Jerusalem photos – Page 148 – The Real Jerusalem Streets

Chasing Rainbows on a Rainy Day in Jerusalem

January 8, 2013rjstreets

After hours and hours of rain and wind,

the weather cleared a bit in Jerusalem, Israel, today.

If it keeps raining Gan Sacher will look more like a lake than a park.

The city has trimmed and cleaned up a lot recently,

so only a few big trees went down.

I wanted to get a better shot of this tree, but the rain started again.

I love how nothing is level around here,

not even the water filling a container for empty ashes from BBQs.

The birds were happy and the grass was green.

And I was very happy

to see a lone jogger so that I was not the only crazy person outside.

The sun was in and out, and I kept hoping for a rainbow.

The best I could get was a break in the clouds

and a few drops on water on my lens.

It rained all afternoon again, pouring is more like it .

Tomorrow Gan Sacher will either be a lake

or if it gets cold it will be covered with snow,

a sight we are all waiting to see.

Signs of Israeli Election Fever

January 3, 2013rjstreets

Everyone has noticed by now that the world did not come to an end,

but the year 2012 has ended.

Living in Jerusalem, Israel, at this time of year is such a different experience.

Colorful lights and decorated trees are hard to find

and just do not compare to displays in other places we have lived.

After Hanukkah,

it was back to work while the rest of the world was on holiday.

This year we not only have work, but also an election season to keep us busy.

Surveys, polls and recorded phone messages are a constant headache.

There is no getting away from it on the streets,

where text messages are sent to cell phones

and campaign signs are posted illegally

and legally.

It seems that Tzippi Livni has an ad on the back of every bus.

Faces are posted on buildings

and signs line this foot bridge near government buildings.

Naftali Bennett’s popularity and “you have a home” campaign

may have been a surprise to some, but not to me.

I saw hundreds of people standing in long lines

waiting to vote for him in the party primaries a few weeks ago.

Look on the right at that pile of rolled up signs,

soon all of Israel will be filled with signs

The good thing for those sick of this election season,

is it has only 3 weeks left to go.

Yes, 2013 is starting with negative election campaign attacks,

but also there are new signs to welcome Taglit-Birthright participants.

For the 13th year, thousands of young people are visiting Israel,

it is great seeing so many visitors on the streets.

I hope everyone has a chance to see some of the beauty for themselves.

Winter flowers are a great antidote for the stress of election fever.

Hanukkah – Holiday of Lights

December 14, 2012rjstreets

Hanukkah is called Chag Ha’Urim, the Holiday of Lights.

At the Kotel, the Western Wall, is one of the most famous hanukiot.

One of my favorite things in Jerusalem at this time of year

is that the usually shuttered windows at night-time

are opened to show the burning candles.

They are wide open to let the Hanukkah lights shine out to the street.

At this yeshiva, there were hundreds of lights burning,

wow, they use a lot of olive oil.

The view in the windows upstairs in the Bet Midrash,

revealed the main celebration.

We not only saw the light, but also heard the music on the street below.

May the special beauty of the Hanukkah lights from Jerusalem, Israel

spread throughout the world.

Chodesh tov and Shabbat shalom

Hanukkah sameach!

Happy Hanukkah!