chanukah celebration – Page 6 – The Real Jerusalem Streets

Hanukkah Light from Jerusalem

December 9, 2012rjstreets

Last night was the first night of Hanukkah.

I went to Mamilla Mall to watch the candlelighting of the large hanukiah

led by Sephardic Chief Rabbi Shlomo Amar.

Some of his followers came,

but hundreds were in the crowd that gathered and watched from below.

There were even a few who watched from above.

Inside the mall were many hanukiot,

and one very proud family posing with one of the artists.

That was going to be the theme of this blog:

the signs of family, creativity, happiness and LOVE.

Then I got home and listened to the news of Hamas celebrations in Gaza

and Mashaal’s vow to continue fighting against Israel,

and not to give an inch. So much for peace partners.

Hanukkah is a celebration of good over evil and light over darkness.

So let me add a few other photos taken at Mamilla Mall all that

you will not see in the media stream media.

People of all religions were present at the candle lighting.

Arab girls were shopping in the mall as usual,

Arab young men were walking freely as usual, and there were even

Arab boys out riding their bikes near the large hanukiah near the Jaffa Gate.

Even with hundreds of Hanukkah celebrants on the streets, as usual,

there was no sign of Apartheid or BDS – Boycott, Divestment or Sanctions.

Hanukkah time in Jerusalem, Israel and there is just too much to do,

but here is a great source for some of the top Jerusalem events.

Meanwhile, while Hamas prepares its babies to be killers,

please contrast to how children are “used” in Jerusalem.

May the light from Jerusalem, Israel continue to be a light unto the nations.

December, it’s Hanukkah in Jerusalem

December 5, 2012June 22, 2022rjstreets

Operation Pillar of Defense is over for most everyone,

except for the wounded, and of course the families of those who were killed.

The rockets destroyed by Iron Dome are less of a topic of discussion.

Children in Southern Israel are no longer in shelters,

but have gone back to school,

while their big brothers have returned to their regular military service.

The children of Kiryat Malachi still have a long, hard road ahead.

But enough of war and politics!

The calendar has turned to December

and Hanukkah is almost here!

Machane Yehuda Market strawberries

That means it is strawberry season

and fresh citrus fruit abounds in the Machane Yehuda Market, the shuk.

Piles of dreydels are on display,

platters of suffganiot,

and the streets are illuminated with colorful Chanukiot.

Hanukkah is coming, ready or not.

Lights in the Square

December 27, 2011rjstreets

In some Jerusalem neighborhoods, Chanukah is celebrated

with eight nights of singing and dancing in public areas.

Following two wet and rainy evenings…for the seventh candle,

on Monday night, December 26, 2011,

the weather was perfect in Mamilla Mall.

Men were dancing to the live music,

but everyone tried to stay clean as they ate the sufganiot.

The official Jerusalem Chanukah celebration

‘Or Bekikar’, ‘Light in the Square’ was held in Kikar Safra, Safra Square

on the seventh night of Chanukah.

The program began with the lighting of the Chanukiah and blessings.

However, this festival of light had little to do with the holiday;

it was a light show with loud music.

Traditional Chanukah characters were missing.

Actors from the Mystorin Theatre Group circulated in the crowd,

while illuminated characters entertained from above.

Hundreds of people partied

and posed for pictures

with the entertainers.

A female singer was the opening act on the large stage and

performers with lit torches juggled them from special small stages.

Still more characters kept coming.

Electrical wiring strung for the evening almost caused an accident,

but audience members rushed to help and were ready

for the next character who was able to avoid a collision.

Lots of color and light filled Safra Square,

and DJs kept the music going during breaks in the live music.

It was especially nice to see that the event was accessible to the disabled.

The night air was getting cooler, so by the time the next performer

and the headline band came on stage,

the glowing heaters were really appreciated by the crowd.

The audience was a mix of all ages and populations in Jerusalem.

Thousands of people were celebrating in public squares and streets

all around Jerusalem on the seventh night of Chanukah

…that was what was really happening.

More photos:

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.297548310287981.68748.152997821409698&type=1