Author Archives: Shimona from the Palace

About Shimona from the Palace

Born in London, the UK, I came on Aliyah in my teens and now live in Jerusalem, where I practice law. I am a firm believer in the words of Albert Schweitzer: "There are two means of refuge from the sorrows of this world - Music and Cats." To that, you can add Literature. To curl up on the sofa with a good book, a cat at one's feet and another one on one's lap, with a classical symphony or concerto in the background - what more can a person ask for?

Touring With the Bible In One’s Hand: Megiddo, Ma’ayan Harod and Gilboa

Posted on April 27, 2023 by Shimona from the Palace

I often write about terrorist attacks here in Israel, but I already posted in my Facebook account about two deadly atrocities carried out during Pessach by “Palestinians”, in one of which, a British-Israeli mother and two of her daughters were … Continue reading →

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Posted in Archaeology, History, Tourism, Travel, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Another Link In The Chain

Posted on February 28, 2023 by Shimona from the Palace

I never intended this blog to become a litany of reports of terrorist attacks perpetrated against the people of Israel, but Man proposes, God disposes. On Sunday, Hillel Menachem Yaniv (aged 21) and his brother Yagel Ya’akov Yaniv (aged 19) … Continue reading →

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Posted in News, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 8 Comments

Massacre of the Innocents

Posted on February 13, 2023 by Shimona from the Palace

These two little angels are 6-year-old Ya’akov Yisrael Pally and his brother, 8-year-old Asher Menachem Pally. Last Friday lunchtime, they were waiting at a bus stop in the Ramot neighbourhood of Jerusalem, together with their parents and other siblings, and … Continue reading →

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Posted in Daily Life, News, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 9 Comments

A Most Extraordinary, Ordinary Man

Posted on January 26, 2023 by Shimona from the Palace

This is the post I have been putting off writing for the past two months – the hardest post I have ever yet had to write, or expect ever to write.My father’s obituary. Abba passed away on the evening of … Continue reading →

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Posted in Autobiography/biography, Uncategorized | Tagged | 33 Comments

When Hanukkah Meets Christmas

Posted on December 27, 2022 by Shimona from the Palace

One day last week, half way through Hanukkah and at the height of the count-down to Christmas, I joined a Yad Ben Zvi tour in the Old City of Jerusalem to explore the celebration of those two festivals. Although Jewish … Continue reading →

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Posted in Religion, Tourism, Travel, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 20 Comments

Bible in Hand: The Altar of Mount Ebal

Posted on December 21, 2022 by Shimona from the Palace

In the Book of Deuteronomy, Moses, knowing he is destined to die east of the River Jordan, and not enter the Promised Land with the Children of Israel, whom he has led since leading them out of Egypt, takes his … Continue reading →

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Posted in Archaeology, History, Tourism, Travel, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 5 Comments

An Afternoon in Ein Karem

Posted on December 13, 2022 by Shimona from the Palace

Like London, there are neighbourhoods in Jerusalem which still preserve their pastoral atmosphere – villages and moshavim which have been incorporated into the municipal boundaries but which have, so far, managed – often after protracted legal struggles, some of which … Continue reading →

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Posted in History, Religion, Tourism, Travel, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 10 Comments

The Death Merchants

Posted on November 24, 2022 by Shimona from the Palace

I had intended, today, to finish the post I was working on, about an afternoon walking tour in one of Jerusalem’s loveliest neighbourhoods. But yesterday, two deadly bomb attacks by “Palestinian” terrorists drove all thoughts of the beauty of Ein … Continue reading →

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Posted in News, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 6 Comments

Touring With the Bible: The Jordan Valley In the Footsteps of Joshua, Elijah – and John the Baptist

Posted on November 16, 2022 by Shimona from the Palace

I have never been fond of Autumn, the saddest of seasons. We put the clocks back the night between 29 – 30th October, and so it is now dark by 5:30 pm. I find that singularly depressing. On the other … Continue reading →

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Posted in Archaeology, History, Tourism, Travel, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | 16 Comments

A New Year Is Just Around The Corner

Posted on September 15, 2022 by Shimona from the Palace

Shame on me, allowing almost three months to pass without writing about anything. And now, lo and behold – Rosh Hashana is less than a fortnight away, the children are all back at school (the almost “traditional” teachers’ strike having … Continue reading →

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Posted in Archaeology, Art, History, Tourism, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 6 Comments