sports – Page 3 – The Real Jerusalem Streets

Best of Jerusalem Marathon 2016

March 22, 2016rjstreets

The sixth International Jerusalem Marathon was run on Friday morning.

The loudspeakers from the starting line near the Knesset

made for an early morning wake-up in Jerusalem, Israel.

As the 2600 full marathon runners raced by,

one man waved,

some were already feeling the inclines,

and others not yet.

International and varied participants ran

along with Batman and Superman.

As every year, entertainers were at the starting line

wearing the colors of the runners’ countries and cheering.

Again the finish line for the full marathon was in

Gan Sacher, Sacher Park, with hundreds lined up to watch.

But there were other races, a half marathon, 10k and more.

30,000 people were entered in the races

and many more times that number supported the runners.

In the park loud music blasted,

racers drummed,

or just fooled around.

The day started out cool and cloudy,

but the sun came out and the weather warmed up.

The marathon is so much more pleasant without rain.

The mud holes were appreciated by at least one young man,

but they were nothing compared to the first marathon.

The three winners of the men’s full marathon came from Kenya

and as usual were interviewed by press.

Their times were amazing when you consider the Jerusalem terrain

with its physically challenging hills.

However,

the participants of the shorter races were also impressive,

as for some this event is a chance to get up and out,

and show their abilities, not their disabilities.

Large sums were raised for dozens of good causes,

by organizations and supporters of all ages,

and the international goodwill – priceless.

Coming into the park after their shorter races were 27,000 runners.

Congratulations

and smiles,

runners in larger groups,

or smaller ones,

or going to the finish line alone,

filled the Jerusalem streets.

As I was finally heading home,

the 10k walkers were nearing the finish line,

very proud of their accomplishment.

But, my favorite from this marathon,

with 30,000 runners from all over the world,

was Bruno, from Brazil, the Tourist of the Week.

Bruno not only smiled and slowed to wave during the race,

but later shared that he and Adriana got engaged

at the Kotel, the Western Wall, before Shabbat.

Mazel tov to Adriana and Bruno,

and to all those who made this year’s event special,

bigger and better, even if it is exhausting.

For all those upset with street closings who stayed home,

sorry.

Here are links to more photos,

see what you missed:

Facebook photos Marathon 2016

Finish line 2016

In the Park

Finally, take the time to compare:

Last year

Jerusalem Marathon 2014

Jerusalem Marathon 2013

I have seen them all and the half marathon before.

I think it is great so many of thousands also now appreciate,

the real Jerusalem streets.

Dark Clouds, Smoke Clouds and Much More in Jerusalem

July 3, 2014rjstreets

Almost three weeks ago looking out from Alon Shvut,

we knew Eyal, Gilad and Naftali were there,

somewhere,

but we were not sure if they were still alive.

This week the sad news was broken that their bodies were found,

Rav Adin Steinsaltz’s statement is worth sharing:

“A dark cloud has befallen our nation today. Our hearts are broken, yet united with the hearts of the boys’ families, as we mourn and we cry with them. We cannot erase the evil. But we can create good. We can transform the world through goodness by living as Jews and acting as Jews, with our Torah and mitzvot.”

The crowd to get on shuttle buses from Modi’in to the funeral,

was so large I had held up my camera to try to get a photo.

Not all those trying to get to the cemetery were young,

but only the quickest and pushiest could get on a bus.

I kept thinking this would certainly would never do in England.

Buses lined the way to the cemetery, while

thousands of people walked and filled the road.

Short cut? I am not sure,

but more buses and more people were as far as one could see.

It was hot, people were so crowded,

but I heard no reports of violence.

Most reports were of sharing water and food

or lending a hand or literally a shoulder to rest on.

A big thanks goes to the hatzalah driver who gave me water.

This was as close as I could get, and again had to hold my camera high.

I never planned to be out for eight hours until 11:00 pm,

but I am certain many got home much later.

What a week,

smoking forest fires, rioting in Shuafat, and talk of revenge.

Awful news filled much of the headlines,

but as always there is more happening in Jerusalem, Israel.

I finally got to the beach,

the Jerusalem beach that opened in First Station.

Unlike the last attempt bringing a beach to Jerusalem,

there is not only lots of sand, but also water,

and on a quiet night even a place to play soccer.

Also for many this week,

soccer was not just for little kids,

it is Mondial.

The AACI celebration for Canada Day and July 4th this afternoon

has expanded to include all olim at a Salute to OLIM Fair.

It is hot and it is a difficult time now, however,

we have friends who are on their way across the US to make aliyah.

They sold their beautiful home in California,

to follow their dream.

Too bad they will not make it in time for the concert today,

but they can join us next year in Jerusalem.

Where is Cinema City in Jerusalem?

July 30, 2013rjstreets

When Jerusalem, Israel is involved

there seem to be few things on which everyone agrees.

But one thing that is obvious to all,

is the number of major construction projects,

with their huge cranes towering in the skyline.

The elections for Mayor of Jerusalem, are set for the fall.

For weeks, current Mayor Nir Barkat has had campaign workers out on the streets.

Streets, where recent roadwork has kept residents awake for nights on end.

Even on a very busy week, some invitations are hard to refuse.

So when I was offered a chance to see some of the new Jerusalem venues

on a tour led by the mayor himself, well, that went to the top of my must-do list.

Finally a chance to find out the answer to what everyone is asking,

where is Cinema City?

The first stop was the new Cinema City complex.

Deep under ground Nir Barkat

spoke to journalists in front of the space for one of the movie screens.

These seats were so comfortable that it was hard to get up and get going,

and hard to believe that there is another theater with even better chairs.

The large multiplex theaters are all built underground,

and the largest auditorium is to seat 6,000.

Photographers were allowed to take many photos of the mayor,

but not of all the construction areas.

It’s hard to believe that this will open at the end of this week as planned,

or even Sukkot time as now anticipated.

I wonder how long it will take until the high speed train comes in to this station.

The bridge to parking garage has been ready for years,

but mostly used to hang protest signs.

These banners, from March 2010, say “Netanyahu stand strong.”

Then, we were off to Teddy Stadium,

where the massive set of the Maccabiah Opening was being taken down.

The newly enlarged stadium was being redone for Maccabiah 2013 Closing ceremony.

The VIP section looked so very different in daylight.

Stop three on the tour was near by,

the new sports arena, still under construction,.

(Pais has nothing to do with peace,

but is transliterated Hebrew word for lottery.)

How often in Jerusalem do you see hard hats at any construction site,

certainly not with popsicles and a talk by the mayor?

This arena was so large,

that it was impossible to get it in all one shot.

There were three buses on this tour,

and Mayor Barkat was our personal tour guide to the last stop at First Station.

As the sun was beginning to set

on the roof top of the Old Train Station, the tour concluded.

Mayor Barkat has initiated massive building and sports projects,

and major events to draw young people and tourists to Jerusalem,

he wants to be re-elected to see his vision for Jerusalem continue.

How ironic that on the very same day of the tour,

a challenger to the mayor launched his campaign.

There was Moshe Lion up on the side of this building, bigger-than-life.

It’s not clear what will happen next in this mayoral campaign,

but one other thing that is for sure:

a lot of money will be spent.

(Full disclosure, I have a friend who is a friend of the Mayor’s mother-in-law.,

but it was another friend who got my name on the list, thanks Lisa)

UPDATE: since many could still not figure out where Cinema City was:

four more photos from different angles.