attractive tourist destination – Page 58 – The Real Jerusalem Streets

Flowers in shape of Jewish star in Bloomfield Park

Jerusalem: Good & Bad, Hot & Running

September 13, 2017Sharon A

Jerusalem is having a September heat wave.

Not so good for me,

I complain a lot and slow down.

But things are still going strong,

and Jerusalem is busier than ever.

Not sure if these raised arrangements like the heat

or if they are good or bad,

but this new flower display is near the Montefiore Windmill.

I passed it on my way to the Jerusalem Press Club to hear

Dr. Michael Borchard, the Director of the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung,

who reported on a survey of Israelis’ opinions of the EU.

The conclusion:

good news and bad news, but pretty much the same.

Economic missions, trade missions, and overseas delegations

seem to be everywhere, all the time.

US Congressmen were at the King David Hotel recently,

and this week the Governor of Iowa Kay Reynolds

led an Economic Development Authority mission to Israel.

Iowans really are some of the nicest people,

here a group met to hear about Jerusalem based bio-startups.

The amazing innovations seek US collaboration to grow.

But besides back to school,

there is much more happening on the streets.

Another Second Hand Fair was on Emek Refaim St.

Kulna, part of Mekudeshet, a festival of varied events

of the Jerusalem Season of Culture,

was set up in Mitchell Gardens.

Those who came early to the had the option of seats

and food and drink to buy,

with the walls of the Old City across the street in the background.

One Arab family came early to get a good spot,

and much of the program featured Arab music.

Amman is 71 kilometers from us, one slide informed us.

As always, emergency medical care was on site.

But though there were hundreds, maybe 2000 people,

there were no reports of injuries or emergencies in the crowd.

Signs were up all along the way to the park for

a first-ever Jerusalem Run for Women,

but not everyone saw those warnings of major streets to be closed.

Security checked out their locations

for the 5k and 10k races.

Women and girls came from all over to run.

I tried to take one of those water bottles,

but it felt so hot, I put it back.

After dark the women, and a few men,

started running.

Here goes the winner of the 10K

and my friend who won the 5k

was already smiling on the way to starting line.

I love when people race by and scream out “Sharon.”

If you know who is waving please let me know.

One of my favorite runners

was this cute little guy.

His father was right behind with the stroller making a video.

These posters tell of events in parks with live music,

and special musical nights in the Municipal Square,

Opening the Gates Of Prayer,

with seasonal High Holy days songs.

So much is happening on the Jerusalem streets,

now if would just cool off a bit so we can enjoy it.

But at least no one is complaining about no rain this year.

and I guess that also could be good.

shuk Machane Yehuda Market Jerusalem Israel shuttered painted with women's eyes looking over display tables

Jerusalem After Summer, After Hours

September 6, 2017Sharon A

School has started

but the signs for summer events are still up

along the Jerusalem streets.

One of the most popular spots,

summer or winter,

is the Machane Yehuda Market, the shuk.

As the day ends, the food stalls close

and shutters come down.

The last bits of bread are sold

and empty crates are stacked away.

Then

the tables and chairs come out,

and the loud music starts playing for the night-time crowds.

With special glasses or goggles, virtual shows

are presented at the Music Museum,

similar to these at the Western Wall Tunnel tours.

Five years ago, near the shuk,

at a Mystorin Theater performance,

I described them as “out-of-the- box.”

Now, they have gone out of this world.

Gone virtual.

Meeting at night, ‘AfterShuk’

includes three stops with virtual shows.

No photos are allowed during the performances.

It was painful to comply.

Such a shame.

Some scenes I really wanted to share, but I had to settle

for the above screen-shot from a promotional video.

One of the most amazing things was,

as our group proceeded from location to location,

only the cats seemed to stop and take notice.

People went about their business,

walking, talking, or hanging laundry on a porch above.

Last week I shared creativity of the Start-Up world,

this week is of the diverse Jerusalem cultural scene.

Another year of the Piyut Festival,

to be held September 24-28,

and the Jerusalem Season of Culture,

Mekudeshet, and Kulana,

are major September events.

Around the Jerusalem streets, or in the shuk,

so much is happening it is hard to keep up,

there is so much to see and do.

Meron Reuben with glass of water from air Israel Startup Watergen

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.