Rela's Journal

Something old
Something new...

There is archeological evidence

that the first settlement of Jerusalem was

in about 4500 BCE

making it one of the most ancient cities in the world

JERUSALEM
Crossroads of three religions it is the
capital of the modern state of Israel
established in 1948

Narrow streets wind through the old city

to treasured monuments of three faiths

CHURCH OF THE HOLY SEPULCHRE

THE WESTERN WALL
...where all are welcome to tuck their prayers to God between the stones

POPE JOHN PAUL II

THE DOME OF THE ROCK
which has sadly been made off limits to non Muslims

but you can wander the streets in the Arab Sector

and experience the sights and the smells

For a taste of Jerusalem start cooking your way through

this latest cult cookbook with flavors as ancient as the place

they originated and as modern as today's foodie culture demands

Climb to the roof of the Austrian Hospice

for a great view of the old city

Enjoy a Viennese apple strudel as another reward for the climb

The ancient walls of the old city are well viewed

from the Jewish Cemetery

on the Mount of Olives

a burial site for over 3000 years

Small stones are laid on graves in respect

and remembrance

An young Orthodox Jewish boy wears a "kippa"

and the traditional long sideburns

along with his modern back pack

Modern life blends in seamless harmony with the antiquities
of the City of Gold

The British had foresight to preserve the character

of a developing ancient city,

setting stringent restrictions back in 1918

THE MALMILLA MALL
Only native stone could be used for new construction
No building at all...adjoining the ancient walls
so as to preserve unobstructed views

Israelis have honored and preserved those restrictions

Shopping is a national 'sport'

wander through the modern mall

past original art on display

as live orchestras play

Old buildings have been carefully reconstructed

each stone numbered for accurate replacement

prior to dismantling

ONE SINGLE structure in Jerusalem has been exempt from the native stone restriction

YAD VASHEM

The Holocaust Museum

Honoring six million Jews who perished in WWII

ARCHITECT-MOSHE SAFDIE

Cutting through HAR HAZIKRON

(HILL OF MEMORIES)

Re-enforced concrete represents
the "unfinished" lessons of The Holocaust

Winding through the dark displays

shafts of light piercing at intervals

POWERFUL

ENVELOPING

EMOTIONALLY HEAVY

culminating in light and optimism

as the structure opens to daylight

and reaches toward the Judean Hills in the distance

This optimistic spirit is nowhere more evident then in

defiantly boisterous Tel-Aviv where the energy is electrifying.

Almost like a "...non-stop party"

Raphael Kadushin-

National Geographic Traveler

Tel-Aviv is a cafe society

Streets are lined with outdoor cafes and restaurants

full at all hours of the day and night

Everybody seems vibrant and beautiful

ARCHITECT-RICHARD MEIER

Modern skyscrapers pierce the blue sky

Restoration of old structures continues at the

fast pace that seems the norm in this seaside city

where everything looks to the future despite

the constant threat of rocket attack

Bauhaus architecture is being feverishly restored

housing boutique hotels like the

MONTEFIORE

with slick, modern interiors

that nod to the innovative high tech mentality

of the locals

THE DELICATESSEN
and other chic eateries
have blossomed over the past decade

The best of everything from all over the world
is now available
in what was in the recent past literally

"a desert"

Necessity is the mother of invention

With little need for raincoats

in the Mediterranean climate of her new homeland

German refugee, Lea Gottleib turned her talents to swimwear in 1958.

Her designs and colorations were innovative

as well as flattering with her introduction of Spandex.

GOTTEX 1961

GOTTEX 2014

Water is precious in a desert land

With the development of NETAFIM-drip irrigation
and desalination the Israeli's have created
the fruit and vegetable basket of Europe

A typical Israeli breakfast always includes
a tomato and cucumber salad fresh from the fields

Traditional Mediterranean food
Hummus- Tahina-Falafel
Pita Bread so light and fluffy
like nothing we can get here in the US
It's the REAL thing !

Museums beautifully curated from antiquities
to modern design are housed in unique structures

THE DESIGN MUSEUM-HOLON
ARCHITECT-RON ARAD

ribbons of cor-ten steel wrap the permanent
display of Arad's work
who himself described his furniture
as "virtue out of necessity

functional

to whimsical

Visiting exhibits of design are always changing

HAT BY STEPHEN JONES

DESIGN MUSEUM HOLON

Stephen Jones hats on parade

Forgive me but I digress-

couldn't resist including this memorable

fashion statement by the Royal Princesses of Great Britain

FASHION CROSSROADS

in the ancient port city of Akko

north of modern Tel-Aviv

Akko's ancient port

The Fleur-de-Lis recently unearthed from beneath a modern

Akko courtyard has confirmed the presence of French crusaders

in the Holy Land

11th century groin vaults in the dining hall of the crusaders

A young nation only 65 years old,
in an ancient land

Something old something new

The Story of Israel's Economic Miracle

A fascinating read that will get your mind racing
Some of the most advanced and brilliant
technological accomplishments have been birthed
in this brave new nation

Inspirational
Don't be surprised if you become an advocate
of required military service

The United States is also a relatively young nation. We too admire and encourage entrepreneurial ventures but we have had some dismal failings in respecting our architectural heritage

PENN STATION NYC

ARCHITECTS-McKIM MEADE & WHITE

Inspired by the Roman baths of Caracalla

the historical landmark survived a mere 56 years

Despite desperate protestations of architects, historians,

and the general public

Historical preservation was in its infancy in the 1960's

money carried the day

A national treasure was torn down to make way

for a modern high rise

ADA LOUISE HUXTABLE

Ms. Huxtable , then Architectural Critic for The New York Times
protested loudly from her column but to no avail

Her ability to share her enthusiasm for what was good and to call out what was bogus
won her the First Pulitzer prize for Criticism

"Tossed into the Seacaucus graveyard are about twenty-five centuries of classical culture and the standards of style, elegance, and grandeur that it gave to the dreams and constructions of Western man."

Jules Guerin murals covered by thick layers of soot
where also buried in that watery grave.
Six huge panels depicting the Pennsylvania landscape
installed at soaring heights

by staff originally trained as sailors
used to climbing riggings in heavy seas.

TRADERS MURAL-SAN FRANCISCO RESERVE
by Jules Guerin

The artist was quoted in The New York Times in 1910
" I tell you I've worried as much as I've worked since undertaking this job.
I don't want any widows made."

New York City suffered a profound cultural wound with the demise of Penn Station
but perhaps Penn Station died so other historical treasures could live...

GRAND CENTRAL STATION
spared the wrecking ball in 1973

has been restored to all it's former glory

and yet ...

there have been recent plans to demolish

The Stacks

New York Public Library

ARCHITECTS-McKIM MEADE & WHITE

It is not that our memories are short or that we no longer care

It's very simply that someone stood to make a whole lot of $$$$$

Money does indeed talk

As reconstruction costs hit $300,000,000.00 the Library Trustees changed their minds

and were saved from their own short sightedness.

Plans for demolition have been scrapped !!!!!

Many thanks to a vibrant citizenry led in no small part

by the late Ms. Huxtable

who deserve much credit for the cancellation of plans

"devised out of a profound ignorance of, or willful disregard for

not only the library's original concept and design, but also the folly of altering its meaning and mission, and compromising its historical and architectural integrity."

Once gone

National Treasures are not possible to replace