current-events – Page 78 – The Real Jerusalem Streets

14 Favorite Hanukkah Lights

December 22, 2014rjstreets

Hanukkah in Jerusalem, Israel, can be exhausting!

Candle lighting ceremonies seem to be everywhere,

with people arriving from all over the world.

On the first night of Hanukkah,

at the Kotel, Western Wall, at its large chanukiah,

after a lighting ceremony with dignitaries,

a man was covered in a white talit for the filming of a video.

Chanukiot in Jerusalem restaurants are always a favorite.

First night, first light in the Old City, this was most unusual,

while simple can be beautiful.

This large electric-light covered chanukiah was near Jaffa Gate,

and this fire-lit one in Mamilla Mall

that attracted a crowd below.

The display of chanukiot in the Waldorf-Astoria lobby was new this year.

Candles were burning in the security booth outside the US consulate,

though I received permission to take this photo,

afterwards I was stopped by an over-anxious guard.

Thankfully, he did not try to delete my photos.

A Chabad Chanukiah can be found on many corners,

but the one near Paris Fountain is a favorite.

The holiday party for the international press

given by the Prime Minister was held at the Israel Museum this year.

PM Benjamin Netanyahu lit this 19th century brass chanukiah

which had been used in a synagogue in Central Europe.

Not as large as this one,

but also part of the Israel Museum’s extensive collection of chanukiot,

some centuries old and from around the world.

Though not a menorah

the lights in their eyes are certainly bright.

This photo of Natan and Avital Sharansky

with Shimon Peres and Yitzhak Shamir

as they leave Ben Gurion airport after arriving in Israel

finally free from Soviet prison,

is one of many in a new Israel Museum photography exhibit.

And from our source of the sukkah on a camel,

a menorah of ice.

It was coming along, but sorry, it was a long day and busy week.

I did not stay to see what happened when it was lit.

Xanuka

no matter how you spell it,

a great miracle happened here,

eight days to celebrate,

as those suffganiot keep coming..in so many colors and tastes.

Happy Hannukah!

Thankful for the Rain

November 26, 2014rjstreets

Yesterday the sun was shining,

and even though the sky was not blue,

these gates were very blue.

Yemin Moshe was picture perfect,

only the streets were empty,

and much too quiet without the usual tourists.

I was looking at the new signs for Hamshushalayim,

an annual Jerusalem tourist weekend discount offer,

and I wondered how it would do with so many people staying away,

and just then a group of tourists walked by.

Things have been slower this week,

but work has gone on.

The Isrotel luxury hotel construction is finally above ground.

In the US as people prepare for the Thanksgiving holiday,

in Israel, thankfully it has started to rain,

and rain.

We are thankful for rain for it is an answer to our prayers,

but one which involves flooded streets

and accidents galore.

However,

rain or shine,

sleet or snow,

or terror threat,

the Melvin J. Berman Hebrew Academy High School from Rockville, Maryland,

is in Israel again for their Israel mission.

Every four years the entire high school gets a trip to Israel

over the Thanksgiving holiday week.

It can be a life changing experience to see

the real Jerusalem, Israel, streets, even in the wet and rain.

And

a group of 1000 pilgrims is on their way from Lagos, Nigeria,

so things go on.

I just hope I do not rust.

Shabat Shalom: Bitter and Sweet

November 21, 2014rjstreets

Recently on Fridays,

there has been a simple Shabat Shalom poster,

but this was not a simple week,

this was a difficult week.

The walls in Har Nof were plastered with mourning posters.

On Thursday the streets were mostly empty and quiet,

the air was so clean, but it felt heavy.

Cars filled the street in front of the synagogue,

where five men were murdered.

The shiva houses were overflowing, with standing room only.

Those paying sympathy could only walk by the mourners,

and some who knew the families said a word or two.

Many who came did not know either victim or their family personally.

I could not look at the couch filled with young boys

who had just lost their father in such a horrific way.

Instead of revenge one widow told me,

“we cannot change the Arabs,

but we have to change ourselves.”

They want unity of the Jewish people

and an end of sinat chinum.

Then,

as we drove home past Gan Sacher, Sacher Park,

we saw a large group of young people who were enjoying a sports day.

The weather was perfect for a family outing.

A balloon hovered above the Begin Center,

where Yehudah Glick was recently shot,

as segway riders went by on their tour,

and the next tour was getting ready in First Station.

A new sign announced an organic food market to open in the tourist location,

but First Station was deserted at lunch time,

a sad sign of the events of this week.

But,

at the same time on Haas Promenade in Armon Hanaziv

tens of thousands of Ethiopians gathered for

their Sigd Holiday celebration.

Old

and young

and many more each year wearing IDF uniforms.

They enjoyed the weather and the day on the Tayelet.

A beautiful day

for many family reunions,

food and photos.

Thousands celebrated just being in Jerusalem, Israel.

To end this crazy week,

we were at a simhat bat brunch today,

to celebrate birth of a new baby girl.

Besorot tovot were everyone’s parting words.

שבת שלום

Shabbat shalom.