See Jerusalem as July Ends

It was another week of trying to stay cool in Jerusalem, Israel, with summer temperatures unusually high for most of July.

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Building and construction went on in spite of the temperatures that kept me off the Jerusalem streets during the day.

Disappointing that the new Israel National Library might look finished from the outside, but the special program planned there next week has been moved to another location. Looking forward to finally seeing the inside!

Outside the Ramada Hotel, the announcement board was unusually empty.

However, inside on the Tuesday before Tisha B’Av was a special event sponsored by the OneFamily non-profit organization Welcoming Women.

Not any woman, but women from all over Israel who had experienced the loss of a family member as a victim of terror – and not just Jewish women.

At the same time the Women’s Empowerment Day was beginning young teens from the US were preparing to leave the hotel. They participated in JCC Maccabi Games held this year in Israel. The games are an Olympic-style sporting competition held each summer and state they are the second-largest organized sports program for Jewish teenagers in the world.

I wondered if the young sportswomen I spoke with, from Florida to California, had any idea of the history of the hundreds of women arriving.

It was standing room only for the day filled with exceptional speakers.

Rabbanit Yemima Mizrachi started off the day inspiring as always.

To end her talk she asked the women to bless the person next to them with a version of the priestly blessing using the names of Sarah, Rivka, and Leah.

Physical health tips were included in the day, beginning with healthy brunch options and ending with a dairy dinner, with education and laughter interspersed.

The Women’s Empowerment Days have been held before Tisha B’Av for a number of years, except during the pandemic. Hundreds of women have benefited from the group bonding experience.

And how many more received support from the opportunity to speak with someone who has had a similar pain of tragic loss?

More photos from OneFamily Women’s Empowerment Day.

The next day, for Tisha B’Av the sun went down, and the Jerusalem streets were cooler. Once again I decided to walk around the walls of the Old City.

To start the route goes by New Gate, so close to Mamilla Mall that most people do not realize it. There are new night events held inside New Gate sponsored by the Jerusalem Municipality on my to-do list.

Before passing Damascus Gate, participants were stopped by security to walk together and not spread out. Walking was a slow process this year.

Along the way, we walked by road work and construction near Damascus Gate. Since this was such a quiet walk, with no shouting or singing or violent epitaphs, it was a no-news event you may not have heard about.

Families and people of all ages walked around the Old City Walls.

At Lion’s Gate, there were speeches, but not with the usual well-known names as in the past, and not in the same location.

Though people did sit on the Jerusalem stones near Lion’s Gate, the road was not blocked by hundreds of people as in the past.

One reason I go is for the incredible views from the road of the Mount of Olives over the ancient cemetery, on the way to the entrance to Old City.

The views of Jerusalem at night are special on Tisha B’Av when one mourns the destruction, and now sees the new lights, at the Kotel, and all along the Western Wall.

There were reports of a fox running thru the stones of the old destruction, but I did not find one in any of my photos or videos from this year. I did notice people below in the midst of the stones.

I did see people sitting and sleeping on the ground of the Kotel Plaza, alone

or in groups in the Old City near the Kotel,

or in the Cardo, the Roman main street so long ago before they destroyed the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem on Tisha B’Av in 70 CE.

A replica of the Temple’s golden menorah was lit on Tisha B’Av night, in front of the Hurva Synagogue in the Jewish Quarter.

Some of the streets of the Old City were very quiet.

However, all night long on Tisha B’Av, people came and went thru Jaffa Gate.

Thousands of people passed thru Mamilla Mall, but all the shops and restaurants were dark and closed in respect of the fast day.

Not sure I will go again, but this year, I put the various gates and scenes on a short video to give you a feel for the mood and night walking around, which really is a short distance.

I met some fascinating people along the way; a woman and son who recently moved to Jerusalem from the US, a 3-generation family from the Golan who came for the night and planned to drive back, and a young married couple from Utah on their last night in Israel before returning home who were trying to find someone who spoke English to explain to them what was happening in Jerusalem.

More Tisha B’Av photos of the night, during the daytime I stayed inside!

Now that the three weeks leading up to Tisha B’Av are over, the weddings, concerts, programs, and festivals begin again as July comes to an end.

The Wine Festival at the Israel Museum is back again this week.

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In addition, a special Under 20 European Olympic competition is to be hosted in Jerusalem at the beginning of August.

Once again there are things happening on the Jerusalem streets.

Jerusalem Making Memories and Building

What a week it was in Jerusalem, Israel!

A week of ups and downs, in the weather and news and events, hard to remember only a week ago was Hanukkah.

The blue sky and light clouds started the week off on a positive note.

Three (very) young musicians were taking advantage of the last day of the Hanukkah time off from school to play for people in Mamilla Mall.

Oh, the Jerusalem streets appear in a constant state of construction. King David Street road work goes on and on. When will this building be only a memory?

The gates were finally open to this Ivory Coast property the city has taken over after a long period of vacancy.

The Beit Hanasi, President’s Residence’ gates were open to welcome new Ambassadors to Israel this past week with the IDF honor guard.

The full honor guard and IDF band were all rehearsed and ready for the arrival of the new US Ambassador to Israel Tom Nides on Sunday.

As he got out of the official limousine to the red carpet welcome, drops of rain started to lightly fall on the official reception.

Were his eyes closed for the playing of Hatikvah or did I just catch a blink?

Like all dignitaries, Ambassador Nides signed the official guest book. His son at his side, and the President with his wife at his side.

But unlike other new ambassadors, after lighting candles on the last night of Hanukkah at Beit Hanasi, Nides joined in the singing of Moaz Tzur while the audience was more restrained, despite Herzog’s encouragement.

The last day of Hannukah was a busy one with family parties and trips. Mostly trips in Israel due to the corona restrictions limiting travel.

But PM Bennett was able to welcome the Prime Minister of Greece and the President of Cyprus to Jerusalem for important meetings.

Also on the last night of Hanukkah, Rabbi Aharon Katz was asked to light the candles to start the opening of the World Championship Flag Football games at the Ramada Hotel.

Close to 900 people from 23 countries participated. The US won both men’s and women’s gold medals as expected and Mexico placed second in both. Where else do you find football players wearing a kippa than Jerusalem?

Mayor Moshe Lion made a grand entrance when he arrived late to the event, which ended with a loud and live band rocking the ballroom. For many of the participants, it was their first time in Israel but very limited due to the corona restrictions. Hope they have good memories and come back soon to see much more of the Jerusalem streets.

On a very different note, another meaningful program was held at the Jerusalem Theater on Wednesday evening as the weather turned cold and windy.

Artist Jacob Jay Garfinkel’s work lined the theater’s lobby walls with his photographs, special images of an item from a loved one lost too soon. His only son Elon z”l died at age 43, and this grieving father initiated an endeavor with OneFamily to make memories with victims of terror.

Families arrived to see the images posted on the walls.

A large crowd gathered for the opening night program as it started to rain.

The Minister of Culture and Sport Chili Tropper and Deputy Mayor Hagit Moshe sat in the front row and spoke. Miriam Perez, one of the grieving parents, sat in the crowd on the steps, wearing a royal blue jacket.

Friends and relatives of the Garfinkels were also in attendance.

Rabbi Shimon Rosenberg, the father of Rivka Holzberg z”l spoke on behalf of the survivor families who participated in the Heirlooms: Memory and Cherished Objects.

This photo of OneFamily organizers includes Chantal and Marc Belzberg.

Jay (full disclosure: we have known the Garfinkels for many years) spoke movingly about his son and his work and the process of minimalism in photography.

His work very much broke a tenet of keeping emotion out of the photo.

Perhaps without reading, but beside each picture in Hebrew and English was a text of powerful explanation.

Gaston Perpinal, 15, of Ra’anna, immigrated with his parents from Argentina. A Palestinian suicide bomber detonated himself at a shopping mall in Kfar Sava, killing him. Gaston was the driving force behind his parents’ moving to Israel. Six months after their Aliyah, he was murdered. With the objects of his youth gone, “there is one way in which I keep Gaston’s memory alive. A tattoo…”

The images were also on display up the stairs on another level.

One more caption by the photo of a uniform – AIMAN.

Staff sergeant Aiman Sharuf, 20, a border policeman from the Druze village of Ussifiyeh, was one of 14 persons killed on October 21, 2002, when a bus was blown up in a suicide attack by a terrorist driving an explosives-laden jeep near the Karkur junction. Aiman’s uniform still hangs in his bedroom in the apartment of his parents. His mother never washed it because “I want to smell it, and it still has his odor.”

Each of the 33 “simple” photographs in the exhibit packs not only powerful memories but messages of lives cut short.

Signs like these line too many Jerusalem streets, they remember the victims of terror murdered at various Jerusalem locations.

The sign has been placed on the wall of the new building that has risen on the site of Moment Cafe where a suicide bomber blew himself up in 2002, killing 11 people.

From terror and tragedy, making memories, and building on the Jerusalem streets. Hope you can see for yourself – and soon.

Jerusalem Marathon Highlights

Jerusalem Marathon Highlights

Early Friday morning on March 15, 2019, 40,000 runners filled the Jerusalem, Israel, streets for the 9th International Jerusalem Winner Marathon.

Jerusalem Marathon runners

Thousands from around the world came to run in the full marathon and other races.

Jerusalem marathon runners

Streets were closed for these athletes with blue tags for full marathon.

Jerusalem marathon runners

The full Jerusalem marathon runners seemed to keep coming.

Medical support team on street corner for Jerusalem marathon

Emergency teams were in place, but I did not hear any reports of serious injury.

Jerusalem marathon runners in costumes

Some of the runners dressed up as superheroes.

Led motorcycle for half marathon runners

Oops, this motorcycle lead for the half marathon first place went by so quickly.

Jerusalem Half marathon leaders

I missed him coming, and only got a shot after he whizzed past.

Second place Jerusalem half marathon

But second place was not far behind and here he is coming into the home stretch.

This year I decided to take fewer photos, so I missed the rest of the half marathon runners.

Arab media at Jerusalem marathon

International media covered the event, here is one doing an interview in Arabic.

Flag of Syria flying for Jerusalem marathon runner

The flags of the eighty participating countries are flying along the route to starting line.  This year for the first time there was a Syrian flag.

Stormy weather day before Jerusalem Marathon

Heavy rains the day before of the marathon blocked view of Jaffa Gate.

Marathon elite runners with Mayor Moshe Lion Jerusalem marathon

Mayor Moshe Lion and dignitaries had to pose inside with elite runners.

Mud at Jerusalem marathon in Sacher park

Gan Sacher, Sacher Park, was one big mud patch, but the sun was shining and temperature cool and pleasant for the races.

Tarp over mud in Gan Sacher for Jerusalem marathon

Key areas were covered, like this area near the stage where the first place medals were awarded.

The Jerusalem Marathon is always more than a competition for the fastest running.

Shalva teen runners in 10 K race Jerusalem marathon

Team Shalva had teen participants from US schools, among its hundreds of supporters. Shalva raises large sums each year from this event.

Non profits supported by Jerusalem marathon runners

Other nonprofits and charities had teams and booths in the park.

Booth and charity organizations Jerusalem marathon

Teams from Camp HASC and AMIT, and over 100 good causes, come year after year.

Team for new runners in memory of Ari Fuld at Jerusalem Marathon

One new team this year was Lion of Tzion. These young people organized to run to raise money to buy a food truck in memory of Ari Fuld z”l to take food and treats to IDF soldiers.

Activities in Sacher Park during Jerusalem marathon

Trampolines were set up in the park as one of the activities for families, and at an early hour it was not crowded.

Sacher Park morning of Jerusalem marathon

But in spite of weather the day before, and in spite of the mud in the park, runners and their supporters came.

NInja equipment at Sacher Park for Jerusalem marathon

For the new ninja, there was a long line waiting for a turn.

Media waiting for winner of full Jerusalem marathon to arrive at finish line

Media was waiting for the full marathon winner to arrive and cross the finish line.

There were two main finish lines, the one in the park was only for the full marathon,

while the long list of other races end at the other locations outside of the park.

Crowd waiting for full marathon winner to cross finish line

This was the crowd waiting to greet the marathon winner.

Moshe Lion Jerusalem mayor at finish line for Jerusalem marathon

New Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion was ready at the finish line for a photo op.

Jerusalem mayor Moshe Lion at finish line when first place runner of Jerusalem marathon arrives

Mayor Lion stood waiting for the winner, front and center.

Jerusalem mayor Moshe Lion at Jerusalem marathon finish line

So center, with the medal in his hand, the mayor blocked my view of both the first and second place finishers.

Winners Jerusalem marathon with mayor Lion at finish line

All the first place runners were from Kenya this year.

But there was more action at the starting lines and the other finish lines.

The starting line was out of the park and up the hill toward the Israel Museum and Knesset.

Start of 10K race of Jerusalem marathon

At the various starts there was a burst of energy and excitement.

Former mayor Nir Barkat running 10 K race in Jerusalem marathon

For years I tried to get a photo of former Mayor Nir Barkat.

This year I did not try and there he was with the green tag to the right.

Excitement of the starting line Jerusalem marathon

So many smiles and such excitement, this woman was with a group from Hong Kong.

starting line of Jerusalem marathon

Thousands waited for their starts, over and over, every 15 minutes for the 10K races.

finish line for family 5K race Jerusalem Marathon

There was also a special 5K track for a family friendly, slower paced walk.

Runners near finish line of Jerusalem marathon for 10K races

The finish line for the 10K runners was impressive.

Pushing wheel chair in Jerusalem marathon

People were pushing baby strollers.

Pushing a wheelchair in race Jerusalem, Marathon

Also there were runners pushing wheelchairs in various races.

Finish line Jerusalem marathon

Seems each year, one person I find at start and finish. I was not looking for him this year, but there was Nir Barkat.

Crowd coming and going from marathon

Runners were still arriving as people were slowly walking home.

jerusalem marathon runners entering park near finish line

Full marathon runners were arriving to Gan Sacher on this newly finished path.

Cleaning up water bottles after marathon

Hundreds of volunteers were cleaning up thousands of water bottles along the route.

The Jerusalem Winner Marathon has become more than an annual sports competition.

Each year I go back, and say I will take fewer photos, but do not succeed.

Here are two examples of why I spend hours walking and sharing this event.

Two young runners in Jerusalem marathon on way to family walk

One their way to the midday family run, I met up with one family.

Big brother gave his medal for finishing the 5K run to his little brother.

And with all the tens of thousands of runners at the finish line, some seem more special.

Team spirit. Family spirit. A day of unity. Am Yisrael Chai.

Leah ready to cross finish line of Jerusalem marathon

Some smiles were more special than others, races were not about who came in first.

Finally – with posting this, my Jerusalem Marathon is over for this year.

Now time to get ready for next marathon!

Crazy Purim in Jerusalem, check out official events HERE

Chag sameach, Purim sameach, Happy Purim image

 

Are you up to more Jerusalem Marathon, check out photos HERE  and HERE