Jerusalem photos – Page 131 – The Real Jerusalem Streets

Passover in Jerusalem: Old and New

April 9, 2014rjstreets

There are the old familiar images for Passover in Jerusalem, Israel,

garbage bins are overflowing, even though there are extra pick-ups;

shopping carts are overflowing;

and lots of large pots of water are boiling with steam rising.

But always there is something new.

Spring wildflowers have grown in the weeds,

a site where last year a brush fire left only scorched earth.

New warning signs at some major street crossings were painted on side walks.

But as most everything in Jerusalem, Israel, there was a bit of contention,

a corner near the Old City had the words only in Arabic,

but was painted over yesterday in Hebrew before I got there.

Then there are those construction cranes popping up like weeds

and many new luxury buildings.

But with any new construction

are the findings from ancient times that were hidden under the streets.

This Passover one very hot spot to visit is

the new Cinema City complex.

More than just movie theaters,

you can find all kinds of food,

and I assume plenty of it will be kosher for Passover.

For Passover and all year round, there is Moses,

not crossing the Red Sea, but with 10 commandments.

And posted all over are the new holiday signs,

happy holiday of spring in Jerusalem, Israel.

חג שמח!

Happy Holiday!

Have a great Passover all,

I really must get back to my cleaning.

Palestine Symphony in Jerusalem

March 26, 2014rjstreets

The Palestine Symphony was founded in 1936,

and its first performances were in Tel Aviv.

These days there are plenty of cultural events in Jerusalem, Israel,

sometimes too many: I could be busy day and night.

Two Jerusalem women’s groups

joined together to sponsor a movie night as a fund raiser

for the educational institutions of AMIT and Emunah.

This year the movie was Orchestra of Exiles,

and it was so popular that there was an encore showing.

The Jews of Palestine in 1936 were thirsty for culture.

The Palestine Symphony was a huge success.

The PA money machines are churning out cutsie videos

to rebrand Palestine and make up a cultural narrative.

The goal of The Real Jerusalem Streets is

to be family friendly and apolitical.

But it is important to know history.

The Palestine Symphony musicians were all Jewish,

and was founded while the local Arabs were rioting from 1936-1939.

The Truth about Palestine needs to be shared,

not a narrative from a cleverly crafted script.

In 1948 the Palestine Symphony became known as

the Israeli Philharmonic Orchestra.

If you want the full story, see the film–

it was so fascinating that I watched it a second time.

And next week, another music festival is opening in the Old City.

Jerusalem Marathon 2014

March 24, 2014rjstreets

The sun was shining for the 4th International Jerusalem Marathon,

as 26,000 runners raced through the Jerusalem, Israel streets,

and the winner came in with a record-breaking time.

Streets were closed,

so everyone had to walk to get to check in and the starting line.

Once a year the graffiti is white-washed away and

a new banner is hung near the full marathon finish line.

Besides the full and half marathons there are other popular races.

Thousands lined up at the starting line for the 10 kilometer run.

The young and not so young, most dressed in colorful shirts,

and their enthusiasm off the start was contagious.

Entertainers on stilts were dressed in flag-colored costumes,

near a special course for shorter races for the young and disabled.

Supporters lined the streets watching and waiting.

Along the routes were

water stations.

It was hard to get through the crowd in Gan Sacher, Sacher Park

at the start of the 10 K race.

With so many events running at once, it was hard to find family members,

but we did see the winner of the women’s full marathon.

Over 50 countries were represented, and many religions,

but we only saw one runner from Brazil kiss the finish line.

Separate awards for Israeli winners were presented for best times.

Loud music pumped through the park, which could be heard kilometers away.

The runners at the end of their races and arriving for medals,

were separated by fences from the crowds of spectators.

But some proud grandmothers knew how to get around barriers for a special hug.

And then there was the walk home.

The sun was hot.

Some runners were still approaching the finish line,

even as the streets were opened to traffic at one o’clock.

Thousands of shekels were raised for charity.

Everyone who participated was a winner.

Many have been inspired to try next year,

to enter or to train for a longer race.

The Real Jerusalem Streets Facebook

Jerusalem Marathon album has many more photos HERE.

I wonder how many faces you will recognize?

Remember last year? If not see:

Jerusalem Marathon 2013

Did you Hear About Jerusalem Marathon 2013?