Touring with Madeleine: August 2014

Comments from Recent Visitors

"Madeleine is refreshingly quirky and that is a wonderful quality. That is in addition to her extraordinary wealth of knowledge and openness."

"Madeleine gave us an objective view of the people and places we see on the news."

"Madeleine kept our children, 10, 13, 15 yrs interested and engaged (as only a former teacher can), and her depth of knowledge was welcome by the adults in the group."

"Madeleine gracefully navigated complex issues of faith and culture and we came away with a much better perspective of Jerusalem through 3,000 years of history"

"Madeleine has a talent for listening to what we're interested in and crafting an itinerary that when experienced, flows perfectly while she is open to being flexible and the serendipity of discovery"

"Madeleine was incredible - a huge wealth of information,

"We were a diverse group - different ages, religions, athletic abilities - and Madeleine managed to accommodate us all."

Madeleine was extremely professional with a wonderful sense of humour"

Monday, August 4, 2014

Holy Week in Jerusalem 2014

This year, Passover and Easter fell during the same week. In addition, the Orthodox and Catholic churches celebrated Easter on the same date so the city was filled with celebrations. Though I usually avoid the crowds, this year I had the pleasure of experiencing some of the events and savouring the atsmosphere and colorful throngs of people celebrating Holy Week. You too can enjoy this via the pictures below. (Photos Courtesy of Jo M. Kearney.)

Priestly Blessing at the Western Wall

Hundreds of people - secular, religious and ultra-Orthodox, as well as tourists took part in the traditional Birkat HaKohanim (Priestly Blessing) at the Western Wall last Thursday morning.

The blessing, a Jewish prayer recited by Kohanim (Jewish priests in direct patrilineal descent from Aaron), is regularly performed during the intermediate days of Passover and Sukkot.

Priestly Blessing Western Wall

Holy Sepulcher from the rooftop

Good Friday Procession

Ethiopian Priests at Deir ESultan on the roof of the Holy Sepulchre