Celebrations for Yom Haatzmaut,
Israel Independence Day,
have come to an end for this year.
There were lots of ceremonies, and the Bible Quiz on TV,
and flags flying above the streets and on buildings,
and little Israeli flags clipped on to cars.
As usual, Gan Sacher,
Sacher Park, was the scene of hundreds of family picnics.
People brought chairs and tables and bags of food,
and even mattresses for comfort.
But this couch was a first.
There were smiles from strangers and tents.
Smoke from grills and the sounds of karaoke filled the air.
During the afternoon planes of all sizes
appeared in formation
in the blue skies
and thrilled the crowds below.
Beautiful children with flags and balloons
enjoyed the celebrations.
A group of lone soldiers enjoyed some serious ribs,
grills were fired up all day to feed the hundreds that came.
Tens of thousands celebrated in Gan Sacher,
including one special group of girls,
Bnot Sherut, girls from overseas who are spending
their “gap year” volunteering in Israel.
The media missed their dance performance, but they did find this family
who were happy to share their opinions
of what a beautiful day it was,
concluding with a rousing,
“AM YISRAEL CHAI.”
No it is not snow, even if it’s called “sheleg,”
it’s the dreadful white shaving cream stuff,
this couple found some tinted pink
and had a great time spraying it all around.
I was happy to see less of that messy stuff this year.
And security?
Policewomen were seen checking out the food.
That was all on Thursday, now on Sunday,
I hope this heat wave is over quickly.
The heat and humidity keep me off the streets
and inside with the air conditioner running.
With the holidays over,
it is time for more festivals,.
Education starts tomorrow with an event at the Israel Museum,
and the Jerusalem Light Festival in the Old City
which begins next week, plus
an International Writers’ Festival and Lag B’Omer—
all will be happening in Jerusalem, Israel.
A friend sent me an email asking me how I celebrated Yom Haatzmaut here on my island. I told him that I did it vicariously through you and your wonderful pictures…and, I sent them to him. I can’t tell you how I felt on top of the world…smiles and many thanks…Hannah
I’m Hannah’s friend. Marvelous that you can enjoy a life that seems normal while all hell breaks loose around you.
Welcome Michael, always good to connect with a friend of Hannah’s. One of the main reasons RJS was started was to show that there is much more to life in Jerusalem, Israel than daily stabbings and attacks. The main stream media covers violence when it suits them, but there is so much more, good things, that are happening. Feel free when you have time to go read old posts, you will see photos of a diversity and “normal” daily life, the real streets that does not makes headlines.
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