February 2012 – The Real Jerusalem Streets

Shabbat Shalom – Our Heritage is to Live

Shabbat Shalom – Our Heritage is to Live

February 28, 2012February 21, 2020rjstreets

Another end of February approaches, not much has changed.

However, those little kitah aleph students are Bar and Bat Mitzvah age.

Last week began with a big disappointment,

as the predicted and much-hyped snow never happened.

It is a shame as Jerusalem in the snow makes for great pictures

while the hard rains do not make for pretty scenes.

But when the sun came out, there were puddles of water and birds,

green grasses and red anemones.

In 2000, Herman Wouk published a book titled,

“The Will to Live On, This is our Heritage.”

I thought of it not only for the weather conditions,

but also for the stormy situation in the Middle East and around the world.

In Israel there is no official Mother’s Day or Father’s Day.

Family Day is celebrated on Rosh Chodesh Adar, the first day of Adar.

At one Family Day celebration children sang and danced,

while the big people got to sit on little chairs

and help light the candles at a Shabbat party.

It is these lights of Jewish heritage and values that burn in Israel.

Songs of a Shabbat shalom, a peaceful sabbath…

not of war or hate.

“This is our heritage” as Wouk said, “the will to live on.”

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if these children had peaceful neighbors?

Mamilla Mall

February 21, 2012rjstreets

While Mamilla Mall was under construction

there were many who doubted its potential.

It was a convenient route to the Jaffa Gate and the Old City,

but who would shop in the expensive stores along Mamilla Avenue?

Stores have closed,

but new businesses open immediately.

The crowds keep coming…Israelis, both Jewish and Arab, and lots of tourists.

Brides favor the location for wedding photos.

Street actors and mimes often perform on the avenue

and colorful balloons are a common sight.

Every night as the lights go on, it is the place to visit.

Often tourists can be found posing with the works of art on display.

Music is the current theme of the art exhibitions

and the pieces are varied.

The original stones were numbered, taken apart, and put back up.

The results can be seen behind this piece of art.

And people come to eat…

often there are lines to get in to the most popular places.

Most days you will find the “United Jerusalem” guy,

but you will not find any signs of BDS: boycott, divest and sanction

or Israeli apartheid in Mamilla Mall,

located in Jerusalem,

next to the walls of the Old City.

Jerusalem Marathon 2012 is Coming

February 14, 2012rjstreets

The Jerusalem Marathon is coming.

Signs announcing the March 16th event seem to be everywhere.

For months now, the grounds near Gan Sacher, Sacher Park ,

both along the marathon route around the park

and in the park have been improved.

Roads leading into the park have new bollards installed.

While around the world “Occupy” tent cities have been emptied,

often by police on horseback in riot gear,

the tents near the main entrance of Gan Sacher

are still occupied.

In spite of a rainy and cold winter,

families live in the makeshift dwellings.

These young people may be on the ultimate social justice field trip,

wanting to interview people who have refused offers of temporary housing.

With thousands of people expected in Jerusalem for the marathon,

it is hard to imagine that this scene

and these structures will still be here next month

when the Second Jerusalem Marathon is run.

If you missed the marathon last year, be sure and see:

The 2011 Jerusalem Marathon