As we approach end of year 5774
wishing all a Shabbat Shalom.
attractive tourist destination
Did You Hear about Jerusalem’s Emek Refaim Street?
It did not make headlines.
Afternoon traffic was heavy and slow Monday in Jerusalem, Israel,
with some streets like this one blocked to traffic for hours.
No one was driving onto Emek Refaim Street with this truck parked,
buses were rerouted and taxis blocked.
There was a large blue arch on the other side of the truck,
a blue man,
blue balloons,
and men in blue too,
as the police formed a brass marching band.
The US Embassy had a booth in red, white and blue.
It is estimated that as many as 30,000 people attended this community street fair,
where second hand goods were for sale.
Choirs performed,
many musical groups played,
and here one little dancer is moving to the music.
Actors on platforms,
standing on stools above the street,
and sitting on chairs performed to young audiences.
This group was learning about cooking.
Thousands of people took photos.
This usually busy neighborhood street
was full of barriers blocking side walks.
It was grid-locked by people and double strollers.
There are so many places in Jerusalem and on Emek Refaim Street
that are impossible and impassible for disabled,
it was great to see so many out for this event in wheel chairs.
Please let me know if you hear of anyone who actually
paid 50 shekels to sit in these chairs.
The sign asks for 50 shekels to sit.
That is what was happening on the real Jerusalem streets
and it all went on well into the night,
but no violence, not news,
Jerusalem New Arena Opening September 11
School has started and another week has whizzed by.
The countdown for Rosh Hashannah has begun.
You can feel the seasons starting to change with cooler nights.
Headlines were made when Light rail trains were attacked
in some Arab neighborhoods,
and also of attacks in the French Hill neighborhood.
Sadly, French Hill residents have had trouble with some Arab neighbors for years,
but it was not newsworthy until this recent escalation of violence.
However, this Arab woman was waiting to ride the light rail this week.
There were fewer Arab girls on the streets over the summer,
and there were fewer people on the streets tourists were missingl.
Now, Jaffa Road is looking busier every day.
This week Jordan complained about a “wooden bridge.”
Someone decided to build a second wooden ramp to reach the Temple Mount.
The wooden structure on the left is the only access for non-Muslims.
Though this new one is much smaller, it is coming down.
For a $15 billion gas deal, Jordan gets its wish?
The summer concerts at Kikar Safra
featured music of the Beatles and ABBA.
The last free music concert of season is tonight,
at the Pianos at Jerusalem Theater.
But the big, really big, biggest news in the Middle East,
is opening of the new Jerusalem Arena tonight.
The first press conference was held in the special press conference room,
with Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat and leaders of the massive project.
Built next to Teddy Stadium and near the Malha Mall,
the view from main lobby of Jerusalem is impressive.
The main floor can be changed for events – sports, recreational and cultural.
There is seating for 11,600 people,
and 16 executive boxes.
I wondered if I would get back to a VIP suite,
and assumed it was my last chance to hang in a locker room with the Mayor.
Workers were all over trying to finish up for the opening tonight.
70% of the 400 million shekel cost was covered by the Israeli Lottery,
but many wish some of that money would go to finish up school construction.
We lived near Washington, DC on September 11, 2001.
As the world remembers those lost in NY Trade Towers,
we also remember those killed in the Pentagon that day.
Sept 11 should have been a wake up call
for US & for the world to terrorism.
Meanwhile, in Israel,
though there have been a stream of terror attacks,
we have two things in our favor,
as shown here.
The inaugural ceremony of the new Jerusalem Payis Arena
will be a salute to soldiers of IDF.