It has been a few days since the major winter storm and despite promises from Israel Electric Company officials to have all power restored by last night, the eve of 14 Teves, some 3,200 families remain in the dark this morning.
School Openings and Closures in Israel
As many Jerusalemites continue digging out of the storm, City Hall announced that schools will reopen this morning, Tuesday, 14 Teves 5774 at 10:00 AM. Officials do not want children out too early as many areas have a sheet of ice on the ground, the result of the cold nighttime temperatures.
However, some schools will be forced to remain closed, buildings that sustained damage in the storm and are now unsafe for students. Officials also urge parents to use their judgment and if one’s particular situation does not permit getting children to school safely, keep them at home an additional day.
Extra police are being assigned to assist people in getting to schools in the capital.
In the Matte Yehuda Regional Council schools will begin opening gradually beginning with Ohr, Tzurim, Haddassim, Lavi and Karov. Buses will begin picking up students at 9:00 AM and schools will open at 9:30 AM. Schools in Ein Kerem will open at 10:00 AM, and kindergartens in the following communities will begin at 9:30 AM. Tzur Hadassah, Nes Harim, Beit Zayit, Mata, Mevo Betar, Telshe Stone, Shoresh and Ramat Rachel.
In the Binyamin Regional Council of Shomron, schools in Eli, Ateret, Shvut Rachel, Shilo and the ulpana high school in Ofra will remain closed. In other communities in that region some of the schools will begin at 9:30 AM while the remaining schools are back to regular schedules. Schools in Yitzhar and Har Bracha remain closed.
In Betar Illit, schools are expected to open at 10:00 AM. Bus service, both intra and intercity lines are expected to begin shortly.
In Gush Etzion, it was decided that due to widespread icing conditions, with the exception of Meitzad and Kedar schools will remain closed. Kindergartens in all communities will open at 10:00 AM. Parents are requested to escort the little ones to and from kindergarten due to difficult conditions in yishuvim. Elementary, junior high and high schools remain closed with the exception of Yishuv Tekoa. Community centers are working to arrange for activities for children inside the communities. The Gush Etzion Regional Council continues to update teachers and school administrators via SMS text messaging. Special education schools remain closed as well.
Kindergartens in the following communities will begin at 10:00 AM. Tzuba, Aminadav, Beit Meir, Even Sapir, Givat Yearim, Beit Nekufa, Motza, Bar Giora, Shuaba, Ramat Raziel, and N’vei Ilan.
Schools in Ein Kerem, Merchavim, Ein Nekuva, Ein Raafa, Alon and Kassam will not be opening.
In the north, all schools in Tzfas, Beit Jon and Gush Chalav remained closed.
In the Golan Heights, schools and kindergartens will begin at 9:00 AM. Schools in the Merom HaGalil Regional Council remain closed.
Jerusalem Light Rail & Bus Service
The Jerusalem light rail began operating at 5:30 AM between the central bus station and Pisgat Ze’ev in both directions. Other service on the light rail route remains down at this time.
City Hall reports bus service to the capital began at 6:00 AM. intercity service began at 7:00 AM, and intra city service at 8:00 AM. One is advised to check with Egged (*2800) for information regarding a particular line.
10:00 IL:
Bus service to and from Betar Illit and Modi’in Illit is operating at this hour. The Minharot Tunnel Road from Yerushalayim to Gush Etzion is open at this hour. Most Jerusalem bus lines are operating at this time.
13:00 IL:
Public transportation in Tzfas will be gradually restored beginning at this hour.
13:15 IL:
Minister of Public Security Yitzchak Aharonovich announced an end to the special alert status resulting from the winter snow. Simultaneously he instructed police and other agencies to continue meeting the needs of citizens as the nation digs out of the storm.
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
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One Response
Inercity buses are NOT running anywhere close to efficiently. It would be pointless to get on a bus if you can even get on it because they are all passing without stopping because they are full and then take ridiculous detours. DON’T GET ON OR ATTEMPT TO GET ON A BUS. you will regret it. I predict public transportation will not resume to normalcy at least for another week