Rosh Hashannah,
the start of Jewish New Year,
may it be a good, healthy and sweet one for all.
שנה טובה
Shana tov.
Author: rjstreets
Shimon Peres: World Leaders in Jerusalem, Israel
Usually the streets are busy on Friday mornings,
especially before an approaching holiday,
but in Jerusalem, Israel, this was no regular Friday morning.
Main streets were closed to traffic,
even some schools had to close,
as the main Route #1 into Jerusalem
was reserved for the personal motorcade of
US President Barak Obama.
The funeral for former President Shimon Peres
was not to be a usual funeral either.
The state funeral at Har Herzl
brought together an array of international leaders,
like Jerusalem or the world has ever seen.
President Obama flew in and out of Israel
for the funeral in Har Herzl cemetery.
President Reuven Rivlin spoke
as did Prime Minister Netanyahu,
former US President Bill Clinton,
and current US President Barak Obama.
The entire funeral event was live-streamed around the world.
Imagine all those world leaders wearing kippot on their heads,
Prince Charles even had a special one,
not like John Kerry’s plain black style.
What will happen next as the old year 5776 ends?
Yes, it was not your usual Friday in Jerusalem.
so I had to share more than a simple Shabbat Shalom,
Was that Mahmoud Abbas shaking hands in the front row
in Jerusalem, Israel, today?
One thing for sure,
Shimon Peres proved that most anything is possible.
If you hang in there long enough,
you can become a president.
During Operation Protective Edge in 2014,
while Peres was still in office,
young children from the south were invited for
a fun day camp at Beit Hanasi,
the Israeli President’s house.
This clown put a dove on the President’s head,
those children should remember the moment forever.
Peres pursued peace, and for at least one moment
the bird of peace was truly upon his head.
A solemn day, but
I like to remember the great video recorded after his presidency.
Now it is time to prepare for Shabbat,
time to get back to “normal.”
שבת שלום
שנה טובה
Shabbat shalom
Happy New Year.
New Jerusalem Favorites Before Rosh Hashannah
All around Israel glasses are being “raised”
as Rosh Hashannah, the new Jewish year 5777
is rapidly approaching.
My favorite was at Beit Hanasi,
the official Israeli President’s residence,
where 90 foreign countries were represented
by their ambassadors or head of mission in Israel.
Ambassadors from Jordan and Egypt were present,
as President Reuven and Nechama Rivlin
made l’chaim outside in garden reception,
Wine. Lots of wine.
Walls of wine, kosher wine,
line the walls of יין בשוק, Yayin B’Shuk.
Since 1870, the Teperberg family has been making kosher wine,
and we tasted some new favorites on a tour Sunday night.
Before Rosh Hashannah wine for gifts
and gift baskets with wine seem to be everywhere.
Chalahs will be piled high by the end of week,
but holiday cakes were ready and on display early.
Did you know Berman Bakery been baking since 1875?
Machane Yehuda market, the shuk,
not as old as the winery or bakery,
has piles of varieties of new fruits out for the holiday.
The shuk has changed greatly.
The familiar looking stalls with tea,
shops with nuts, oil and spices by day,
at night close their shutters.
Then this happened.
Graffiti appeared on the drab grey screens.
At first shop owners were not pleased.
But the works of spray painted art,
have become a favorite night attraction.
Solomon was ready to fix his Matisyahu portrait.
Since he asked not to show the old one before the do-over,
we will have to get back to the shuk at night
after the holidays to check it out.
Matisyahu is to perform again in Jerusalem on October 13th.
But Solomon Souza is not the only artist busy at night.
We found this man painting on Agrippas Street.
The night life in the area,
has continued to grow this past year,
crowds of people will fill the tables,
which fill the lanes when the shop keepers go home.
Even more popular than last year,
Selihot, special prayers leading up to Rosh Hashannah
Musical services begin late and go early.
Tours are offered for those wanting to see selihot
around the Old City and parts of Jerusalem.
Also again this year, a street festival on Emek Refaim,
with sales of used clothing, wares and musical performances.
This long table was as set ready for a holiday meal,
but provided seating for those wanting to listen to holiday music.
Not your usual Rosh Hashannah selihot venue!
Walking down Emek Refaim Street,
there was Solomon painting compost bins
to be placed in Jerusalem community gardens.
Recycle, reuse, help the environment,
and get the new year off to a good start,
this neighborhood fair hosted thousands.
Variety and diversity,
not only of fruits,
but of holiday programs all week is astounding.
New initiatives and programs,
on traditional themes for the new year.
I decided to end with the old favorite,
Shana tova,
a good and healthy year to all.