JERUSALEM—This week we saw Russian President Vladimir Putin!

Well, to be honest, it was from quite a distance, but we had an impressive view nonetheless.

One of my sabbatical projects is improving my modern Hebrew language skills. My wife Judy and I have been studying with Nitza, a language specialist who also teaches Hebrew at the Conservative Yeshiva. We meet at Nitza’s apartment, which is directly across from the President’s Residence in Jerusalem.

As we walked to our lesson on Thursday we were greeted by a policeman who asked us where we were going before waving us through. The policeman was but one of many who surrounded Israeli President Moshe Katsav’s official home. As we drew closer we saw a myriad of security personnel in the streets and on top of the buildings.

When we entered Nitza’s apartment we asked her what was going on. She threw back her drapes, and to our surprise, we were looking directly into the driveway and front entrance of the President’s Residence! Nitza told us that President Putin was scheduled to visit President Katsav that day, but she did not know when.

A few minutes later we heard a rush of cars, and a police band struck up the Russian national anthem and then Hatikvah. We watched Putin and his entourage get out of their limousines, and walk up and down the driveway shaking hands with the assembled dignitaries. Then he and Katsav launched into their speeches.

Putin’s visit to Israel was historic, the first ever by a Russian standing president. Although the disagreements between the Russian and Israeli governments about the Russian proposal to supply weaponry to Syria and the Palestinians were sharp, Putin also condemned anti-Semitism (which is on the rise in the former Soviet Union), and both parties downplayed other differences. All in all, Putin’s visit was a very positive step in improving Israeli-Russian relations.

We told Nitza that we were surprised that she was not only permitted to live in an apartment with such a strategic location, but also that we were allowed to look out her balcony and take photographs without interference. She laughed and said, "The security forces surely know more about me than I know about myself!"

In the afternoon we boarded a special bus to "Mini Israel." Mini Israel is a fairly new attraction which has over 350 structures of well known Israeli sites in miniature. You can "walk through" the entire country in a matter of hours and see places you have visited or missed. Highlights are the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, the mystical beauty of Sfat, the architecture of Tel Aviv, the resorts of Eilat, and the energy of Ben Gurion Airport (which incongruously has a large model of a Southwest Airlines 747!).

Mini Israel is a popular attraction with Israelis as well as foreign tourists. Chol HaMoed Pesach, the intermediate days of Passover, is similar to our winter and spring breaks. Schools are not in session, many businesses close, and lots of people take vacations. Mini Israel was filled to capacity with Israelis from all walks of life, from teenagers with bare midriffs and multiple piercings, to Chassidim in their full holiday finery. Mini Israel is a true  microcosm not only of Israel’s landscape, but culture as well.  

Today (Friday) we shopped for Shabbat. We are hosting several of our children’s friends for Shabbat dinner and lunch. It sounds like more work than it is. Instead of cooking, Judy was able to walk around the corner and choose from a variety of ready-made take-away food shops (Pesachdik and without kitniot) to gather the entire meal. Not quite the same as in San Diego!

Pesach in Israel is only celebrated for seven days, so tomorrow is the last. After Shabbat the bakeries will be back in action and we are looking forward to having falafel on pita!

I wish you and all those you love a Chag Kasher v’Sameach, and a Shabbat Shalom.