Jerusalem – Page 94 – The Real Jerusalem Streets

Jerusalem 51, Israel 70 and Netta Number1

May 13, 2018Sharon A

There are a lot of tired people in Jerusalem, Israel this morning.

But how did I miss something so large and so obvious last week?

I walked right by this massive welcome sign and did not notice it.

The huge floral welcome sign with pink flowers near the Montefiore Windmill was to welcome last week’s international cycling event.

I walked right by, looking at the street and obsessed with taking photos of Giro d’Italia.

The riders and crews have moved on to Italy, and now back to ‘normal’?

No way. No down time in Jerusalem, Israel.

Last year for Yom Yerushalayim, Jerusalem Day, 50 years since reunification of Jerusalem, there were large flags, special 50 years and US flags flying.

There were not only huge and many signs posted by the Friends of Zion, there were buses blessing Trump.

This week flags were up again along the entrance to Jerusalem.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs was ready to greet the official US delegation for US Embassy opening in Jerusalem.

But, besides Yom Yerushalayim and US Embassy opening in Jerusalem, there was Eurovision.

For many Americans, it is hard to understand the appeal, the “music” or the entire event.

However, Netta Barzilai who also performed live at Har Herzl for Yom Haatmazut, Independence Day – WON. Israelis stayed up past 2:00 am to watch the results.

Her song “Not Your Toy” was chosen most popular in the voting competition.

The winning country hosts the Eurovision Song Contest the following year. Israel has won 3 times in the past.

So when Netta announced, “Next year in Jerusalem,” even many who hated the song and competition, swelled with pride.

How fitting the signs for this education week in Jerusalem. Dreams. Do it. Go to school and build on those dreams.

This is Jerusalem, so many faces, free tours and events for Yom Yerushalayim abound, way too many to list.

The US Embassy opening is a closed affair. It will be live streamed and covered by hundreds of international press who arrived for the historic moment.

However, everyone is invited to celebrate in the city parks.

Yom Yerushalayim may not be observed throughout the world, and even Israelis tend to overlook the day.

But on Shabbat in Jerusalem, 1000 people attended special morning services at the Great Synagogue, where Mayor Nir Barkat was invited to speak.

At night and in the morning, special prayers of praise were sung at the Kotel, Western Wall, Tayalet, and synagogues.

Thankful. Remembering from 1948-1967, this was as close to the Old City as Jews were allowed during 19 years of Jordanian occupation.

Jerusalem reunited, restored, and growing.

To get you in the mood, wherever you are, from last year’s half-century celebration:

Now off to celebrate Yom Yerushalayim in Yerushalayaim.

Shabbat Shalom from Red, White & Blue Jerusalem

May 11, 2018May 11, 2018Sharon A

Yom Yerushalayim, Jerusalem Day, and Jerusalem goes blue and white.

With global attention focused on Jerusalem, Israel, and opening of United States Embassy,

red, white and blue are the colors this year.

But before celebrations begin on Sunday, time to rest on Shabbat.

שבת שלום

Giro d’Italia 2018 from Jerusalem to Eliat

May 6, 2018May 9, 2018Sharon A

Big. Really big.

As predicted, the Giro d’Italia took over the Jerusalem, Israel streets.

The information book was big and heavy. The press passes required ID photos.

The ‘I love Jerusalem’ sign near the finish line was big, the biggest I have seen.

Streets were closed on Thursday to construct the start and finish lines, and the spectator boxes near Mamilla Mall and the Old City.

Thousands of people came to support and report on the 176 riders of 22 participating international teams. Italian- speaking tour guides were in demand, but English was also the main language.

I met two riders from the Bahrain team who were window shopping in Mamilla Mall.

Bahrain was one of two Arab countries which sponsored cycling teams.

UAE, United Arab Emirates, also had a team of riders in Israel.

Warm-up runs through the Jerusalem, Israel streets, were easier to photograph,

as riders were not flying by as quickly as they were for individual time trials held all afternoon.

Teams could be seen pacing their turns together.

At the finish line, crowds came early to get a good spot.

These big stands at the finish line hosted the VIP spectators on Friday.

On Thursday, there were piles of building materials.

Before the official time trials began, the media gathered for a special ride in memory of Italian cyclist hero Gino Bartali. If you do not know his story, look HERE how he saved Jewish lives during the Holocaust.

Oops, anyone can have a false start.

At a press conference before the Giro d’Italia began, cycling promoter Sylvan Adams told of his vision for Israel and Giro d’Italia. Israel Cycling Academy General Manager Ran Margaliot added his thanks to Adams for initiating and funding this first Giro d’Italia outside of Europe, while Guy Niv, one of the two Israeli cyclists, sat and listened closely.

Helicopters flew over the riders with cameras to broadcast the race around the world. After Jerusalem, the Giro d’Italia went north for Stage 2, and then south from Beer Sheva to Eilat for Stage 3, Along the way Bedouin came out from their tents to watch. After the 229 kilometer ride through the desert Elia Viviani won the Stage 3, as well as the Stage 2 from Haifa-Tel Aviv.

The big, pink Giro d’Italia took over the Jerusalem streets. The cyclist from Bahrain explained the color to me. The Italian sports paper from over 100 years ago when the Giro d’Italia began, was printed on pink paper.

It was almost possible to overlook Lag B’Omer this year. In some neighborhoods the bonfires were fewer and smaller.

However, these boys leading a Lag B’Omer children’s parade from Mamilla Mall drummed loud enough to remind everyone.

After an overnight stay in Eilat the Giro d’Italia has a three hour flight to Catania, for a rest and the next stage.

The race ends in Rome on May 27, 2018.

With the Giro d’Italia completed in Israel, streets in Jerusalem will go back to blue and white.

Preparations for Yom Yerushalayim, Jerusalem Day, are especially significant this year with announcement of US Embassy moving, and other embassies returning to Jerusalem.

However, for more Jerusalem Giro d’Italia photos please look HERE