middle east current events – Page 112 – The Real Jerusalem Streets

got the most views in one day for a RJS post.

But, 15 Real Photos of Arab Girls is still going strong

and will soon go over 100,000 views.

Too bad all my numbers are not that impressive.

So what is there to see in Jerusalem, Israel, now that the holidays

and municipal elections are over,

and the campaign signs are slowly coming down?

1. Street art can be found in parking lots

and lines so many streets,

but contemporary art in Jerusalem has a new home.

2. The Jerusalem Biennale, which runs from September 15-October 31,

had its opening in the galleries of the renovated Templar houses on Emek Refaim Street.

3. For the week of October 17-24,

there was Manofim, multiple exhibitions of contemporary art in Jerusalem.

Art critic and art history expert, Gideon Efrat,

gave a talk at Mishkenot Sha’ananim as part of the annual Manofim events.

One woman was sketching during the program,

which was great to see at an art lecture.

Manofim took place in many neighborhoods around Jerusalem,

but I was surprised to find this sign left at the Jerusalem Bird Sanctuary.

Art, art and more art is not what you think of first in Jerusalem,

but I have written before about the galleries in the Jerusalem Theater.

4. Israeli artist Yitzhak Greenfield’s students opened a show at the theater.

People of all ages came to see their work.

Displays are constantly changing and open to public at no charge.

But there is more than art.

5. The Cinema City signs are up,

now everyone can see where the new theaters are located.

6. See and hear, another Oud Festival starts soon.

7. See and learn on Azza Street from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm,

Einstein on Azza is coming on November 1.

Professors from the Hebrew University will give free lectures, along with live performances.

There is so much more, but the last for today.

8. The Jerusalem Knights Festival will be held

on four consecutive Thursday nights starting October 31.

I saw the very first Knight night and wrote

who could imagine that the Crusades could be so much fun?

You may hear in the news about protests,

but how about these other events that are happening now?

There is a big problem though,

with so much to see and do,

how does one see a fraction of the things that are going on?

Now If I could just get people interested in seeing some of this good stuff

and not just looking for Arab girls….

Jerusalem Municipal Election – Update

October 16, 2013rjstreets

In Jerusalem, Israel, nothing is simple.

Jerusalem municipal elections are set for next week.

Campaign signs are plastered everywhere.

Moshe Lion is running for mayor

against current Mayor Nir Barkat.

Not sure what it signifies, but these Barkat 2013 banners

were hanging next to large Israeli flags in more than one place.

The mayoral race is fairly simple with two main contenders.

But there is also a campaign for City Council,

and that is where things get confusing.

If you look up there are signs.

It seems that everywhere there are signs.

However, this one put up near the Prime Minister’s Residence

did not stay up for long.

Nir Barkat workers in campaign tee shirts have been out for weeks.

But now on the streets one can find

campaign workers holding large banners at Paris Square,

Simple so far?

Now, this is where things get confusing.

National political parties are also involved.

At one pre-election event at the OU Center

Bayit Yehudi Head Naftali Bennett

and MK Ayelet Shaked showed up in person.

They came late, stayed for a few minutes and took no questions,

but showed support for their slate of Jerusalem candidates.

There have been constant parlor meetings and information nights.

I will not answer my home phone in the evening until after October 22,

there have been so many evening campaign calls.

Calls from machines are easy to hang up on,

but last night there was a personal campaign call on my cell phone.

I suppose these are the blessings of the democratic process.

Deputy Mayor Naomi Tsur, left, started Ometz Lev, a mainly female party.

Will she help small business owners in Jerusalem,

some of whom are still complaining of losses because of Formula One street closings?

Rachel Azzaria, another female who once served with the mayor,

is also running again.

Someone drew a mustache on this larger than life photo poster,

and no, it was not in a religious neighborhood.

There are lots of photos of other small parties who have candidates,

but if you are not confused now,

then you surely would be and bored too, if I posted them all.

Trucks are out on Jerusalem, Israel, streets to encourage voting.

I think it is a safe bet to say, most residents of Jerusalem,

many intelligent, educated people,

have no idea who ALL the candidates are or care.

They just want their rubbish picked up on time and the streets clean,

and affordable housing would be nice too.

And Arab voters?

Summed up best as usual by Khaled Abu Toameh,

their leadership as usual loses no opportunity to lose an opportunity.

Updated October 21:

On Shabbat I saw a full list of campaigns and those running posted,

the one and only such list I have seen anywhere.

I went back today to take a photo of the tiny print and found this.

If this party will be good for Jerusalem, I do not know,.

But even though this was a short election season by US standards,

everyone is sick of the campaigns here.

Police are ready.

But the public seems to know less everyday,

and also pollsters, as people will say anything to get them off the phone.

At least I answered a private number on my cell phone this am,

almost missed an important call.

AFTER the Jerusalem, Israel municipal elections tomorrow,

then I hope to have something to say.

Just wish I knew who really were the best to vote for.

New Stop in Jerusalem at First Station

October 13, 2013rjstreets

Israel’s universities finally started today “after the chagim.”

I am wondering how long I will be trying to catch up on things,

now that the holiday season is officially over?

The bins in front of Beit Hanassi, the Israeli President’s house were full

after Sukkot, after the sukkah was taken down until next year.

I wrote an entire blog post on Sukkot favorites,

and I left out one of the most important items.

The new-old Jerusalem train station, First Station,

has already become an important tourist stop.

The Jerusalem March began as usual at Gan Sacher, Sacher Park,

but this year for the first time it ended at First Station.

It has become popular with most everyone.

Tour groups are starting or ending at First Station.

It took awhile, but most eating places are up and going.

Not only is Fresh kosher, but special kosher,

under the new Chief Rabbi David Lau.

(After many years, there still in no chief rabbi for Jerusalem, Israel)

Supply and demand,

and in Jerusalem, mehadrin kosher,

is what many tourists want and seek out,

in addition to shade from the mid-day sun.

Large trees have been planted, there are new shaded areas.

Bikers and pedestrians make use of the special track,

but one still has to watch out for cars!

Seems everyone and

everything is trying to get to First Station.

A new sculpting exhibit is on the way.