Jerusalem photos – Page 38 – 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.

Israel 70 Years: Past and Future

April 25, 2018Sharon A

Yom Ha’atzmaut, Israel Independence Day, is usually one big celebration from nightfall to nightfall. Since most people are not working, families and friends plan to get together.

It is like one giant Sunday to make up for a year of no Sunday vacation days.

The flyovers are over.

The coals from tens of thousands of grills have gone cold.

Those big plastic hammers are put away and kids are back in school.

But this year with Israel 70 events, the celebrating keeps going.

The Menachem Begin Heritage Center in Jerusalem, Israel, hosted an evening in honor of Israel 70.

After food (of course, this is Israel), and the Prime Minister speaking, there was a panel with three ambassadors. There were remarks by US Ambassador David Friedman, on the good ol’ days in Israel, way before cell phones, which got me thinking about doing another Israel 70 post.

I walked home from the Begin Center past Ester lit up and looking like a giant space pod in the Hansen House garden.

By day Ester, built in honor of Israel 70, looks like a giant popsicle stick structure.

Hansen gardens, where in the past the most ill of Jerusalem would sit in the sun, are attracting new visitors to spend time to sit and read.

In this infirmary, the leper patients were treated.

On display is what could be the first Uber. To think this was an upscale washing machine not so many years ago, and some of us complain about small size or long cycles of Israel modern machines.

But those are two show rooms to remind us of what was. Now there are tech events held in the building. There is a cafe where old typewriters are on display, while people sit and work on their laptops.

There is a store with health foods and organic vegetables, and cheese in a refrigerated glass display case.

When Hansen Hospital opened it was a show-piece of modernity. It bragged of a foot bridge from the second floor rooms to the large outhouses.

Some people do not listen to music this time of year, but I had to do a very quick video. Today in Hansen House, push a button and there is a music option in the new modern loo.

Ambassador Sallai Meridor warned at the Begin Center, on the panel after Amb. Friedman, a “world major tsunami is coming. Kids who start school today will go into jobs we have never heard of and the demand for ingenuity is just beginning.”

Hansen House is but one example of change in Israel over the last 70 years.

Go to Modi’in. See what has been built in the middle of nowhere. This location selected because it was between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, was barren except for dirt and rocks 35 years ago.

Where will Israel be like in 70 years?

Who would have ever imagined what has been developed and accomplished in the past 70 years?

Best of Independence Day Israel at 70

April 23, 2018Sharon A

Celebrations for Israel at 70 started early and keep going. In Jerusalem, blue and white flags will be flying until after Yom Yerushalayim on May 13.

Before the best of Yom Haatzmaut, Independence Day, one has to experience Yom HaZikaron, the day to remember fallen soldiers and victims of terror.

As Yom HaZikaron came to a close, a soldier sat quietly on the new memorial in Har Herzl military cemetery. During the day thousands of people visited graves on Har Herzl and official ceremonies were held.

Inside, the memorial wreaths and flags were on display from ceremonies earlier in the day.

The official opening state event for Yom Haatzmaut is held each year near the top of Har Herzl, near Herzl’s grave, and also begins with Yizkor, remembering.

This year one of the twelve honorees to light the torches in the ceremony was a leader of Israel’s Druze community. His fellow Druze leaders came early and had seats in a prime location.

As darkness fell, the word Yizkor was screened on this large fabric pillar. As the prayer was recited images were projected onto it.

But then the mourning turned to celebrating. The pillar went up and the music and singing began.

The stage was huge. The entire show was televised, and multiple cameras highlighted the elaborate setups for production numbers involving hundreds of performers, choirs, with children dancing and singing along with adult actors. Here a tower is almost in position. A man waving an Israeli flag will stand there for part of the act.

The press platform had not only the pillar in front of it blocking the view, but then a house was put up as well. However, the fireworks, even thought partially obscured from view, were still impressive.

Netta Barzilai is the new Israeli singing sensation who is to perform the song “Toy” soon in the Eurovision song competition. She appeared in the midst of what looked like a field. One advantage of being close to the stage was being able to see the stage hands dressed in black on each side of her as she sings, getting ready to move off stage.

The workers cleared the props from previous acts which depicted the past 70 years of Israeli history. When Netta finished her number, security whisked her away through the audience.

The hard-to-get-invitation-only audience received flags and special light bracelets when they entered the stadium, through many levels of security.

As usual there was fire in one act. However, as impressive as it was at stage level, it was meant for TV viewers.

Overhead cameras captured the image of the flames. The menorah, the seven-branched candelabra, was shown on huge screens near some of the choirs above the stage.

The ambitious entertainment was followed by the lighting of 12 torches by honored Israelis, one for each tribe of Israel. The event is led by the Speaker of Knesset, Yuli Edelstein, who delivered the opening speech and lit the first torch.

The event went later than usual, and it would take too long to include more details. Here is view of stage to give you an idea of its size. See if you can find the Prime Minister speaking at his podium.

One of the honorees was singer Shlomo Artzi, and each honoree had their turn to be featured in short video.

The show ended with traditional military colors and presentation.

New this year, 300 drones provided a light display, and was video worthy, as you can see.

If you need even more photos from Yom Haatzmaut, check HERE

But that was just at night. Walking home from Har Herzl, the smell of smoke from the grills was already strong in Jerusalem’s parks.

There was still an entire day with special prayers in some synagogues, more mangals, BBQs, parties, celebrations, music and of course flags of all sizes.

These old armored cars along Route #1 which broke through the siege in 1948 were decorated with Israeli flags for Israel at 70.

Route #1 is nothing like the old two-lane “highway” on which vehicles slowly chugged their winding way up to Jerusalem. Yes, it took years to finish. But today there is a real six-lane highway, with a nature overpass designed for animal safety and conservation.

Ancient Roman aqueducts in the distance? No. The overpass waiting and ready for the Tel Aviv-Jerusalem fast train to run. So much has been accomplished in 70 years, in spite of what seems as never-ending conflict.

The annual International Bible Competition held at the Jerusalem Theater is a must for Yom Haatzmaut morning TV viewing for many Israelis.

The holiday ends with the Israel Prize Awards in the evening, another TV viewing opportunity.

Since this post is called the best of this Yom Haatzmaut, I cannot end without mentioning some special moments. Twelve Israelis are honored each year for accomplishments in various fields, from physics to music and more.

One of the twelve honorees responds in the name of all twelve honorees after they receive their awards from the Education Minister in presence of the Israeli President, Prime Minister, and other dignitaries.

This year Miriam Peretz was chosen to speak, and she received more than one standing ovation. This mother who had two sons fall in Israeli wars, has become a national icon and an inspiration.

Not only her words, but also her hugs brought tears to most eyes. Ending her talk with the message “we are one nation and we have to work together in good times as well as bad,” she hugged Education Minister Naftali Bennett. Then she proceeded to hug all the awardees, who included Natan Sharansky and writer David Grossman. Grossman may have different political views, but like Peretz, he also lost a son in combat.

More photos from Israel Prize see HERE

Hugs. Tears. Mourning. Party. And of course fireworks.

#Israel70, not just a one day celebration, this year it is still going.