Jerusalem New Arena Opening September 11

School has started and another week has whizzed by.

The countdown for Rosh Hashannah has begun.

You can feel the seasons starting to change with cooler nights.

Headlines were made when Light rail trains were attacked

in some Arab neighborhoods,

and also of attacks in the French Hill neighborhood.

Sadly, French Hill residents have had trouble with some Arab neighbors for years,

but it was not newsworthy until this recent escalation of violence.

However, this Arab woman was waiting to ride the light rail this week.

There were fewer Arab girls on the streets over the summer,

and there were fewer people on the streets tourists were missingl.

Now, Jaffa Road is looking busier every day.

This week Jordan complained about a “wooden bridge.”

Someone decided to build a second wooden ramp to reach the Temple Mount.

The wooden structure on the left is the only access for non-Muslims.

Though this new one is much smaller, it is coming down.

For a $15 billion gas deal, Jordan gets its wish?

The summer concerts at Kikar Safra

featured music of the Beatles and ABBA.

The last free music concert of season is tonight,

at the Pianos at Jerusalem Theater.

But the big, really big, biggest news in the Middle East,

is opening of the new Jerusalem Arena tonight.

The first press conference was held  in the special press conference room,

with Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat and leaders of the massive project.

Built next to Teddy Stadium and near the Malha Mall,

the view from main lobby of Jerusalem is impressive.

The main floor can be changed for events – sports, recreational and cultural.

There is seating for 11,600 people,

and 16 executive boxes.

I wondered if I would get back to a VIP suite,

and assumed it was my last chance to hang in a locker room with the Mayor.

Workers were all over trying to finish up for the opening tonight.

70% of the 400 million shekel cost was covered by the Israeli Lottery,

but many wish some of that money would go to finish up school construction.

We lived near Washington, DC on September 11, 2001.

As the world remembers those lost in NY Trade Towers,

we also remember those killed in the Pentagon that day.

Sept 11 should have been a wake up call

for US & for the world to terrorism.

Meanwhile, in Israel,

  though there have been a stream of terror attacks,

we have two things in our favor,

as shown here.

The inaugural ceremony of the new Jerusalem Payis Arena

will be a salute to soldiers of IDF.