Between Rosh Hashanna and Yom Kippur
thousands go to the Kotel, Western Wall,
prayers for Shalom, Peace.
שבת שלום
middle east current events
Shimon Peres: World Leaders in Jerusalem, Israel
Usually the streets are busy on Friday mornings,
especially before an approaching holiday,
but in Jerusalem, Israel, this was no regular Friday morning.
Main streets were closed to traffic,
even some schools had to close,
as the main Route #1 into Jerusalem
was reserved for the personal motorcade of
US President Barak Obama.
The funeral for former President Shimon Peres
was not to be a usual funeral either.
The state funeral at Har Herzl
brought together an array of international leaders,
like Jerusalem or the world has ever seen.
President Obama flew in and out of Israel
for the funeral in Har Herzl cemetery.
President Reuven Rivlin spoke
as did Prime Minister Netanyahu,
former US President Bill Clinton,
and current US President Barak Obama.
The entire funeral event was live-streamed around the world.
Imagine all those world leaders wearing kippot on their heads,
Prince Charles even had a special one,
not like John Kerry’s plain black style.
What will happen next as the old year 5776 ends?
Yes, it was not your usual Friday in Jerusalem.
so I had to share more than a simple Shabbat Shalom,
Was that Mahmoud Abbas shaking hands in the front row
in Jerusalem, Israel, today?
One thing for sure,
Shimon Peres proved that most anything is possible.
If you hang in there long enough,
you can become a president.
During Operation Protective Edge in 2014,
while Peres was still in office,
young children from the south were invited for
a fun day camp at Beit Hanasi,
the Israeli President’s house.
This clown put a dove on the President’s head,
those children should remember the moment forever.
Peres pursued peace, and for at least one moment
the bird of peace was truly upon his head.
A solemn day, but
I like to remember the great video recorded after his presidency.
Now it is time to prepare for Shabbat,
time to get back to “normal.”
שבת שלום
שנה טובה
Shabbat shalom
Happy New Year.
12 Signs this Week in Jerusalem
This was another autumn week
filled with Jerusalem festivals and events.
Mekudeshet and Manofim,
try and keep all those arts and music programs straight.
At night the temperatures go down
and the people come out from hiding – after the hot sunny days.
Near the light rail tracks and Zion Square,
and not in New York City,
signs beckons for end-of-season sales.
As part of a cultural festival
trees were brought in and placed around Zion Square.
I am not sure I like the new look,
but loved seeing so many people out on the streets.
I was on my way to the Italian Festival.
The beautiful sanctuary of the Italian Synagogue,
off Ben Yehuda Street,
was open to the public.
The wooden benches may be authentic,
but they are not the most comfortable for long prayer services.
This was the annual festival
where pizza was available in the plaza
and old Vespas were on exhibit inside.
Italians were not the only ones featured this week.
Chinese flags were flying over the Knesset
as government officials were in Jerusalem,
joining hundreds of Chinese tourists.
When it comes to tourists,
John Hagee is back, leading over 300 people,
his banner sat in the quiet lobby as they toured the Old City.
The celebration of 50th year of Jerusalem’s reunification
brought together the builders and funders of Jerusalem,
the families who support the Jerusalem Foundation,
Their major projects are too many too mention now.
This large sign and Israeli flags greeted them at Beit Hanasi,
the Israeli President’s official residence.
Celebrations will happen throughout the year,
as Hebrew year 5777 begins next week.
Also at Beit Hanasi this week.
an emotional event was held honoring IDF soldiers
who were bone marrow donors
by grateful recipients and their families.
For the past 10 years,
IDF soldiers have undergone voluntary screening,
and their bone marrow donations have saved 1,100 lives.
From this small sign about a craft festival
on Derech Bet Lechem,
to this over-sized sign announcing that Matisyahu
is coming back for a Sultan Pool concert in October,
new signs have been posted all around Jerusalem.
Not all are in Hebrew-
sometimes the ones in English get the most attention.
Would you pay 200 shekels for destroyed jeans?
Hundreds of signs were posted for the
5000 runners who filled the Jerusalem streets
on Monday night for Jerusalem Maccabiah Night Run.
Another on sports,
signs are posted for the annual basketball shooting derby
event at Kikar Safra, Government Square.
But until the balls start flying through the air,
these safety signs were getting more attention.
Not into sport?
A Picasso exhibit is on at the Israel Museum,
and the rooms filled with hundreds of the artist’s works.
Outside. Inside. Large. Small.
Still not enough?
Our local Pillbox is to be a star
at the Houses Within annual event.
This modest sign posted on nearby trees
offers just one of dozens of options over 3 days.
It’s a great opportunity to see private homes and other buildings,
otherwise closed to the public.
Whew,
just a few signs of what is happening
in Jerusalem this week.
Now you have seen these signs,
please let me know what you would like
to see more of next time and in future.