Author: rjstreets

Chanukah Lights

rjstreets

One of the names of Chanukah is Chag ha’urim, the Holiday of Lights.

In Jerusalem on the first night of the holiday,

one could find both large public flames

and small private ones.

This bright chanukiah was on display in Mamilla Mall,

but the mall itself, inside

and out, was full of lights.

Each night of Chanukah, hundreds of people tour the Jewish Quarter of the Old City,

many are families with young children who run excitedly through the streets,

counting the lights,

 low and high above.

Some of the flames burn quietly inside a residence,

while others are placed outside by the door post

and closely attended.

The large chanukiah, at the Kotel, the Western Wall, received attention

when it was lit by the chief rabbis on the first night of Chanukah.

However, near by a couple of hours later, these two boys to the left,

  lighting two small candles attracted people who joined in the singing…

maybe off-key, but sharing the light and mood in the spirit of the holiday.

A new Chabad menorah was put up in Mamilla Mall this year

and a crowd gathered waiting for

Chief Rabbi Yona Metzger to light it for the first time.

 Chanukah lights burned in a pizza shop in the Old City,

in windows in the city center

and in many windows all around Jerusalem.

So many Chanukah lights and this year for the first time there is a fire truck ready…

 by Mughrabi Bridge at the Kotel Plaza.

Happy Holiday!

Please decide for yourself on the singing:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wyf8f29QOdg&feature=share

chanukiah: a special menorah for Chanukah, 8 lights are the same one for each night

and 1 larger the shamash that is used to light the flames of

 the Chanukah lights.

10 Signs that Chanukah is Coming

rjstreets

It can be spelled differently in English every year,

but the Hanukkah season in Jerusalem is very consistent.

There are 10 sure signs that Hannukah is on its way.

1. The piles of sufganiot in all bakeries

begin to disappear at an astonishing rate.

2. Street decorations are up

and lit up at night.

3. Hanukkah menorahs are placed in public spaces and on roof tops.

This one is on top of the entrance to Bet Hanasi, the President’s official residence.

4. Dreydels and spinning tops of all sizes and colors

 and shapes can be are for sale everywhere.

5. Shopping mall aisles are filled with sweet treats.

6. At nursery schools adults are sitting on little chairs with their children,

as families race from one child’s holiday performance to the next.

7. Shoppers fill the malls

and go to Machane Yehuda Market, the Shuk, where…

8. Strawberries are in season

 and ready to taste.

9. Citrus fruits are at their peak color and flavor,

but more unusual tropical fruits are also offered for those special occasions.

And 10…you know Chanukah is here when,

the signs on the crowded buses change to Hanukkah Sameach.

Happy Hanukkah!

Fair Price

rjstreets

Let me begin my stating that I do not approve of any rock throwing

or any kind of violence against Israeli police or army by anyone.

 “Price Tag” reports from last week were extremely upsetting

 and they were condemned by community leaders.

But there is another phenomenon that needs to be addressed.

For years I have collected photos in a folder called “Street art:”

they are photos of signs

and colorful graffiti that I found around Jerusalem.

Recently I did a whole post using some of these pictures.

However, in the last few weeks,

the graffiti on abandoned buildings

and in the city center has noticeably increased.

Some time ago these small designs appeared outside an apartment building,

but this overnight attack on the same building and adjacent street sign is not art.

People living in the building are upset,

they contacted the authorities who just shrug their shoulders.

Jerusalem businesses have also been the target of this type of graffiti.

This drawing was found near Kikar Safra, Safra Square,

next to site of the municipal government and Jerusalem City Hall.

The walls around the monastery in the Valley of the Cross

have also been defaced by vandals recently.

“End the occupation” and other graffiti was scrawled on this public property,

an entrance to Gan Sacher, Sacher Park, in the center of Jerusalem.

The media has ignored this plague of recent graffiti vandalism.

Every Friday for months Israeli activists from left-wing NGOs have been

on the scene at demonstrations where rocks are regularly thrown at Israeli soldiers.

That incitement and those extremists have been handled with “kid gloves.”

The “Price Tag” phenomenon is a terrible thing and a cause of concern,

but what is needed is fair and balanced reporting on the left and right.

Until we come together as one people and respect personal and public property,

anti-Israel forces will use all these incidents to undermine Israel’s security.