Jerusalem – Page 125 – The Real Jerusalem Streets

I Swear, Jerusalem of Contrasts

February 10, 2016rjstreets

Jerusalem, Israel, is a place of contrasts.

At night the streets of the Old City have been quiet,

while during the day,

the noise of large construction projects fills the streets.

While loud BDSers (Boycott, Divestment and Sanction),

shout hate against anything Israeli,

Jon Medved of Our Crowd led a global conference

that attracted 3,000 international participants.

The technology conferences are too numerous to attend or even list.

For two days in Tel Aviv this week, the tourism conference

is again attracting eager overseas visitors to expand their ties with Israel.

While outside on the streets “random” stabbings and attacks go on,

inside Beit Hanassi, the Israeli President’s residence,

President Reuven Rivlin and Justice Minister Ayelet Sheked

swore in 7 new Qadis, Islamic Shariah Law Judges.

The official reception was held in the same large hall

where all important diplomatic visitors are greeted.

Family and friends of the new Muslim judges

after being served a dairy buffet of sweets,

were seated for the occasion.

This week there was another swearing-in ceremony,

a military ceremony at the Kotel, the Western Wall Plaza.

Thousands of family and friends gathered

to witness the newest paratroopers,

who after weeks of arduous training,

receive their new rifle along with a new bible.

Muslims who swear in to IDF receive a Koran.

While the news may seem dismal and negative,

this Muslim couple who found themselves in the midst

of hundreds of armed Israeli soldiers

seem much more concerned with getting a good selfie.

I walked home alone in the dark from the Old City.

It took awhile as I stopped twice to talk with friends,

but two other things got my attention.

When there is a “security incident”

these teens take to the streets to give out Israeli flags,

post signs and sing,

Am Yisrael Chai,

the People of Israel live!

It is a leap year on the Jewish calendar,

with two Adars, an extra month until Purim,.

Purim celebrates when Haman tried to kill the Jews.

Hamantaschen are already displayed in store windows.

They tried to kill us, they failed,

so let’s eat something sweet.

A few of the cycles and contrasts

happening daily on the real Jerusalem streets.

Shabbat Shalom

February 5, 2016rjstreets

I was in the Old City last night,

as the sun was setting, the sky still blue.

Not as many people around,

but I walked home at night alone, stopping to talk with friends.

These quiet evenings do not make headlines.

שבת שלום

Tu B’Shevat in Jerusalem

January 25, 2016rjstreets

It’s raining. It’s pouring.

It was so windy I refused to go outside.

Jerusalem, Israel, was bone chilling cold.

The eastern US coast was buried under mountains of snow.

But it was Tu B’Shevat, the New Year for Trees,

in spite of the winter weather today.

Scenes from last week,

seem much more appropriate for this holiday, than grey fog.

The flowers in pots were overflowing,

outside of Beit Hanasi, Israeli President’s House,

for all to see.

Inside, the row of former Israeli Presidents greets visitors,

and the resident cat was enjoying the sun.

This cat is there all the time,

but most people do not get to enjoy the gardens.

Therefore, in honor of Tu B’Shevat, the New Year of Trees,

I took special photos to share the landscape with you.

Trees line the left front walk way inside,

while flowers are on the right side of the entrance.

Tu B’Shevat is about the new season of fruit trees.

Olive trees grow in several places,

the orange trees were bursting with fruit,

as were the kumquats.

Special visitors plant trees, even if it is not Tu B’Shevat,

and one tree came from the White House.

Flower beds were looking good,

now that Shemitta year of no planting has ended,

but one lone rose was all I saw.

First Lady Nechama Rivlin is a proud savta, grandmother,

and for Tu B’Shevat invited school children to Beit Hanasi.

The cat checked out her short presentation,

but did not hang around to help,

as planting in her new community garden began.

Tu B’Shevat is not a time in the synagogue,

but outside planting.

Glad I was there when the sun was shining!

Now we are ready and waiting for snow,

never know what will happen next in Jerusalem.

Update:

In case you think I was exaggerating,

this is not snow,

but morning fog on road to Knesset,

ready and still waiting for snow.