middle east current events – Page 118 – The Real Jerusalem Streets

Jerusalem Railway Station Grand Opening

May 6, 2013rjstreets

Threats from Syria and Iran prevail in the headlines.

The Iron Dome has been moved to the north.

Civilian air space in northern Israel has been closed.

In the days before aviation,

it was the railway that connected to Jerusalem to the north.

With the advance of air travel and opening of the modern Malha Station,

the historic Jerusalem Railway Station was closed

and for years, at best,

it was a showcase for colorful graffiti on boarded windows.

But this week in Jerusalem, Israel, the old railway station has reopened,

along with Milton’s Way, a walking and biking path

that finally emerged from behind the construction fences.

There is still more work to be done,

but the 8 kilometer trail is coming to completion.

First station is already a new site for wedding photos,

even as it is getting ready to roll.

The new Old Jerusalem Railway Station was lit up last week,

for a grand opening party.

After years

of neglect,

and construction

that seemed endless at times,

at last

the end of the railway and trail renovation is in sight.

Some interiors still have to be renovated,

but the main plaza is looking good

and the bike racks are ready.

It will be some time until walkers have any shade from the sun,

but even at mid-day the trails are already in use.

The Jerusalem Railway Station is to be open on Shabbat

with mostly non-kosher restaurants.

After this major face lift,

First Station is set to be the new major tourist attraction in Jerusalem.

Yom Haatzmaut Favorites in Jerusalem

April 18, 2013rjstreets

Two grad rockets fired by jihadists in Sinai landed in Eilat .

Lately, it seems that every time I do a blog post there is a new rocket attack.

By now everyone has heard of the bombings in Boston.

The first year I lived in Boston I remember how surprised I was that

so many things shut down for the running of The Boston Marathon,

it is certainly not just another race in Boston.

So too, unless you are in Israel it is hard to imagine

how business as usual completely stops

for Yom Ha’atzmaut, Israel Independence Day.

However, there was so much to do and so many events

that it was hard to decide where to go and what to attend.

First, were many prayer services,

which followed the solemn Yom Hazikaron observances.

Then the serious partying for Yom Ha’atzmaut began.

One of the largest musical religious services was at The Great Synagogue

where Sephardic Chief Rabbi Shlomo Amar was the guest speaker .

A big favorite for most everyone is the aerial fly over

which was almost cancelled this year due to weather conditions.

Deciding which photos out of hundreds to share has been hard,

but here are a few that hopefully will show what is so special

about this time of year in Jerusalem.

The large flags draped down tall buildings.

The small flags on so many cars

and some buses.

Flags were out in the old Nachlaot neighborhood

and the new Arnona neighborhood.

Some neighborhoods had so many

flags on display,

they even lined the roof tops.

And of course flags are hung on the streets near and on the Knesset Building.

Yom Haatzmaut also marks the start of BBQ season, the time for mangals,

and grilling essentials are displayed everywhere.

Gan Sacher, Sacher Park, is usually is filled with tens of thousands

of people on Yom Ha’atzmaut.

Tents were set up for protection from bad weather by those

who came early to stake out their claim for a good spot.

Usually the choice spots are in the shade, but

this year it was so windy and cold that a spot in the sun was preferred.

The park was not nearly as crowded as most years,

making more space for those grilling meat

and having the traditional foam fights.

I could go on and on, but that would make this post really late.

Yom Haatzmaut night is one of only three nights a year

when noise is not restricted at 11:00 pm.

There were thousands of parties,

many with young people singing and dancing,

and many ending with firework displays.

I spent most of my day with one of my favorite groups,

shown here as these lone soldiers posed at the end of a major mangal.

From around the world these young people came to serve in the IDF

and now they help other new soldiers

who have also left their homes and families to serve their people.

They are the promise of the future.

As Boston comes to grips with a deadly terror attack,

I hope that they never have to learn get used to bombs as Israelis have.

Happy Independence Day.

#Israel65

Jerusalem, Yom HaShoah Remembered Here

April 8, 2013rjstreets

As Yom Hashoah,

Holocaust Remembrance Day, began in Israel,

US Secretary of State John Kerry was in the Middle East

again meeting with Abbas,

and

Kassam rockets were again fired from Gaza into Israel.

While a select few attended the main ceremony at Yad Vashem,

thousands watched it live on television as

President Shimon Peres began his speech:

“The Holocaust will not sink into the dark hole of history.

It is here with us, burning, real…

It floats like a ghost in the barracks of the camps.”

How does one choose a meaningful way to mark Yom Hashoah?

This sign on the wall outside of the Great Synagogue

and its counterpart in Hebrew shone brightly in the dark.

The flag on the Knesset Building was lowered.

Restaurants closed their doors and locked their gates by 8:00 pm.

Where does one go?

This year Israel Forever, Nefesh B’Nefesh and the Jerusalem Municipality

sponsored an event that attracted hundreds of young people.

After a slide presentation and slow music,

six large candles were lit

in memory of the six million who died.

Then there was a minute of silence,

slowly and silently, the overcrowded,

packed audience spontaneously rose to their feet.

It was an impressive sight.

The room was so quiet that one could hear a pin drop.

The Facebook advert brought in hundreds of young people

who wanted to take part in a meaningful way.

The Adopt a Safta program was then presented to the audience.

It could be an important “link” that President Peres spoke of,

a link of the generations, beneficial to all.

Yom Hashoah, here in Jerusalem, Israel

was a time to remember.

Never again.