Tel Aviv is to Israel what Manhattan is to New York. Most young people from not only Israeli cities and towns, but also from all over the world, strive to live in Tel Aviv. It is a young, chic, expensive and fast-paced city. This comparison became much more a reality this week. For a city that has summer six months out of the year, and the winter season averaging at 17 degrees 〫(63 degrees ), this abrupt weather change came out of left field. The Tel Aviv residents were in shock Monday when they woke up to shaking windows from the strong winds, and air so frigid they were wearing layers under their clothes, thick jackets, gloves and hats -- if they owned them! We had about two days of this uncommon weather before it also started to hail - not once, but twice in one day. On top of this, the Ayalon highway was flooded so people couldn't even get to work! The weather caused a bit of a detour and distraction for Isael. As I lay in bed around midnight with Under Armour under my pajamas, long socks, a blanket on top of my comforter, windows and shutters closed with the heater on, I was pretty convinced I was in New York!
But the Tel Aviv weather was nothing compared to Jerusalem and the north of the country where it was snowing!! Yes, I was also not aware that snowing in parts of the Middle East was a common occurrence. Families stayed home from school and work and bundled up to make snowmen. The surrounding neighborhoods (by surrounding I mean towns as far as an hour away) visited Jerusalem to see what all of the hype was about! But don't be mistaken. This weather is not enough to stop believers from visiting the Wailing Wall.
Happy winter to all. Stay warm!
