Restoring Courage

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Thousands of people from all around the world

came together on the afternoon of August 23, 2011 to support  Israel

with Glen Beck’s “Restoring Courage” mega-event.

The main event was held at the Southern Wall excavation site

near the Kotel, Western Wall in the Old City, with entry for ticket holders only.

In addition, the event and the warm-up show were broadcast on a large screen

 to a large crowd in Safra Square in Jerusalem at no charge.

The tourists seated in a reserved front section received bottles of water,

when the screen showed the audience at the Davidson Center in the hot summer sun,

the regular seating in the shade at Safra Square seemed much more comfortable.

Rabbi Shlomo Riskin began the program,

and was followed by Dudu Fisher who led in the singing of Hatikva.

Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat spoke next.

 The event was also broadcast live around the world to gatherings of supporters,

like this one in Charleston, South Carolina in the United States.

Glen Beck spoke passionately of his support for Israel

and the need for good to triumph over evil.

Outside Safra Square there were people waiting for the light-rail trains to arrive

or others just shooting the breeze;

but for many, this was an important, even a patriotic event.

Love him or hate him, understand him or not,

Glen Beck brought thousands of visitors to Israel

and the dire ‘end of days’ predictions did not come about.

  Jerusalem may have been quiet,

but another 20 rockets were fired overnight from Gaza

 aimed at the 1,000,000 people living in southern Israel and a baby was injured.

Israel responded by targeting a weapons factory in Gaza.

Israel needs not only courage,

 but the right to live without the constant threat of terror.

 

Feeling Festive

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Over 130 missiles, rockets and grads were fired from Gaza

into southern Israel last week and major cities were hit.

People were killed, injured, shocked, and left homeless.

Meanwhile, 81 US congressmen arrived in Israel and left rather quietly.

With a Hamas request for a cease-fire came a security alert in Jerusalem.

But it is festival season in Jerusalem:  how did the real streets respond?

The last night of annual wine festival at the Israel Museum was held,

though many were not in a much of party mood after hearing

that 8 Israelis were murdered in ambushes that afternoon near Eilat.

Infected Mushrooms performed on Thursday night as scheduled.

The massive stage in Gan Sacher, Sacher Park remained in place until

 for a free concert for young people which lasted until midnight.

The Friday Arts and Crafts Market on Bezalel Street was open for business,

  while the tent protest was nearby and the light-rail had its first public runs.


The 26th Kite Festival at the Israel Museum got off to a slow start.

At noon the water over the Dome of the Book

was the only thing that could be seen in up in the air,

but later in the afternoon breeze there were dozens of kites

and hundreds of families enjoying the annual festival.

The annual Puppet Festival is over,

but the Children’s Film Festival has just begun at the Cinemateque.

The end of August also means that it is time for

The International Arts and Crafts Fair.

 The International exhibits and sales, food, music and performances

fill the area known as the Sultan’s Pool below the Old City walls

and Khutzot Hayoser, The Artists’ Colony comes to life.

It will take more than a security alert to get people to miss

 this popular end of summer event

or to keep them out of Mamilla Mall.

The 5th End of Summer Celebration has begun at the Jerusalem Theater,

with various performances taking place outside on the plaza.

If these events are not enough, 

 the Beer Festival is to be held next week in the Old Train Station.

The security alert may not be readily perceptible on the Jerusalem streets,

but it could be felt in synagogue service this past Shabbat,

with the quiet attention of worshipers during the prayer for the State of Israel

and especially for the prayer for the safety of its soldiers,

and the loud unified response by the congregation of

  “Amen.”

A Paradise Lost

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Until last Thursday, Eilat seemed to have little in common with Jerusalem.

Landing in the small airport in the center of town,

was to be welcomed to a peaceful oasis in the desert.

A paradise with water and boats,

free of traffic lights and full of flowers blooming all year-long.

When Jerusalem was freezing, Eilat had a warm beach on the sea,

with clean, refreshing water.

Thousands of Israelis and foreign tourists flock to the beach,

where the sign is “Go in Peace”.

Across a small canal

one can see as planes land in Jordan.

With their huge flag, it is impossible to forget that the Jordanian city of Aqaba

and its border crossing are just minutes away.

Look to the right and Egypt is on the horizon.

In multiple terrorists’ attacks on Thursday afternoon,

8 Israelis were murdered and dozens more were injured near Eilat.

The 25th end of summer Eilat Jazz Festival goes on with new security concerns,

nevertheless, thousands of people have filled the highway driving south to attend.

How terrible the loss of innocent lives.

 A paradise lost?        

 No, the show must go on…