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Israeli Presidential Conference Tomorrow 2013

June 23, 2013rjstreets

The Israeli Presidential Conference, Facing Tomorrow

was attended by 5000 people this year,

many coming from around the world to Jerusalem, Israel.

This year started with a special 90th birthday celebration

for President Shimon Peres serranaded by Barbra Streisand.

Opening night tickets were harder to get then to the Obama speech.

But the long program was available on-line to watch.

As the motorcades were finally going by after it ended,

and I was already getting into bed,

I was sure I had had a great seat.

Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair followed Shimon Peres,

and then former US President Bill Clinton entered the opening plenary.

Phones and cameras were out to catch

Bill Clinton get the Israeli President’s special medal and award.

Over two days there were too many speakers and dignitaries to list.

I was disappointed that somehow I kept missing

Prince Albert of Monaco, but maybe I just did not recognize him?

A few of the most popular presenters included:

Dr David Augus from California,

Prof. Dan Arielly,

and once again Ayaan Hirsh-Ali.

New to Israeli politics and this program was MK Yair Lapid.

But the serious press attendance and cameras came out

for Hollywood actress Sharon Stone,

Shimon Peres and Sharon Stone.

And also from Hollywood Robert DeNiro.

Rav David Stav got a little attention in the halls.

At least Arutz 7 noticed John Baird, the Foreign Minister from Canada.

But how many paid attention to Manfred Gerstenfeld?

At least my friend was also excited to see Canadian Irwin Cotler.

And as always everyone was excited to be seen with Dr Ruth!

If you do not know all these names, take time to look them up,

I decided not to link to poor Wiki information.

But what about this conference called Tomorrow,

when most of these names are so yesterday?

Tim Armstrong and Yossi Vardi may have come up with a new plan.

But, there were two things that really do stand out for tomorrow.

As at past conferences the Hebrew University exhibit,

was bigger and better, their brain research simply mind boggling.

But I would like to end with my favorite scene of Facing Tomorrow.

These five young men, ages 15 to 19,

are already involved in tech and start-ups.

This time of year the real streets are so busy and full

of end of year graduations, from gan to University,

they are the real tomorrow.

Under-21 Championship Final and Tomorrow

June 18, 2013rjstreets

The marathon of big events over the past two weeks,

Jerusalem Lights, Formula 1 Road Show,

and Hebrew Book Week, have ended.

Though it also began the beginning of June,

the UEFA Under-21 Championship Finals are still going.

The Israel-England game that was played at Teddy Stadium

attracted over 22,000 soccer (football) fans.

Many former Brits living in Israel were conflicted,

so they cheered for both sides.

Though Israel won, they still did not go on to the next round.

In the middle of Ben Yehuda Square,

usually the scene of street musicians,

this Under-21 Championship set-up appeared instead.

Playing this soccer game did not seem like the best exercise,

and gotta love these active sportsmen.

But I was glad I came back later

to see that some young people were actually kicking soccer balls

and some were using their heads.

Look out world,

here comes another generation of Israeli soccer players.

The European soccer championship game,

Italy vs. Spain, is being played tonight at Teddy Stadium in Jerusalem,

Spain could win back to back victories.

Update final score: Italy 2- Spain 4.

At the same time, at the Jerusalem International Convention Center

is the opening of #Tomorrow13, the Israeli Presidential Conference.

5000 delegates have come from around the world to attend.

Tonight is a huge 90th birthday celebration

for Israeli President Shimon Peres, with Dr. Barbara Streisand,

(she got an honorary doctorate from Hebrew University yesterday),

former President Bill Clinton, Prince Albert of Monaco

and other celebrities, like Robert Di Nero.

It is harder to get a ticket than to the Barak Obama’s speech in Jerusalem!

But I wonder which event will have more home viewers?

So much happening on the streets of Jerusalem,

you do not have to be here to see the diversity!

Jerusalem Formula One – Peace Road Show Photos

June 16, 2013rjstreets

Jerusalem came to a stop for two days,

as thousands upon thousands of people came to see,

this Ferrari Formula One race car.

Some people paid a fee and sat in the stands constructed for

the Jerusalem Formula One Peace Road Show.

Special video cameras recorded the event,

which was projected on screens at several locations along the track.

Several Ferrari GT Challenge

sports

cars

and a black Lotus LMPZ zoomed around the track.

Each lap took these cars around two minutes,

but this was a show, not a race.

Many residents were furious that so many streets were closed,

but people came early and from all over to find a good spot.

Large crowds could be found

at every one of the free vantage points,

from high on top of walls of The Old City

to along the street across from the Liberty Bell Park.

Huge crowds lined the track both days.

Remember that guy on top of the bus stop?

The only “action” from the sports cars,

a deliberate smoke producing spin took place in front of us.

He had the front row seat and got the shot

and it was so loud, I still do not have normal hearing in one ear.

The Formula Peace Road show was promoted for the racing cars,

but there were also motorcycles,

and by all accounts the show stopping favorite

was the dare-devil stunt routine of Chris Pfeiffer on a BMW 6800R.

And as always, I thought that the police horses were beautiful.

Was this Jerusalem Formula Peace Road Show

worth all the inconvenience?

Getting stuck on the inside of the track,

it took me over an hour to walk what is normally a ten minute distance.

One girl I saw was literally in tears trying to get to her destination.

Some loved it, some thought it was a total waste of time.

I do know, it was a very diverse crowd and there was no violence.

And Italian race car drivers,

Ragazzi Riccardo (left) who drove a Ferrari GT Challenge 430

and Daniel Mancinelle who drove a Ferrari GT Challenge 458

were very excited and happy to be in Jerusalem for the first time.

And I know a lot more about race cars.

Who would have thought that would happen in Jerusalem, Israel !

More photos on The Real Jerusalem Streets Facebook page, HERE.

And Ferrari video from on the car, and more see HERE.