Rain in Israel – Did you Hear?

Yes, it’s raining in Israel and we pray for rain this time of year.

But hello world,

it is raining rockets in southern Israel!

110 rockets were fired since Sunday from Gaza at 1,000,000 people.

One landed on the beach in Ashkelon, another in a child’s bedroom.

Children could not go to school, as it was “rocket day” again.

It is also raining in Jerusalem, Israel,

Jerusalem streets flooded water

 but the kind of rain that fills the streets with rushing water

Bell Park, J Streets, Jerusalem photography tour

and empties the parks.

Jerusalem photography tour, Bell Park

In spite of the weather, in Gan Hapa’amon, the Liberty Bell Park, 

these two men were fixing a mangal, BBQ, to grill their lunch. 

bike in rain

Bikers covered their backpacks

rain hat, Jerusalem photography tour

 and men covered their hats.

sharing an umbrella, Jerusalem photography tour, J Street

When the wind was not blowing, an umbrella was good protection.

Israeli flag, Jerusalem photography tour

The weather kept flags flying,

traffic in rain, J Streets, Jerusalem photo tours

but made it hard for people to drive.

Jerusalem rain, J Street, Jerusalem photos

Traffic was slow and sidewalks were slippery.

protester, Jerusalem photography tour

However, no matter what the weather, there is always something to protest

flowers , Yemin Moshe, Jerusalem photography tour

and something unusual to photograph.

steps flooded with water, Jerusalem photography tours

These flooded steps were dangerous,

flowers ,Yemin Moshe, Jerusalem tour photography

but the flowers near them were gorgeous.

November 11 was also Veteran’s Day in the US, 

a special time to remember those who served in past wars.

Please, know and remember,

today there are 1,000,000 civilians in southern Israel

who have to sleep in bomb shelters and run for shelter from missiles.

rockets Sderot,

It is time to #StopTheRockets!

Short You tube video 

10 Special Smiles in Sukkot Holiday Crowds

While the mainstream media did an extensive job of covering

 the “riots on the Temple Mount,”  there was far less coverage of how

Jerusalem, Israel, was crowded with visitors for the Sukkot holiday.

It was impossible to count the huge numbers in the Old City,

 as Birchat Kohanim attracted crushing crowds.

Palestinian woman Jerusalem

This Arab woman may not have smiled,

but she did not fear revenge as she tried to pass through the crowd.

 Beit Hanasi, the Israeli President’s residence, held a sukkah open house.

crowd

 Thousands of people waited in long lines to see dancers and singers

perform in the outside gardens,

Shimon Peres

while Israeli President Shimon Peres sat and smiled on stage.

Thousands and thousands of visitors were on the Jerusalem streets, 

smile

but this stunning beauty made me think to share a few of the faces 

smile

and smiles that stood out in the crowd.

Jerusalem parade

For the Jerusalem Parade over 6000 people from all over Israel

and from 60 countries marched through the center of town.

There were only two participants from India,

but many countries had very large delegations.

Spectators, including many young children, were excited 

to see the costumes and receive small flags from around the world.

smile

This young woman offering a snack to marchers

received many smiles and thanks. 

For more parade photos see The Real Jerusalem Streets Facebook page.

As usual there were countless meetings with friends

and family reunions during the holiday vacation week.

smile

How special to be able to smile when organizing a group

that does not show at the right place or the right time.

Many people stopped and smiled in the Kikar Zion, Zion Square, 

kids

as Chabad had young boys offering lulav and etrog to those who passed by.

smiles

There were so many smiling faces of children on family outings.

This mime on a street corner got attention, a smile and money.

There were too many concerts and musical events to mention,

but one of the last ones was Hakafot Hasheniot, the second Hakafot.

For the 31st year, live music and dancing

energized Gan Hapa’amon, the Liberty Bell Park.

hakafos

Hundreds without tickets had to stand in the back,

but some were still able to smile at the end of a long holiday week.

Both of Israel’s Chief Rabbis addressed the gathering,

as did Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat.

Seven times men were called to the stage to dance with the Torah scrolls

and women were dancing and smiling too.

 More photos in The Real Jerusalem Streets Facebook Hakafot album.

There were colorful characters

clowns

even clowns on the streets,

family smiling

but I especially liked the many families with big smiles.

That is it.

 Holiday time is over.

Now it is back to school and back to work.

Jerusalem in June

June in Jerusalem…the days are hot,

"picture boy", "image bike helmet", "photo child helmet"

 everyone seems to be moving a little slower

and taking a break for an ice cream or a cold drink.

"picture school crossing" , "photo school crossing", "image girls"

School crossing guards are being trained for the next school year. 

 Before school lets out for the summer and the kids are home,

"picture conference", "Photo women", "image Kishor"

the Kishor Women’s Business Networking conference 

"picture women", "image ladies conference", "photo Kishor conference"

attracted 350 business women from all over Israel to the Ramada Hotel.

Making the summer plans for children is a big headache this time of year.

"fruit stand photo", "picture fruit", "image fruit'

While the abundance of summer fruit in season is a pleasure.

The Jerusalem Light Festival has been a big success this year,

if you missed it,

"picture Damascus Gate", "photo Damascus Gate", "image Damascus Gate"

 Damascus Gate as a giant pinball machine was a popular attraction.

Gan haPa’amon, the Liberty Bell Park, was full every evening

  for the annual Shavua Ha’sefer  HaIvri, the Hebrew Book Week.

"picture shavuah hasefer", "photo shavuah hasefer", "image Shavuah hasefer"

Families came to look at children’s books

"pictrure shavuah hasefer,", 'photo shavuah Hasefer", Image book week"

and sat on the grass enjoying the entertainment.

"picture shavuah hasefer", "photo buying books", "image book week"

Religious books,

"picture book fair", "image book week", "photo books sellers"

university publications,

"picture shavuah hasefer", "photo book week", Image shavuah hasafer"

and all kinds of books are on sale in the park until June 16.

"image security", "photo book sale", "picture shavuah hasefer"

Security was obvious, perhaps more so than in the past.

Protesters getting ready for more rallies for social justice

are getting headlines,

but there is so much more happening in Jerusalem.

Once again the annual and popular

Season of Culture and the Israel Festival

will offer dozens of cultural events

to thousands of people from all over the world.

And one thing everyone hopes for…

 it will stay cool in the evenings.