Jewish holiday celebrations – Page 51 – The Real Jerusalem Streets

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.

Jerusalem Spring Colors

May 4, 2016rjstreets

Passover is over.

It is back to school,

except for high school students who are on a two-day strike.

Back to work, back to “normal”

and trying to get back on a schedule.

It will take awhile to clean up mess left behind

by tens of thousands of people in all the outdoor spaces.

But I started the week indoors at the Israel Museum,

where colors are waiting to greet you.

What a treat,

I had a guided tour with the curator.

I am so pleased that I went back to get more of

Pharaoh in Canaan: The Untold Story.

From a visiting the sphinx

to games from ancient Egypt,

this is a fascinating era in history,

and one I had not thought about before.

With Passover over, do not worry,

there is no time to get bored.

It is now time for the Yoms,

Yom Hashoah, Holocaust Memorial Day,

then next week Yom HaZikaron,

Memorial Day for Fallen Soldiers and Victims of Terrorism,

followed by Yom Haatzmaut, Israel Independence Day.

I love to catch the dress rehearsal flyovers.

This year there were only two small planes,

against the blue sky with wisps of white clouds.

Only two short flights,

with two planes flying in formation.

I assume there will be much more action mid-day on Yom Haatzmaut,

and I plan to be in Gan Sacher, Sacher Park for the show.

The blue and white Israeli and Jerusalem flags

are waving over many Jerusalem streets,

hung annually for the Yoms.

But new this week,

these large umbrellas

are hovering over Music Square in Jerusalem,

with smaller ones in the lanes as you approach

the square from Yoel Salomon Street.

Color from real flowers,

or another 3-D street art piece, or

I love movie posters in Hebrew,

especially this red one is for “Angry Birds.”

Yom Hashoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day,

begins tonight, real torches will be lit at Yad Vashem,

but many buildings have not only blue and white Israeli flags,

but also red and orange memorial flames,

like this one on the King David Hotel.

Slow, sad music has started on the radio.

On the Jerusalem, Israel streets,

it is easier to remember,

“Never Again.”

This Year in Jerusalem for Passover

April 25, 2016rjstreets

Passover in Israel,

the weather is warm and getting warmer.

Hundreds of thousands of Israelis flock to

beaches, parks and nature trails.

While others come to Jerusalem,

to the Old City and the Kotel,

the Western Wall, as always was packed

for the Priestly Blessing, the Birchat Kohanim.

However, there are new attractions this year,

including the 3-D artist drawings on the streets

around Ben Yehuda Street and Mall area.

This one was a bit too realistic for me,

having spent hours in the kitchen preparing special holiday food.

There are barriers around the art pieces,

so watch where you walk.

Another piece down the street was

a drawing of a foot bridge over a pond.

If the streets get too hot with this heat wave coming in,

retreating to the museums is a very popular option.

As every year on the Passover holiday

children are admitted for free to most museums.

Pharaoh is the new exhibit at the Israel Museum.

I hope to get back for a second look soon.

It’s the last chance for Rivers of Babylon exhibit

at the Bible Lands Museum in Jerusalem.

The special watches exhibit is free for all

at the Islamic Museum.

A costly attraction for families is the

GeekPicNic in Gan Sacher, Sacher Park.

No food allowed to come into the park for a picnic,

is hot topic of a Facebook discussion.

I remember having food taken from me

by security at an Israeli hospital because of Passover.

Passover food restrictions are severe NO food allowed,

even if you say it is Kosher for Passover.

Now,

back to the kitchen,

big family get-together is planned for today.

How long do you think these nut cookies will last?

Colorful signs line the Jerusalem streets,

wishing all a Happy Pesach,

Moadi’im l’simcha.