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Shavuot Flowers

It is most unusual to be having May showers in Israel!

But the rain is good for the Jerusalem flowers.

picture flowers

Have a wonderful Shavuot holiday!

 

WOW – What a Rosh Chodesh at the Wall

Rosh Chodesh Sivan at the Kotel, the Western Wall,

was not just any old prayer time for the new month.

The Women of the Wall were coming to pray at the Kotel.

Until Friday, I had stayed away from this monthly event,

figuring that there was enough publicity without me.

This time I had to see for myself what was really happening.

Women of Wall

Arriving at 6:30 am, 

the size of the huge crowd and the press were overwhelming.

image WOmen of Wall

The press has covered the dreadful behavior of Haredi men.

 Most were young boys, but there are no excuses for their acting like animals.

The shouting, pushing, and deafening whistles were so upsetting, 

the experience is impossible to express adequately in words. 

What in the world did they think they were accomplishing?

How could any rabbi condone this?

image violence at western wall

Throwing of a bag full of sewer water was most shocking, 

its stench lasted all morning. 

Image Women of Wall

Police grabbed the suspect immediately, however.

I wonder if the two girls on the right

will ever forget being in the middle of such a distressing scene?

picture women of wall

Here one woman is being  pulled back by security.

 There were several incidents of Women of Wall supporters

going over toward barriers to provoke the men. 

picture Women of Wall

The media that gathered around the Women of the Wall

image women of wall

at times outnumbered the number of women inside the police circle.

image watching crowd

Security people certainly outnumbered the WOW supporters, 

and were everywhere recording the events.

Picture women of Wall

Were there any empty spaces for watching the scenes unfold?

Picture of Rabbi of Wailing WAll

Rabbi of the Kotel Shmuel Rabinovitch,

Women of Wall

Jerusalem Deputy Mayor Yitzchak Pindrus,

and other officials were present for some of the time.

Image security women of wall

Security did a great job to keep control of the mob-like crowd,

Image women of wall

and kept them away from the Women of  the Wall in the plaza.

 I was able to fill an entire photo album called Bad Boys - Wall of Shame, 

though of course, not all present were abusive or involved directly.

But as usual, there was more happening than the press showed.

Image wailing wall

There were those who were actually trying to pray at The Kotel

for the morning service for Rosh Chodesh.

Rosh chodesh Women of wall image

And there were thousands and thousands of women and girls,

who came to support a new group called Women for the Wall.

That beautiful scene at the Kotel did not make the news,

even though their numbers were by far the greatest.

As we enter the Shavuot holiday, a time of beginnings,

a time to remember acts of goodness,

it is acts of goodness that will bring our salvation,

not acts of provocation or baseless hatred.

More photos from WOW and W4W    

  HERE

Jerusalem Day Photo Favorites

In most of the world you would be lucky to find people

celebrating or even remembering Jerusalem Day.

But here in Jerusalem, the celebrations,

events and ceremonies are too many to list, everything

from Mayor Nir Barkat and Rav Shear Yashuv Cohen

speaking on Shabbat at the Great Synagogue,

to a rock concert in Gan Sacher, Sacher Park,

attended by hundreds with the music going all night until 7:00 am.

Took too many photos again this week, so for now I will

 share a few favorites from Yom Yerushalayim,

Jerusalem Day, in Jerusalem, Israel.

Jerusalem photo, actor dressed

Kotel Man? What a great costume on this actor,

who was standing at the entrance of 

Photo of inside Tower of David

the Tower of David Museum, which was open and free to the public.

Nir Barkat photo, Jerusalem photo

Mayor Nir Barkat and his wife Beverly, greeted people and posed

 for photos, and I recognized this couple from the neighborhood.

nir Barkat photo, Jerusalem photo

One family presented the mayor with a gift.

Nir Barkat photo

I wonder where this will hang?

Israeli apartheid

Then they  posed for a photo.

As every year,

photo inside Tower of David Museum

prizes were given here at night to special Jerusalem residents. 

Jerusalem scene photo

Of course, flags lined the Jerusalem streets,

photo boys wearing Israel flag

and covered countless shoulders.

These boys posed outside the entrance to the Kotel, the Western Wall,

after asking me to take their picture.

photo old city walls

On such a busy day, at least one girl was able to find a quiet spot.

photo of dancing on streets

Closed to traffic, Agron Street was anything but quiet.

A group of boys were jumping and waving flags on top of this van,

as others danced wildly to gang-man style blasting music in Hebrew.

photo Jerusalem Day

Tens of thousands of people,

image Jerusalem Day

boys and young men, 

father son on shoulder

father and sons,

image Jerusalem Day

and of all ages, 

image Jerusalem Day crowd

packed King George Street in front of the Great Synagogue.

Jerusalem Day crowd

Girls trying to pass by had to hold on not to get lost in the crowd.

photo Rabbi Druckman

Then Rabbi Chaim Druckman arrived,

as the Flag Parade was ready to dance and march its way to

the Kotel, the Western Wall, for hours more of celebrating,

46 years of reunification of Jerusalem. 

 

If you have any doubts about why this day is significant,

checkout a special post in IsraellyCool

and for more photos of Jerusalem Day, click HERE.

Jerusalem Railway Station Grand Opening

Threats from Syria and Iran prevail in the headlines.

The Iron Dome has been moved to the north. 

Civilian air space in northern Israel has been closed.

In the days before aviation,

it was the railway that connected to Jerusalem to the north. 

With the advance of air travel and opening of the modern Malha Station,

Jerusalem railway station before renovation

the historic Jerusalem Railway Station was closed

and for years, at best,

picture train station Jerusalem

 it was a showcase for colorful graffiti on boarded windows.

But this week in Jerusalem, Israel, the old railway station has reopened,

picture walking trail

along with Milton’s Way, a walking and biking path

Construction fencing image

that finally emerged from behind the construction fences.

railway station

There is still more work to be done, 

trail on old railway line

but the 8 kilometer trail is coming to completion.

new location for wedding photos

The station is already a new site for wedding photos,

photos Jerusalem

even as it is getting ready to roll.

photo new Old train station Jerusalem

The new Old Jerusalem Railway Station was lit up last week,

Photos Railway Station Jerusalem

for a grand opening party.

After years 

Jerusalem photo old

of neglect,

photo Jerusalem

and construction

photo Jerusalem

 that seemed endless at times, 

picture Jerusaelm

at last 

photo Jerusalem

the end of the railway and trail renovation is in sight.

railway station Jerusalem photo old

Some interiors still have to be renovated,

Photo Jerusalem railway

but the main plaza is looking good

Photo Jerusalem

and the bike racks are ready.

photo Jerusalem path

It will be some time until walkers have any shade from the sun, 

Photo Jerusalem

but even at mid-day the trails are already in use.

Jerusalem Photo

The Jerusalem Railway Station is to be open on Shabbat

with mostly non-kosher restaurants.

 After this major face lift,

it is set to be the new major tourist attraction in Jerusalem.

Shabbat Shalom from Jerusalem, Israel

This was such a busy week with Jerusalem Green events

flag fying

that there is no time to share them all now,

Jerusalem flower picture

however, not all is

children in park

green.

Floral scene Jerusalem

Jerusalem is blooming

Jerusalem photo

and full of color.

Much more next time, but for now

photo of The Old City

Shabbat shalom!

Lag Ba’Omer is Bigger, but is it Better than Ever?

In many places around the world a big community bonfire

for Lag Ba’Omer is considered a major celebration.

The thirty-third day of counting the Omer which started on Passover 

has become a day of weddings, bar mitzvahs and musical celebrations.

However, this minor Jewish holiday

has escalated to gigantic proportions in Israel.

Meron was so over-crowded this year that the security services closed it off,

buses stopped running and many were stranded for hours.

Hot weather in Jerusalem, photo Jerusalem, J Street

And, this year it was hot, really hot.

Many photos were published of men standing

around large Lag Ba’Omer bonfires in religious neighborhoods.

Jerusalem photo, J Street, image Lag B'Omer

However, in open spaces all around Jerusalem, Israel

Medura, Jerusalem photo Lag B'Omer

thousands of people lit medurot, bonfires.

Jerusalem Lag B'Omer, Jerusalem photo

Some were tended by children,

Jerusalem Lag B"Omer

while others were large family gatherings.

Man taking potatoes out of fire.

These modest sized fires were not lit just to burn any

and every bit of collected wood, but were also used for cooking.

This man used a long stick to remove dozens of cooked potatoes.

It was good to see that his water can was so handy,

as heavy winds this year caused sparks to fly and clothes to burn.

;lag B'Omer photo

As always with so many small children around so many open fires, 

the low number of serious accidents is nothing short of miraculous.

And this year we had two nights and two days for Lag Ba’Omer!

Since the real time fell out right after Shabbat, the Chief Rabbis

said to wait and celebrate instead on Sunday night.

So this year for two nights smoke filled the night air.

As you might have guessed I am not a big fan of these hot, smoky nights.

And school vacation was extended from one day to two days off!

While the Knesset is dealing with future school vacation days,

 parents and children needed something to do on Lag Ba’Omer.

One activity was again organized by Chabad Rechavia.

DSC_5474b

This year their parade stopped traffic on Ramban Street.

Image Lag B'Omer

Along with the marching drum band were this large Torah and candle,

Image Lag B'Omer celebration, Jerusalem photo

as young and not so young,

Lag B'omer on King George Street

marched to King George Street.

Lag B'Omer parade on King George Street

Rabbi Goldberg and so many cute kids were smiling,

Great Synagogue on Lag B'Omer

as they gathered in the plaza of  The Great Synagogue for music.

Lag B'Omer in Jerusalem, Jerusalem photos

One small Lag Ba’Omer celebration, one small step.

Chabad slogan to love all Jews, Jerusalem pictures, J Street

“I love all Jews.”

What a feel-good event, in spite of the temperatures,

and I am not just saying that because the Rabbi’s mother is a fan.

Medura on Lag B'Omer photo

For Lag Ba’Omer, one medura, bonfire, night is enough for me.

Now I must run,

as it’s time to get some cookies and milk ready,

no school today.

 More parade photos HERE.

Jerusalem Green and Accessible

Wow, did I make a mistake;

 I thought this was going to be a quiet week.

Israeli flag image

It began as the extra Israeli flags were taken down. 

(Make sure you did not miss all blue and white photos

from Yom Ha’atzmaut, Israeli Independence Day in Jerusalem.)

Then came unseasonable, heavy rains and cold temperatures,

 it felt more like winter than spring.  

David Citadel Hotel rain

The doormen of the Citadel Hotel had out their large umbrella stand,

 it was not an easy time to stay either dry or warm.

 Then the rain finally stopped on Sunday evening and the sun came out,

and everything in Jerusalem turned green.

Image of Cool Globes, large world globe photo

First, I went to see the Cool Globes on exhibit near Jaffa Gate.

Large globe picture

These 18 large globes, each a unique work by a different artist, were

installed for Earth Day and will remain in place through the summer. 

Then I walked over to the YMCA for the opening of  the first

 International Jerusalem Symposium on Green & Accessible Pilgrimage.

There were way too many events and speakers to list here, but

DSC_4748b

 Forsan Hussein, CEO of the Jerusalem International YMCA

welcomed the many international visitors to the city of Jerusalem.

official tourists with deputy mayor

 Deputy Mayor Naomi Tsur, who started the green and accessible initiative, 

posed with Dr Jose Bernal-Stoop from Mexico on the left

and Count Phillippe Piccapiertra, 

the Grand Chancellor of the Order of Saint Lazarus of Jerusalem.

While there are always thousands of international visitors

who arrive in Jerusalem, Israel, daily, this

photo man with walking shoes.

 gentleman is the only one who I know who walked here from Sweden,

and I have to add that

WAlk for peace

 Nilsson Jorden, a Brother of the Military and Hospitaller Order

of Saint Lazarus of Jerusalem, has a great sense of humor too.

When I told him what I had written about him on the opening night

I was very relieved when he laughed.

I had not heard of this Order before, but their plan to make

  The Old City accessible to all by way of special scooters sounds amazing.

Many Interfaith sessions and discussions were held,

Black Imam with female rabbi

Imam Farid Ansari of the Muslim America Dawah Center of Rhode Island,

seen here with Rabbi Amy Levin, came in specially for this symposium.

Picture Green Pilgrim

There was such an ambitious program with so many initiatives and

progressive ideas to improve use of natural resources for the future,

that I will have to share more on this another time.

But now on the Jerusalem streets, it is that time of year,

picture getting ready for Lag B'Omer

when young people have started gathering every bit of wood, old trees,

or beware, even watch out for your outdoor furniture,

and anything else that that will  burn for the Lag B’Omer bonfires.

Ilan Shochat image

  Safed Mayor Ilan Shochat, in his excellent presentation, 

did mention what the four ancient Israeli cities have been known 

for centuries for four elements,

Tiberias = water,   Safed = wind,    Hebron = land

and  

Jerusalem = the city of “fire.”

Watch out for those fires this weekend!

Let’s hope we can keep Jerusalem green and accessible to all.

More photos from conference HERE

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