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?

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 , , , , , | 4 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

The Corona Chronicles – Back To Business

Posted on June 16, 2022 by Shimona from the Palace

I spoke too soon. COVID-19 is still with us, now mostly in the form of the latest variant, BA-5.The Ministry of Health dashboard, last updated at 11.06 this morning, gives the Transmission Rate (R) as 1.37 although on the morning … Continue reading →

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Posted in Health, Music, Uncategorized | Tagged , | 10 Comments

The Corona Chronicles – Gerusalemme Liberata

Posted on May 26, 2022 by Shimona from the Palace

Fifty five years ago come Sunday, in the midst of the Six Day War, all Israel was electrified by the announcement of Motta Gur, Commander of the 55th Paratroop Brigade, which liberated the Old City of Jerusalem from the Jordanians: … Continue reading →

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Posted in News, Politics, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

The Corona Chronicles – Never Forget

Posted on April 28, 2022 by Shimona from the Palace

Today, in Israel, we are marking Holocaust Remembrance Day – or, to give it its full title, Holocaust Martyrs and Heroes Remembrance Day. And I stress the word Heroism. Because while many people think Jews went like lambs to the … Continue reading →

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Posted in History, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 7 Comments