Jerusalem, Israel – what is really happening
Another week flew by!
Always impressive at night in the Israel Museum grounds,
the Shrine of the Book dome
over the exhibition of Dead Sea Scrolls.
Also impressive this week,
the sunset I saw walking to the museum.
The weather and sky keep changing,
the photos change,
but the wishes are the same every week.
שבת שלום
Last week was such a roller coaster week.
The President of India visited our President at Beit Hanasi
and signed the official guest book.
Now President Margvelashvili of Georgia
and the President Grybauskaitė of Lithuania are among thousands of visitors.
It is hard to keep track of the changing flags
which greet each country’s president at Beit Hanasi,
the Israel President’s Residence.
The Conference of International Mayors met here,
and New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio
is getting most of the media attention.
Five US Congressmen were here too,
expressing bi-partisan support for Israel
at a Town Hall style meeting before they returned to US.
Leaders of Jewish Federations of North America
paid a short visit to Israel after trip to Berlin,
and made a stop to meet President Rivlin on their way back to the US.
A few hours later the Rivlins switched roles,
and as doting grandparents hosted
the young children of police and security personnel.
This little fellow playing golf on the grounds was my favorite.
Was this a first for golf in Jerusalem, Israel,
this very mini-mini putt-putt?
Security is increased and visible.
Guards are back at this restaurant,
a site where a suicide bomber killed diners.
I saw this bag and took a photo.
I guess a careless delivery person put it there.
There was no explosion, so it was not blown up.
I am trying to remember whether the Ben and Jerry’s freezer was always
just off the street or was moved front and center
because of the “situation,” as many are eating more ice cream.
Meanwhile, thousands have arrived for the
World Zionist Congress and Hadassah Convention,
both to be held this week in Jerusalem.
I also want to get to Open House Jerusalem,
which features public visits of
of many beautiful sites in the city.
Plus, must get to the Israel Museum,
where five new exhibits are opening!
Oh, and on Thursday all movies are 10 shekels.
Am Yisrael Chai!
So much is happening in Jerusalem, Israel.
What a week!
It was truly hard to know what to do first.
The laundry hampers are still full with piles of washing
from the Sukkot holiday time.
However, with the present “situation”
could I post holiday leftovers as usual?
Like this car parked on the street in Baka,
or this one off the road from a “regular” accident?
They seem too trivial.
Normally, closing the American Center for renovations would be news.
But despite yesterday’s sirens,
in keeping with the real streets theme,
there are many positive things happening to share.
First of all,
2000 delegates from around the world
are attending the International Astronautical Congress
at the Jerusalem International Conference Center.
The IAC 2015 has dozens of exhibits;
this is one from Korea.
The astronaut space suit was special.
Former US astronaut “Buzz” Aldrin
told stories from his moon-walking days
at the opening press conference.
Heck, after walking on the moon,
what’s a walk around Jerusalem?
He announced that the space suits and helmets will be
part of a traveling exhibit for Israeli school children to inspire
future research and scientific development.
How many of us were inspired by
the Russian Refusniks?
What timing,
finding this old clipping showing the number
of weeks the refusniks spent in prison
on the front page of this Vancouver, BC, newspaper.
This week Jewish Agency Head Natan Sharansky
spoke at the Begin Center launch of a new book called
Let My People Go:
which tells the story of the Australian involvement in getting his release.
Sharansky mentioned that in the days before twitter and internet,
news traveled much slower,
but when the Jewish people were united,
they were able to bring down the Iron Curtain.
The demonstration for increased security,
was canceled because of security concerns.
However, with plenty of security,
President of India Prahab Mukherjee
had the red carpet rolled out for his historic visit to Israel.
Too many attacks to list here,
another funeral for victim from #78 bus took place today,
and an annual bat//bat mitzvah celebration for IDF orphans
was moved away from the Kotel, Western Wall
for the first time because of security concerns.
But that special milestone celebration
was held at the Jerusalem Theater.
Child celebrants called dignitaries to the stage to “light”
a special menorah at this bitter-sweet party.
Their fathers were missing.
For many, for many years,
missing from their lives and celebrations.
At the end all gathered on stage to sing Hatikvah
and celebrate life.
That was this week in Israel.
Sorrow and tragedy,
but still celebrating life.