Jerusalem, Israel – what is really happening
While President Shimon Peres visits Jordan,
there was an ad in Israeli Hebrew newspapers.
I added a few words of translation on the top,
and ask an important question of the Home Front Command
on the bottom.
They really have confidence in the health and fitness
of the Israeli population.
Looks like the safest place to be is in the desert in the Negev,
a whole 3 minutes to find shelter..
Right.
The Shavuot holiday as celebrated in Jerusalem, Israel,
is so different from anywhere else in the world.
Tens of thousands of people went to the Kotel, the Western Wall,
to pray at sunrise, after a night-long marathon
of classes, lectures and programs that were
truly amazing and mind-boggling.
These posted ads are for only a few such learning events.
There was one thing very different this year – it rained at 8:30 am!
There have been protests against the new budget,
and new taxes have made for some very angry citizens.
New social protest signs can still be found in the city center
after last weekend’s demonstrations.
The Israeli Prime Minister is back from China
and a very quick visit to Russia to meet with Mr. Putin.
And I assume that most people have no idea that
the Foreign Minister of Finland Erkki Tuomioja and
Foreign Minister of Lithuania Lianas Linkevicius are in Jerusalem.
Also, who heard that at the Hebrew University
there is a conference being held called
Canada and Israel in a Changing World, New Trends and Directions?
When the Shavuot holiday is over,
on the real streets, it is wedding season.
Brides posing in parks for photos and decorated rental cars
are normal sights, though it will be hard to come close
to the traffic-stopping Belz wedding with 50,000 guests.
Wonder if any of their international guests will go into town?
If they do, they would see,
there is a sign for traffic changes on King George Street.
One big surprise, I found a moment with no buses or taxis.
For years, this large mural on Jaffa Street showed
the light rail train of the future.
Well the future is now,
and the train is running and people are returning to the city center.
The media always reports Arab and Haredi riots in great detail.
But there was no sign of trouble today or any sign of Apartheid
as this Muslim woman and Haredi Israeli man crossed Jaffa street,
and these women were sitting off Ben Yehuda Street in the afternoon sun.
Summer is finally here,
and it is time to head outside and to the parks.
It is also the time for the month-long Israel Festival Jerusalem,
with so many cultural programs, some in new exciting venues,
enough to keep everyone busy.
And my favorite festival, Light in Jerusalem is coming soon.
There is so much to see and do in Jerusalem,
but what did you hear about?
Threats from Syria and Iran prevail in the headlines.
The Iron Dome has been moved to the north.
Civilian air space in northern Israel has been closed.
In the days before aviation,
it was the railway that connected to Jerusalem to the north.
With the advance of air travel and opening of the modern Malha Station,
the historic Jerusalem Railway Station was closed
and for years, at best,
it was a showcase for colorful graffiti on boarded windows.
But this week in Jerusalem, Israel, the old railway station has reopened,
along with Milton’s Way, a walking and biking path
that finally emerged from behind the construction fences.
There is still more work to be done,
but the 8 kilometer trail is coming to completion.
First station is already a new site for wedding photos,
even as it is getting ready to roll.
The new Old Jerusalem Railway Station was lit up last week,
for a grand opening party.
After years
of neglect,
and construction
that seemed endless at times,
at last
the end of the railway and trail renovation is in sight.
Some interiors still have to be renovated,
but the main plaza is looking good
and the bike racks are ready.
It will be some time until walkers have any shade from the sun,
but even at mid-day the trails are already in use.
The Jerusalem Railway Station is to be open on Shabbat
with mostly non-kosher restaurants.
After this major face lift,
First Station is set to be the new major tourist attraction in Jerusalem.