Favorites – Page 152 – The Real Jerusalem Streets

Lag Ba’Omer is Bigger, but is it Better than Ever?

April 29, 2013rjstreets

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

April 25, 2013rjstreets

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

Yom Haatzmaut Favorites in Jerusalem

April 18, 2013rjstreets

Two grad rockets fired by jihadists in Sinai landed in Eilat .

Lately, it seems that every time I do a blog post there is a new rocket attack.

By now everyone has heard of the bombings in Boston.

The first year I lived in Boston I remember how surprised I was that

so many things shut down for the running of The Boston Marathon,

it is certainly not just another race in Boston.

So too, unless you are in Israel it is hard to imagine

how business as usual completely stops

for Yom Ha’atzmaut, Israel Independence Day.

However, there was so much to do and so many events

that it was hard to decide where to go and what to attend.

First, were many prayer services,

which followed the solemn Yom Hazikaron observances.

Then the serious partying for Yom Ha’atzmaut began.

One of the largest musical religious services was at The Great Synagogue

where Sephardic Chief Rabbi Shlomo Amar was the guest speaker .

A big favorite for most everyone is the aerial fly over

which was almost cancelled this year due to weather conditions.

Deciding which photos out of hundreds to share has been hard,

but here are a few that hopefully will show what is so special

about this time of year in Jerusalem.

The large flags draped down tall buildings.

The small flags on so many cars

and some buses.

Flags were out in the old Nachlaot neighborhood

and the new Arnona neighborhood.

Some neighborhoods had so many

flags on display,

they even lined the roof tops.

And of course flags are hung on the streets near and on the Knesset Building.

Yom Haatzmaut also marks the start of BBQ season, the time for mangals,

and grilling essentials are displayed everywhere.

Gan Sacher, Sacher Park, is usually is filled with tens of thousands

of people on Yom Ha’atzmaut.

Tents were set up for protection from bad weather by those

who came early to stake out their claim for a good spot.

Usually the choice spots are in the shade, but

this year it was so windy and cold that a spot in the sun was preferred.

The park was not nearly as crowded as most years,

making more space for those grilling meat

and having the traditional foam fights.

I could go on and on, but that would make this post really late.

Yom Haatzmaut night is one of only three nights a year

when noise is not restricted at 11:00 pm.

There were thousands of parties,

many with young people singing and dancing,

and many ending with firework displays.

I spent most of my day with one of my favorite groups,

shown here as these lone soldiers posed at the end of a major mangal.

From around the world these young people came to serve in the IDF

and now they help other new soldiers

who have also left their homes and families to serve their people.

They are the promise of the future.

As Boston comes to grips with a deadly terror attack,

I hope that they never have to learn get used to bombs as Israelis have.

Happy Independence Day.

#Israel65