Jerusalem photo – Page 11 – The Real Jerusalem Streets

Jerusalem: More than Riots

May 21, 2013rjstreets

The Shavuot holiday as celebrated in Jerusalem, Israel,

is so different from anywhere else in the world.

Tens of thousands of people went to the Kotel, the Western Wall,

to pray at sunrise, after a night-long marathon

of classes, lectures and programs that were

truly amazing and mind-boggling.

These posted ads are for only a few such learning events.

There was one thing very different this year – it rained at 8:30 am!

There have been protests against the new budget,

and new taxes have made for some very angry citizens.

New social protest signs can still be found in the city center

after last weekend’s demonstrations.

The Israeli Prime Minister is back from China

and a very quick visit to Russia to meet with Mr. Putin.

And I assume that most people have no idea that

the Foreign Minister of Finland Erkki Tuomioja and

Foreign Minister of Lithuania Lianas Linkevicius are in Jerusalem.

Also, who heard that at the Hebrew University

there is a conference being held called

Canada and Israel in a Changing World, New Trends and Directions?

When the Shavuot holiday is over,

on the real streets, it is wedding season.

Brides posing in parks for photos and decorated rental cars

are normal sights, though it will be hard to come close

to the traffic-stopping Belz wedding with 50,000 guests.

Wonder if any of their international guests will go into town?

If they do, they would see,

there is a sign for traffic changes on King George Street.

One big surprise, I found a moment with no buses or taxis.

For years, this large mural on Jaffa Street showed

the light rail train of the future.

Well the future is now,

and the train is running and people are returning to the city center.

The media always reports Arab and Haredi riots in great detail.

But there was no sign of trouble today or any sign of Apartheid

as this Muslim woman and Haredi Israeli man crossed Jaffa street,

and these women were sitting off Ben Yehuda Street in the afternoon sun.

Summer is finally here,

and it is time to head outside and to the parks.

It is also the time for the month-long Israel Festival Jerusalem,

with so many cultural programs, some in new exciting venues,

enough to keep everyone busy.

And my favorite festival, Light in Jerusalem is coming soon.

Remember last year?

There is so much to see and do in Jerusalem,

but what did you hear about?

Yom HaZikaron: National Day to Remember

April 15, 2013rjstreets

Many small towns around Israel hold a community tekes, ceremony,

making it is easy to decide where to go on Yom Hazikaron,

the Remembrance Day for Israeli Fallen Soldiers and Victims of Terror.

One of the most impressive ceremonies I attended was in Arad,

in 2001, during the intifada.

Unlike the US Memorial Day weekend,

this day is not one of great shopping and happy start to the summer.

Israeli flags, large and small, start to appear soon after Passover.

In Jerusalem, Israel, there are dozens,

perhaps hundreds of memorial events held on Yom HaZikaron.

Last year I went to the main military tekes at the Kotel, Western Wall

where the huge flame was lit and watched over by a military honor guard.

Every year thousands attend and watch on TV.

Here was President Peres’s motorcade on Jaffa Street

on his way to speak at this year’s tekes.

Prime Minister Netanyahu spoke at a service at Yad LeBanim,

so the site was covered over for security for days in advance.

The Jewish Agency Building stage was ready for a morning program.

Large memorial flames could be found in and on buildings,

as were signs publizing some community events.

This Israeli flag, memorial candle and talit were the simple,

but meaningful display in the lobby of Heichel Shlomo.

So many choices;

but I wanted to see what was happening in Gan Sacher.

Nothing.

Other than an occasional jogger, the park was deserted.

While down the road, as usual,

hundreds attended the well planned program prepared by the Scouts.

Speakers slowly read the names of local fallen and the dates they fell.

25,578 people have been killed here since 1860.

92 lives were lost last year.

Everyone knows someone to mourn.

Yizkor, remember,

so many wars, so many more terror attacks,

but as soon as the sun sets,

it will be time to celebrate Yom Haatzmaut,

Israel at 65.

Am Yisrael Chai

How is This Passover Different Than All Others?

March 17, 2013rjstreets

It felt like spring last week,

at times it even got hot enough to dry clothes.

Passover is a only week away.

There will be extra sanitation service

and special bins for burning Chometz will be out.

Every last bit of bread will go up in smoke,

so that the windows will have to be closed.

But first,

everything from large plasma TVs and refrigerators are on sale,

and as usual, all kinds of housewares can be found on the streets.

Dates, nuts and other holiday foods are everywhere.

Now is the time to get married before the holidays,

although not everyone seemed so excited at this outdoor chuppah.

The Mea Shearim (100 Gates) neighborhood was always on

our ‘must do shopping list’ when we came as tourists,

so I decided to go to see what was new for Passover this year.

The area which used to have beautiful art work for sale,

now is big on photographs of rabbis,

some very big ones indeed.

As always there were pashkvilim, the red one announced a big fair.

This man’s job is to put up the new announcements,

impressive how quickly he works.

The ultra-orthodox community is not too pleased with the

proposed changes in the laws on army service and it showed.

Which is worse for this generation: Yair Lapid or an iPhone?

Everything from new bikes

to a coat of fabric looking like a piece of matzah,

and new designs of matzah covers were out on the street.

This is the busiest season for retailers.

Thousands of visitors arrive annually during the week before Passover.

Jerusalem streets are packed with rental cars and tourist buses.

But this year President Obama has decided to pay a visit to Israel.

Many streets will be blocked.

Hundreds of cars will not be allowed to park in their usual spots.

US flags are ready and flying along the Presidential route.

This year, the week before Passover should be like no other.

#ObamainIsrael