Gan Sacher – Page 20 – The Real Jerusalem Streets

Snow in Jerusalem

March 4, 2012rjstreets

I have waited for snow and snow pictures for so long,

it seems that everyone wants to see Jerusalem covered in snow.

After several recent failed predictions…finally on Friday morning

snow was coming down hard enough to obscure the Israel Museum.

The red roofs of the Nahalot neighborhood were covered with white.

The Knesset high grounds were coated with a little bit of snow.

Taxi companies did not answer their phones

and the buses stopped running.

Icy water tumbled down steps like waterfalls.

(Sorry I did not use video for this one as the sound was incredible).

Around Gan Sacher, Sacher Park, police came to direct the traffic,

as hundreds of people came out for the white stuff.

White cotton candy sold near the entrance was popular,

but it was the snow that attracted the crowd.

It was a chance to build

a snowman in the center of Jerusalem.

OK, Gan Sacher is not the same as the Golan Heights, but

kids of all ages managed to slide down the wet grass on makeshift sleds.

Children could not play in the flooded playground,

but they had a great time splashing in puddles.

Walking was difficult and dangerous for everyone.

The finish line for the Jerusalem Marathon, as seen in the background,

was a soggy mess, but people were smiling for pictures.

Others were happy to put a plastic bag over their hat and go for a walk.

All around Gan Sacher, people were happy for snow in Jerusalem.

Jerusalem Marathon 2012 is Coming

February 14, 2012rjstreets

The Jerusalem Marathon is coming.

Signs announcing the March 16th event seem to be everywhere.

For months now, the grounds near Gan Sacher, Sacher Park ,

both along the marathon route around the park

and in the park have been improved.

Roads leading into the park have new bollards installed.

While around the world “Occupy” tent cities have been emptied,

often by police on horseback in riot gear,

the tents near the main entrance of Gan Sacher

are still occupied.

In spite of a rainy and cold winter,

families live in the makeshift dwellings.

These young people may be on the ultimate social justice field trip,

wanting to interview people who have refused offers of temporary housing.

With thousands of people expected in Jerusalem for the marathon,

it is hard to imagine that this scene

and these structures will still be here next month

when the Second Jerusalem Marathon is run.

If you missed the marathon last year, be sure and see:

The 2011 Jerusalem Marathon

Fair Price

December 18, 2011rjstreets

Let me begin my stating that I do not approve of any rock throwing

or any kind of violence against Israeli police or army by anyone.

“Price Tag” reports from last week were extremely upsetting

and they were condemned by community leaders.

But there is another phenomenon that needs to be addressed.

For years I have collected photos in a folder called “Street art:”

they are photos of signs

and colorful graffiti that I found around Jerusalem.

Recently I did a whole post using some of these pictures.

However, in the last few weeks,

the graffiti on abandoned buildings

and in the city center has noticeably increased.

Some time ago these small designs appeared outside an apartment building,

but this overnight attack on the same building and adjacent street sign is not art.

People living in the building are upset,

they contacted the authorities who just shrug their shoulders.

Jerusalem businesses have also been the target of this type of graffiti.

This drawing was found near Kikar Safra, Safra Square,

next to site of the municipal government and Jerusalem City Hall.

The walls around the monastery in the Valley of the Cross

have also been defaced by vandals recently.

“End the occupation” and other graffiti was scrawled on this public property,

an entrance to Gan Sacher, Sacher Park, in the center of Jerusalem.

The media has ignored this plague of recent graffiti vandalism.

Every Friday for months Israeli activists from left-wing NGOs have been

on the scene at demonstrations where rocks are regularly thrown at Israeli soldiers.

That incitement and those extremists have been handled with “kid gloves.”

The “Price Tag” phenomenon is a terrible thing and a cause of concern,

but what is needed is fair and balanced reporting on the left and right.

Until we come together as one people and respect personal and public property,

anti-Israel forces will use all these incidents to undermine Israel’s security.