Jerusalem photos – Page 165 – The Real Jerusalem Streets

Jerusalem Half Marathon

March 19, 2010rjstreets

Early morning rain cleaned the air and cool temperatures were perfect for

the 18th Jerusalem International Half Marathon

and 10-Kilometer Run on March 18, 2010.

The beautiful weather and street closings provided 3,500 runners,

including Nir Barkat, the mayor of Jerusalem, ideal conditions for the run.

Not everyone was aware of the race, though;

drivers got out of their cars to discuss the situation,

some people left taxis to walk to their destinations.

At 10:00 am the lead car started the 10k race from Givat Ram.

The first runners came down Burla Street and turned to the park.

It was a colorful day, as runners wore

red shirts,

lots of blue shirts,

some yellow shirts,

and green shirts.

Whether going it alone..

or running in the pack, everyone turned out to run for

personal satisfaction and sport,

and for Shalva, the Association for the Mentally and Physically

Challenged Children in Israel,

which also had a special 400-meter race for 150 special needs children.

So much positive energy in Jerusalem.

In 2011 the first Jerusalem full marathon began,

so this race also became the last half marathon race day.

This is Apartheid?

March 9, 2010rjstreets

Israel Apartheid Week is reported to be growing on college campuses;

its participants must have never spent any time in Jerusalem.

Arab families often visit Gan Sacher and other Jerusalem parks.

This is apartheid?

Hospitals are fully integrated; staff, patients, and visitors.

This is apartheid?

Shopping malls are open to all customers.

These ladies hailed a taxi on King George Street

after a successful shopping day at Ben Yehudah Mall.

Arab women shop on Jaffa Street on a regular basis,

often shopping alone.

This is apartheid?

Arab women walk freely in old neighborhoods,

and in new areas. This is apartheid?

However, with small children in hand,

women may not be able to move around quite so easily.

It is not simple for anyone to get a driver’s license in Jerusalem,

but the option is available to all.

Arab girls wait to ride on a regular public city bus.

As the world media focused on stone throwers,

this family was walking in nearby Baka.

There are fewer photos of Arab men,

because unless they are with women dressed in traditional clothes

it is often hard to pick them out in a crowd.

Yes there are serious problems, but

no legislation exists that discriminates against blacks.

Holy sites are open to people of all faiths.

Democratically elected Arab members in the Knesset speak,

vote and can propose laws.

Jerusalem may have plenty of problems,

but this is not apartheid.

Shushan Purim-Night

March 2, 2010rjstreets

After many days of sunny, warm weather, just in time for the Purim holiday celebrations, very heavy rains turned Jerusalem cold and grey. At times the fog was so heavy the Knesset building was barely visible. The amount of rainfall over the Purim weekend totaled about 20 cm or nearly 8 inches.

Flooded streets made it hard to get around,

but the rain did not stop this bike rider Sunday evening.

All over Jerusalem, many people dressed in costumes and gathered to read Megilat Esther.

There were some good hats

and some great hair.

Inside was bright and colorful,

but outside everyone hurried to their cars, homes

the city of Jerusalem though was just beginning to party.

There were so many events it was impossible to cover them all;

however, there is another day…

Happy Purim!

Updated Rosh Chodesh Adar 5773, Purim 2013