Israeli soldiers – Page 4 – The Real Jerusalem Streets

40 More Reasons to be Proud

January 30, 2012rjstreets

This week, many headlines reported protests involving Israeli soldiers.

Anyone who is not a frequent visitor to the Old City

might have missed what has become a regular event in Jerusalem.

Near the Kotel, in the Western Wall Plaza,

the IDF holds swearing-in ceremonies for soldiers.

Soldiers of the Golani Brigade were sworn in last Thursday

and smart supporters knew to arrive early to get a good spot.

Hundreds of young men

and young women participated.

Joining with the hundreds of young Israelis were lone soldiers

from the Ukraine, France, Brazil and Venezuela,

Nevada and New York, Baltimore and Los Angeles in the USA.

Before the ceremony began,

over 40 lone soldiers were treated to a delicious dinner

sponsored by the Lone Soldier Center in memory of Michael Levin.

As at most Israeli gatherings, food is a central feature,

but lone soldiers do not have the families to bring them treats to eat.

Lined up and ready to go,

hundreds of soldiers filled the tunnel near the Kotel.

Inside the tunnel a group of soldiers started singing,

“Mi Mesugal” Division 13… can do it.”

Finally it was time to start…how did we find anyone before cellphones?

As the young soldiers marched in

the plaza was packed with thousands of spectators,

as family and friends

and visitors all tried

to see

and photograph the newest graduating soldiers of the IDF.

The Israeli flags flew and the flame burned brightly.

Congratulations and thanks go out to all those who serve.

Yes…I am biased to the Golani Brigade and lone soldiers,

as my two sons served as lone soldiers in the Golani Brigade

and just typing these words brings tears to my eyes.

Along with the parents of last week’s inductees,

we are filled with pride and concern.

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if the next generation

would not have to be called to serve in the army?

If you have a minute check out this video of the singing

http://youtu.be/rZh5PMlqjPA

and many more photos from the dinner and tekes, ceremony can be found here:

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.317574261618719.72742.152997821409698&type=3&l=6fc61249f3

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.317592001616945.72744.152997821409698&type=3&l=f96033cff6

Security Walls

January 4, 2012rjstreets

Last week I went to Jaffa Gate hoping to get a great photo of

the mayor of Jerusalem repelling down the walls of the Old City.

The walls were built from 1535-1548 to protect the inhabitants of Jerusalem.

However, they did not stop the Jordanian Arab Legion from attacking in 1948,

destroying everything and forcing Jewish residents out of their homes.

This ruined synagogue is a reminder of that occupation from 1948-1967.

I did not see the mayor, but found this scene on the plaza by Jaffa Gate.

A group of Israeli soldiers paid no attention and walked by

as this woman who identified herself as a Palestinian journalist,

coached a sad-faced Arab vendor and tourist for the camera.

So much for the narrative of persecution under occupation

and no freedom of the press in Israel.

The Monastery of the Holy Cross was built during the 5th century

and was surrounded by high walls for protection.

Compare its walls to the new security fence as seen from Neve Yaakov.

In Jerusalem,

schools have high fences and guards at the door,

a new protective gate was put up near the Prime Minister’s official residence

and barbed wire surrounds some Jewish neighborhoods.

Meanwhile, this is part of the fence on the Israeli border looking into Syria.

Ten years ago the Karina A was stopped in the Red Sea carrying

50 tons of weapons meant to destroy life in Israel.

In 2011, 627 rockets were fired at Israel from Gaza,

with a rise in the number of attempts in December 2011,

even as tons after tons of goods, gas and materials go in regularly.

New IDF information reports Jerusalem will be a target for missiles,

as terrorists no longer care about the number of Arabs or

holy sites that might be hit.

It is a shame that the security walls of the past cannot protect us

from advanced weapons of mass destruction, Saudi hackers

or the lies and libels spread on the Internet.

Women in the News

December 6, 2011rjstreets

Many recent headlines feature women, one of the most prominent

is Dorit Beinisch, President (Chief Justice) of the Israeli Supreme Court.

As President of the Supreme Court, she is the head of the Israeli judiciary,

responsible for managing the court system

and directly involved in selection of all new Supreme Court judges.

On the real streets there are hundreds of women judges and lawyers,

who work in their profession and raise a family without making any headlines.

Recently, photos of women used in advertising drew negative attention

resulting in protest signs…with women in them.

While in Mamilla Mall there are photos showing women’s bodies

and famous faces in advertising campaigns,

this sign for lingerie caught my attention…for what it did not show.

A small protest against the opening of this dance studio got a lot of coverage,

but a protest against domestic violence against women was ignored by the media.

I walked with the protesters until Mamilla Mall,

as it was on my way to a Jerusalem Web Professionals Meetup.

Women and men getting together to network, share ideas and help each other.

There are thousands of women in hi-tech and science doing great work,

many volunteer their expertise, but only a rare few make headlines.

It took until today for religious women to get positive headlines

for serving in the army, some are proud to wear long, modest skirts.

There are women who after making aliya as lone soldiers, volunteer to help others.

These young women worked hard to help feed over 300 lone soldiers in Tel Aviv

at Thanksgiving dinner sponsored by the Lone Soldier Center in memory of M. Levin.

Over two dozen women olim volunteered to make side dishes and desserts,

preparing everything from traditional cranberry relish to fresh pumpkin pies.

Thousands of women volunteer in educational support organizations such as

AMIT, Emunah, Hadassah, and WIZO, but they do not make headlines.

On International Volunteer Day a few special cases are honored.

The unseen faces, quiet and hard-working, the unsung heroes

are those who enrich everyone around them…

but they are not news.

Today might be a good time to say, thank you volunteers.