current-events – Page 102 – The Real Jerusalem Streets

Google Maps Jerusalem

April 20, 2012rjstreets

Google cars were in Jerusalem in November 2011,

they were easy to recognize going up and down the streets.

Now Google Street Views of Israel are going on-line

and everyone can find their favorite Jerusalem street.

You will still see signs for Yom Hashoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day.

However,

this time of year you will see Israeli flags lining the streets,

hanging in store windows,

and flying along many major roads.

The signs are out, Yom Ha’atzmaut, Israeli Independence Day, is next week.

What a perfect time for Google to show the Jerusalem streets

turning blue & white for Israel’s 64th birthday celebrations!

I wrote about a special Yom Hashoah event for The Times of Israel,

please check it out and comment.

Old Tractor Parade

May 31, 2011rjstreets

On Monday, May 30, 2011,

main streets in Jerusalem were closed to all vehicles,

except the old tractors on parade

and some special bikers.

Groups of young people gathered

in Gan Ha’atzmaut, Independence Park.

Thousands of people

dressed in blue and white, came together,

many from kibbutzim and moshavim

throughout the country to take part in this annual

pre-Yom Yerushalayim, Jerusalem Day, event.

As last year, Noam Shalit was one of the speakers

and got most of the media attention,

on Gilad Shalit’s 1800 day of captivity.

Flags and marchers accompanied tractors as they went from Agron Street

to King George Street,

where a few spectators watched from above

and below as the old pieces of farm equipment led off the parade.

Thousands of people filled King George Street

with music

and blue and white Israeli flags.

Marchers and tractors outnumbered spectators as the route turned

and filled Bezalel Street

on the way to Gan Sacher, Sacher Park,

where a huge stage was ready for a night-time concert.

Thousands came early to get a good spot on the grass.

Tens of thousands of people,

hours of family fun,

ending with a fire works display,

and

NO violence… so it was not news

Happy. Jerusalem Day!

More photos on The Real Jerusalem Streets Facebook page.

Jerusalem Spring

April 21, 2011rjstreets

Syria is lifting emergency law after 48 years and

the ‘Arab Spring’ is grabbing headlines coming from the Middle East.

News of the murder of an anti-Israel Italian ISM member in Gaza,

came as Jews were busy shopping before the Passover holiday.

Many Arab shoppers were also in the stores buying the potato noodles and matzah.

Daniel Viflic, the 16-year-old riding on a school bus who was injured by an anti-tank missile from Gaza,

died from those injuries and was buried just before the holiday began.

A tragic beginning…

for the Jerusalem spring.

There were photos of President Peres visiting the Shalit family and reports of new negotiators, but

Gilad Shalit missed the Passover seder for the fifth year,

the protest tent was dark and empty on Tuesday night.

Nevertheless, Jerusalem spring

is a time of families get-togethers,

and fanning

the flames

of the mangal in Gan Sacher, Sacher Park–

that has evolved into a Passover holiday tradition.

While millions of people take to the roads to travel North,

many others descend on Gan Sacher to picnic,

to play ball,

to relax,

to take a walk,

and enjoy nature.

It is a place

where even used coals can be shared and the news can be forgotten…at least for a bit.

Happy Passover… it’s time to eat.