April 2012 – Page 2 – The Real Jerusalem Streets

Google Maps Jerusalem

April 20, 2012rjstreets

Google cars were in Jerusalem in November 2011,

they were easy to recognize going up and down the streets.

Now Google Street Views of Israel are going on-line

and everyone can find their favorite Jerusalem street.

You will still see signs for Yom Hashoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day.

However,

this time of year you will see Israeli flags lining the streets,

hanging in store windows,

and flying along many major roads.

The signs are out, Yom Ha’atzmaut, Israeli Independence Day, is next week.

What a perfect time for Google to show the Jerusalem streets

turning blue & white for Israel’s 64th birthday celebrations!

I wrote about a special Yom Hashoah event for The Times of Israel,

please check it out and comment.

Passover Leftovers

April 16, 2012rjstreets

Passover has ended.

I used 150 eggs, large quantities of potatoes, onions,

sugar and chocolate this week,

and not one cookie or crumb of cake is left in the house.

However, there are still a few holiday leftovers that I would like to share.

Flags lined Israel Highway #6 for millions of people on their holiday trips,

while in Jerusalem you could find dancing on the streets

and families dressed in their holiday finest.

Crowds filled Gan Sacher, Sacher Park.

At times there seemed to be more tents than during “The Occupy Protest”

and so much smoke that I made the mistake of calling it “Gan Smoker.”

Gan Sacher is big enough, though, to find a quiet spot

for conversation, grilled meat and a bottle wine.

No need to go hungry in Jerusalem for lack of Passover food,

these matzah sandwiches were for sale across from the Central Bus station,

where “Happy Holiday of Freedom” signs and Israeli flags flew above.

I wrote the last post about the Aleh Jerusalem March

(make sure you haven’t missed it)

and the impressive young volunteers,

but these two children sharing a bag of potato chips were my favorite.

Those are a few favorite Passover leftovers, so that’s it…

until next year, when the buses again say,

” Kosher and Happy Passover.”

Four Ways to Celebrate Passover

April 11, 2012rjstreets

Millions of people visit nature sites in Israel over Passover.

Tens of thousands attend Birchat Kohanim, the Priestly Blessing

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

In Jerusalem’s Gan Sacher, Sacher Park,

thousands of people gather for picnic outings.

I want to share with you a special event

in Jerusalem at Aleh, a very special home and school

for children with special educational needs.

The weather was perfect

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

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)

dozens of young volunteers,

along with lots of balloons and a nurse on duty.

Streets were closed to traffic as the Aleh Jerusalem March moved

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

After waiting for everyone to arrive on the bridge,

hundreds of balloons were released over the city of Jerusalem.

Then everyone crossed the bridge

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.

I can share a few scenes of the tremendous care,

affection,

and attention given to the students who participated,

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

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.

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 .