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!
attractive tourist destination
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
Yom Haatzmaut Favorites in Jerusalem
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