Jerusalem – Page 91 – The Real Jerusalem Streets

Spring in Jerusalem

Spring in Jerusalem

March 29, 2017Sharon A

It’s spring in Jerusalem, Israel.

Purim is over.

The Jerusalem Marathon is over.

While Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was in China,

the streets were a bit quieter without his noisy PM motorcades.

Also last week, President Reuven Rivlin was in Vietnam.

But now we hear new, noisy motorcades:

Slovakian President Andrej Kiska is visiting Jerusalem,

and flags marking the official visit are flying near Beit Hanasi,

the Israeli President’s Residence.

Actually, thousands must be visiting Jerusalem,

judging by by the large number of buses on the streets.

Newspapers are filled with ads for everything from paper dishes

to electronics, before the Passover holiday.

Sales abound, but many cannot afford the holiday necessities.

Tuesday was the official Good Deeds Day,

and school children all over Israel participated.

But for some, everyday is good deed day.

For the third year, Rav Yitzchok Grossman of Migdal Ohr,

brought holiday provisions and volunteers to Beit Hanasi.

President Rivlin joined in preparing packages

for Israelis who are in need of assistance for the holiday.

Another name for Passover is the Holiday of Spring.

Blossoms are popping out on trees,

not just in pretty planters

and flower beds.

In honor of the spring planting again this year,

First Lady Nechama Rivlin invited students,

Arab and Jewish girls, to help her plant

in this corner of the President’s gardens.

For those of you who were not there today,

this was one view of the gardens,

with olive and orange trees in the distance,

and the synagogue across the lawn.

But my favorite

was just sitting here and enjoying the warm weather

while taking a photo on Instagram with my new phone.

Photos do not capture the beauty of spring in Jerusalem,

but will have to do,

as rain and cooler temperatures are forecast.

Now – what next?

For those of you who asked to be informed:

Beit Avi Chai has a Maghreb Festival going on,

celebrating North African Jewry, from March 27 – 30,

with a variety of programs, some with no entrance fee.

Kikar Safra again has matzah baking and activities,

on March 29-30 afternoons, and is also free.

Children are out of school for holidays starting soon,

and museums are gearing up and getting ready for them.

The Bible Lands Museum has special exhibits to learn about ancient Egypt.

The Tower of David is always a great place to visit,

day or night,

and now has new special programs in English.

Check them out HERE.

As always so many things happening in Jerusalem!

Favorites from Jerusalem Marathon

Favorites from Jerusalem Marathon

March 20, 2017Sharon A

The International Jerusalem Winner Marathon 2017

was run on Friday morning, March 17.

The Jerusalem streets were closed and traffic was blocked

as 30,000 runners participated in the full marathon

and a number of other shorter races.

As the full marathon runners were going by

at least one man on the right wanted attention,

as did the two runners in tams and kilts.

Over 60 countries were represented,

but I only saw one French flag.

Women were in the crowd running the full marathon.

Tens of thousands ran through the streets,

as the route looped around and through the Old City.

Last year’s #1 was again #1 this year.

After kissing the ground,

full marathon winner Shadrack Kipkogey was congratulated by

Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat, who was dressed for a 10 K run.

I took 500 photos and it was hard to decide which ones to share.

But thousands of selfies were taken at the starting line

and at the finish line.

One of my favorite photos and stories:

I posted a photo of a family from South Africa

dressed in red on Facebook at night after the race,

and by morning all the names had been tagged.

Water stations were located along the route,

plus this one where runners re-entered

Gan Sacher, Sacher Park, after their race.

Tens of thousands were in the park

enjoying music

and the activities provided.

There was new entertainment at the starting line,

but many participants were so excited they hardly noticed.

Just getting to the starting line took a long time,

because of security and crowds

walking anywhere took longer than usual.

The 10 K race had 3 different starting times and groups

for the thousands who participated.

Brightly colored shirts from dozens of charity organizations

were worn by thousands of runners,

and this woman who walks for Shalva,

was back again this year.

Remembe I commented how I never saw the mayor running?

Well, this year I saw him at the start

and again at the end of the race at the finish line.

I even spotted the man who wants to be the next mayor

at both the starting and finish lines.

The numbers attending the Jerusalem Marathon

have grown so large it is hard to find family or friends.

One of the reasons the numbers have grown

is the participation in a special Family Race.

At 10:30 am, 6000 were waiting to start the last race of the day.

I did not stay for the starting gun,

as I was racing back to the 10 K finish line.

But the family members I was looking for?

I did not see any of them!

While walking home, I passed those taking

a slower pace nearing the finish line.

Some streets opened early to traffic this year.

And there was Barefoot Rick,

still smiling as he finished up another marathon.

Not sure if this was 84 or 85, of the over 100 marathons

he has run without shoes to raise money for charity.

Tens of thousands ran through the Jerusalem streets,

millions of dollars were raised for charity.

There are people who still hate it,

but look for an even bigger and better one next year.

The date is set for the next Jerusalem Marathon:

March 9, 2018.

By then I had better get an app for my phone

so I can know how many kilometers I walked.

It could be way more than a full marathon.

To see more Jerusalem Marathon photos,

which were posted on Facebook,

please click HERE.

12 Jerusalem Purim Favorites

12 Jerusalem Purim Favorites

March 14, 2017Sharon A

Purim on Sunday, was a beautiful day

in Jerusalem, Israel,

with blue skies and mild temperatures,

children were playing in the Teddy Park Fountain.

Larger than life figures waved from on top

of the walls of the Tower of David.

Down below on the streets it was hard to tell

who was in costume and who was not.

In Mamilla Mall, little princesses

appreciated the music man.

While this princess appreciated having her photo taken,

I also liked the folks sitting in the background,

costume or not costume?

Costume?

One double costumed couple entered Mamilla Mall.

Little people in costumes were ready for activities,

like at this spot located on Jaffa Road.

The Mamilla Mall balloon lady was in costume,

or was this her regular outfit?

Balloons filled Mamilla Mall,

and other shopping malls also held special activities for Purim.

Another Purim in Jerusalem favorite are

the store window displays with masked mannequins.

But there is more to Purim than dress up,

money is collected and delivered to the poor.

Costume or not costume at this synagogue?

Children are part of Purim celebrations.

Now there here is a hard job,

try judging a children’s costume contest,

this sad faced mime won.

A few more of my favorites,

best dressed family group,

worst hair,

and best Purim hair.

It is Purim hair, right?

Best not secret anymore Russian agents.

Thousands read Megillat Esther Sunday night,

and after hearing the story of Esther in ancient Persia,

attended parties until the wee hours.

Monday, was Shushan Purim, the official day to

celebrate in Jerusalem, Israel.

A large carnival was planned for Kikar Safra,

Safra Square, by the Jerusalem city hall,

First Station was starting the day with a

community megillah reading and more celebrations.

Zazza on Azza again had megillah readings all day.

It rained on and off,

all day on Monday, Shushan Purim.

A large party was also planned on Ben Yehudah Mall.

The weather this year for Shushan Purim,

was cold and wet, weather for coats and boots.

I spent most of time trying to stay dry while delivering

mishloah manot, gifts of food, and going out to eat,

others also stayed away from usual outdoor celebrations.

Oh well, until next year, one last time,

Purim sameach.