Favorites – Page 239 – The Real Jerusalem Streets

This is Apartheid?

March 9, 2010rjstreets

Israel Apartheid Week is reported to be growing on college campuses;

its participants must have never spent any time in Jerusalem.

Arab families often visit Gan Sacher and other Jerusalem parks.

This is apartheid?

Hospitals are fully integrated; staff, patients, and visitors.

This is apartheid?

Shopping malls are open to all customers.

These ladies hailed a taxi on King George Street

after a successful shopping day at Ben Yehudah Mall.

Arab women shop on Jaffa Street on a regular basis,

often shopping alone.

This is apartheid?

Arab women walk freely in old neighborhoods,

and in new areas. This is apartheid?

However, with small children in hand,

women may not be able to move around quite so easily.

It is not simple for anyone to get a driver’s license in Jerusalem,

but the option is available to all.

Arab girls wait to ride on a regular public city bus.

As the world media focused on stone throwers,

this family was walking in nearby Baka.

There are fewer photos of Arab men,

because unless they are with women dressed in traditional clothes

it is often hard to pick them out in a crowd.

Yes there are serious problems, but

no legislation exists that discriminates against blacks.

Holy sites are open to people of all faiths.

Democratically elected Arab members in the Knesset speak,

vote and can propose laws.

Jerusalem may have plenty of problems,

but this is not apartheid.

Shushan Purim Day in Jerusalem

March 2, 2010rjstreets

On Monday Shushan Purim schools were closed,

the Jerusalem Theater had a special musical program;

the Purim songs were loud and lively, the entertainers tried their best,

but at times there were more tall people than short people in the lobby.

The busy streets of Jerusalem were quieter than usual, as many businesses were closed, and the rainy weather kept people indoors. It was hard to guess how many late night party-goers were off to a slow start on Shushan Purim.

A major afternoon celebration was organized at the new Mamilla Mall,

next to the Old City.

Street entertainers were popular with the crowd.

If you look above the street,

you’ll see that Peter Pan traded in his regular hat for a warmer one.

Photographers were trying to capture the moment.

It was a great day for hot chocolate or coffee.

Ben Yehudah Street had its share of people for celebrations

and a bit of smoke from firecrackers.

Machane Yehudah Market, the shuk,

as always, had its share of colorful customers.

There were some scary looking

characters on the sreets,

but for the most part…

the day was about princesses and butterflies, color,

and of course, hats.

Rosh Chodesh Adar 5773, updated for Purim 2013

Shushan Purim-Night

March 2, 2010rjstreets

After many days of sunny, warm weather, just in time for the Purim holiday celebrations, very heavy rains turned Jerusalem cold and grey. At times the fog was so heavy the Knesset building was barely visible. The amount of rainfall over the Purim weekend totaled about 20 cm or nearly 8 inches.

Flooded streets made it hard to get around,

but the rain did not stop this bike rider Sunday evening.

All over Jerusalem, many people dressed in costumes and gathered to read Megilat Esther.

There were some good hats

and some great hair.

Inside was bright and colorful,

but outside everyone hurried to their cars, homes

the city of Jerusalem though was just beginning to party.

There were so many events it was impossible to cover them all;

however, there is another day…

Happy Purim!

Updated Rosh Chodesh Adar 5773, Purim 2013