Jerusalem marathon – Page 10 – The Real Jerusalem Streets

March Madness: Purim, Now Jerusalem Marathon

March 19, 2014rjstreets

March Madness has a different meaning in Jerusalem, Israel.

Purim is a holiday that is celebrated to the max by everyone!

Not just for March Purim Madness time,

but all year around Queen Esther has her own street.

School children start with Purim on the first day of the month of Adar,

and this being a leap year, we had two months!

Gift baskets for Mishloah manot have been on sale for weeks.

The story of Esther was read in thousands of locations.

There were readings all Purim day at different restaurants,

Zazza on Azza by Chabad Rechavia was a huge success!

Some families take their costumes very seriously,

this one even dressed up their dog for a Purim outing.

One of my favorite costumes this year

was this baby as a super-sized bag of popcorn in a baby carrier.

There were a lot of winged-creatures on the streets.

OMG, this fellow looks just like Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat.

And HATS, lots of hats,

big hats,

fur hats,

pairs of hats,

hats with ears,

colorful hats,

and hats with feathers,

and here are more popular Indian feathers this year.

Not sure that his shaved head was only for Purim.

and this I really did not understand!

In busy Mamilla Mall there were lots of balloons.

Posing with cartoon characters

was for everyone, not only small children wanted photos.

Also spotted in Mamilla Mall,

at least one Santa’s helper,

a Google guy,

and one serious Arab shooter, aiming a nice Canon camera.

Some costumes

were obvious,

while others, a costume or not?

Thousands were in Mamilla Mall, but I thought it was less crowded this year than last.

First Station also attracted crowds this year,

and now some of the area is protected from the weather.

But watch out for wild animals!

And there were lines for the ice skating rink at First Station.

So by the time Shushan Purim,

the day Purim is celebrated in Jerusalem, Israel, is over,

posting photos seems like ending a marathon.

And now the streets are filled with signs for Friday’s

Jerusalem Marathon.

So until next year, Happy Purim.

More photos for those of you not fortunate enough to be in Jerusalem, Israel for Purim.

7 New Signs in Jerusalem

February 26, 2014rjstreets

My father was born in the USA and served in the army during World War II.

He would not let even a small item made in Germany into our house.

Chancellor Angela Merkel and her delegation of 16 German government ministers

just visited Jerusalem, Israel.

Prime Minister Netanyahu welcomed her with the words

“Israel and Germany have a unique bond forged of tragedy and hope,

and a great friendship and cooperation.”

Then she was awarded Israel’s Presidential Medal,

a sign of how much things have changed.

2. Anyone who knows a 6-year old, kita aleph first grader,

knows that countless tables with piles of food,

like this one in Heichal Shlomo,

are the reward for sitting through hours of presentations.

This artistic creation is a sign of a siddur party,

only one of this week’s many extravaganzas,

where new readers receive their first prayer-book.

3. New bus signs were up on Friday.

Time will tell whether all the route and number changes are improvements.

But new #15 bus took us straight to bus station in minutes!

There was another new sign near the bus stop.

4. The “pillbox” got a new sign.

Please read it carefully.

In Palestine, in 1936, Arabs were rioting against Jews.

Long before the State of Israel was established,

the British built these to protect and defend themselves against Arab attacks.

The new Cinema City had its grand opening this week.

There was a small protest because it is to be closed on Shabbat.

5. But also, this sign with many new Shabbat activities was posted.

6. New signs for the Jerusalem Marathon seem to be popping up everywhere,

especially along the route of the March 21st race.

7. And to end with my favorite sign of spring,

the spring flowers blooming in the Valley of the Cross.

All photos available for purchase.

Did you Hear about Jerusalem Marathon 2013?

March 5, 2013rjstreets

Streets were shut.

Traffic was blocked.

Public transportation came to a stop.

Schools had to close.

Jerusalem streets were deserted.

Was it a bomb scare, a terror attack, an alien invasion,

or hmm, an US Presidential visit? Not yet.

No, the 3rd International Jerusalem Marathon was set to begin.

To get around the city center on Friday morning

walking and biking were the only options.

Last year rain and hail fell as the runners came near the Old City walls

This year the weather was much better for the marathon runners as

they ran the 42 kilometer route through the Jerusalem, Israel streets.

The cool temperatures did not make everyone happy

and the grey skies and no sunshine were not great for photos.

However, these actors walking on stilts draped in the flags

representing the 50 countries of the runners entered in the race,

and other characters, provided plenty of color as the runners took off.

The marathon winner from Ethiopia ran in a record time,

as Abraham Kabeto approached the finish line

he was well ahead of the Kenyan runner who came in second place.

Here are the top three women runners smiling on the winners’ stand.

However, at this event

there were many more winners than these elite athletes.

Over twenty thousand people ran in the various races,

supported and cheered on by a crowd of a half a million people.

Thousands ran the half marathon, a 21.1 -kilometer course,

through the streets

and up the Jerusalem hills.

The winners of the 10 kilometer race were led by a motorcycle escort,

and thousands of runners followed after them.

Zahal, the Israel Defense Force, had a separate start time for their race.

As these marathon runners approached the special finish line,

the 5th Place winner was already smiling and posing for photos,

in Gan Sacher, Sacher Park, which was filled with people.

This girl was so happy after finishing the 10 K race.

What a shame that UNWRA has cancelled the Gaza marathon.

Some people tried to protest or disrupt these Jerusalem races,

but it seems once again that no matter how many people are

on the Jerusalem streets, if no violence is involved,

it is not a news worthy event.

Some full marathon runners were still seen on the streets

hours after the official winners crossed the finish line.

Everyone who participated deserved and received a medal.

Many runners ran in support of a dozens of good causes.

Everyone was a winner on Friday, March 1.

Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat (center) had reason to smile.

The International Jerusalem Marathon has grown bigger

and better every year.

Many more people are already talking about

and planning to run in next year’s Jerusalem Marathon 2014.

Hope to see you next year in Jerusalem!

More photos HERE and HERE