It’s that time of year again.
Rosh Chodesh Kislev when the new flavor donuts appear.
What’s your favorite?
שבת שלום
חודש טוב
As November Ends in Jerusalem Photos of 9 Happenings
Jerusalem, Israel, was warmer than usual this fall.
The usual complaints of bone-chilling cold winter weather have been missing.
My third growth of roses was impressive enough to share.
The Knesset entrance looked nicely kept with green landscaped welcome.
What’s happening–or not happening–inside appears to be a mess.
But, across the street from the Knesset, the Israel Museum entrance has a clean new look.
Do you think this time of year, from “after the holidays” until Hanukkah, it’s quiet on the Jerusalem, Israel, streets?
Not at all, some evenings there are multiple events at the same time!
- At Beit Hanasi, President Rivlin hosted a press conference to launch an international conference on antisemitism at Yad Vashem at the end of January.
2. At the Jerusalem Post Diplomatic Conference, Chief strategist and Foreign Ministry PMO spokesperson Ben Moore, during an interview with Steve Linde, pointed to recently published antisemitic cartoons.
The results of his research have confirmed that the BDS movement has succeeded in mainstreaming and desensitizing the West to antisemitism in the Israel context.
Another international panel discussed antisemitism. Paul Packer from the US Commission for the Preservation of America’s Heritage Abroad expressed US support for Israel.
Ambassador Mario Bucaro of Guatemala (third from left) was one of the foreign dignitaries attending.
There was more than antisemitism, politicians, and journalists. Tourism was the topic of Ilanit Melchior’s TEDTalk.
With 2.5 million visitors to Jerusalem over the holiday season, sustainability and accessibility are important topics. The traffic from tourist buses and rental cars can be felt on the streets.
A very different conference that did not receive as much media attention was held in the Jerusalem International Convention Center.
3. The tenth Temech Conference for Israeli businesswomen and female entrepreneurs attracted 1000 women from the north and south to Jerusalem.
Networking is a very important feature of this event run by women for women.
The English track was smaller than in the past, but the Hebrew-speaking program has grown.
The theme ‘Unlock the Wealth’ had panels and speakers appreciated by women aspiring to grow their various endeavors.
4. The 2019 Elimination of Violence against Women’s Day was marked at Beit Hanasi.
It’s 50 days after Yom Kippur when the national holiday of Sigd is celebrated.
5. Sigd was a holiday in Ethiopia when prayers were offered for the return to Zion and Jerusalem.
Sigd means ‘prostration’ and marks a reaffirmation to Jewish heritage.
Here the religious leaders called Kessim in their white robes led services in Jerusalem.
Tens of thousands annually gather on the Tayelet with its view of the Old City.
6. Jerusalem Biennale ‘For Heaven’s Sake!‘ 2019 ends November 28, but the Street Art Festival pieces will be up longer at First Station, adding color to the tourist area.
7. Time to remember Kaf Tet November, the date the UN accepted the partition plan to establish the State of Israel.
8. With Rosh Chodesh Kislev, strawberry season is approaching.
With sufganiyot, donuts of all sizes, shapes, and flavors – everywhere –
9. Hannukkah or Hanuka or Chanukah will be here before we know it.
No. No downtime, something is always happening on these Jerusalem streets.
Overcoming Challenges in Jerusalem
Challenges.
Every day, we are faced with challenges.
In Jerusalem, Israel, the weather has just changed and challenges us. Challenges range from something so simple as what to wear to the major challenge of how to provide housing to those who need it.
With limitations, both east and west and in green spots, up & up seems the only way to go.
Southern Israelis again were challenged, as hundreds of missiles were fired at civilians from terrorists based in Gaza.
Officially called ‘Operation Black Belt,’ it was more like deja vu – here we go again
I did not go south as I did one year ago, the images were too much the same.
It’s challenging to try to remember which ‘Operation’ my photographs are from since there have been so many similar trips south to visit families in bomb shelters.
On one recent trip to see the destruction caused by the Gazan fire balloons, these balloons were hanging in a new southern school. Educators who were challenged to help children not be afraid of red alerts and sirens had another fear to add to the list – balloons.
On a personal level, we all have challenges.
Parents turn to ALYN Hospital, a pediatric orthopedic and rehabilitation center in Jerusalem, to give their children the best treatments.
ALYN treats a wide range of patients, from babies with illnesses needing constant special attention, to older persons challenged and needing special therapies due to accidents or illnesses.
In the new Innovation Space, unique devices are crafted, such as Yusuf’s feeding device enabling him to eat on his own in spite of a difficulty in movement.
Your daily challenges might look different when put in perspective of ALYN patients and their challenges.
For the 20th year, ALYN held the ‘Wheels of Love’ charity bike ride.
International participants from 12 countries joined with local riders and patients past and present to raise money for life-enhancing treatments and therapies, not covered by the basic Israeli healthcare.
Please notice the tandem bikes among the 500 cyclists, as they ended their 5-day ride from northern Israel.
Riders are challenged by the last climb up the Judean hills to Jerusalem but excited to pass the finish line.
This was not your usual challenging bike race. Seventeen members of the Swift and Bold team were patients either riding tandem or hand-powered bikes.
Supporters and family crowded around to greet the arriving riders.
Medals were presented to riders by ALYN patients.
Dozens of patients and parents were ready with medals to present to cyclists.
Smiles after overcoming challenges to reach a goal.
Father, mother, and daughter teamed up to ride in 2019 Wheels of Love Charity Bike Ride that raised over $2.5 million. While there were first-time riders, many had participated over a dozen times over the years. Of the original nine cyclists who rode twenty years ago, six participated in this ride.
There could be a long list of challenges, from political to financial, in Israel or around the world. However, I will end with one faced weekly for Real Jerusalem Streets.
Remember 15 Real Photos of Arab Girls?
The RJS photos of Israeli Apartheid?
Two of the most popular, shared and viral posts over the years.
A lone female Israel soldier was standing in First Station.
This group of Muslim women walked by. You can see them in the far top left of the previous photo.
The challenge?
How to share the truth of what is happening in Jerusalem?
The sign at ALYN says “GO IN PEACE” in Hebrew, Arabic, and English.
Patients and staff, as in Israeli hospitals, universities, and public spaces are available for all.
The challenge is how to share the many positive things happening on the Jerusalem streets.
How to share the truth of what is happening in Jerusalem?
What do you think? What would you like to see and share?