Last Friday, Israelis woke up to a bright, white, winter wonderland. A storm meteorologists tracked for several days after hitting Russia, is one of many that are predicted to blanket Israel’s capital and other higher elevation cities in a white slush that residents are only beginning to get used to. While previous forecasts have only led to heavy rainfall or the historic dust storm that hit earlier this month, last week’s storm did not disappoint.
Early Friday morning in Jerusalem, the significant, almost historic, accumulation remained untouched as the capital remained isolated from the rest of the country. As the day wore on, children and families emerged onto the roads, taking advantage of a last hurrah before the rapidly approaching spring. The City of Jerusalem’s 230 snow plows and 1500 bags of salt, procured especially for the anticipated weather, along with the abundant sunshine, ensured that the streets slowly but surely began to clear. However, as morning gave way to afternoon, another concern began to emerge for religious Jerusalemites; preparing for Shabbat in a city that had already shut down for the weekend.
For some, this meant running for the Israel Railways station in Malha, the only public transportation running into and out of Jerusalem, to try to fulfill invites for Shabbat hospitality that were looking less and less likely by the minute. For others, it meant cooking, scrambling for challot, and getting out snow gear and galoshes for the trek to shul. Even when faced with a hectic snowy Friday afternoon, one former Teaneck resident managed to enjoy herself and appreciate the exotic weather.
“This snowstorm is so wonderful and exciting,” said Dassi Lev, a Teaneck native who made Aliyah to Jerusalem almost two years ago. “While I don’t really miss the 30 inch snowstorms, I’m excited about a white Shabbat. Everything is already cooked, so I can relax and enjoy the sights outside.”
While last week’s storm hit Jerusalem later in the season than usual, it highlights a new trend of winter storms in the dessert country’s capital. This may lead many to be more cautious about planning a visit, fearing disruptions to travel plans. However, Jerusalem natives, such as Mrs. Lev, call on tourists not to be afraid- to make sure to visit during these historic snowy times. It could literally be a once in a lifetime experience.
Even though the snow has melted and life has begun to return to normal here in Jerusalem, the memory of Friday’s storm and the experience of a peaceful snowed-in Shabbat, of the beauty of the City of Gold covered in white, will not go away too quickly.
