culture – Page 85 – The Real Jerusalem Streets

9 Signs of Summer in Jerusalem

June 25, 2013rjstreets

The Israeli Presidential Conference Facing Tomorrow is history.

Another school year is ending.

Summer weather has arrived in Jerusalem, Israel.

I love to see the Disney summer movie for kids advertised in Hebrew.

The Herod exhibit at the Israel Museum continues to draw visitors.

Jerusalem Formula – The Peace Road Show is gone.

But sports fans are excitedly awaiting thousands of Maacabiah

participants to arrive soon for two weeks of sporting events.

The New Old Train Station is new site of culture and food and fun,

but one of my favorite signs disappeared the day the site opened.

When the Teddy Park fountain is really working I will share the photos,

meanwhile it has been closed and this sign was correct for only one night.

This is still one of my favorite signs,

but the excitement of this ad campaign has settled down.

Summer of inspiration.

Waiting to see what will happen next on the streets of Jerusalem.

Israeli Presidential Conference Tomorrow 2013

June 23, 2013rjstreets

The Israeli Presidential Conference, Facing Tomorrow

was attended by 5000 people this year,

many coming from around the world to Jerusalem, Israel.

This year started with a special 90th birthday celebration

for President Shimon Peres serranaded by Barbra Streisand.

Opening night tickets were harder to get then to the Obama speech.

But the long program was available on-line to watch.

As the motorcades were finally going by after it ended,

and I was already getting into bed,

I was sure I had had a great seat.

Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair followed Shimon Peres,

and then former US President Bill Clinton entered the opening plenary.

Phones and cameras were out to catch

Bill Clinton get the Israeli President’s special medal and award.

Over two days there were too many speakers and dignitaries to list.

I was disappointed that somehow I kept missing

Prince Albert of Monaco, but maybe I just did not recognize him?

A few of the most popular presenters included:

Dr David Augus from California,

Prof. Dan Arielly,

and once again Ayaan Hirsh-Ali.

New to Israeli politics and this program was MK Yair Lapid.

But the serious press attendance and cameras came out

for Hollywood actress Sharon Stone,

Shimon Peres and Sharon Stone.

And also from Hollywood Robert DeNiro.

Rav David Stav got a little attention in the halls.

At least Arutz 7 noticed John Baird, the Foreign Minister from Canada.

But how many paid attention to Manfred Gerstenfeld?

At least my friend was also excited to see Canadian Irwin Cotler.

And as always everyone was excited to be seen with Dr Ruth!

If you do not know all these names, take time to look them up,

I decided not to link to poor Wiki information.

But what about this conference called Tomorrow,

when most of these names are so yesterday?

Tim Armstrong and Yossi Vardi may have come up with a new plan.

But, there were two things that really do stand out for tomorrow.

As at past conferences the Hebrew University exhibit,

was bigger and better, their brain research simply mind boggling.

But I would like to end with my favorite scene of Facing Tomorrow.

These five young men, ages 15 to 19,

are already involved in tech and start-ups.

This time of year the real streets are so busy and full

of end of year graduations, from gan to University,

they are the real tomorrow.

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!