attractive tourist destination – Page 58 – The Real Jerusalem Streets

Herzl’s Vision at 120

September 3, 2017Sharon A

As the First Zionist Congress ended on September 3, 1897,

Theodore Herzl wrote in his diary,

“At Basel I founded the Jewish State.

If I said this out loud today,

I would be greeted by universal laughter.

In five years, perhaps,

and certainly in 50 years,

everyone will perceive it.”

Exactly 50 years later, on September 3, 1947,

the United Nations Special Committee on Palestine,

UNSCOP, submitted its report which became the Partition Plan.

Herzl’s vision was on its way to reality

with the UN vote on November 29, 1947,

and on May 14, 1948, the State of Israel was proclaimed.

In 70 years, in spite of wars, terrorist attacks, missiles and boycotts,

things Herzl could never have dreamed have happened.

On the tiny, arid, barren hill that Herzl saw

today sits the Knesset building.

Across the road,

is the Israel Museum,

with its Shrine of the Book

housing the ancient Dead Sea Scrolls,

and a host of sculptures on the grounds outside.

For the visit of UN Sec-Gen Antonio Guterres

a special presentation was held at the museum

near the Archaeological Wing,

featuring five Israeli Start-Ups.

1. HomeBioGas turns organic waste into

clean and usable cooking gas and liquid fertilizer.

2. Sight not only can test blood for malaria,

but its technology enables doctors

to do a full blood workup in the office.

3. Those little plastic pieces in the aquarium,

from Aqwise make waste water clean efficiently.

4. ‘Standing around the water cooler’

not at the office, but at this meeting with

the Secretary-General and the Israeli Prime Minister,

took on a whole new dimension,

with Watergen, which makes water from nothing,

converting humidity in the air to drinking water.

L’chaim, to life.

Remote locations in India and Africa, Gaza,

and drought-stricken regions around the world

could benefit from these Israeli technologies.

5. Innovation Africa has brought solar

and agricultural technologies to remote African villages.

“Our sages said, ‘From Zion will emerge Torah,’”

Netanyahu noted, adding,

“Well, from Zion emerges Torah, software, progress;

I hope with your help. So welcome, Mr. Secretary General.”

Problems in Israel, for sure.

But so much good is happening.

Herzl could never have imagined how far

and what has developed from his vision over 120 years.

9 Signs End of Summer in Jerusalem

August 30, 2017Sharon A

The end of summer.

The end of August in Jerusalem, Israel.

The Hebrew University is locked up tight,

no students, no classes, forced vacation time.

It is finally possible to stay inside without air-conditioning.

The water from the cold tap was actually cold!

Flowers have grown to the roof top.

This purple flower is always a favorite

against the white Jerusalem stone and the blue sky.

The Scouts have been busy building towers.

The last child of the day ran through the Israel Museum yard.

The end of August,

and these children are headed to the park.

Summer day care is over, parents are at work,

and most schools have not yet begun.

So it is no surprise to see a little girl

at Beit Hanasi, the Israeli President’s house,

as we were waiting for UN Sec-Gen Antonio Guterres

to come from meeting President Reuven Rivlin.

There are long lines to pick up school books,

and purchase school supplies,

as families get ready for the first day of school.

New signs have gone up honoring teachers

and education in Jerusalem.

Signs are up for selihot, pre-Rosh Hashanna prayers,

recited either early in the morning or late at night,

and the pomegrantes are ready for picking.

These are signs of the end of summer in Jerusalem, Israel.

And in the you-never-know-what’s-next department,

the helicopters hovering overhead

were not to transport the Prime Minister,

but to entertain the crowd of children below.

The crowd also watched men rappelling down the side

of Jerusalem’s main municipal building

End of summer, soon only photos and memories will remain

from the long summer school vacation time.

Jerusalem, Look up and See the Details

August 22, 2017Sharon A

When we moved to Israel 11 years ago,

one building in the neighborhood stood out,

or rather stood lower and different than the others.

Beit Kedima, Kedima House, was built

by the British in 1945 to house its officers’ families.

The Jerusalem streets are lined with history.

These old Yemin Moshe streets are a favorite.

Next to it is Mishkanot Hashaananim.

Look up and see

this row of houses was built in 1865

under auspices of Sir Moses Montefiore.

For details of Jerusalem architecture,

this man, David Kroyanker,

literally wrote the book, or books, to be more precise,

“Jerusalem Design: God is in the Details.”

Jewish Design Identities,

also Christian, Muslim and Modern.

Did you know that the Scarab was a symbol of resurrection,

or that in Templer houses swastikas were used in floor tiles?

Or those colorful paintings on Muslim houses

were added after pilgrimages to the Haj in Mecca?

So what better way to learn about Jerusalem,

than with the man who wrote the books.

From the grounds of St. Andrews, the view of the Old City,

and these lovely gardens are for all to see.

One year, Mayor Nir Barkat chose this location to launch

the Jerusalem Marathon.

However,

how many Jerusalem visitors have gone inside

and noticed this intricate tiled fountain,

as we did on a Jerusalem Press Club sponsored tour.

Around the corner and down Emek Refaim Street,

look up.

Is that Einstein over this entrance?

No.

It is another Jerusalem lion carved in stone.

How many have walked by and noticed the Biblical passages

carved on these old Templer buildings?

“The Lord loves the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob.” Psalm 87:2

Down the other end of Emek Refaim Street

look for one, “Always tip the Guide,”

Ethics of our Fathers REVISED edition.

An informational sign was posted at Beit Kedima

explaining its significance.

In August 1947,

UNSCOP delegates worked on their recommendations

for the future governance of Palestine here.

It is hard to imagine this was a secluded location at the time,

now the area is so built up, it is hard to find parking.

Some buildings are impressive.

Some have signs explaining their history.

When you walk the Jerusalem streets,

be sure and look up,

and see the details.