Machane Yehuda market – Page 5 – The Real Jerusalem Streets

Inspiration from Story of Esther Today

February 6, 2014rjstreets

Yet another red alert in southern Israel!

Talk of SodaStream ads and photos of Scarlett Johansonn

have made headlines around the world.

But I want to share some photos of real women in Jerusalem, Israel,

that did not make the headlines this week.

Thousands gathered on Thursday evening

at the Kotel, the Western Wall,

for a special service with silver trumpets,

with tehilim, psalms, and prayers,

ending as the sun was setting with the Shema Yisrael.

Housing Minister Uri Ariel was one politician who showed his face.

But did you read anywhere

that the women’s section at the Kotel was full?

Thousands of women were

praying for the future of Israel.

Also, this week was the Jerusalem Conference.

Out of the ten Jerusalem prize winners awarded there,

Geulah Cohen was only woman to receive the honor.

Avraham Duvdevani was presented a certificate by Naftali Bennett.

Interesting that younger attendees had never heard of Duvdevani

and his contribution to Zionism and aliyah.

Last year I thought the lively “discussions” were because it was pre-election season.

But, with Rav Yisrael Rozen in the middle,

MK Avi Wurtzman and former MK Michael Ben-Ari had quite an exchange

over government funding for education and families.

The entire panel got involved,

but when MK Ayelet Shaked got the microphone

and started to speak, everyone quieted down.

We may have had the driest January in history,

but this week we had enough rain to make tires spin on wet streets.

The week- long Mothers say YES to Israeli Sovereignty vigil

near the Prime Minister’s House started off on a gloomy, wet day.

But there were plenty of cookies and drinks as former MK Arieh Eldad spoke.

All week long there has been a schedule of speakers.

The sun was shining when Rabbanit Shani Taragin led a class.

Even a neighbor coming to complain of noise could not stop her.

In an amazing Torah class she talked of Esther and Vashti,

so timely as Purim is coming.

Every child has had a special day of fun this week in school.

The story of Esther is one of taking action, not giving in to an evil decree,

of not obeying a monarch, and of our survival and hope for future.

And finally to end on a bright note, the strawberries that were piled high in

the shuk, the Machane Yehuda market, were so red I had to stop and look.

Maybe John Kerry keeps coming back to get away from the snow in US

and because he loves the strawberries that are in season in Israel?

Yihyeh beseder.

Jerusalem Blue Sky, White Snow and More Ice

December 24, 2013rjstreets

Stabbing attack, bomb on a bus, and a murder near the Gaza Border,

terror against Israelis is increasing.

But in Jerusalem this past week it was all about the weather.

The sun is shining and sky is blue,

and people are walking again along Jaffa Road,

and eating and shopping in the Shuk, the Machane Yehuda Market.

For some in Jerusalem, Israel, the snow storm of December 2013 is history.

Meanwhile,

many street corners still look like this with heaps of ice and debris.

Nothing in Jerusalem is flat, so there are many steps,

including this 99-step stairway that was icy this week.

But this fallen tree was blocking them at the top making them useless.

They are off one of the hardest hit streets,

where many were without power for a week because of the storm.

Now new wires are being buried underground.

I had to go around out of my way,

but I had a chance to meet two of the hasmal electric company guys,

who wanted me to to take their their photo.

It is a miracle that with blocked icy sidewalks and people walking

on dark slippery streets in traffic that no one was killed or seriously injured.

This week, a corner where many children cross

near a busy school was still covered with ice.

You cannot really understand Jerusalem streets from looking at a map

or even at photos, as it can rain on one street and be dry on the next.

This week you really feel and see the differences.

While some are out in the sun,

others are still trying to get around the mess!

I almost fell today on an ice patch near the Windmill.

The tree cutters are busy with lots more work to do.

People and buses are sharing same spaces,

but even with the snow in the background,

the last rose bud was still looking good.

First it was pretty, then it was clean-up time,

now if they can just get the mess cleaned up before it rains…

Summer Flying in Jerusalem

August 21, 2013rjstreets

Every year as the month of August comes to an end,

there are certain signs of the end of summer,

besides the outdoor performances at the Jerusalem Theater.

Facebook is full of posts of those returning from overseas.

Another summer, time has flown by with visitors and festivals.

All over Jerusalem, Israel, as every year until school starts,

parents will call on extended family and friends or strangers,

or just make it another ‘take your kid to work’ day,

in all kind of offices, and even banks.

For those with time and energy there is the Bloomfield Science Museum.

Also, always a good venue for a day trip,

the Machane Yehuda market, the shuk,

but when it gets crowded, holding on is a great idea.

New this year, the Teddy Park fountain has proven extremely popular.

And,

the annual Kite Festival

at the Israel Museum

is an old favorite with thousands of families,

popular with all ages.

Large kites,

flown by pros were up in the afternoon breeze,

however, this little girl did a great job of keeping hers flying.

Israeli flag kites were on sale and popular.

But while some of the large professional flags got stuck in trees,

what was really impressive this year,

were the number of hand-made children’s projects that were flying high in the sky.

No matter what is happening on the ground and all around,

leave it to Israelis to love to just go fly a kite.