rjstreets – Page 129 – The Real Jerusalem Streets

WOW – What a Rosh Chodesh at the Wall

May 13, 2013rjstreets

Rosh Chodesh Sivan at the Kotel, the Western Wall,

was not just any old prayer time for the new month.

The Women of the Wall were coming to pray at the Kotel.

Until Friday, I had stayed away from this monthly event,

figuring that there was enough publicity without me.

This time I had to see for myself what was really happening.

Arriving at 6:30 am,

the size of the huge crowd and the press were overwhelming.

The press has covered the dreadful behavior of Haredi men.

Most were young boys, but there are no excuses for their acting like animals.

The shouting, pushing, and deafening whistles were so upsetting,

the experience is impossible to express adequately in words.

What in the world did they think they were accomplishing?

How could any rabbi condone this?

Throwing of a bag full of sewer water was most shocking,

its stench lasted all morning.

Police grabbed the suspect immediately, however.

I wonder if the two girls on the right

will ever forget being in the middle of such a distressing scene?

Here one woman is being pulled back by security.

There were several incidents of Women of Wall supporters

going over toward barriers to provoke the men.

The media that gathered around the Women of the Wall

at times outnumbered the number of women inside the police circle.

Security people certainly outnumbered the WOW supporters,

and were everywhere recording the events.

Were there any empty spaces for watching the scenes unfold?

Rabbi of the Kotel Shmuel Rabinovitch,

Jerusalem Deputy Mayor Yitzchak Pindrus,

and other officials were present for some of the time.

Security did a great job to keep control of the mob-like crowd,

and kept them away from the Women of the Wall in the plaza.

I was able to fill an entire photo album called Bad Boys – Wall of Shame,

though of course, not all present were abusive or involved directly.

But as usual, there was more happening than the press showed.

There were those who were actually trying to pray at The Kotel

for the morning service for Rosh Chodesh.

And there were thousands and thousands of women and girls,

who came to support a new group called Women for the Wall.

That beautiful scene at the Kotel did not make the news,

even though their numbers were by far the greatest.

As we enter the Shavuot holiday, a time of beginnings,

a time to remember acts of goodness,

it is acts of goodness that will bring our salvation,

not acts of provocation or baseless hatred.

More photos from WOW and W4W

HERE

Jerusalem Day Photo Favorites

May 10, 2013rjstreets

In most of the world you would be lucky to find people

celebrating or even remembering Jerusalem Day.

But here in Jerusalem, the celebrations,

events and ceremonies are too many to list, everything

from Mayor Nir Barkat and Rav Shear Yashuv Cohen

speaking on Shabbat at the Great Synagogue,

to a rock concert in Gan Sacher, Sacher Park,

attended by hundreds with the music going all night until 7:00 am.

Took too many photos again this week, so for now I will

share a few favorites from Yom Yerushalayim,

Jerusalem Day, in Jerusalem, Israel.

Kotel Man? What a great costume on this actor,

who was standing at the entrance of

the Tower of David Museum, which was open and free to the public.

Mayor Nir Barkat and his wife Beverly, greeted people and posed

for photos, and I recognized this couple from the neighborhood.

One family presented the mayor with a gift.

I wonder where this will hang?

Then they posed for a photo.

As every year,

prizes were given here at night to special Jerusalem residents.

Of course, flags lined the Jerusalem streets,

and covered countless shoulders.

These boys posed outside the entrance to the Kotel, the Western Wall,

after asking me to take their picture.

On such a busy day, at least one girl was able to find a quiet spot.

Closed to traffic, Agron Street was anything but quiet.

A group of boys were jumping and waving flags on top of this van,

as others danced wildly to gang-man style blasting music in Hebrew.

Tens of thousands of people,

boys and young men,

father and sons,

and of all ages,

packed King George Street in front of the Great Synagogue.

Girls trying to pass by had to hold on not to get lost in the crowd.

Then Rabbi Chaim Druckman arrived,

as the Flag Parade was ready to dance and march its way to

the Kotel, the Western Wall, for hours more of celebrating,

46 years of reunification of Jerusalem.

If you have any doubts about why this day is significant,

checkout a special post in IsraellyCool

and for more photos of Jerusalem Day, click HERE.

Jerusalem Railway Station Grand Opening

May 6, 2013rjstreets

Threats from Syria and Iran prevail in the headlines.

The Iron Dome has been moved to the north.

Civilian air space in northern Israel has been closed.

In the days before aviation,

it was the railway that connected to Jerusalem to the north.

With the advance of air travel and opening of the modern Malha Station,

the historic Jerusalem Railway Station was closed

and for years, at best,

it was a showcase for colorful graffiti on boarded windows.

But this week in Jerusalem, Israel, the old railway station has reopened,

along with Milton’s Way, a walking and biking path

that finally emerged from behind the construction fences.

There is still more work to be done,

but the 8 kilometer trail is coming to completion.

First station is already a new site for wedding photos,

even as it is getting ready to roll.

The new Old Jerusalem Railway Station was lit up last week,

for a grand opening party.

After years

of neglect,

and construction

that seemed endless at times,

at last

the end of the railway and trail renovation is in sight.

Some interiors still have to be renovated,

but the main plaza is looking good

and the bike racks are ready.

It will be some time until walkers have any shade from the sun,

but even at mid-day the trails are already in use.

The Jerusalem Railway Station is to be open on Shabbat

with mostly non-kosher restaurants.

After this major face lift,

First Station is set to be the new major tourist attraction in Jerusalem.