August 2012 – The Real Jerusalem Streets

Jerusalem’s Montefiore Windmill Returns

August 31, 2012rjstreets

Today, after more than 150 years, the afternoon wind was again

turning the blades of the Montefiore Windmill in Jerusalem.

The Windmill, initiated by Sir Moses Montefiore to aid

the “Suffering Jews in the Holy Land” was completed in 1857

and operated for around twenty years.

Montefiore’s goal was to help the poor of the Jewish community

grind their grain for bread and support themselves.

It was the first project built outside the Walls of the Old City

in the Mishkenot Sha’ananim-Yemin Moshe Jewish neighborhood.

The Old City Walls in the distance are easy to see from the plaza,

where a few name cards from the reserved seats were the only sign today of

the Montefiore Windmill rededication and ribbon cutting ceremony

that took place in the evening of August 28, 2012.

A restored Montefiore carriage is now on display behind protective glass

after it was vandalized and burned in 1986.

During the reception the door was open and I was able to go inside.

After months of construction and delays

Jerusalem Foundation president Mark Sofer had plenty to smile about.

The Windmill is not exactly the same as the original though,

as it has an electric motor and security systems.

Maybe it was the crepes,

the ice cream,

or the wine and fruit at the reception,

but everyone seemed to be smiling on Tuesday.

When Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks,

there is extra security all around

and extra cameras.

A short video showed the barren area in the 19th century.

What a contrast to the Jerusalem of today.

Christians for Israel from the Netherlands worked hard on this project.

There were Christian representatives from Holland,

as well as the Dutch Chief Rabbi, Rabbi Binyomin Jacobs present.

Jerusalem, Israel Mayor Nir Barkat, like the Prime Minister,

spoke about his childhood experiences playing in the area.

The blades of the windmill started to turn again,

but they are not just there to look at

as an important National Heritage Site,

the plan is to grind grain and sell the bread made from it to the public.

Of course, there were speeches,

it would really be too long to list all the officials present,

however, for a short video click here.

The Prime Minister spoke of the symbol of ruach,

which can be translated as wind or spirit:

there was wind and a beautiful spirit as the Windmill returned.

For more photos see The Real Jerusalem Streets Facebook Page.

Jerusalem as August Ends

August 28, 2012rjstreets

Did you hear a loud noise on Monday morning?

It was the collective sighs of relief filling the streets –

the long summer holiday was over

and over 2 million Israeli children went back to school.

Trips to museums for water play were replaced with starting Kita alef,

which in Israel is a more exciting event than many university graduations.

The school children living in the southern Israel town of Sderot

had another rocket fired at them from Gaza as they started to go to class.

More than 440 rockets have been fired into Israel from Gaza

since the year began, averaging around two a day!

Last week Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing,

was performed in English in Jerusalem, Israel’s Bloomfield Park.

The shows were free and open to the public.

Shakespeare, widely agreed to be perhaps the most clever writer ever,

could he have imagined what is happening now?

Arab families were seated on the grass to watch.

A few meters away on the plaza, Muslim women sat on a bench

and then followed to see the photos of a beautiful bride in white,

as a Jewish couple were preparing to get married.

While hundreds are killed each day in Syria,

this was the scene in the Jerusalem park.

School has started, however university does not begin until October.

Arab girls in Israel will be attending classes,

not banned from an education like in Iran.

And of course, they can drive themselves to the park or to school,

not like the women living in Saudi Arabia.

Kikar Zion, Zion Square, is still a safe place to walk during the day.

It was a long hot summer,

but the evenings are now cool for the late night summer music programs.

Last week the music and lights were at the Jerusalem Theater,

and this week Gan Sacher, Sacher Park, will showcase Reggae Music

and Safra Square will host the last August free public concert.

First there was the Wine Festival, then Beer Festival,

and now this week for the first time an Ice Cream Festival.

Always something happening on the Jerusalem streets.

Aliens Land on the Knesset or Go Fly a Kite

August 22, 2012rjstreets

No matter what you read in the media about Israel,

the end of August is all about what to do with the kids.

There are no regular ganim and school does not begin until next week.

Take the kids to “office camp” is an option, or

call on the grandparents or any able-bodied (even non) adult,

to help look after them.

There many things to do in Jerusalem, Israel, in August,

but the annual kite festival at the Israel Museum is one of my favorites.

Looking up at the colorful kites can be dangerous,

if you are not careful and trip on the strings on the ground.

Many kites got stuck in the trees,

but people were still smiling anyway,

except this one man on the wall who was determined to get his kite down.

Not all the kites ended up in the trees though,

as some soared over the crowd

in the Billy Rose Sculpture Garden.

Blue and white kites were popular this year

with many of the families who filled the grounds.

For this 27th annual event, over 7000 people registered,

and even more spread out over the wide expanse of the Israel Museum.

There were not just colorful kites,

but also Kabuki Theater entertainers,

providing music,

and more color along with entertainment.

So did aliens land on the Knesset? Not really.

The Knesset is across the road from the museum and this soaring kite

looked like it was landing on the roof.

No aliens landed, and there was no violence,

just enough wind and music and kites, for a day of families and fun.

More photos to be posted on The Real Jerusalem Streets Facebook Page.