The website Dictionary.com has the word ghetto defined as “a section of a city, esp. a thickly populated slum area, inhabited predominantly by members of an ethnic or other minority group, often as a result of social or economic restrictions, pressures, or hardships.”
This describes the area in Jerusalem known as Mea Shearim.
Let me just start with the restrictions. Women must wear pants or a skirt which is below the knees. Their arms must be covered and they should have some sort of head covering. Photos are not allowed of the people within and modesty must be exhibited at all times. When walking through these narrow cobblestoned alleyways Hebrew is not the predominant language but Yiddish is. I would think that Crown Heights, NY and this small community are the two main Yiddish speaking areas in the world. Mea Shearim is an excellent place for souvenir hunting and the prices are lower than some of the main tourist areas.
The former villages in the old world of Eastern Europe must have looked and sounded just like this area does. There are kids everywhere darting in and out of the alleyway traffic. Shops selling bakery items fill the immediate air with that fresh baked smell but just down the street a small store selling books gives off that old book smell. These streets are completely blocked off to auto traffic during the Sabbath to protect the sanctity of the community.
J
Today was the last day at the clinic and was a time to say goodbye to all the employees. Instead of saying “shalom” or goodbye, we all say “l’hitraot” or see you later. Shalom has too much finality to it, kind of like saying goodbye forever. Many kids during the last 2 weeks drew little pictures of which I have 2 of them and I also received a nifty certificate.
Time to pack and then off to Ben Gurion airport. I’ll post my final thoughts while I’m waiting to leave.
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