current-events – Page 42 – The Real Jerusalem Streets

Giro d’Italia 2018 from Jerusalem to Eliat

May 6, 2018May 9, 2018Sharon A

Big. Really big.

As predicted, the Giro d’Italia took over the Jerusalem, Israel streets.

The information book was big and heavy. The press passes required ID photos.

The ‘I love Jerusalem’ sign near the finish line was big, the biggest I have seen.

Streets were closed on Thursday to construct the start and finish lines, and the spectator boxes near Mamilla Mall and the Old City.

Thousands of people came to support and report on the 176 riders of 22 participating international teams. Italian- speaking tour guides were in demand, but English was also the main language.

I met two riders from the Bahrain team who were window shopping in Mamilla Mall.

Bahrain was one of two Arab countries which sponsored cycling teams.

UAE, United Arab Emirates, also had a team of riders in Israel.

Warm-up runs through the Jerusalem, Israel streets, were easier to photograph,

as riders were not flying by as quickly as they were for individual time trials held all afternoon.

Teams could be seen pacing their turns together.

At the finish line, crowds came early to get a good spot.

These big stands at the finish line hosted the VIP spectators on Friday.

On Thursday, there were piles of building materials.

Before the official time trials began, the media gathered for a special ride in memory of Italian cyclist hero Gino Bartali. If you do not know his story, look HERE how he saved Jewish lives during the Holocaust.

Oops, anyone can have a false start.

At a press conference before the Giro d’Italia began, cycling promoter Sylvan Adams told of his vision for Israel and Giro d’Italia. Israel Cycling Academy General Manager Ran Margaliot added his thanks to Adams for initiating and funding this first Giro d’Italia outside of Europe, while Guy Niv, one of the two Israeli cyclists, sat and listened closely.

Helicopters flew over the riders with cameras to broadcast the race around the world. After Jerusalem, the Giro d’Italia went north for Stage 2, and then south from Beer Sheva to Eilat for Stage 3, Along the way Bedouin came out from their tents to watch. After the 229 kilometer ride through the desert Elia Viviani won the Stage 3, as well as the Stage 2 from Haifa-Tel Aviv.

The big, pink Giro d’Italia took over the Jerusalem streets. The cyclist from Bahrain explained the color to me. The Italian sports paper from over 100 years ago when the Giro d’Italia began, was printed on pink paper.

It was almost possible to overlook Lag B’Omer this year. In some neighborhoods the bonfires were fewer and smaller.

However, these boys leading a Lag B’Omer children’s parade from Mamilla Mall drummed loud enough to remind everyone.

After an overnight stay in Eilat the Giro d’Italia has a three hour flight to Catania, for a rest and the next stage.

The race ends in Rome on May 27, 2018.

With the Giro d’Italia completed in Israel, streets in Jerusalem will go back to blue and white.

Preparations for Yom Yerushalayim, Jerusalem Day, are especially significant this year with announcement of US Embassy moving, and other embassies returning to Jerusalem.

However, for more Jerusalem Giro d’Italia photos please look HERE

Shabbat Shalom

May 4, 2018Sharon A

Giro d’Italia has taken over the Jerusalem, Israel streets.

Thousands have come to Jerusalem, Israel, for the professional cycling event.

A billion are to watch on live televised showing of the race.

This ‘I love Jerusalem’ sign will show as cyclists reach the finish line.

Zahal Square with I love Jerusalem sign for Giro d'Italia

שבת שלום

Shabbat shalom

Israel 70 Years: Past and Future

April 25, 2018Sharon A

Yom Ha’atzmaut, Israel Independence Day, is usually one big celebration from nightfall to nightfall. Since most people are not working, families and friends plan to get together.

It is like one giant Sunday to make up for a year of no Sunday vacation days.

The flyovers are over.

The coals from tens of thousands of grills have gone cold.

Those big plastic hammers are put away and kids are back in school.

But this year with Israel 70 events, the celebrating keeps going.

The Menachem Begin Heritage Center in Jerusalem, Israel, hosted an evening in honor of Israel 70.

After food (of course, this is Israel), and the Prime Minister speaking, there was a panel with three ambassadors. There were remarks by US Ambassador David Friedman, on the good ol’ days in Israel, way before cell phones, which got me thinking about doing another Israel 70 post.

I walked home from the Begin Center past Ester lit up and looking like a giant space pod in the Hansen House garden.

By day Ester, built in honor of Israel 70, looks like a giant popsicle stick structure.

Hansen gardens, where in the past the most ill of Jerusalem would sit in the sun, are attracting new visitors to spend time to sit and read.

In this infirmary, the leper patients were treated.

On display is what could be the first Uber. To think this was an upscale washing machine not so many years ago, and some of us complain about small size or long cycles of Israel modern machines.

But those are two show rooms to remind us of what was. Now there are tech events held in the building. There is a cafe where old typewriters are on display, while people sit and work on their laptops.

There is a store with health foods and organic vegetables, and cheese in a refrigerated glass display case.

When Hansen Hospital opened it was a show-piece of modernity. It bragged of a foot bridge from the second floor rooms to the large outhouses.

Some people do not listen to music this time of year, but I had to do a very quick video. Today in Hansen House, push a button and there is a music option in the new modern loo.

Ambassador Sallai Meridor warned at the Begin Center, on the panel after Amb. Friedman, a “world major tsunami is coming. Kids who start school today will go into jobs we have never heard of and the demand for ingenuity is just beginning.”

Hansen House is but one example of change in Israel over the last 70 years.

Go to Modi’in. See what has been built in the middle of nowhere. This location selected because it was between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, was barren except for dirt and rocks 35 years ago.

Where will Israel be like in 70 years?

Who would have ever imagined what has been developed and accomplished in the past 70 years?