cycling – The Real Jerusalem Streets

Overcoming Challenges in Jerusalem

November 20, 2019Sharon A

Challenges.

Every day, we are faced with challenges.

In Jerusalem, Israel, the weather has just changed and challenges us. Challenges range from something so simple as what to wear to the major challenge of how to provide housing to those who need it.

With limitations, both east and west and in green spots, up & up seems the only way to go.

Southern Israelis again were challenged, as hundreds of missiles were fired at civilians from terrorists based in Gaza.

Officially called ‘Operation Black Belt,’ it was more like deja vu – here we go again

I did not go south as I did one year ago, the images were too much the same.

It’s challenging to try to remember which ‘Operation’ my photographs are from since there have been so many similar trips south to visit families in bomb shelters.

On one recent trip to see the destruction caused by the Gazan fire balloons, these balloons were hanging in a new southern school. Educators who were challenged to help children not be afraid of red alerts and sirens had another fear to add to the list – balloons.

On a personal level, we all have challenges.

Parents turn to ALYN Hospital, a pediatric orthopedic and rehabilitation center in Jerusalem, to give their children the best treatments.

ALYN treats a wide range of patients, from babies with illnesses needing constant special attention, to older persons challenged and needing special therapies due to accidents or illnesses.

In the new Innovation Space, unique devices are crafted, such as Yusuf’s feeding device enabling him to eat on his own in spite of a difficulty in movement.

Your daily challenges might look different when put in perspective of ALYN patients and their challenges.

For the 20th year, ALYN held the ‘Wheels of Love’ charity bike ride.

International participants from 12 countries joined with local riders and patients past and present to raise money for life-enhancing treatments and therapies, not covered by the basic Israeli healthcare.

Please notice the tandem bikes among the 500 cyclists, as they ended their 5-day ride from northern Israel.

Riders are challenged by the last climb up the Judean hills to Jerusalem but excited to pass the finish line.

This was not your usual challenging bike race. Seventeen members of the Swift and Bold team were patients either riding tandem or hand-powered bikes.

Supporters and family crowded around to greet the arriving riders.

Medals were presented to riders by ALYN patients.

Dozens of patients and parents were ready with medals to present to cyclists.

Smiles after overcoming challenges to reach a goal.

Father, mother, and daughter teamed up to ride in 2019 Wheels of Love Charity Bike Ride that raised over $2.5 million. While there were first-time riders, many had participated over a dozen times over the years. Of the original nine cyclists who rode twenty years ago, six participated in this ride.

There could be a long list of challenges, from political to financial, in Israel or around the world. However, I will end with one faced weekly for Real Jerusalem Streets.

Remember 15 Real Photos of Arab Girls?

The RJS photos of Israeli Apartheid?

Two of the most popular, shared and viral posts over the years.

A lone female Israel soldier was standing in First Station.

This group of Muslim women walked by. You can see them in the far top left of the previous photo.

The challenge?

How to share the truth of what is happening in Jerusalem?

The sign at ALYN says “GO IN PEACE” in Hebrew, Arabic, and English.

Patients and staff, as in Israeli hospitals, universities, and public spaces are available for all.

The challenge is how to share the many positive things happening on the Jerusalem streets.

How to share the truth of what is happening in Jerusalem?

What do you think? What would you like to see and share?

Jerusalem: Walk, Run, Ride, Skate and Eat

February 13, 2019Sharon A

After the winter rains, when the skies clear over Jerusalem, Israel,

open spaces like this one under the Israel Museum turn green.

Instead of driving south to see the kalaniot, the red poppies, popping up,

I love to walk through the paths in the Valley of the Cross,

to see the wonders of nature right here in Jerusalem,

and see those red flowers that open up in the sunshine.

As the wild flowers peek through the rocks and weeds, often I am alone walking up the hill towards the Israel Museum and the Knesset.

However, last Friday morning, nursery children were having a pre-Shabbat party with their parents.

School children were also appreciating the wonders of spring.

Not all were walking, this man was running down the path that leads to

this new walking and cycling path that will lead to the Jerusalem Marathon finish line.

The Jerusalem Winner Marathon to be held on March 15, 2019 was launched last night by new Mayor Moshe Lion.

The full marathon runners, with the Knesset in the not so far distance, at this point will be near the finish line.

The new path is ready for the full Jerusalem Marathon runners before they enter the Gan Sacher, Sacher Park.

There will be many more vantage points this year, as old and burnt areas have been cleared.

New benches have been placed along the cycling, walking and running path for spectators.

After months of work, Gan Sacher looks like it will be ready before the start countdown.

Posted across from Gan Sacher, is this large ad for the ice skating rink and food in Mitchell Park.

The Jerusalem Marathon is in its ninth year, but there is a new location for the ice skating rink.

There have been previous ice skating rinks in Jerusalem, but this one seems to be the largest, with a new concept of ice and eat in Mitchell Park, which is near the Artists’ Colony.

Not many people were eating or skating last night.

No one was smoking last night when we went to check it out.

And finally cycling. GFNY is set for May 3, 2019, and the registration sale ends at the end of February, but these cyclists were out training already. Another chance for amateur cyclists to ride with the pros.

Jerusalem is not usually associated with sports, but walk, run, ride, or skate, or sit and eat.

Always something new happening on these Jerusalem streets.

More photos of marathon launch HERE

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