper also let us sample some of the dried fruits. This is one shop we will definitely return to.

It was time to leave so Jeff and Garth paid for the parking at the Shuk. One more amazing day in Jerusalem!!