Israel – Page 168 – The Real Jerusalem Streets

Jerusalem Education Week Opens with Special Children’s Exhibit

May 18, 2016rjstreets

A wise man from Texas once told me,

“One is not “good” or better.

It’s the sum of it all that matters.”

It is education week in Jerusalem, Israel.

An opening event took place at the Israel Museum,

and was held in the plaza outside the museum’s Children’s Wing.

There were 40 winning art projects

made by hundreds of Jerusalem school children

on the theme My home, Your home.

Art projects in Hebrew and Arabic were next to each other.

Israel Museum director James Snyder spoke in English,

but his remarks were translated into Hebrew and Arabic.

Water, shade and seats were provided for the hundreds of

students, teachers and family members who came to see the exhibition.

A lucky few had a head start on frozen treats.

The projects were spread out all over the plaza area.

They were interesting

and diverse,

and colorful too.

Speeches were blessedly short,

as was the audience attention span.

It was super hot even with the shade and water.

People came not to listen,

but to see the winning projects which were on display.

When the exhibits were officially opened,

the area was packed

with a crowd as diverse as the neighborhoods of Jerusalem.

Good news?

For this Jerusalem municipal education project

supported by the Jerusalem Foundation

and the Israel Museum,

what do you think?

“One is not “good” or better.

It’s the sum of it all that matters.”

From Yom Hashoah to Yom Haatzmaut

May 11, 2016rjstreets

This time of year is always busy,

starting with Yom Hashoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day,

until after Yom Haatzmaut, Israel Independence Day.

Six symbolic torches were lit at Yad Vashem on Yom Hashoah

for the six million Jews murdered in World War II.

Another symbol of mourning is

the large Israeli flag on top of the Knesset

flown at half-mast.

Small Israeli flags can be found on cars

and huge ones unfurled down buildings.

This week even the skies were blue and white,

from the road leading out of the Judean Hills,

and all the way up over the Kinerret.

There were hundreds of ceremonies

for Yom Hazikaron,

remembering the fallen soldiers and victims of terror,

all 23,447 who lost their lives.

One new and special program this year

was held at Givat HaTachmoshet,

Ammunition Hill.

As the sun set and the memorial siren sounded,

a capacity crowd was on hand

to remember lone soldiers who fell,

it was sponsored by

The Lone Soldier Center in memory of Michael Levin.

An honor guard watched as the Israeli flag was lowered

and a memorial flame was lit.

Young people supporting and giving comfort to each other,

wore these Yizkor strips on their hearts,

remembering those who lost their lives.

From nightfall and during the entire day,

thousands visited to the military cemeteries,

from Har Herzl and gravesides throughout Israel.

But as soon as Yom Hazikaron ends,

Yom Haatzmaut, Independence Day begins,

Beit Hanasi, the Israeli President’s Residence,

is getting ready for a big day of celebrations.

The gardens in front and back

are ready for the invited guests.

The waiting room inside has had a makeover.

120 selected IDF soldiers will be honored

on Yom Haatzmaut.

Since some of their faces cannot be shown,

this photo from the back will have to suffice.

President Reuven Rivlin came out at the rehearsal

and seemed to really enjoy

the few moments he spoke with the honorees.

The pilots of special planes also rehearsed this week

for the traditional mid-day air show.

From mourning

we turn to celebration

and preparing for

Yom Haatznaut,

Israel at 68.

Yad Vashem: Behind the Camera on Yom HaShoah

May 6, 2016rjstreets

Yom HaShoah, or Holocaust Remembrance Day,

is international, but more intense in Jerusalem, Israel,

from a simple memorial candle display in a hotel lobby,

to the national commemoration at Yad Vashem.

Since the program is televised at 8:00 pm,

it starts on time,

people start arriving hours early to the plaza.

The honor guard poses for photographs before.

One of the six survivors honored to light a memorial flame,

Joseph Labi and son Maurice were kind enough to pose,

more on his story next week when there is time.

This was one of my favorite photos.

The sky at sunset was a scene stealer this year.

When the Prime Minister enters all stand, block the view,

and either try for a handshake or cellphone photo,

and it is a large crowd of hundreds.

Rabbi Meir Lau, a child survivor, lit the large memorial flame

after the Israeli flag was lowered to half mast.

After President Reuven Rvilin spoke,

PM Benjamin Netanyahu spoke for 15 minutes,

using his hands to emphasize a point.

Six flames, six survivors,

one for each million murdered by the Nazis,

in the Shoah, Holocaust, each with an incredible story.

During the videos retelling their stories,

you could hear a pin drop,

no one coughed, no one moved,

except to wipe away tears.

After the program ended,

I held my camera high to see who was in the crowd.

But in the sea of invited guests,

with Israeli political and military leaders,

a large German government representation,

it was hard to find anyone.

However, US Ambassador Dan Shapiro lingered

to talk with this family.

Many selfies were taken that night,

but this last one of the night is a favorite.

For too many families remembering is not a once a year event,

but a lifetime spent reliving horrors.

However, from the depths and sadness,

the signs are up for

Yom Haatzmaut,

Independence Day giant celebrations

are being planned for next week,

in Jerusalem, Israel.

But first,

Shabbat shalom.

שבת שלום