Israel Museum – Page 11 – The Real Jerusalem Streets

Meron Reuben with glass of water from air Israel Startup Watergen

Herzl’s Vision at 120

September 3, 2017Sharon A

As the First Zionist Congress ended on September 3, 1897,

Theodore Herzl wrote in his diary,

“At Basel I founded the Jewish State.

If I said this out loud today,

I would be greeted by universal laughter.

In five years, perhaps,

and certainly in 50 years,

everyone will perceive it.”

Exactly 50 years later, on September 3, 1947,

the United Nations Special Committee on Palestine,

UNSCOP, submitted its report which became the Partition Plan.

Herzl’s vision was on its way to reality

with the UN vote on November 29, 1947,

and on May 14, 1948, the State of Israel was proclaimed.

In 70 years, in spite of wars, terrorist attacks, missiles and boycotts,

things Herzl could never have dreamed have happened.

On the tiny, arid, barren hill that Herzl saw

today sits the Knesset building.

Across the road,

is the Israel Museum,

with its Shrine of the Book

housing the ancient Dead Sea Scrolls,

and a host of sculptures on the grounds outside.

For the visit of UN Sec-Gen Antonio Guterres

a special presentation was held at the museum

near the Archaeological Wing,

featuring five Israeli Start-Ups.

1. HomeBioGas turns organic waste into

clean and usable cooking gas and liquid fertilizer.

2. Sight not only can test blood for malaria,

but its technology enables doctors

to do a full blood workup in the office.

3. Those little plastic pieces in the aquarium,

from Aqwise make waste water clean efficiently.

4. ‘Standing around the water cooler’

not at the office, but at this meeting with

the Secretary-General and the Israeli Prime Minister,

took on a whole new dimension,

with Watergen, which makes water from nothing,

converting humidity in the air to drinking water.

L’chaim, to life.

Remote locations in India and Africa, Gaza,

and drought-stricken regions around the world

could benefit from these Israeli technologies.

5. Innovation Africa has brought solar

and agricultural technologies to remote African villages.

“Our sages said, ‘From Zion will emerge Torah,’”

Netanyahu noted, adding,

“Well, from Zion emerges Torah, software, progress;

I hope with your help. So welcome, Mr. Secretary General.”

Problems in Israel, for sure.

But so much good is happening.

Herzl could never have imagined how far

and what has developed from his vision over 120 years.

Shabbat Shalom

August 18, 2017Sharon A

Shabbat Shalom from Jerusalem.

שבת שלום

Little girl looks at flags outside international book fair in Jerusalem Israel

Jerusalem, Israel’s Children

June 14, 2017Sharon A

June is full of graduations and end-of-year celebrations,

from nursery school children to honorary doctorates.

Plus, all the different festivals in Jerusalem,

and it is impossible to keep up with everything.

The Jerusalem Theater auditoriums were filled with

the 56th annual Israel Festival, an annual June event.

“Songs of Tirza,” a unique performance by Nathan Slor,

with music and readings of his mother Tirza Atar z”l,

was a memorable night for one full-house audience.

While outside all along Chopin Street

and down to the Hansen House,

music and lights from the

Jerusalem Design Week

were seen and heard by all.

Except these musicians, who could be heard only

by festival goers wearing special headsets.

The two major Jerusalem book fairs

were scheduled to overlap this year.

But the large signs for the Book Fairs posted at First Station

have already been replaced by the ones for the Light Festival.

Inside Takhana Rishona, First Station,

children’s books were displayed at the entrance,

and performances for children are scheduled daily.

The flags of the participants in the international fair

were flying outside Station Hall,

which was filled with displays,

with publishers’ booths and rows of books,

and authors coming in to autograph purchases.

So much to do, so much happening,

and so much attention to children.

But.

Also, in the center tent of First Station

last night was a very different type of event.

Hundreds of people showed up on short notice,

informed only by a few afternoon Facebook posts.

Parents of children with cancer held signs,

urging Israeli Health Minister Litzman,

to save their children.

A white, large air-conditioned tent was erected

in the Gan Sacher, Sacher Park, basketball court.

In the past, the park has been a scene of protest tents.

But this one is a make-shift hospital for children,

complete with medical clowns.

However, there is nothing funny about the situation.

As I understand the complicated issue,

Hadassah Hospital closed their children’s cancer division

to merge it with the adult division,

and the pediatric oncologists resigned en-masse.

Some parents have given up hope for suitable treatment

for their seriously ill children in Jerusalem

and are travelling to Tel HaShomer for medical services.

Other parents want Shaare Zedek Hospital to open

a children’s oncology unit.

Doctors, parents, and politicians are involved.

Hopefully this painful situation will be resolved soon,

and I can go back to posting about

Live Music in the art gardens of the Israel Museum,

Ramadan lights lining the streets,

and the record-breaking increase in tourism

that is filling once-empty hotel rooms and lobbies.

Meanwhile refuah shelama,

thoughts and prayers for a speedy and full recovery to all the children

and for a solution to the dilemma.