This was such a busy week with Jerusalem Green events
that there is no time to share them all now,
however, not all is
green.
Jerusalem is blooming
and full of color.
Much more next time, but for now
Shabbat shalom!
Author: rjstreets
Lag Ba’Omer is Bigger, but is it Better than Ever?
In many places around the world a big community bonfire
for Lag Ba’Omer is considered a major celebration.
The thirty-third day of counting the Omer which started on Passover
has become a day of weddings, bar mitzvahs and musical celebrations.
However, this minor Jewish holiday
has escalated to gigantic proportions in Israel.
Meron was so over-crowded this year that the security services closed it off,
buses stopped running and many were stranded for hours.
And, this year it was hot, really hot.
Many photos were published of men standing
around large Lag Ba’Omer bonfires in religious neighborhoods.
However, in open spaces all around Jerusalem, Israel
thousands of people lit medurot, bonfires.
Some were tended by children,
while others were large family gatherings.
These modest sized fires were not lit just to burn any
and every bit of collected wood, but were also used for cooking.
This man used a long stick to remove dozens of cooked potatoes.
It was good to see that his water can was so handy,
as heavy winds this year caused sparks to fly and clothes to burn.
As always with so many small children around so many open fires,
the low number of serious accidents is nothing short of miraculous.
And this year we had two nights and two days for Lag Ba’Omer!
Since the real time fell out right after Shabbat, the Chief Rabbis
said to wait and celebrate instead on Sunday night.
So this year for two nights smoke filled the night air.
As you might have guessed I am not a big fan of these hot, smoky nights.
And school vacation was extended from one day to two days off!
While the Knesset is dealing with future school vacation days,
parents and children needed something to do on Lag Ba’Omer.
One activity was again organized by Chabad Rechavia.
This year their parade stopped traffic on Ramban Street.
Along with the marching drum band were this large Torah and candle,
as young and not so young,
marched to King George Street.
Rabbi Goldberg and so many cute kids were smiling,
as they gathered in the plaza of The Great Synagogue for music.
One small Lag Ba’Omer celebration, one small step.
“I love all Jews.”
What a feel-good event, in spite of the temperatures,
and I am not just saying that because the Rabbi’s mother is a fan.
For Lag Ba’Omer, one medura, bonfire, night is enough for me.
Now I must run,
as it’s time to get some cookies and milk ready,
no school today.
More parade photos HERE.
Jerusalem Green and Accessible
Wow, did I make a mistake;
I thought this was going to be a quiet week.
It began as the extra Israeli flags were taken down.
(Make sure you did not miss all blue and white photos
from Yom Ha’atzmaut, Israeli Independence Day in Jerusalem.)
Then came unseasonable, heavy rains and cold temperatures,
it felt more like winter than spring.
The doormen of the Citadel Hotel had out their large umbrella stand,
it was not an easy time to stay either dry or warm.
Then the rain finally stopped on Sunday evening and the sun came out,
and everything in Jerusalem turned green.
First, I went to see the Cool Globes on exhibit near Jaffa Gate.
These 18 large globes, each a unique work by a different artist, were
installed for Earth Day and will remain in place through the summer.
Then I walked over to the YMCA for the opening of the first
International Jerusalem Symposium on Green & Accessible Pilgrimage.
There were way too many events and speakers to list here, but
Forsan Hussein, CEO of the Jerusalem International YMCA
welcomed the many international visitors to the city of Jerusalem.
Deputy Mayor Naomi Tsur, who started the green and accessible initiative,
posed with Dr Jose Bernal-Stoop from Mexico on the left
and Count Phillippe Piccapiertra,
the Grand Chancellor of the Order of Saint Lazarus of Jerusalem.
While there are always thousands of international visitors
who arrive in Jerusalem, Israel, daily, this
gentleman is the only one who I know who walked here from Sweden,
and I have to add that
Nilsson Jorden, a Brother of the Military and Hospitaller Order
of Saint Lazarus of Jerusalem, has a great sense of humor too.
When I told him what I had written about him on the opening night
I was very relieved when he laughed.
I had not heard of this Order before, but their plan to make
The Old City accessible to all by way of special scooters sounds amazing.
Many Interfaith sessions and discussions were held,
Imam Farid Ansari of the Muslim America Dawah Center of Rhode Island,
seen here with Rabbi Amy Levin, came in specially for this symposium.
There was such an ambitious program with so many initiatives and
progressive ideas to improve use of natural resources for the future,
that I will have to share more on this another time.
But now on the Jerusalem streets, it is that time of year,
when young people have started gathering every bit of wood, old trees,
or beware, even watch out for your outdoor furniture,
and anything else that that will burn for the Lag B’Omer bonfires.
Safed Mayor Ilan Shochat, in his excellent presentation,
did mention what the four ancient Israeli cities have been known
for centuries for four elements,
Tiberias = water, Safed = wind, Hebron = land
and
Jerusalem = the city of “fire.”
Watch out for those fires this weekend!
Let’s hope we can keep Jerusalem green and accessible to all.
More photos from conference HERE