rjstreets – Page 149 – The Real 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.

Apartheid, Segregation and now: Oppressive Occupation

August 13, 2012rjstreets

Here we go again.

First Israeli Apartheid was the rage,

then segregation became a popular ‘hot’ slur.

Now the Deputy Foreign Minister from South Africa calls on his people

not to visit “occupier” Israel.

Too bad, for if his people were in Jerusalem, Israel,

they could see the “oppression” for themselves.

Syrians are being killed daily by the hundreds,

in Egypt military leaders are being purged after Muslim terrorists

killed 16 fellow Muslims while they were breaking their Ramadan fast,

and violence in Myanmar is spreading to Jakarta and Mumbai.

As the month of Ramadan fasting comes to an end in Jerusalem,

Muslim women were in Mamilla Mall shopping as usual.

On Friday mid-day prayer time, this was the scene outside Jaffa Gate

and inside Jaffa Gate.

At the entrance to the Muslim shuk,

South African Deputy Minister Ebrahim Ismail Ebrahim,

would have seen the security of the oppressive “occupation”.

Yes, a security blimp was hovering near Damascus Gate,

but all appeared normal on a regular Friday near the Kotel, the Western Wall.

There was no violence or stone throwing,

so there were no restrictions or barriers as people were leaving, though

several men covered their heads with prayer rugs for protection from the sun.

There were no military vehicles on the street below

and people freely went up and down the steps to

and through Mamilla Mall.

Because of past suicide bombers, there is always a security check

to enter Jerusalem malls, but security checks are for everyone.

Suddenly, police closed off Agron Street with red tape,

even Egged bus drivers were stopped and had trouble getting through.

I did not stay around long enough to find out why the street was closed,

but it was not a restriction of Muslims oppressed under “occupation” .

New Warnings in Jerusalem Shuk

August 12, 2012rjstreets

In 1997, 16 people were killed by suicide bombers and

over 175 wounded at the Machane Yehuda Market, the Shuk.

Ten years ago another 7 people were killed in a terrorist attack at the Shuk.

Six years ago during the Second Lebanon War,

I made aliyah and moved a short distance from the Shuk.

At first, every time I ventured out to the center of town or to the Shuk,

it felt like a big deal, with fear of it being my last trip.

What if today another suicide bomber was out for a midday murder mission?

However, what I found in the Shuk was very different from what I expected;

Arab women strolling freely and shopping,

mountains of garlic before it is dried,

and Natan Sharansky buying fresh pita.

This month’s Balabasta Festival has brought more people to the Shuk.

There is security at the entrance, but now a new warning is needed:

the crowds have returned, so hold on to your kids!

The Mystorin Theater Group has some of the most clever performers.

They performed two nights last week near the Shuk.

It is hard to describe what they do with costume, light and color.

This scene in the amphitheater was projected on to a large screen

and was created by hand with sand sprinkled on a light table

The ‘Sea in Jerusalem’ show also had several dance performances.

People walking by also stopped to look at the larger-than-life actors.

However, be warned:

this show was not appreciated by everyone as it was way ‘out of the box.’

These new warnings for the Jerusalem Shuk may be amusing,

however,

this caterpillar, constructed of cement pipes, is located in a park in Sderot

to provide immediate shelter for children who play in the park.

When Hamas decides to send a kassam rocket from Gaza,

the children of Sderot do not always get a warning.

Last night another rocket landed in southern Israel.

No one was killed.

How can there be any excuse for trying to blow up children,

with or without warning?