Jerusalem after Rain, Violence, and Politics

First it was the pouring rain that kept people off the streets.

Then the headlines of stabbings and violence

 kept the Jerusalem, Israel, streets quieter.

Yesterday there was a double stabbing in a supermarket,

one in which Arabs work and shop along with Jews every day.

But when the heavy rains stopped and skies cleared,

people were still going to Ben Yehudah Mall.

At the gated and guarded campus of the religious college Machon Lev,

young men went to study science and technical courses.

Gan Ha’atzmaut, Independence Park,

was a vision of tranquility.

And after the rain, green covered the cleared plot of land

for the new National Library building,

with the Knesset in the background across the street.

And a little further down on the side of the busy road,

a man was getting ready to recite his morning prayers.

 Traffic was light on the Begin Highway,

but clouds were heavy in sky above.

Not all was violent on the Jerusalem, Israel streets.

However, going back to biblical times,

there have been stories of abuse and violence,

even within the Jewish community.

This week over three very full days,

an International Conference was held dealing with those issues.

Hopefully this gathering of professionals and rabbis,

will be an important step on the way to reducing abuse and violence,

at least in some Jewish communities.

Meanwhile, a new music festival is planned on Gaza,

Azza Street that is.

It is called Go to Azza,

with music and arts for young people.

Now that should be something to see.

And remember,

tonight is the start of Hamshushalayim,

hundreds of Jerusalem events and locations

over long weekends this month

at reduced prices.

Violence and politics, but much more too.