May 2012 – Page 2 – The Real Jerusalem Streets

Hollywood Celebrities Tweet about Israel

May 15, 2012rjstreets

Tourism in Jerusalem is growing, April numbers set a new record.

This week Birthright-Taglit is bringing 59 groups,

each with 40 young people, for their first visit to Israel.

Yet many people think Israel is a dangerous place to visit.

What do you think you see in this photo?

This is not a tourist getting attacked,

but actor Zach Roerig of Vampire Diaries on the right,

with actor Eli Finish of the Israeli TV show Eretz Nehederet

at a special martial arts class held at the Inbal Hotel.

This week eight US actors were in Jerusalem

with America’s Voices in Israel – AVI tour.

AVI, along with the Ministries of Public Diplomacy and Diaspora and Tourism

aims to give the celebrities a program that reflects their interests.

Their whirlwind visit ended with this class,

also attended by Holt McCallany of Fight Club

and AnnaLynne McCord of 90210.

Holt enjoyed practicing with head coach Boaz Barr,

as did Zach Roerig,

and beginner AnnaLynne’s high kicks impressed everyone.

Shortly after posing for a group photo, the Americans flew home.

Israeli fans surrounded Eli Finish as soon as he entered the lobby,

while US stars Zach and AnnaLynne went unnoticed to their rooms.

Also on this tour were Paul Johansson (90210 & Atlas Shrugged),

Omar Epps (ER & House), Holly Robinson Peele (21 Jump St),

Mekhi Phifer (ER) and Paget Brewster (Criminal Minds).

We will have to wait and see if the tweets, Facebook photos

and blogs on this celebrity trip will be a positive influence

on how their fans view Israel.

I do know they had a great time and plan to return,

Zach said I could quote him…

“I’ll be back!”

Lag B’Omer Fire and Smoke

May 11, 2012rjstreets

Meron and the tomb of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai

may be the #1 most popular place to be on Lag B’Omer

but celebrations in Jerusalem are a close second.

Collecting wood for a medura, a bonfire, began before Passover.

Wood in Gan Sacher, Sacher Park, was carried in a little wagon,

but I really liked this pile of wood being transported on top of a car.

The sign says no fires, but before Lag B’Omer the dry grass is cut short,

because this park is one of the most popular places to make a medura.

Wednesday night small fires were lit all around Jerusalem.

In the Har Nof neighborhood preparations for large fires began in April,

smoke from one of these fires could be found well into the day on Thursday.

As I said before some love this and some do not and

miraculously once again there were no reports of major accidents.

There was one thing that was different this year,

the house of Benzion Netanyahu z”l, was covered in black.

The house is located near one of the busiest Lag B’Omer spots.

What a mess it would have been

if the Prime Minister was sitting shiva this week.

However,

Lag B’Omer is a happy time,

so we will end with a colorful photo.

Hope you had a good and safe holiday too.

Komen Israel Race for the Cure

May 3, 2012rjstreets

The second Komen Race for the Cure was held in Jerusalem today.

Thousands gathered in Gan Sacher, Sacher Park,

to help raise money for breast cancer research.

People came from all over Israel and all over the world to take part,

including hundreds of Arab women

and Arab girls.

From a large stage after warm up and exercise music played,

US ambassador to Israel Dan Shapiro spoke to the crowd in Hebrew.

Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat and his wife Beverly

led the crowd out of the park

to the starting line.

Balloons were released after the mayor spoke

and the march began

going up Bezalel Street toward the center of town

to King George Street.

The March then proceeded through the Ben Yehuda Mall

and to Yoel Salomon Street,

which was a great improvement over the previous route.

US Senator Joe and Hadassah Lieberman and Ambassador Shapiro

seemed to be really enjoying themselves.

The mid-day weather was much cooler than the last march

and there was plenty of water for everyone.

Walking along the Walls of the Old City was perfect way to end the march.

In the park after the finish line,

a yoga session was led by a breast cancer survivor.

Sadly, not everyone survives breast cancer and

many people walked in memory of a friend or relative.

Komen organizers should also be complimented for providing

toilets for the disabled at the beginning and end of the route.

For an event that received so little advance publicity,

it was bigger and better than last time.

It is not clear yet how much money was raised for cancer research,

but as people we passed on the way kept saying,

“Ayza yofi, ayza yofi“… this is beautiful, so beautiful.”

There was no violence,

certainly no sign of apartheid on the Jerusalem streets today,

but there were a lot of pink banners and pink balloons.

Additional photos on The Real Jerusalem Streets Facebook page.

Also see:

Arab Women Raced Through Jerusalem with Weapons