jerusalem israel – Page 91 – The Real Jerusalem Streets

Shabbat Shalom שבת שלום

November 6, 2015rjstreets

The sun is not shining.

The sky is grey.

Buildings are lost in the fog.

The traffic backs up on slippery streets.

It is raining in Jerusalem, Israel.

As much as we need rain, it is not a pretty picture.

However, any planned Friday of ‘Rage’ is a wash-out.

When we first made aliyah a woman told me, wait,

when you are here long enough you become unlingual.

It has started. Last week, I could not think of an English word

I needed to express to a woman how much I liked what she had said.

Plus, my Hebrew gets worse and worse, by not using it often enough.

A thought posted on a Facebook comment prompted this popular poster.

Hope it makes you smile, or at least gets you thinking…

This sunset photo was taken on the road back from a visit to Gaza border.

שבת שלום

Inspired from original text by Devorah Goodman Horev.

Hebrew version hopefully to follow next week,

meanwhile that thunder was really loud and close.

Would be nice if a rainbow would follow this storm.

Jerusalem Autumn Colors

November 4, 2015rjstreets

Autumn means beautiful photos of fall foliage

from the northeastern United States.

There is nothing like that in Jerusalem, Israel.

This year I found one tree with some fall colors.

But, as those US multi-colored leaves fall to leave bare limbs,

Jerusalem palm trees fill with ripe dates,

and fall flowers burst out over the sidewalks

Flower beds are being planted,

and a new flower bed has been added outside

of Beit Hanasi, the Israeli President’s residence.

The fall flowers of Yemin Moshe are always a favorite.

With a sandstorm this week,

the Montefiore Windmill was turning briskly,

but hard to see against the white sky.

Some streets have been too quiet since tourism has been down.

The German Colony is sponsoring special events

every Monday evening in November and December.

Australian tourists were enjoying a free day to see sights.

Not far away a female tour guide was injured in a terror attack.

A friend was out walking a grandchild

with her whistle handy in case of trouble.

People are more wary and careful going about their business.

But oh, those cats,

While I pass women walking with pepper spray

in hand ready for whatever might happen,

Jerusalem cats have a special chutzpah.

Those cats hold their ground no matter what.

And in the fall,

Jerusalem cloud formations,

with the blue and white sky at sunset.

Ten measures of beauty descended to the world;

nine were taken by Jerusalem.

Talmud Kiddushin 49b

Autumn in Jerusalem,

the seasons change.

Days are shorter and cooler,

the dark hours of night longer.

The cycle of life goes on.

Jerusalem What’s Happening

October 19, 2015rjstreets

Last week was such a roller coaster week.

The President of India visited our President at Beit Hanasi

and signed the official guest book.

Now President Margvelashvili of Georgia

and the President Grybauskaitė of Lithuania are among thousands of visitors.

It is hard to keep track of the changing flags

which greet each country’s president at Beit Hanasi,

the Israel President’s Residence.

The Conference of International Mayors met here,

and New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio

is getting most of the media attention.

Five US Congressmen were here too,

expressing bi-partisan support for Israel

at a Town Hall style meeting before they returned to US.

Leaders of Jewish Federations of North America

paid a short visit to Israel after trip to Berlin,

and made a stop to meet President Rivlin on their way back to the US.

A few hours later the Rivlins switched roles,

and as doting grandparents hosted

the young children of police and security personnel.

This little fellow playing golf on the grounds was my favorite.

Was this a first for golf in Jerusalem, Israel,

this very mini-mini putt-putt?

Security is increased and visible.

Guards are back at this restaurant,

a site where a suicide bomber killed diners.

I saw this bag and took a photo.

I guess a careless delivery person put it there.

There was no explosion, so it was not blown up.

I am trying to remember whether the Ben and Jerry’s freezer was always

just off the street or was moved front and center

because of the “situation,” as many are eating more ice cream.

Meanwhile, thousands have arrived for the

World Zionist Congress and Hadassah Convention,

both to be held this week in Jerusalem.

I also want to get to Open House Jerusalem,

which features public visits of

of many beautiful sites in the city.

Plus, must get to the Israel Museum,

where five new exhibits are opening!

Oh, and on Thursday all movies are 10 shekels.

Am Yisrael Chai!

So much is happening in Jerusalem, Israel.