Jerusalem photos – Page 150 – The Real Jerusalem Streets

9 Special Signs of Jerusalem

October 25, 2012rjstreets

I love the signs in Jerusalem, Israel.

I wonder if it’s a ‘Only in Israel’ thing?

Here are photos of 9 of my favorite signs.

1. The city of Jerusalem wishes students good luck on the new school year.

2. This sign was only up for a short time. I’m not sure how authentic

the “cheeps” were, but they are still in business with a different sign.

3. When it comes to English spelling, this is an example of excellence.

4. The city in its wisdom is changing all “ch” to “h” in street signs.

It works for “Habad” Street, but “Hen” Street?

5. Then there are the Hebrew equivalents for English brand names,

like “Crocs.”

6. This sign in Kikar Safra, Safra Square, is just asking to be touched.

7. New signs are up for the municipal elections to be held on November 20

for community representatives in “Heart of the City” neighborhood.

8. Remember this old sign at the entrance to “Yad Yitzchak Ben-Zvi,

the library of the former Israeli President?

This is the sign on the brand new Yad Ben-Zvi building

to be dedicated tonight,

which will house its international school on Jerusalem studies.

9. Sometimes it is hard to know which way to go

and even harder to predict what will happen next.

Southern Israel has been bombarded by rockets from Gaza,

though you would never know it by the media headlines.

If this post seems too lite under the circumstances,

please read this brilliant blog which sums it all up so well.

After the Holidays, What Now?

October 16, 2012rjstreets

For months people have said “after the chagim“

well, the time has now arrived and the holidays are over.

Yesterday the winter session of the Knesset began in Jerusalem, Israel,

only to shut down a few hours later, to prepare for elections in January.

However, the lights were still on in the building when I went to sleep.

Over 40 rockets fired from Gaza fell already this week in the South.

There is the nuclear threat from Iran.

No one knows what will happen next on the Jerusalem streets,

but there certainly are many cameras on hand to record it.

Sukkot holiday crowds pushed through the Old City to the Kotel,

the Western Wall, for Birchat Kohanim, the Priestly Blessing.

Photographers were ready for action in the crowded Muslim Quarter.

Serious cameras were there to get close-ups of the faces.

Thousands of smiling visitors posed for their moment.

There were so many phones out taking photos,

many were photos of the holiday crowds at the Kotel.

In the sukkah at Beit Hanasi, the President’s residence,

not only people posed for photos,

but even this dog stopped and posed.

There were children taking pictures

and official photos with President Shimon Peres as well.

Having your camera handy is a good thing,

as you never know when you will need it on the Jerusalem streets.

At the Jerusalem Parade, marchers took photos with and of the spectators.

Who knew so many Nigerians were camera crazy?

Jerusalem streets are narrow,

a car on the corner can make it impossible for a truck to pass.

This looked like possible trouble, so I took a photo of the scene.

Not everyone wants me to take their photos, that is for sure.

In fact, this man jumped out of his truck and started towards me!

I sure was relieved that all he wanted was for me to take his photo!

Most people are back to work.

School classes are in session until Hanukkah,

the universities start next week.

One might expect quiet streets,

but yesterday there were crowds and shofars and cameras

and drums for a bar mitzvah boy’s celebration.

Gotta love those Jerusalem streets,

where you never know what or who you will find.

10 Special Smiles in Sukkot Holiday Crowds

October 11, 2012rjstreets

While the mainstream media did an extensive job of covering

the “riots on the Temple Mount,” there was far less coverage of how

Jerusalem, Israel, was crowded with visitors for the Sukkot holiday.

It was impossible to count the huge numbers in the Old City,

as Birchat Kohanim attracted crushing crowds.

This Arab woman may not have smiled,

but she did not fear revenge as she tried to pass through the crowd.

Beit Hanasi, the Israeli President’s residence, held a sukkah open house.

Thousands of people waited in long lines to see dancers and singers

perform in the outside gardens,

while Israeli President Shimon Peres sat and smiled on stage.

Thousands and thousands of visitors were on the Jerusalem streets,

but this stunning beauty made me think to share a few of the faces

and smiles that stood out in the crowd.

For the Jerusalem Parade over 6000 people from all over Israel

and from 60 countries marched through the center of town.

There were only two participants from India,

but many countries had very large delegations.

Spectators, including many young children, were excited

to see the costumes and receive small flags from around the world.

This young woman offering a snack to marchers

received many smiles and thanks.

For more parade photos see The Real Jerusalem Streets Facebook page.

As usual there were countless meetings with friends

and family reunions during the holiday vacation week.

How special to be able to smile when organizing a group

that does not show at the right place or the right time.

Many people stopped and smiled in the Kikar Zion, Zion Square,

as Chabad had young boys offering lulav and etrog to those who passed by.

There were so many smiling faces of children on family outings.

This mime on a street corner got attention, a smile and money.

There were too many concerts and musical events to mention,

but one of the last ones was Hakafot Hasheniot, the second Hakafot.

For the 31st year, live music and dancing

energized Gan Hapa’amon, the Liberty Bell Park.

Hundreds without tickets had to stand in the back,

but some were still able to smile at the end of a long holiday week.

Both of Israel’s Chief Rabbis addressed the gathering,

as did Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat.

Seven times men were called to the stage to dance with the Torah scrolls

and women were dancing and smiling too.

More photos in The Real Jerusalem Streets Facebook Hakafot album.

There were colorful characters

even clowns on the streets,

but I especially liked the many families with big smiles.

That is it.

Holiday time is over.

Now it is back to school and back to work.