current-events – Page 88 – The Real Jerusalem Streets

Jerusalem Municipal Election – Update

October 16, 2013rjstreets

In Jerusalem, Israel, nothing is simple.

Jerusalem municipal elections are set for next week.

Campaign signs are plastered everywhere.

Moshe Lion is running for mayor

against current Mayor Nir Barkat.

Not sure what it signifies, but these Barkat 2013 banners

were hanging next to large Israeli flags in more than one place.

The mayoral race is fairly simple with two main contenders.

But there is also a campaign for City Council,

and that is where things get confusing.

If you look up there are signs.

It seems that everywhere there are signs.

However, this one put up near the Prime Minister’s Residence

did not stay up for long.

Nir Barkat workers in campaign tee shirts have been out for weeks.

But now on the streets one can find

campaign workers holding large banners at Paris Square,

Simple so far?

Now, this is where things get confusing.

National political parties are also involved.

At one pre-election event at the OU Center

Bayit Yehudi Head Naftali Bennett

and MK Ayelet Shaked showed up in person.

They came late, stayed for a few minutes and took no questions,

but showed support for their slate of Jerusalem candidates.

There have been constant parlor meetings and information nights.

I will not answer my home phone in the evening until after October 22,

there have been so many evening campaign calls.

Calls from machines are easy to hang up on,

but last night there was a personal campaign call on my cell phone.

I suppose these are the blessings of the democratic process.

Deputy Mayor Naomi Tsur, left, started Ometz Lev, a mainly female party.

Will she help small business owners in Jerusalem,

some of whom are still complaining of losses because of Formula One street closings?

Rachel Azzaria, another female who once served with the mayor,

is also running again.

Someone drew a mustache on this larger than life photo poster,

and no, it was not in a religious neighborhood.

There are lots of photos of other small parties who have candidates,

but if you are not confused now,

then you surely would be and bored too, if I posted them all.

Trucks are out on Jerusalem, Israel, streets to encourage voting.

I think it is a safe bet to say, most residents of Jerusalem,

many intelligent, educated people,

have no idea who ALL the candidates are or care.

They just want their rubbish picked up on time and the streets clean,

and affordable housing would be nice too.

And Arab voters?

Summed up best as usual by Khaled Abu Toameh,

their leadership as usual loses no opportunity to lose an opportunity.

Updated October 21:

On Shabbat I saw a full list of campaigns and those running posted,

the one and only such list I have seen anywhere.

I went back today to take a photo of the tiny print and found this.

If this party will be good for Jerusalem, I do not know,.

But even though this was a short election season by US standards,

everyone is sick of the campaigns here.

Police are ready.

But the public seems to know less everyday,

and also pollsters, as people will say anything to get them off the phone.

At least I answered a private number on my cell phone this am,

almost missed an important call.

AFTER the Jerusalem, Israel municipal elections tomorrow,

then I hope to have something to say.

Just wish I knew who really were the best to vote for.

New Stop in Jerusalem at First Station

October 13, 2013rjstreets

Israel’s universities finally started today “after the chagim.”

I am wondering how long I will be trying to catch up on things,

now that the holiday season is officially over?

The bins in front of Beit Hanassi, the Israeli President’s house were full

after Sukkot, after the sukkah was taken down until next year.

I wrote an entire blog post on Sukkot favorites,

and I left out one of the most important items.

The new-old Jerusalem train station, First Station,

has already become an important tourist stop.

The Jerusalem March began as usual at Gan Sacher, Sacher Park,

but this year for the first time it ended at First Station.

It has become popular with most everyone.

Tour groups are starting or ending at First Station.

It took awhile, but most eating places are up and going.

Not only is Fresh kosher, but special kosher,

under the new Chief Rabbi David Lau.

(After many years, there still in no chief rabbi for Jerusalem, Israel)

Supply and demand,

and in Jerusalem, mehadrin kosher,

is what many tourists want and seek out,

in addition to shade from the mid-day sun.

Large trees have been planted, there are new shaded areas.

Bikers and pedestrians make use of the special track,

but one still has to watch out for cars!

Seems everyone and

everything is trying to get to First Station.

A new sculpting exhibit is on the way.

Women of Wall Accept Compromise, Really?

October 8, 2013rjstreets

Every Rosh Chodesh that I have gone to the Kotel, The Western Wall,

has been a unique experience.

After my first Women of the Wall experience, WoW,

the stench (of the refuse thrown on me) stayed with me for days.

But nevertheless I went back to see for myself what was happening,

and each month has been different.

This time, walking through the Old City,

there were

security people,

stationed at every

single stop

on the way to the plaza,

and also watching from above.

The plaza was filled with thousands of people.

Inside the women’s section in the back were WoW,

with more security around them.

Like last month,

a loud-speaker system made the men’s prayers loud enough for all to hear.

The Women for the Wall, W4W, had a good turn out.

In the crowd of thousands, many who were saying tehilim for Rav Yosef,

and many were clearly married, not just seminary girls.

WOW wore varied head coverings

and several wore tefillin.

As before, they used a microphone, and when they sang loudly

there was noise from some of the girls trying to drown them out.

At this Rosh Chodesh prayer service,

the men stood behind the partition.

While tehilim were being said, WoW were quiet.

After their service they sang hatikvah.

which brought shouts from some of the girls and the boys watching near by,

but they were quickly stopped by security.

It was an emotional experience for some.

As the The Women for the Wall left, a police line kept the groups apart.

Then WoW left the area the same way as they did the last month.

Reporting that this time they had to “sneak out,” is just another example

of a news source getting it wrong.

After WoW and W4W had already left,

this couple on the right walked through the plaza.

A small group of “religious” looking young men,

started shouting at them.

One was taken away by security.

There have been headlines that Women of the Wall

accepted a compromise offered by Natan Sharansky.

Most people would love that to be true,

to keep The Kotel a peaceful place,

and not to be a battle ground.

Now it is clearly used as a backdrop for a political agenda

and a power struggle.

Anat Hoffman says they are not leaving

and next month is WoW’s 25th anniversary,

so I guess there will be at least one more chapter to this story.

More photos from Rosh Chodesh Marchesvan on

The Real Jerusalem Streets Facebook Page.