Lag bomer – Page 2 – The Real Jerusalem Streets

The Minimalist Guide to Jerusalem Between Passover and Lag B’Omer

May 22, 2019Sharon A

Oh, Jerusalem!

Does anyone else remember the good old days back in America?

The quiet time between Passover and Lag B’Omer. There were no weddings. Live musical performances were taboo. Parties were rare. Then starting on Lag B’Omer celebrations would begin again.

Not so in here in Jerusalem. There is no down time!

Flags, flags, more flags. In Jerusalem it is a season of flags and flowers and celebrations.

Eurovision was held in Tel Aviv, getting much media attention.

Driving through Tel Aviv on the Ayalon Highway, the only sign of Eurovision I saw was this huge banner from StandWithUs offering tourists a trip to see to see coexistence.

On the Jerusalem streets, GFNY, the cycling race where amateurs can ride with the pros, streets were closed on the first Friday morning in May.

Going past the Knesset the lead cyclists were going too fast to get a clear image.

Close to 900 riders took part in the race, which included three routes of various lengths.

One warning sign was still left on Azza Street this week. I often say Jerusalem streets all go up!

At least on a bike, one has to slow down.

Happenings on Jerusalem streets seem to never slow down.

Sport Week in Israel is from May 17 – 24. On May 17th, there was another Jerusalem cycling event. But for that amateur race fewer streets were closed.

Also, there was the International Writers Festival and Jerusalem Book Forum, from May 12-16, for the less athletic types. Authors and publishers came to Jerusalem from thirty countries, and the program included live music, panels discussions, and lectures in varied venues.

At the opening at the YMCA, Joyce Carol Oates received the Jerusalem Prize from Mayor Moshe Lion. In her acceptance remarks, Oates spoke about her grandmother who gave her an early love of books and writing.

The Hansen House hosted a Conference on Design.

It’s hard to keep track. So many different events and signs are posted.

The Prime Minister’s office announced that the PM was to mark one-year of the US Embassy in Jerusalem, Israel.

I was on my way to the David Citadel Hotel for the event, when I noticed this sign.

In front to the hotel was a bus with “Thank you, President Trump, Thank You, America” boldly posted on the side.

It turned out to be an event with US Ambassador David Friedman.

On the stage Chief Rabbi David Lau spoke about mezuzahs.

A mezuzah was completed on stage with the Prime Minister and the US Ambassador.

A special silver case for the mezuzah was presented by the Friends of Zion to the US Ambassador for use on the new official US Residence in Jerusalem.

At the end of the program, a copy of the new Embassy sign was displayed on stage.

MK Tzipi Hotovely and Tammy Friedman were kind enough to pose with it for a photo.

That night included impassioned speeches, dignitaries, good food, and wine.

But I think my favorite scene was on the way home. This pile of empty boxes was left on the street. Outside the former US Consulate, now the US Embassy Building, it looked like moving day.

Across Agron Street in Gan Haatzmaut, Independence Park, was a large sign saying, “Happy Independence Day.”

Israeli flags were on light poles, decorated this month with Ramadan holiday lights.

In this time from Passover to Lag B’Omer, we have had no shortage of celebrations.

The Jerusalem Bird Observatory celebrated its 25th anniversary.

On the day of the Jerusalem Marathon, its green roof was really green.

The rain was a blessing. There was more than usual this year.

But now open areas are dry. A severe heat wave is on the way.

While the main Lag B’Omer celebration is in Meron, young people in Jerusalem have been saving and storing wood for large holiday bonfires.

Signs are up. Parades. Parties. Carnivals. Music. Lag B’Omer ready.

The usual large bonfires are banned and fires must be more controlled this year.

Museums are free on May 23, Lag B’Omer.

Welcome to Jerusalem Friedman family.

Hope you enjoy your new residence.

But be advised to keep your windows closed on Lag B’Omer.

Always so much happening on the Jerusalem streets.

There was more, but as this is getting way too long, saving some special happenings for next time.

Here we go again, Happy Lag B’Omer!

Jerusalem: Blue, White and Pink

May 2, 2018Sharon A

After heavy rains, blue skies were seen again over Jerusalem, Israel, by the end of the week.

Friday morning, in spite of rain in the forecast, the Montefiore Windmill, with King David Hotel in the distance, stood against the blue sky over Mishkanot Sha’ananim.

After Yom Ha’atzmaut, Independence Day 70 years, flags did not come down. Even more blue and white flags have been hung in anticipation of Yom Yerushalayim, Jerusalem Day.

The new flags that were hung near Beit Hanasi, the Israeli President’s Residence, withstood the heavy rains.

This blue and white Israeli flag was hung on a gate in Yemin Moshe neighborhood.

But also on Friday morning there was evidence of the rain storms. You may have seen a video of water rushing through Yoel Salomon Street, carrying tables and shopping carts in the flooded road.

Here in the Valley of the Cross, part of a stone fence fell down. I could not believe it the first time I saw the damage. It looks like heavy trucks hit it.

However, it appears two days of water flooding down the hill from the Rechavia neighborhood pushed over the old stones, and flattened the tall grass.

A flash flood in the south took the lives of 10 young Israelis. Memorial candles remain this week in Zion Square after a late night memorial gathering.

So after so much water, crews were out power washing traffic lights?

These flowers seemed to appreciate the soaking. Nearby in Gan Sacher, Sacher Park, a large tree that fell was removed quickly.

In spite of the weather, professional cyclists were out on Friday morning for the Grand Fondo, GFNY. Streets were closed for the cycling event.

But, their colors were green.

Pink?

Pink orchids in the lobby of the Jerusalem Waldorf Astoria are not unusual.

But the Giro d’Italia is based at the hotel, and the bus of the Israel Cycling Academy was waiting outside.

Not only has the hotel gone pink for the Giro d’Italia, check out those shoe laces – pink.

The Giro d’Itaia is the 3rd largest sporting event in world, after the World Cup and Tour de France.

The first start ever outside of Europe is taking place in — Jerusalem, Israel!

Kikar Safra has large blue and white flags on display, plus pink signs near the giant stage set for Thursday evening’s preview opening.

The Israel Cycling Academy includes professional cyclists from 16 locations around the world. Eight professional riders met with the media.

Their success in a only a few years is impressive. More here and next week on Giro d’Italia.

Also in Jerusalem, new signs are up for education week.

Finally, one of my favorite scenes from this week. A group of parents were out in the evening supervising an early Lag B’Omer medurah in an area set aside for large bonfires.

Lag B’Omer with its huge fires should fill the air with smoke starting Wednesday night at sunset.

However, this year, though there was so much rain last week, it is hot and dry today. A ban on bonfires has been declared.

Rain is again in the forecast. The only thing for sure here, is that there is no sure thing.

New signs announcing events for “Creating Sustainability in Jerusalem” were posted. Cycling and fewer bonfires are a start.

Many residents are not happy with street closings for the cycling events. But I hope people will get out and appreciate the positive world attention focused on Israel as billions watch the Giro d’Italia Start in Jerusalem, going north and then down to Eilat.

There was so much more happening this week in Jerusalem, but enough for now.

Hard to believe that next week will there will be much more happening.

Lag B’Omer

May 18, 2014rjstreets

Lag B’Omer

לג בעור

is one Jewish holiday that Israelis take seriously.

While the rest of world may not pay attention to counting down

the days from Passover to Shavuot,

in Israel the 33rd day is a major holiday.

This year since it was to start right after Shabbat,

the official day was shifted to Sunday night through Monday,

with Monday a school holiday.

But some did not follow those rabbis,

and while Meron as always was the hot spot for Lag B’Omer,

there was one serious medura, bonfire, in the Valley of the Cross last night,

at its peak shooting meters into the sky, while the crowd watched.

At least the music and smoke did not go all night long,

and we can open the windows this morning.

Lag B’Omer is one of those ‘Only in Israel’ things that Anglos just do not get,

but at least the temperature is much lower than last year.

Happy Lag B’Omer.