current-events – Page 94 – The Real Jerusalem Streets

August Summer Festival Time in Jerusalem

August 5, 2013rjstreets

During August in Jerusalem, Israel, the weather gets hot during the day,

and lots of people travel north or leave the country.

But there is so much to do in the capital:

the annual Beer Festival,

the International Puppet Festival and Jerusalem Klezmer just to name a few.

School is out.

Summer camps are over.

Keeping children happy and safe occupies most everyone,

and that includes parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and the office staff.

Free admission and special activities for kids at the Israel Museum in August

brought out thousands of families.

This optical illusion was so much more impressive from the front.

These performers at first looked like a statue,

but this really needs a video to do it justice;

they were impressive no matter how you looked at them.

Keeping track of who you came in with was a problem with the large crowds.

This percussionist was working hard.

His loud music and great rhythms kept everyone’s attention,

and some had a better view than others.

Not all acts were loud, this mime didn’t make a sound,

and had his audience quietly participating, but with lots of oohs and aahs.

Mirrored reflection was also quiet and a great photo op.

Any day at the Israel Museum,

the distinctive dome of the Shrine of the Book is impressive to see.

But at least one night this week the kids will be left at home,

as the museum hosts its popular Wine Festival.

I got to the Maccabiah Opening, but this year missed the street ball in Kikar Safra.

There is still plenty of time for the miniature trains, as they did not open on schedule.

If all this is not cultural enough for you,

how about Shakespeare in the Park?

Richard III will be presented in English in Bloomfield Park, (near the Windmill).

Who has time to go out of town

when there are so many events happening in Jerusalem?

Rosh Chodesh Av at the Western Wall

July 9, 2013rjstreets

In Jerusalem, Israel, on Rosh Chodesh Av,

thousands of people had a very early start to their day.

Arriving near the Kotel, the Western Wall Plaza at 7:00 am, this was the scene.

A group of young men,

and boys,

one woman with a whistle and one with signs

were protesting against the Women of the Wall’s Rosh Chodesh prayer service.

Not all the WOW were praying–

some were talking to the press, as there were plenty of cameras again.

The regular men’s section was not crowded,

Deputy Mayor of Jerusalem Yitzhak Pindrus was there.

It was the women’s section that was full.

Women for the Wall had brought out thousands of religious women and girls.

They continued to pray silently, in stark contrast to the noisy protesters,

though there was not enough space for all of them

and the group extended well into the Western Wall Plaza.

While the Women of the Wall and Women for the Wall were the center of attention,

I liked these scenes.

At least a few of the security people found time to pray.

And in the middle of it all there was a Bar Mitzvah celebration.

Wonder if someone thought that with an early start it would be less crowded?

The Women of the Wall were not happy with their site and the police.

After their service had ended, and after singing Hatikvah,

the Women of Wall group continued singing before going to their buses.

There has been lots of chatter on Facebook about both groups,

with some good, some bad and some ugly comments.

The two sides do not seem to be getting closer

and many people do not want to hear or think about this conflict any more.

But I would really like to know,

what the Deputy Mayor was thinking at this moment?

On Streets and in Houses: Summer Culture in Jerusalem

July 2, 2013rjstreets

US Secretary of State John Kerry traveled back and forth many times

from Jerusalem to Ramallah, but not to worry, that distance is very short.

Italian Prime Minister Enrico Letta was around this week also.

We did not hear that either man had time for leisure or culture while in Jerusalem.

But I wonder if they noticed, as their motorcades sped through the streets,

that the viewing stands of the Jerusalem Formula Peace Road Show were coming down?

Still hoping that my hearing will return,

what a noisy event that was!

School is out for the long summer holiday.

So what is happening next on the streets of Jerusalem, Israel?

The 30th Jerusalem Film Festival is to open this week.

Also, the International Writers’ Festival is in nearby Mishkenot Sha’ananim;

next year it is to be in May so take note and mark your calendars now.

The annual Season of Culture in Jerusalem (July 1 – August 23)

is trying something new, “In the House,”

where some events are held in private homes.

At First Station,

sitting in the shade, were a Savta

and her young friend.

So interesting,

that not only children stopped to respond to their street performance.

A young boy in a wheelchair danced in his seat as this street musician played,

just another of many performances in this new tourist spot.

Of course, the Jerusalem Theater is a constant venue of cultural performances.

But also the lobbies of the theater are used to showcase local artists.

Last year we knew one young artist whose work was on display,

and this week, I knew two of the artists.

The first a portrait painter, Laurel Sternberg

and Shoshana Meerkin, a favorite watercolor artist, had their work showcased.

And if these examples of culture are not serious enough,

on July 17, 2013,

Verdi’s Falstaff

with Zubin Mehta conducting the orchestra,

will be performed at the Jerusalem International Convention Center.

And these are just a few examples of what is really happening in Jerusalem.