Temperature is rising.
Summer is here in Jerusalem, Israel.
Time to think of the cool waters of the Kinnert.
שבת שלום
attractive tourist destination
Israel at 71 – Who Would Believe, Who Could Imagine?
On Yom Ha’atzmaut, Israel Independence Day, Israelis celebrated 71 years since the state was founded.
Beginning with sunset, it was obvious to visitors that this was no ordinary day. At Mamilla Mall, shops were closed and restaurants were closing early on Wednesday.
The Yizkor, Remembrance Day memorial with its floral wreath was displayed near the entrance.
By the walls of the Old City near Jaffa Gate, a large sign said ‘Happy Independence Day! 71.’
The Tower of David stood tall against the blue sky, with the setting sun reflecting gold hues upon its stones.
On Yom Ha’aztmaut there was free admittance to the Tower of David, as well as to other attractions.
Across the road, there were big signs marking the entrance to Teddy Park.
Only one problem–for security reasons, no one was allowed to enter at this entrance.
Going around to the other entrance, I saw that hundreds had already arrived.
A group of men had gathered for afternoon prayers. From Teddy Park, knowing which direction to face when you pray is easy. Jews pray towards Jerusalem and the Temple Mount, and have done so for millennia.
Slow singing started at 6:00 pm. Though it was an unusually cold night for spring, thousands arrived and filled the park.
The music turned to loud and joyous as celebrations for Yom Haatzmaut began at dark.
Teddy Park was only one of many places in Jerusalem with free public music.
The list is too long for now, as neighborhoods gathered to celebrate with music and fireworks.
At First Station there was a musical prayer service
led by Rabbi Sholom Katz, and it was well attended again this year.
It was hard to get a good photo of such a large crowd.
But this short video should give you an idea of the energy.
The main state event is held on Har Herzl and is televised.
Tickets are in big demand for the open theater and stage near Herzl’s grave.
The event was held under the offices of Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein and Minister of Culture and Sport Miri Regev.
Military colors play a major part of the program, and IDF, Fire and Police participated.
To take close up photographs of so many soldiers,
or photos from a distance is an annual dilemma.
This event might be better appreciated watching at home on TV.
The outdoor mountain setting can also be very cold and windy.
Look at screen on the upper left side of the photo, you will see that these marchers form a menorah.
Special this year, at the base of the menorah were these soldiers in wheelchairs.
The program has musical numbers with fireworks.
The popular Shalva Band performed during the program.
The program also included 12 torches representing the 12 Tribes, lit by 16 individuals who had overcome difficulties, all representing the “Spirit of Israel.”
But in spite of staying up late celebrating, tens of thousands of Israelis were off to parks during the day.
In Jerusalem, there may be fewer hikers, but there are a whole lot of grills in the parks.
This year was the first time in long time I was not in Gan Sacher, Sacher Park, for Yom Ha’atzmaut.
Riding on Israeli highways, like this one toward Modi’in, is a time to remember the old Route 1, with its single lanes winding through the Jerusalem hills.
The municipality of Modi’in-Maccabim-Reut developed from nothing but barren land, and is now a thriving and growing city of over 90,000 residents.
Then Yom Ha’atzmaut, with all its grilled food, concludes with the Israel Prize ceremony.
A day which began with military honors at Beit Hanasi, the Israeli President’s Residence, and a Bible contest for teenagers at the Jerusalem Theater, comes to an end with Israel honoring its citizens who have contributed to various fields of knowledge or a lifetime of service for the public good.
Miri and Chaim Ehrental started Zichron Menahem after their son died of cancer. It is an organization which has helped thousands of families cope with cancer.
The laureates who accomplished so much in their fields bring honor to themselves and all Israelis.
As President Rivlin said in his Yom Haatamaut greeting, “Dear friends at home here in Israel and around the world. Happy Independence Day! Chag Sameach! Israel is seventy-one years old. Who would have believed seventy-one years ago that we would build cities from the swamps? That roads and railways would cross the sands? Who could have imagined then the wonder that is the State of Israel?”
Who would have believed, who could have imagined?
Israel at 71!
Jerusalem Old and New in Sacher Park on Passover
Jerusalem, Israel.
So many extremes, highs and lows, and contrasts of old and new.
The ancient stone monastery in the Valley of the Cross is surrounded by new spring wild flowers and a sea of green after a winter of significant rain.
The new biking/walking path leading to Gan Sacher, Sacher Park, from the monastery not only has new benches, but also a shaded area to rest in the midday sun.
It is nothing new that on Passover, families in Gan Sacher could be seen walking in matching spring outfits. On outings with five young children in a busy public area, it is a good idea to let everyone know to which family they belong.
As usual, family and friends reunited for picnics in the park.
In 2011, the situation in Gan Sacher was outrageous.
The lack of proper public facilities was shocking.
This building with proper toilets has been in use for a few years.
While it is not new, the toilets and the handicapped facilities were clean and stocked with supplies.
This baby changing area is also near the entrance on the women’s side.
It was midday and crowds were still not large, but such a drastic improvement in the situation must be noted and complimented.
New stairs lead up to the fitness exercise equipment area.
Nothing new with many families near the play area.
Remember those yellow vests on the new gardening staff before Passover?
This clean up team with those vests was a new sight in Gan Sacher.
Little children running in the park is not new.
However, wheelchair access is new.
Finally there are easy access routes into and through the main areas of the park.
Young couples meeting and walking around is not new.
But notice the new benches and sun shade they are passing.
Also new, quality control workers were wearing those black tee shirts with identification in white on the back. This pair had just instructed a family to move their grill to a safer spot.
Friends said the smoke from grills got so strong later in the day, they are thinking not to return next year.
Not everyone was an expert at grilling, but no worries. One man stopped to help another get his fire going to cook his hot dogs.
Families were filling the park with tables, tents, and chairs,
and at least one big box of matzah.
Notice the warning sign in the distance. Large areas were fenced in and off limits to park visitors. Renovations are still ongoing. The Jerusalem Marathon crowds walking on the muddy grounds was not good for the grass.
But the new paths were marked and the smooth red area is perfect surface for wheelchairs and baby strollers.
New steps lead down from the street corner.
However, some people like to enter Gan Sacher the old way.
More and more people were arriving to celebrate the spring holiday.
New construction can be seen in the distance over the butterfly flowers located outside the park.
Walking home, I went back past the old monastery again.
With Passover, Easter and Orthodox Easter, and Druze Nabi Shu’eib, Baha’i Ridvan, Muslim Lailat al Bara’ah, this was a very busy spring holiday season on the Jerusalem streets. Hotels were near capacity with tens of thousands of visitors.
Before the ‘Happy Spring Holiday’ signs come down, the flags are already being put up for the Yoms.
Yom Hashoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day.
Yom HaZikaron, Remembrance Day for Israel’s Fallen.
Yom HaAtzmaut, Israel Independence Day.
No down time in Jerusalem, Israel, on these busy streets..