Sabbath Services at the Jerusalem Center

This morning I attended religious services at the Jerusalem Center for Near Eastern Studies. It was a perfect day, warm and clear. I had the chance to see the amazing grounds around the Jerusalem Center for the first time in daylight. The collection of authentic olive presses was most amazing, and the view of the Old City was nothing short of spectacular. On the plaza overlooking the Old city there are a series of four bronze historical relief maps showing the Old City at 600 B.C., at just before 70 A.D., in about 600 A.D. and then in about 1500 A.D.

The services began at 10:00 a.m. The program consisted of a Russian woman speaking, translated into English by a graduate student who is living here with his family. Max then spoke, followed by a member of the branch presidency. I was privileged to administer the sacrament, using large flat, round loaves.

This is for My Wife Julie

My wife Julie loves quilts, and has designed and made so many by hand, so I have to show her several more fine pieces which were displayed at the Jerusalem Center last night as part of the art show and organ concert. These are all from local artists living in Jerusalem.

They all have names. The first one is something like "the Sound of Celestial Music."

The second one was something like "the History of Jerusalem," or something like that.

The third one was something like "Four Seasons in Jerusalem."

This one was something about birds (I think I posted it sideways)

This one was called "David's Harp" or something like that.

Enjoy, Julie! I love you always!

Organ Concert at the Jerusalem Center

This evening I attended an organ concert by Walter Whipple at the Jerusalem Center for Near Eastern Studies. This is my first visit to the center, which is one of the most amazing places I have ever been. Located on the top of Mount Scopus, the large arched windows of the center overlook the Old City. Outside the gardens are enclosed by a high wall, and there are about a half a dozen working olive presses on the grounds. Inside the meeting rooms and reception rooms are lofty and airy with beautiful woodwork throughout. There was an art show underway (as there always is). My wife, Julie, would have loved this one--quilts created by local Jerusalem artists (I attach one example, Jewel).

The highlight of the evening was the amazing organ concert put on by Walter Whipple, who is one of the service volunteers working at the center.

Walter Whipple is one of the kindest, most humble men I have ever met. But his amazing history belies his modesty. He studied organ from the age of 11, eventually studying with Alexander Schreiner. He eventually earned a Phd. in organ performance and for about two decades was a professor of organ at a University in Illinois, while also playing cello in the Rockford Symphony Orchestra. At age 40 he took a sabbatical to Poland, where he lived for a year learning to make violins. He returned for his academic career, but at age 50 changed careers and became a professor of Polish Language at BYU, where he finished his career.

Tonight he played a program of Bach, Mendelssohn and Franck. I include some sample videos of his playing.