Jerusalem Photography – Page 126 – 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.”

After Israeli Independence Day Celebrations

May 15, 2016rjstreets

Celebrations for Yom Haatzmaut,

Israel Independence Day,

have come to an end for this year.

There were lots of ceremonies, and the Bible Quiz on TV,

and flags flying above the streets and on buildings,

and little Israeli flags clipped on to cars.

As usual, Gan Sacher,

Sacher Park, was the scene of hundreds of family picnics.

People brought chairs and tables and bags of food,

and even mattresses for comfort.

But this couch was a first.

There were smiles from strangers and tents.

Smoke from grills and the sounds of karaoke filled the air.

During the afternoon planes of all sizes

appeared in formation

in the blue skies

and thrilled the crowds below.

Beautiful children with flags and balloons

enjoyed the celebrations.

A group of lone soldiers enjoyed some serious ribs,

grills were fired up all day to feed the hundreds that came.

Tens of thousands celebrated in Gan Sacher,

including one special group of girls,

Bnot Sherut, girls from overseas who are spending

their “gap year” volunteering in Israel.

The media missed their dance performance, but they did find this family

who were happy to share their opinions

of what a beautiful day it was,

concluding with a rousing,

“AM YISRAEL CHAI.”

No it is not snow, even if it’s called “sheleg,”

it’s the dreadful white shaving cream stuff,

this couple found some tinted pink

and had a great time spraying it all around.

I was happy to see less of that messy stuff this year.

And security?

Policewomen were seen checking out the food.

That was all on Thursday, now on Sunday,

I hope this heat wave is over quickly.

The heat and humidity keep me off the streets

and inside with the air conditioner running.

With the holidays over,

it is time for more festivals,.

Education starts tomorrow with an event at the Israel Museum,

and the Jerusalem Light Festival in the Old City

which begins next week, plus

an International Writers’ Festival and Lag B’Omer—

all will be happening in Jerusalem, Israel.

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.