Four Ways to Celebrate Passover

Millions of people visit nature sites in Israel over Passover. 

Tens of thousands attend Birchat Kohanim, the Priestly Blessing

"Al-Quds image", "picture Wailing Wall", "photo The Wailing Wall"

prayer service at the Kotel, the Western Wall, each year.

In Jerusalem’s Gan Sacher, Sacher Park,

"picture of picnic', "image of park", "photo of picnic in Jerusalem"

  thousands of people gather for picnic outings.

 I want to share with you a special event

"photo children with balloons", "picture Aleh school", "image Aleh Jerusalem"

in Jerusalem at Aleh, a very special home and school

"picture wheel chair", "photo Jerusalem"

for children with special educational needs.

The weather was perfect 

"photo Aleh March", 'image wheel chair", "picture Aleh parade"

for the annual Aleh Jerusalem March as it left the school grounds.

"picture parade" ,  "Jerusalem streets photo", "image Jerusalem "

Participating were many of the dedicated staff members and their families,

(full disclosure, my daughter-in-law is a teacher at Aleh

and we are very proud of her work)

"picture Aleh March'

dozens of young volunteers,

"Arab woman in Jerusalem picture", "photo Muslim woman", "image nurse"

along with lots of balloons and a nurse on duty.

"picture Aleh March", "photo traffic stopped"

Streets were closed to traffic as the Aleh Jerusalem March moved

"picture bridge Jerusalem", "photo Jerusalem bridge"

toward the new Gesher HaMeitarim, the Chord or String Bridge.

"photo Jerusalem bridge", "picture releasing balloons"

After waiting for everyone to arrive on the bridge,

'"String Bridge photo","picture of Jerusalem bridge"

hundreds of balloons were released over the city of Jerusalem.

"picture Jerusalem bridge", "Jerusalem bridge photo'

Then everyone crossed the bridge

"picture dancing","photo Jerusalem traffic"

and the celebration continued with live music and dancing.

In a country where on chol hamoed traffic is heavy and people creep along,

this crowd was really moving.

"picture wheel chair'

I can share a few scenes of the tremendous care,

affection, 

"picture dancing'

and attention given to the students who participated,

but for reasons of privacy I cannot share their radiant smiles.

"picutre De Aryeh Eldar"

This was an event short on publicity and politicians,

only MK Aryeh Eldar said a few words.

But it was big on love and full of holiday spirit.

"picture bus sign for holiday" "photo of bus holiday sign"

A very happy Passover!

 If you found an Aleh balloon…I would love to hear how far they flew.

Many more photos on The Real Jerusalem Streets Facebook page .

No Rocks, No Riots… Not News

Jerusalem sweltered on Monday, as people were moving slowly,

suffering from the second day of a heat wave.

But the crowds outside Binyanei Ha’ooma, the Jerusalem Convention Center,

did not seem to notice.

  Breakthrough Education-Education Week in Israel’s Capital-

 brought together children, teachers, and parents from all parts of the city.

The week-long event was open to the public, yet security was very light,

and there was a relaxed atmosphere.

Perhaps those participating in the many musical performances

"picture Arab girls", "photo Arab girls", Image Arab girls"

were nervous.

Inside, excitement and energy filled the cool, vast complex.

  Hundreds of students came

throughout the day with their projects.

      Art displays

were varied and colorful.

Sign language and all forms of informal education were featured.

                                                                                                                  

Computers and audiovisual displays were prominent

and popular.

 

The Convention Center was divided into many sections,

with each containing a different school level.

A dummy calling for world kindness

and understanding was on his way out.

 Breakthrough Education seemed to really

“break through” walls of separation.

It was one of the week-long 43rd Jerusalem Day

events whose effect should stay with us all the time.