Jerusalem photos – Page 141 – The Real Jerusalem Streets

August Summer Festival Time in Jerusalem

August 5, 2013rjstreets

During August in Jerusalem, Israel, the weather gets hot during the day,

and lots of people travel north or leave the country.

But there is so much to do in the capital:

the annual Beer Festival,

the International Puppet Festival and Jerusalem Klezmer just to name a few.

School is out.

Summer camps are over.

Keeping children happy and safe occupies most everyone,

and that includes parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and the office staff.

Free admission and special activities for kids at the Israel Museum in August

brought out thousands of families.

This optical illusion was so much more impressive from the front.

These performers at first looked like a statue,

but this really needs a video to do it justice;

they were impressive no matter how you looked at them.

Keeping track of who you came in with was a problem with the large crowds.

This percussionist was working hard.

His loud music and great rhythms kept everyone’s attention,

and some had a better view than others.

Not all acts were loud, this mime didn’t make a sound,

and had his audience quietly participating, but with lots of oohs and aahs.

Mirrored reflection was also quiet and a great photo op.

Any day at the Israel Museum,

the distinctive dome of the Shrine of the Book is impressive to see.

But at least one night this week the kids will be left at home,

as the museum hosts its popular Wine Festival.

I got to the Maccabiah Opening, but this year missed the street ball in Kikar Safra.

There is still plenty of time for the miniature trains, as they did not open on schedule.

If all this is not cultural enough for you,

how about Shakespeare in the Park?

Richard III will be presented in English in Bloomfield Park, (near the Windmill).

Who has time to go out of town

when there are so many events happening in Jerusalem?

Photos of Maccabiah Opening in Jerusalem

July 24, 2013rjstreets

The Maccabiah 2013 Opening was one huge event,

with 9000 athletes from over 70 countries participating.

30,000 people came to watch the opening ceremony at Teddy Stadium.

Anyone who says Israelis are not patient and do not stay in line

would have been shocked by this queue for shuttle buses from the parking area to Teddy.

No way I was going to wait there, so I went around the corner to get a public bus.

Oops, not off to a good start, as it seems that these folks were waiting in the wrong place

and I found a seat on an empty bus.

Buses, buses and more buses arrived,

too bad there were none when I left and I had to walk home.

Only in Israel:

this boy was selling cut-up watermelon for 15 shekels,

and of course, there were bags of sunflower seeds for sale too.

Everyone found a light stick under their seat.

a rehearsal showed everyone how to use them during the performance.

There was certainly no shortage of Israeli flags.

The parade of nations followed the order of the Hebrew alphabet,

so the two athletes from Uzbekistan were the first to enter.

Many people were cheering both for their country of birth and for Israel.

One fan had his dual loyalty clearly painted on his face.

Australia was the second country to enter the hall, with 442 participants.

When we lived in Australia, we had many friends who were active in Maccabiah,

I tried hard to find someone I recognized in the enthusiastic group.

Here are 20 more photos if you want to look for an Aussie friend.

Azerbaijan had 12 athletes,

and Virgin Islands, just one, who got special attention,

Albania also had one.

Aruba, Armenia, followed by the USA.

1197 athletes came from the US, and this girl had good view for a great photo.

I was starting to get really tired at this point, but Brazil had plenty of color and energy.

Germany with 202 participants, stopped right in front, performed and posed.

Mongolia, Macedonia, Mexico,

Slovenia, Slovakia, and Spain,

who knew there were so many countries?

58 athletes from Turkey,

and one from Scotland wearing a kilt.

111 athletes from Cuba came dressed in red, white and blue.

214 Mexican hats were ready to dance.

11 from Kazakhstan: what do you think of their hats?

By the time the 667 Canadians entered,

the aisle was filled with people trying to get a closer look,

I was sitting down and almost missed Amar’e Stoudemire.

Israel entered last with 3000 athletes; they kept coming and coming,

so it was time to switch to video.

The large Israeli flag was carried in and raised.

Finally the show began,

and we got to use the light sticks.

The massive stage has been taken down,

I can’t wait to see how they can top this for the closing ceremony.

Rosh Chodesh Av at the Western Wall

July 9, 2013rjstreets

In Jerusalem, Israel, on Rosh Chodesh Av,

thousands of people had a very early start to their day.

Arriving near the Kotel, the Western Wall Plaza at 7:00 am, this was the scene.

A group of young men,

and boys,

one woman with a whistle and one with signs

were protesting against the Women of the Wall’s Rosh Chodesh prayer service.

Not all the WOW were praying–

some were talking to the press, as there were plenty of cameras again.

The regular men’s section was not crowded,

Deputy Mayor of Jerusalem Yitzhak Pindrus was there.

It was the women’s section that was full.

Women for the Wall had brought out thousands of religious women and girls.

They continued to pray silently, in stark contrast to the noisy protesters,

though there was not enough space for all of them

and the group extended well into the Western Wall Plaza.

While the Women of the Wall and Women for the Wall were the center of attention,

I liked these scenes.

At least a few of the security people found time to pray.

And in the middle of it all there was a Bar Mitzvah celebration.

Wonder if someone thought that with an early start it would be less crowded?

The Women of the Wall were not happy with their site and the police.

After their service had ended, and after singing Hatikvah,

the Women of Wall group continued singing before going to their buses.

There has been lots of chatter on Facebook about both groups,

with some good, some bad and some ugly comments.

The two sides do not seem to be getting closer

and many people do not want to hear or think about this conflict any more.

But I would really like to know,

what the Deputy Mayor was thinking at this moment?