attractive tourist destination – Page 97 – The Real Jerusalem Streets

Jerusalem Darkness to Light

November 19, 2015rjstreets

From Jerusalem will come forth light,

from the Jerusalem light festivals to Hannukah lights,

it is an old, if not ancient theme.

However, this week we saw some unique lights.

Those red, white and blue lights on the Walls of the Old City

and on the Knesset building, where the Israeli flag flew at half mast.

After Shabbat, the flag was lowered

to symbolize the link with France after the terror attack in Paris.

Israeli flags over Beit Hanasi were lowered as well,

while French flags were unfurled over major Jerusalem streets.

I found it ironic that new signs were posted

for a new App for Jerusalem night life–

who knows what will happen next?

When I see new signs like this one,

I snap photos of them,

only after did I realize, it was posted for the filming of a TV movie.

Make sure you know whether what you see is real or not.

The Jerusalem municipality posted hundreds of large and small signs

asking MK Kahlon “Do not forsake Jerusalem”

in the new budget in the Knesset.

This week in Jerusalem, while the weather is cool,

the roses are blooming

and the oranges are ripening.

However, I want to share

one other very special light coming out of the darkness.

My friend Varda wrote of the horrific terror attack last erev Shabbat.

We know the Rav of Meitar and his family,

and we have many friends there and visit occasionally.

We have driven the road from Meitar to Otniel.

Such darkness,

to drive to a simcha and get ambushed by murderers.

But, from Jerusalem, came forth light.

On Tuesday night, in the wedding hall,

at the time the wedding of the daughter of the victim was to take place,

an overflow crowd of women and girls

filled the hall with prayer and music, and words of unity.

Tears inside during the sad, slow Shabbat song

and crowds of girls outside.

The Litman-Beigel wedding is rescheduled for next week,

and this time everyone is invited.

If you want to participate, check this out.

To help the Litman family, you can donate here:

https://www.gofundme.com/bwaq2zbd

Am Yisrael Chai!

May lights continue to come forth from Jerusalem

to shine and inspire the world.

Sigd Celebrated in Jerusalem

November 13, 2015rjstreets

Sigd, the Ethiopian holiday which falls on 29 Heshvan,

50 days after Yom Kippur, was celebrated on the Tayelet.

A spot with the best views of the Old City, but

with heightened security in the Armon Hanatziv neighborhood.

Also, somewhat smaller crowds were out on the Haas Promenade.

Buses brought Ethiopian Israelis from all over Israel

to celebrate the annual event, a national holiday since 2008.

I love to see the young men in uniform,

and the girls too.

But, Sigd is not just eating, dancing, and socializing.

Sigd began centuries ago in Ethiopia,

with leaders gathering on a mountaintop and praying to return to Zion.

Today they have returned.

Kessim, religious leaders dressed in white,

were seated at this long dais and more

were in the audience, under their colorful umbrellas.

Prayers and speeches by government officials are part of the day.

After President Reuven Rivlin spoke,

he went down the line and shook hands with the dignitaries.

Only a small part of the crowd of thousands, mostly the elders,

were seated, with politicians and dignitaries in front.

However, one woman caught my attention.

What was she thinking?

Did she remember Sigd from Ethiopia?

What had she gone through to get here?

She stood during the speeches looking towards the Old City,

towards the Temple Mount in the distance.

Sigd has become one of my favorite events.

Interesting, both last year and in 2012, I also wrote that

we were in the midst of “difficult times.”

I must find out what this is hair-like thing is,

I noticed several of them this year.

Sigd, where ancient blends with the modern,

and the very modern customs and practices.

The program ended in the early afternoon.

Shabbat also starts very early

with just a few hours to prepare before it is dark.

Wishing a Shabbat Shalom to all from Jerusalem,

where sometimes dreams do come true.

Jerusalem Autumn Colors

November 4, 2015rjstreets

Autumn means beautiful photos of fall foliage

from the northeastern United States.

There is nothing like that in Jerusalem, Israel.

This year I found one tree with some fall colors.

But, as those US multi-colored leaves fall to leave bare limbs,

Jerusalem palm trees fill with ripe dates,

and fall flowers burst out over the sidewalks

Flower beds are being planted,

and a new flower bed has been added outside

of Beit Hanasi, the Israeli President’s residence.

The fall flowers of Yemin Moshe are always a favorite.

With a sandstorm this week,

the Montefiore Windmill was turning briskly,

but hard to see against the white sky.

Some streets have been too quiet since tourism has been down.

The German Colony is sponsoring special events

every Monday evening in November and December.

Australian tourists were enjoying a free day to see sights.

Not far away a female tour guide was injured in a terror attack.

A friend was out walking a grandchild

with her whistle handy in case of trouble.

People are more wary and careful going about their business.

But oh, those cats,

While I pass women walking with pepper spray

in hand ready for whatever might happen,

Jerusalem cats have a special chutzpah.

Those cats hold their ground no matter what.

And in the fall,

Jerusalem cloud formations,

with the blue and white sky at sunset.

Ten measures of beauty descended to the world;

nine were taken by Jerusalem.

Talmud Kiddushin 49b

Autumn in Jerusalem,

the seasons change.

Days are shorter and cooler,

the dark hours of night longer.

The cycle of life goes on.