Israeli flags – Page 4 – The Real Jerusalem Streets

Jerusalem: Blue, White and Pink

May 2, 2018Sharon A

After heavy rains, blue skies were seen again over Jerusalem, Israel, by the end of the week.

Friday morning, in spite of rain in the forecast, the Montefiore Windmill, with King David Hotel in the distance, stood against the blue sky over Mishkanot Sha’ananim.

After Yom Ha’atzmaut, Independence Day 70 years, flags did not come down. Even more blue and white flags have been hung in anticipation of Yom Yerushalayim, Jerusalem Day.

The new flags that were hung near Beit Hanasi, the Israeli President’s Residence, withstood the heavy rains.

This blue and white Israeli flag was hung on a gate in Yemin Moshe neighborhood.

But also on Friday morning there was evidence of the rain storms. You may have seen a video of water rushing through Yoel Salomon Street, carrying tables and shopping carts in the flooded road.

Here in the Valley of the Cross, part of a stone fence fell down. I could not believe it the first time I saw the damage. It looks like heavy trucks hit it.

However, it appears two days of water flooding down the hill from the Rechavia neighborhood pushed over the old stones, and flattened the tall grass.

A flash flood in the south took the lives of 10 young Israelis. Memorial candles remain this week in Zion Square after a late night memorial gathering.

So after so much water, crews were out power washing traffic lights?

These flowers seemed to appreciate the soaking. Nearby in Gan Sacher, Sacher Park, a large tree that fell was removed quickly.

In spite of the weather, professional cyclists were out on Friday morning for the Grand Fondo, GFNY. Streets were closed for the cycling event.

But, their colors were green.

Pink?

Pink orchids in the lobby of the Jerusalem Waldorf Astoria are not unusual.

But the Giro d’Italia is based at the hotel, and the bus of the Israel Cycling Academy was waiting outside.

Not only has the hotel gone pink for the Giro d’Italia, check out those shoe laces – pink.

The Giro d’Itaia is the 3rd largest sporting event in world, after the World Cup and Tour de France.

The first start ever outside of Europe is taking place in — Jerusalem, Israel!

Kikar Safra has large blue and white flags on display, plus pink signs near the giant stage set for Thursday evening’s preview opening.

The Israel Cycling Academy includes professional cyclists from 16 locations around the world. Eight professional riders met with the media.

Their success in a only a few years is impressive. More here and next week on Giro d’Italia.

Also in Jerusalem, new signs are up for education week.

Finally, one of my favorite scenes from this week. A group of parents were out in the evening supervising an early Lag B’Omer medurah in an area set aside for large bonfires.

Lag B’Omer with its huge fires should fill the air with smoke starting Wednesday night at sunset.

However, this year, though there was so much rain last week, it is hot and dry today. A ban on bonfires has been declared.

Rain is again in the forecast. The only thing for sure here, is that there is no sure thing.

New signs announcing events for “Creating Sustainability in Jerusalem” were posted. Cycling and fewer bonfires are a start.

Many residents are not happy with street closings for the cycling events. But I hope people will get out and appreciate the positive world attention focused on Israel as billions watch the Giro d’Italia Start in Jerusalem, going north and then down to Eilat.

There was so much more happening this week in Jerusalem, but enough for now.

Hard to believe that next week will there will be much more happening.

The Secret of Israel’s Success

April 11, 2018Sharon A

Another Passover has passed over.

In one week we went from burnt bread on the streets,

to pieces of crushed matzah.

Tens of thousands celebrated with outings to Jerusalem parks. Hopefully, each year more and more visitors will clean up after themselves.

The best of Passover included the Jerusalem Botanical Gardens. Parking a car was a problem, as it was such a popular site.

Fresh pizza made out of potato flour, instead of wheat, was available in First Station and at many other locations over Passover. Now it is back to regular flour.

Over the holiday week, the furniture, dishes, and equipment were removed. Now even the sign is gone from what was recently Cafe de Paris. This was the site of the Moment Cafe and a tragic suicide bombing in 2002. It also was one of our favorite kosher pizza places as tourists years ago. Now we hear that this corner location across from the Prime Minister’s Residence, where US secret service agents would hang out on breaks from duty guarding presidents, is to become an apartment building.

Have you heard the name Avera Mengistu? Do you know where Avera is?

Next to the Prime Minister’s Residence, where the Shalit family set up their encampment, is a new protest tent.

Avera has been held captive in Gaza for over 3 years, over 1308 days. His family and friends are trying to raise awareness and get Avera, who suffers from mental disorder and was a civilian who somehow wandered over the border, home safely.

In the rain yesterday, there were people still under that shelter and there were protest marches in a number of cities. Today for first time I heard his brother interviewed on the radio.

“WELL DONE, you’re almost at the finish line” was a sign I saw on my way to Gan Sacher on Passover. It was for the full marathon runners as they came near the end of their run. Now that the Passover things are put away and the cleanup is almost over, it feels like I reached the finish line.

However, there is no down time in Jerusalem, Israel,

and the large Israeli flags are up on the Jewish Agency Building.

New flags are flying near Beit Hanasi, the Israeli President’s Residence.

The upcoming Yom Ha’atzmaut, Independence Day, Israel at 70 celebrations are meant to be bigger than ever.

Rehearsals for the opening ceremony at Har Herzl have begun.

Soldiers with flags practice to march for perfection for the live television broadcast.

The huge staging area is under construction.

These are the young men and women proudly serving in the security services to defend the State of Israel.

The secret of Israel’s success?

According to expert strategist Yaakov Amidror, Israelis have a “bad habit” by living life and not stopping with every tension, until the first ammunition is used on other side. The secret is to continue to act as if nothing is happening around us, to live and work and enjoy regular life, to plan and celebrate Yom Haatzmaut.

But when force is needed, as in past wars, to count on the IDF to be prepared and defend us, and to make wars as short as we can.

Israel at 70, going forward and strong.

Significance of Yom Yerushalayim,This Year in Jerusalem

May 30, 2017Sharon A

Yom Yerushalayim, Jerusalem Day,

saw tens of thousands celebrating on King George Street,

as it filled with a sea of blue and white Israeli flags.

Afternoon shadows were not good for photos,

but the shade from hot sun was appreciated.

The Flag Parade, with its singing and dancing,

is mostly known for rowdy young male participants.

Last year I walked the entire route,

and as usual, if RJS is there, nothing bad happened.

This year what was significant was

not the guys, but the girls.

There were so many girls.

The crowd of girls stretched far into town,

farther than the eye or zoom lens could see.

There were two bands for separate dancing,

with their Israeli flags,

these girls were next to the guys’ circles,

but the guys seemed to take no notice of them.

Also significant to note concerning this day,

more than just teenage exuberance,

is the young families, who were walking,

and watching,

hundreds of families, many dressed in blue and white.

While thousands of older people lined the streets to watch.

From around the world they came,

to join in the celebrations

of Jerusalem being liberated and reunited,

on 28th of Iyar, June 1967,

as Israeli paratroopers reentered the Old City by way of the Lions’ Gate.

All the street closings

for flags and dancing and parades,

and the Trump presidential visit caused less

traffic havoc than two accidents and

an overload of cars on Thursday, causing gridlock,

making Jerusalem look like one big parking lot.

Tens of thousands of international visitors are still around.

A group of Christian tourists were dancing at Yaffa Gate,

to the Hebrew song “Moshiach.”

Under a clear blue sky the Old City

was serene and picture perfect.

On Shavuot, 5 Sivan, Tuesday, May 30,

the streets will again be filled, not with cars,

but with throngs of people walking,

to the Kotel, Western Wall for holiday prayers.

During the Six-Day War, all of Israel was united,

fearing destruction.

The defeat of the invading Arab armies has often been

described as miraculous.

Wouldn’t it be nice if everyone could come together again,

in good times, not just bad.

A timely message on this Jerusalem public bus.

Chag Sameach, Happy Holiday.