The Jerusalem Post asked me to be their expert tour guide for a series of podcasts on the origins of street names in Jerusalem. The first episode deals with Umm Kulthum Street in East Jerusalem, named after the famous Egyptian diva. The process of getting the street name, however, was a long, contentious one that touches on many of the issues of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Check it out here!

Last week, the Coptic community celebrated the arrival of the new Metropolitan, the highest Coptic clergyman in Israel. I came across the celebrations while guiding near Helena's Cistern. There were bagpipe players and drummers and lots of festivities. You never know what you will come across while exploring Jerusalem! For more background on the new Metropolitan, check out this article.