In Jerusalem, Be the Best you can Be

In Jerusalem, Be the Best you can Be

In Jerusalem, Israel, September days seem to be cooler.

Then along comes a hot day and a humid night.

But summer is over and back to busy schedules.

This was a busy week, one of those when it was hard to decide which events to attend.

Israeli champion female football team, winning soccer players

President Rivlin hosted Israel’s best female football (soccer) players today.

The ASA Tel Aviv team, second-time champions, brought their winner’s cup to Beit Hanasi.

Beit Hanasi President Rivlin posing with women form Movilot

On Sunday, President Reuven Rivlin hosted religious women from Movilot, an organization that promotes employment for ultra-Orthodox women in Israel.

Rivka Ravitz his long-serving Chief of Staff was there for the morning event.

Later in the day, it was announced that she gave birth to her 12th child.

President Rivlin Chief of Staff Rivka Ravitz at Beit Hanasi

I hesitated and did not take a photo of Rivka in the morning, but here is one from last year.

She was always at the President’s side, but stays out of the photographer’s view.

President Rivlin GPO IDF Spokesperson photo for 80th birthday
photo credit: Mark Neiman (GPO)

The next day without his faithful assistant, the President received a birthday cake.

“There is nothing more thrilling than to celebrate your 80th birthday with the youngest and most daring brigade in the army. With you, I feel safe and young. In Pirke Avot (the Ethics of the Fathers), it says ‘80 years old for heroism.’ But you, you are the real heroes.”

Israel Committee Logistic Center

The September 17 election day is approaching. Before the previous election on a trip to the logistic center, we were told how the day after an election they begin to prepare for the next one.

Israeli election logistic center workers

Did anyone really believe then that indeed we would have an election again so soon?

The only thing for sure about this election is that no one really knows what will happen.

Avigdor Liberman at Israel Knesset Opening

What I can tell you with certainty is there is a new film called”Leiber-Man” directed by Nurit Kedar.  Because of election laws, it cannot be shown on Israeli TV until after the polls have closed on election day. Kedar received invaluable film footage from Alexander Gentelev before he passed away which she incorporated brilliantly in her documentary.

Avigdor Liberman arrived in Israel as a 20-year-old and started working at the airport handling luggage the next day. He has held many senior government positions other than Prime Minister. How his actions will affect the next Knesset will be more clear next week.

I am staying away from political debate and moving on to graffiti.

Jerusalem Israel graffiti

Some of the recent graffiti has been colorful.

If you want, some of the recent photos of ugly graffiti are here.

Jerusalem Israel one year in Guatemala Embassy

This sign for Guatemala was put up over vandalized Honduras thank you. 

Why mention graffiti this week?

Foot bridge near Begin Center in Jerusalem Israel

On my way to the Cinematheque for the “Leiber-man” documentary, I looked down and saw this inscription on the footbridge over Derech Hevron, Hebron Road.

Promised Land on path over Hebron Road Jerusalme Israel

I had to stop, look, think, and go back again.

View from Hevron Road foot bridge of Old City

This view from the pedestrian bridge is one I try and share with participants of photo walks. 

The walls of the Old City are across the Sultan’s Pool. Looking in this direction, Jaffa Gate is in the distance.

This area was part of No Man’s Land from 1948-1967.

View of Old City from foot bridge near Begin Center

I wonder who did this.  What will happen next in the promised land is hard to predict.

Muslim women in Liberty Bell Park in Jerusalem Israel

I do know – that nearby Muslim women were having a picnic in Liberty Bell Park.

Inbal hotel welcome banner

Next to the park at the Inbal Hotel, a large welcome sign was up for international delegates for the Declaration of Our Common Destiny.

Common Destiny meeting with Israeli President

Its lofty aim is to support President Rivlin’s challenge to engage unity within diversity. When meeting the scholars and advisors at Beit Hanasi, he said:

“The miracle of the Jewish people is not only that we survived for thousands of years. The miracle is that, despite the fact that we were spread all over the world, speak different languages and developed different traditions, we always were one people. Despite our differences, we remained bound by our shared history, our core values and beliefs, our Book of Books, and our commitment to improving the world. It helped that our enemies always saw us as one people. Our enemies don’t see any difference between one stream of Judaism and another: Secular, Haredi, Reform, Conservative, Masorti – for them we are all Jews. “

Banners at the Inbal Hotel in Jerusalem Israel

I heard about a very different and special mission which was based at the Inbal Hotel.

The special Children’s Center Israel Trip sounded impressive.

I thank my friend for telling me about Yaakov Shwekey’s family and how they brought a group of special needs children on an amazing trip of a lifetime to Israel.

Oh, there was so much more, but enough for now.

Be the best you can be.

Elections, Elections, Israeli Elections.

Elections, Elections, Israeli Elections.

Elections. Elections. Elections.

Supreme Court Judge Hanan Melcer, chairman of the Central Elections Committee has been busy.

The media has been working overtime trying to explain the forty-plus political parties.

A trip to the Modi’in Industrial Park last month took us to see the Central Election Logistic Center.

Security gate at election committee logistics center

The security gate and entrance inside at the site is only a first step.
Israeli elections
This is the only slide I may show you from the introductory presentation.
Not sure why as we were allowed to photograph everything else in the building.
Perhaps it was because there were English spelling or grammar mistakes on so many slides?
Israel Committee Logistic Center
In operation since 2004, the election logistic center consists of this vast warehouse.
Israeli election logistic center workers
People working 24/6 to sort and pack the 12,000 paper boxes to go to polling stations.
Counting paper clips at logistic center Israel elections.
Counting paper clips for boxes. Hospitals and prisons receive boxes also.
Israel election materials
In hi-tech Israel, each piece of paper is put in by a person, and a real person checks the contents.
Special department for army and diplomat ballots
For the army and overseas government officials ballots were prepared in advance, and organized from this control room. They received two envelopes, ten days before election. For the first time not only diplomats overseas can vote, but so can Jewish Agency employees stationed abroad.
Packing boxes for Israel election
Papers, pens, envelopes and paper ballots, require 100% accuracy.
Boxes for Israel election
Then they are wrapped up tight, and sealed with big rolls of plastic wrap.
Example booth for Israel election 48 spaces
This election required new ballot boxes to hold all the parties.
Transportation of the heavier boxes is just one detail of the massive project.
400,000,000 ballots,  140 million more than last election.
There will be 250 tons of paper to recycle after it is all over.
Israeli election day is an official holiday.
Businesses are closed. Schools are closed. But national parks are open.

Man with microphone red on his nose as a clown

On the way home after the visit to the logistic center, loaded with pages of parties, spokespersons, and headquarters, Walter found a new use for his microphone cover.
If there is no new government formed in 90 days, no clowning around, no joke, we get to do this again folks.
No one I know wants the phone calls, survey questions, or negative campaigning.
One good thing, it is only 90 days, and not two years of campaigning as in the US.
The Central Elections Committee has moved to the Knesset to count the ballots.
With so many people still undecided, stay tuned for results.
One sure thing, you never know what well happen next on the Jerusalem streets.
Updated April 9, 2019 after voting midday:
Elections for Knesset in jerusalem
And there they were ready for action.
Voting booth with paper ballots in Jerusalem Israel for Knesset
The paper ballots in aleph-bet order. So many as to be confusing.
Random survey of people on street after voting, just happy for this to be over.
Some things have not changed since Knesset 19 voting, so adding post from January 2013 HERE
Difficulties with accessibility remain.
It doesn’t get easier watching the elderly votes having to do those stairs! But they came to vote.