Tuesday, March 15

Some of you have asked what a normal day is like for us in the Jerusalem Center. Let's go on a tour!

We live on the 5th floor so each day we walk up three flights to the 8th floor where our office is located. We are up and down these steps several times each day and also to lower levels. This is a photo of the Hadani Fountain, a permanent art piece.

This is our office and the view is lovely. As we look out the window, there is a fountain and the entrance to the top level where visitors come to concerts or take tours.

Monday is usually a day to explore on and we always try to take advantage of the time to do that. We will be going to Galilee with the students on Saturday, March 26 for 5 days and super excited about that. Wednesday, Thursday, and Fridays tours are scheduled from 10 - 11:30 AM and from 2 - 3:30 PM. When visitors come to the center, they are taken into a room where they view a 13 minute video. They they are brought to the auditorium where I introduce them to our magnificent organ and perform a mini recital.

There are 3,165 pipes but only 165 are visible. The ones you see are the parallel trumpets. All the other pipes are hidden behind panels and above the organ. I would call this my "Man cave" and if I could, I would practice all day long! It is truly a thrill to play this organ. Right now I am preparing special music for Easter and some large tours coming through.

Last Saturday before church (our Sabbath), a visitor came and took some photos. I was rehearsing with a student who was playing a violin solo for church. This is the backdrop for our church meetings and such a magnificent view!

I can just imagine how excited Mikelle's parents were to receive this beautiful photo.

This coming Sabbath, one of the student's parents are coming for a visit. She is preparing a vocal solo for church to surprise them and I know they will be thrilled! Photo: From the outside of the Jerusalem Center

Sunday night we had the most wonderful concert in the auditorium. The musician was the most marvelous pianist I have ever heard in my life. At the age of 16, she won a full scholarship at Boston University where she graduated Summa Cum Laude in piano and composition. She continued her studies at the Royal Academy of Music in London on a full scholarship and was awarded the academy's highest award for performance. She has her doctoral degree, is the mother of two children, and was chosen to be among "The Hundred Influential People of the Year" by Marker Magazine in 2010. What an honor to meet her and experience her music.