The Old City – Page 25 – The Real Jerusalem Streets

Yemin Moshe: Windmill Dash or Walk

June 10, 2015rjstreets

This week I saw so many colors of Israel.

Sunrise on the Kinneret with the Swim4Sadna,

then sunset from the Carmel mountains,

where the blues of sky and sea blend together.

Along the Jordan Valley Road

were colorful packing grates.

But as wonderful it is to go and see the land,

back in Jerusalem, Israel,

the colors of Yemin Moshe are a favorite.

I love to share its color on photo walks.

But also fun was to meet up with friends

for a new amazing Israel ScaVenture!

I have walked Yemin Moshe countless times,

each time I see and say there is something new.

Families have stopped and posed for photos here,

but I had not noticed this bomb shelter sign.

Near the Jerusalem Press Club

was the “No climbing” sign we needed to finish our hunt.

But did Kate climb or not climb?

The Windmill Dash ends by the Montefiore Windmill plaza,

with an amazing view of the Old City.

I was so glad to have dashed back

from the beautiful colors of the North

to participate in this Blogger ScaVenture Hunt.

We did the Old City,

then Nahlaot,

last year Gush Etzion,

and now another favorite neighborhood.

What will Tali come up with next?

Most impressive is how these events are good

for families, all age groups and knowledge levels.

Dash around Mishkanot Shaananim and Yemin Moshe.

Then when you are ready to go slower,

see more and set up those photos,

be in touch.

There is always something new to see

on and off the Jerusalem, Israel streets.

Jerusalem Day Celebrations

May 19, 2015rjstreets

The date has passed.

Most flags are removed.

Commentators have spun stories with their biases.

The main stream media focused on a small group.

However,

Yom Yerushalayim, Jerusalem Day,

celebrations in Jerusalem, Israel,

are always like no where else in the world.

Today Jerusalem has a flag,

and an official pin.

The ancient Tower of David,

is always impressive.

In the morning of Yom Yerushalayim,

Mayor Nir Barkat and his wife Beverly

greeted the public inside the gardens.

While a live orchestra played music

and visitors sat and enjoyed their program.

Hundreds of families took tours of Yemin Moshe.

Thousands of young people gathered in Gan Sacher,

Sacher Park to march with Israeli flags to the Old City,

to the Kotel, the Western Wall.

Tens of thousands of people, singing, dancing, and

celebrating the reunification of Jerusalem in 1967.

This year other events were planned,

as this one for families at the new First Station.

There were prayer services,

and official invitation only ceremonies.

A free concert was held at Kikar Safra, Government Square.

Once again the annual “White Night” celebration

blasted until 4 am from Gan Sacher.

I do not appreciate that one!

In schools and kindergartens there were special programs,

with art projects songs, and even bubbles.

The main stream media missed hundreds of thousands

of people who were not news worthy.

For those who find Jerusalem Day objectionable,

please remember,

in 1965,

no Jews were in the Old City.

Under control of Jordan from 1948 – 1967,

no Jews could enter ANY of the gates.

In 1965,

this was as close to the Kotel, the Western Wall,

American Jewish tourists could get.

Photos were taken from across No Man’s Land,

safe from Jordanian sniper shots.

Yom Yerushalayim should be appreciated every day.

Our friends have posted on a bench by their home,

a short passage from the Prophet Zechariah,

on his vision for the future,

Jerusalem will be full of boys and girls

celebrating in her streets.

And that is what was really happening

on Yom Yerushalayim,

on the real Jerusalem streets.

Passover in and out of Jerusalem

April 8, 2015rjstreets

Passover time in Jerusalem, Israel,

sees a population exchange.

Many locals rent (or try to rent) their homes

to holiday visitors for large sums,

and go away for the week.

Even more take day or overnight trips

to one of Israel’s amazing nature spots

like this one near Zichron Yaakov in Ramat Hanadiv park.

Estimates were as high as 75,000 people

for Monday morning’s holiday annual

Birchat Kohanim, the Priestly Blessing.

But huge crowds were at

the Kotel, the Western Wall all day the next day as well.

Not only were prayer services held at the Kotel and at regular synagogues,

but impromptu minyanim for the afternoon prayers

sprung up just about everywhere.

It was good to see First Station busy again,

but this was the only sign of the new Luna Park.

The free shuttle bus service was finally being used,

with a full size buse to accommodate the crowds,

in addition to the special vans.

The route was different and it went to a different Old City Gate.

While walking to Kotel, you could see

people on top of the Walls looking down at Silwan below.

Streets were closed and blocked to cars,

while some places were even blocked to pedestrians.

I was not allowed to walk up this alley,

but the guy in white shirt was allowed to smoke.

The closings caused a lot of extra walking for people.

This little girl is watching a man from an Arabic tour,

who is taking a video of the hasid, religious Jewish man,

while I was taking photos of the Arabic writing on the back of his vest.

Warm, clear weather was perfect for

the large and diverse crowds,

and for photos in Jerusalem on Passover.

Mamilla Mall had extra balloon people

and we hear they did a great business.

And of course, there was food.

Parks were filled with picnics and BBQ grills,

and the sky filled with smoke.

Many food places were closed for the holiday.

The ones that were open did just about anything with potatoes.

However,

this pizza did not seem to be too popular

with one young family.

But, always popular

is the holiday greeting on Jerusalem buses,

Happy and Kosher Passover.