middle east current events – Page 118 – The Real Jerusalem Streets

How is This Passover Different Than All Others?

March 17, 2013rjstreets

It felt like spring last week,

at times it even got hot enough to dry clothes.

Passover is a only week away.

There will be extra sanitation service

and special bins for burning Chometz will be out.

Every last bit of bread will go up in smoke,

so that the windows will have to be closed.

But first,

everything from large plasma TVs and refrigerators are on sale,

and as usual, all kinds of housewares can be found on the streets.

Dates, nuts and other holiday foods are everywhere.

Now is the time to get married before the holidays,

although not everyone seemed so excited at this outdoor chuppah.

The Mea Shearim (100 Gates) neighborhood was always on

our ‘must do shopping list’ when we came as tourists,

so I decided to go to see what was new for Passover this year.

The area which used to have beautiful art work for sale,

now is big on photographs of rabbis,

some very big ones indeed.

As always there were pashkvilim, the red one announced a big fair.

This man’s job is to put up the new announcements,

impressive how quickly he works.

The ultra-orthodox community is not too pleased with the

proposed changes in the laws on army service and it showed.

Which is worse for this generation: Yair Lapid or an iPhone?

Everything from new bikes

to a coat of fabric looking like a piece of matzah,

and new designs of matzah covers were out on the street.

This is the busiest season for retailers.

Thousands of visitors arrive annually during the week before Passover.

Jerusalem streets are packed with rental cars and tourist buses.

But this year President Obama has decided to pay a visit to Israel.

Many streets will be blocked.

Hundreds of cars will not be allowed to park in their usual spots.

US flags are ready and flying along the Presidential route.

This year, the week before Passover should be like no other.

#ObamainIsrael

BDS in Jerusalem

March 12, 2013rjstreets

Sorry I do not know any BDS, Boycott, Divest and Sanction folks,

so I can not ask them how boycotting Soda Stream

and putting hundreds of Palestinian workers out of a job

is good for anyone.

I can only assume that they are simply anti-Israel or ignorant,

as they would hurt those that BDSers are supposedly are out to help.

What I do see in Jerusalem, Israel, is that

Arab girls shop.

That is not new or news

and certainly everyone here knows that

Arab women shop.

But the biggest change in the last two years

that I have seen

is that now

Arab males shop.

Not just for cell phones,

or candy,

or food

in the supermarkets,

or in the shuk, Machane Yehuda Market,

or in a bakery.

They walk the Jerusalem streets while shopping with women

and girls,

and they carry those bags home too.

Especially in Mamilla Mall,

groups of young Arab men

can be found every day

and at night.

I have been asked what this means,

I am really not sure.

However, I do see that BDS in Jerusalem, Israel

is not boycott, divest and sanction,

but more like Boys Do Shop!

Time to add another pin on the BDS Fail Map

this time from the heart of Israel.

Did you Hear about Jerusalem Marathon 2013?

March 5, 2013rjstreets

Streets were shut.

Traffic was blocked.

Public transportation came to a stop.

Schools had to close.

Jerusalem streets were deserted.

Was it a bomb scare, a terror attack, an alien invasion,

or hmm, an US Presidential visit? Not yet.

No, the 3rd International Jerusalem Marathon was set to begin.

To get around the city center on Friday morning

walking and biking were the only options.

Last year rain and hail fell as the runners came near the Old City walls

This year the weather was much better for the marathon runners as

they ran the 42 kilometer route through the Jerusalem, Israel streets.

The cool temperatures did not make everyone happy

and the grey skies and no sunshine were not great for photos.

However, these actors walking on stilts draped in the flags

representing the 50 countries of the runners entered in the race,

and other characters, provided plenty of color as the runners took off.

The marathon winner from Ethiopia ran in a record time,

as Abraham Kabeto approached the finish line

he was well ahead of the Kenyan runner who came in second place.

Here are the top three women runners smiling on the winners’ stand.

However, at this event

there were many more winners than these elite athletes.

Over twenty thousand people ran in the various races,

supported and cheered on by a crowd of a half a million people.

Thousands ran the half marathon, a 21.1 -kilometer course,

through the streets

and up the Jerusalem hills.

The winners of the 10 kilometer race were led by a motorcycle escort,

and thousands of runners followed after them.

Zahal, the Israel Defense Force, had a separate start time for their race.

As these marathon runners approached the special finish line,

the 5th Place winner was already smiling and posing for photos,

in Gan Sacher, Sacher Park, which was filled with people.

This girl was so happy after finishing the 10 K race.

What a shame that UNWRA has cancelled the Gaza marathon.

Some people tried to protest or disrupt these Jerusalem races,

but it seems once again that no matter how many people are

on the Jerusalem streets, if no violence is involved,

it is not a news worthy event.

Some full marathon runners were still seen on the streets

hours after the official winners crossed the finish line.

Everyone who participated deserved and received a medal.

Many runners ran in support of a dozens of good causes.

Everyone was a winner on Friday, March 1.

Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat (center) had reason to smile.

The International Jerusalem Marathon has grown bigger

and better every year.

Many more people are already talking about

and planning to run in next year’s Jerusalem Marathon 2014.

Hope to see you next year in Jerusalem!

More photos HERE and HERE