Ben Yehuda Street – Page 2 – The Real Jerusalem Streets

Under-21 Championship Final and Tomorrow

June 18, 2013rjstreets

The marathon of big events over the past two weeks,

Jerusalem Lights, Formula 1 Road Show,

and Hebrew Book Week, have ended.

Though it also began the beginning of June,

the UEFA Under-21 Championship Finals are still going.

The Israel-England game that was played at Teddy Stadium

attracted over 22,000 soccer (football) fans.

Many former Brits living in Israel were conflicted,

so they cheered for both sides.

Though Israel won, they still did not go on to the next round.

In the middle of Ben Yehuda Square,

usually the scene of street musicians,

this Under-21 Championship set-up appeared instead.

Playing this soccer game did not seem like the best exercise,

and gotta love these active sportsmen.

But I was glad I came back later

to see that some young people were actually kicking soccer balls

and some were using their heads.

Look out world,

here comes another generation of Israeli soccer players.

The European soccer championship game,

Italy vs. Spain, is being played tonight at Teddy Stadium in Jerusalem,

Spain could win back to back victories.

Update final score: Italy 2- Spain 4.

At the same time, at the Jerusalem International Convention Center

is the opening of #Tomorrow13, the Israeli Presidential Conference.

5000 delegates have come from around the world to attend.

Tonight is a huge 90th birthday celebration

for Israeli President Shimon Peres, with Dr. Barbara Streisand,

(she got an honorary doctorate from Hebrew University yesterday),

former President Bill Clinton, Prince Albert of Monaco

and other celebrities, like Robert Di Nero.

It is harder to get a ticket than to the Barak Obama’s speech in Jerusalem!

But I wonder which event will have more home viewers?

So much happening on the streets of Jerusalem,

you do not have to be here to see the diversity!

Purim, Purim and still Purim?

February 27, 2013rjstreets

I used to think that if Purim was more than one day, it would be easier,

as spreading out the celebration would make it less intense and less tiring.

Oh, was I wrong!

Purim holiday celebrations begin early in Jerusalem, Israel,

and continue well after others have ended.

While the rest of the world went back to work,

Jerusalem was still in full holiday mode.

Many synagogues and Megillat Esther readings were colorful events.

This year zombies and witches roamed the streets at night.

There were some really great shades of hair: blue, purple,

and fluorescent green.

These Israeli soldiers were wearing green too, as they sat in front of the

Hurva Synagogue listening to their tour guide, they were the real thing.

But who here is in a Purim costume?

Sometimes it was easy to tell the costumes,

but other times it was not so easy to decide

who in Jerusalem was dressing up for Purim.

I am pretty sure this was a mask.

Often a hat was enough

to share the festive mood.

Streets actors on stilts performed in Mamilla Mall,

but they were not the only big people in costumes.

For fancy dresses of all sizes,

Purim was a colorful time,

celebrated

in many ways.

Smurfs were popular – this one was a head turner,

as was this hair cut.

Purim, a time of costumes,

hair and smiles,

food and feasting and drinking.

And as every year on Purim, I am fascinated how many

Arab families are out

sharing the same streets.

Until next year,

Happy Purim.

Still not enough?

Then you can see more photos here.