Shimon Peres: World Leaders in Jerusalem, Israel

Posted on September 30, 2016 by rjstreets • Posted in Jerusalem, Shabbat Shalom • Tagged barak obama, Israel, Jerusalem, jerusalem israel, Jerusalem Photography, Jerusalem photos, middle east current events, Perese funeral, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, shabbat shalom, Shimon Peres • Leave a comment

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.

New Jerusalem Favorites Before Rosh Hashannah

Posted on September 28, 2016 by rjstreets • Posted in Jerusalem • Tagged attractive tourist destination, culture, Israel, Jerusalem, jerusalem israel, Jerusalem Photography, Jewish holiday celebrations, Machane Yehuda market, Solomon Souza, Yad2Live • 4 Comments

All around Israel glasses are being “raised”

as Rosh Hashannah, the new Jewish year 5777

is rapidly approaching.

My favorite was at Beit Hanasi,

the official Israeli President’s residence,

where 90 foreign countries were represented

by their ambassadors or head of mission in Israel.

Ambassadors from Jordan and Egypt were present,

as President Reuven and Nechama Rivlin

made l’chaim outside in garden reception,

Wine. Lots of wine.

Walls of wine, kosher wine,

line the walls of יין בשוק, Yayin B’Shuk.

Since 1870, the Teperberg family has been making kosher wine,

and we tasted some new favorites on a tour Sunday night.

Before Rosh Hashannah wine for gifts

and gift baskets with wine seem to be everywhere.

Chalahs will be piled high by the end of week,

but holiday cakes were ready and on display early.

Did you know Berman Bakery been baking since 1875?

Machane Yehuda market, the shuk,

not as old as the winery or bakery,

has piles of varieties of new fruits out for the holiday.

The shuk has changed greatly.

The familiar looking stalls with tea,

shops with nuts, oil and spices by day,

at night close their shutters.

Then this happened.

Graffiti appeared on the drab grey screens.

At first shop owners were not pleased.

But the works of spray painted art,

have become a favorite night attraction.

Solomon was ready to fix his Matisyahu portrait.

Since he asked not to show the old one before the do-over,

we will have to get back to the shuk at night

after the holidays to check it out.

Matisyahu is to perform again in Jerusalem on October 13th.

But Solomon Souza is not the only artist busy at night.

We found this man painting on Agrippas Street.

The night life in the area,

has continued to grow this past year,

crowds of people will fill the tables,

which fill the lanes when the shop keepers go home.

Even more popular than last year,

Selihot, special prayers leading up to Rosh Hashannah

Musical services begin late and go early.

Tours are offered for those wanting to see selihot

around the Old City and parts of Jerusalem.

Also again this year, a street festival on Emek Refaim,

with sales of used clothing, wares and musical performances.

This long table was as set ready for a holiday meal,

but provided seating for those wanting to listen to holiday music.

Not your usual Rosh Hashannah selihot venue!

Walking down Emek Refaim Street,

there was Solomon painting compost bins

to be placed in Jerusalem community gardens.

Recycle, reuse, help the environment,

and get the new year off to a good start,

this neighborhood fair hosted thousands.

Variety and diversity,

not only of fruits,

but of holiday programs all week is astounding.

New initiatives and programs,

on traditional themes for the new year.

I decided to end with the old favorite,

Shana tova,

a good and healthy year to all.

Shabbat Shalom

Posted on September 23, 2016 by rjstreets • Posted in Jerusalem, Shabbat Shalom • Tagged attractive tourist destination, Israel, Jerusalem, Jerusalem Photography, Jewish holiday celebrations, shabbat shalom, The Old City • Leave a comment

The pomegranate season is here.

‘

שבת שלום

12 Signs this Week in Jerusalem

Posted on September 21, 2016 by rjstreets • Posted in Jerusalem • Tagged attractive tourist destination, culture, current-events, Houses Within, Israel, Israel Museum, jerusalem israel, Jerusalem Photography, Jerusalem photos, middle east current events, night run • 1 Comment

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.

Shabbat Shalom

Posted on September 16, 2016 by rjstreets • Posted in Jerusalem, Shabbat Shalom • Tagged culture, Israel, Jerusalem, jerusalem israel, Jerusalem Photography, Jewish holiday celebrations, Rosh Hashana, shabbat shalom • 2 Comments

In Kikar Tzion, Zion Square,

just off Jaffa Road,

at a stall in the Jerusalem Night Market,

I saw these dried pomegranates on a wooden tray.

Pomegranates are usually for Rosh Hashannah,

but since Jerusalem is gearing up for the holidays,

this seemed fine for a Shabbat Shalom greeting.

שבת שלום

Thought this looked better without words Shabbat Shalom

placed on it, do you agree?

Jerusalem Week of Lows and Highs

Posted on September 14, 2016 by rjstreets • Posted in Jerusalem • Tagged attractive tourist destination, Beit Hanasi, culture, DSI Diplomatic Spouses in Israel, Israel, Jerusalem, jerusalem israel, Jerusalem Photography, Jerusalem photos, middle east current events, politics, World Jewish Congress • 1 Comment

The news making international headlines is that

Shimon Peres, שמעון בן שרה,

is in the hospital in serious condition on a respirator.

One of my favorite photos of former President Peres

was taken at the Israel Museum 50th Birthday Bash

Who else would be presented with their own photo

taken at opening of the museum fifty years earlier?

Free entrance to the Israel Museum

is being offered this Thursday night.

I wish I could take advantage of the offer, but there are just too many

things happening in Jerusalem, Israel…again!

All the summer concerts in Jerusalem parks

and the Hansen House special children events have ended,

as it’s time to go back to school.

My favorite posters are up,

like this one of the Jerusalem municipality welcoming boys

and girls with “Hello First Graders.”

Where else is the start of school treated

as bigger deal than college graduation?

Signs are also up for Mekudeshet, a culture festival

with weeks of extensive music and arts programs.

Plus, the annual Italian Festival is also going on this week.

Signs are up as the city prepares to celebrate

50 years since the end of the Jordanian occupation

and the reunification of Jerusalem.

A new wall has been erected at Beit Hanasi,

the Israeli Presidential official residence.

However, it is a temporary barrier

as construction work for a new visitor entrance has begun.

While work proceeded behind the wall,

Beit Hanasi was busy with international visitors.

World Jewish Congress delegates came on Monday,

and posed for group photo with President Rivlin.

While on Tuesday the spouses and partners of diplomats

posted in Israel were hosted by the Rivlins.

This is one of the group’s photos,

from 80 countries, 33 nations were represented that day.

Some of those visitors had been to Jerusalem many times,

but for others it was their first visit.

How good it is when people come and see the great things

that are happening on the Jerusalem streets for themselves.

Hope to get to some of Jerusalem’s newly-opened parks,

as the countdown to Rosh Hashannah reminds us,

the new year is coming soon.

Jerusalem 9/11 Memorial: Behind the Camera

Posted on September 12, 2016 by rjstreets • Posted in Favorites, Jerusalem • Tagged culture, Israel, Jerusalem, jerusalem israel, Jerusalem park, Jerusalem Photography, Jerusalem photos, JNF Park Twin Towers memorial, middle east current events, September 11 commemoration, US Marines in Israel • 3 Comments

15 years have past

since September 11, 2001,

but I can still remember the bluest, clearest sky,

and best weather on that day in Washington, DC.

We had moved back from New York City a few days earlier.

Having a blue sky in Jerusalem, Israel, is a given all summer,

no one moves to DC for the weather.

There was a good reason that foreign diplomats stationed in DC

received hazard pay in the days before air conditioning.

But it was so nice that morning,

I went for a walk as work was being done on our new kitchen.

The destruction of the twin towers of the WTC

and with its immense loss of life

has overshadowed the loss of life at

the Pentagon, the heart of the US military command.

For those of us living in the DC area,

the attack on the Pentagon affected our family and friends

in too many ways to recount here now.

The 15th anniversary of 9/11 was remembered in Israel.

Buses took passengers from Jerusalem on a round-about route,

under the new fast-train tracks under construction

towards the JNF-KKY Jerusalem Park,

slowly and cautiously down the winding road.

After an hour on the bus

we were on the other side of the tracks

and across from the cemetery on Har Hamenuchot.

Dignitaries and guests waited in the memorial plaza for the program to begin.

The names of all 2,996 victims are listed on the wall.

The only memorial outside of US to list all the names.

The honor guard in full dress

was positioned cleverly in front of the cool air blowers

and were protected by the sun shade.

What were the Marines thinking?

Israeli families of victims placed a floral memorial wreath

as did Israeli and international dignitaries.

US Ambassador Dan Shapiro stood in respect

after placing his wreath at the base of the memorial

fashioned in the design of a US flag shaped as a flame.

A piece from the Twin Towers is encased in the base,

and can be seen through the rectangular window above those wreaths.

After the official ceremony,

with all its impressive speeches this year,

flowers were provided to those who wished to place them

on the names in memory of those who lost their lives on 9 /11.

A delegation of 50 US police officers were in attendance.

Their hats and uniforms were imprinted with US and Israeli flags.

There was a positive feeling of unity

that is not felt often enough these days.

As WJC President Ronald Lauder said,

“The pain of loss never goes away,

but happiness comes from freedom,

and free people rise over hate.

#NeverForget

More photos from ceremony

HERE

The Real Jerusalem Streets

Jerusalem, Israel – what is really happening

Shimon Peres: World Leaders in Jerusalem, Israel

New Jerusalem Favorites Before Rosh Hashannah

Shabbat Shalom

12 Signs this Week in Jerusalem

Shabbat Shalom

Jerusalem Week of Lows and Highs

Jerusalem 9/11 Memorial: Behind the Camera

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