middle east current events – Page 123 – The Real Jerusalem Streets

25 New Reasons There’s Hope for Future in Israel

December 25, 2012rjstreets

Human Rights Watch finally called Hamas’ firing on Israel a “war crime,”

however, a month after Operation Pillar of Defense,

new rockets were launched toward Israel from Gaza that fell short.

As the year 2012 comes to an end, how about some good news?

Last week I got out of Jerusalem, Israel, and went south,

near the Gaza border, where the sign was only in Hebrew and Arabic.

Kinneret was kind enough to show me around Kibbutz Alumim,

whose fields are 4 kilometers from Gaza, which can be seen in the distance.

Carrots from the fields are sorted in this factory,

whose bomb shelter is at its entrance.

Another shelter is placed on the children’s playground

and all the housing has safe rooms added on.

Alumim also has cows and avocado trees,

and impressive sunsets.

Like a pearl that started from a grain of sand in the ocean,

in this seemingly unlikely place, and because of “the situation”

a new program began called Southern Task Force-Yonatan

or Mechinat Yonatan, for Yoni Netanyahu.

Started last year by a few idealistic girls who found others on Facebook,

this co-ed, religious group of 25 young people

are taking a year after high school to work on the kibbutz,

study Torah, and volunteer in schools in nearby cities.

They get up early and work hard, but still find time to relax,

and all of them plan to join the army next year.

With young leaders like these, I say we have 25 new reasons to hope

for a better future in Israel.

The young people I spoke with talked of wanting

to work the land, learn Torah, and make a difference.

As 2012 comes to an end, can you think of a better hope for the future?

To see more photos, click HERE.

Hanukkah Light from Jerusalem

December 9, 2012rjstreets

Last night was the first night of Hanukkah.

I went to Mamilla Mall to watch the candlelighting of the large hanukiah

led by Sephardic Chief Rabbi Shlomo Amar.

Some of his followers came,

but hundreds were in the crowd that gathered and watched from below.

There were even a few who watched from above.

Inside the mall were many hanukiot,

and one very proud family posing with one of the artists.

That was going to be the theme of this blog:

the signs of family, creativity, happiness and LOVE.

Then I got home and listened to the news of Hamas celebrations in Gaza

and Mashaal’s vow to continue fighting against Israel,

and not to give an inch. So much for peace partners.

Hanukkah is a celebration of good over evil and light over darkness.

So let me add a few other photos taken at Mamilla Mall all that

you will not see in the media stream media.

People of all religions were present at the candle lighting.

Arab girls were shopping in the mall as usual,

Arab young men were walking freely as usual, and there were even

Arab boys out riding their bikes near the large hanukiah near the Jaffa Gate.

Even with hundreds of Hanukkah celebrants on the streets, as usual,

there was no sign of Apartheid or BDS – Boycott, Divestment or Sanctions.

Hanukkah time in Jerusalem, Israel and there is just too much to do,

but here is a great source for some of the top Jerusalem events.

Meanwhile, while Hamas prepares its babies to be killers,

please contrast to how children are “used” in Jerusalem.

May the light from Jerusalem, Israel continue to be a light unto the nations.

3 Things to Remember after Operation Pillar of Defense

November 27, 2012rjstreets

Most Americans are back to work,

having finished their leftover Thanksgiving turkeys.

Australians down under are getting ready for summer holidays.

The Israeli tanks facing Gaza

and the IDF battle-ready reserves at the border have returned home.

But before pre-election politics takes over all the headlines,

there are three important things to remember

now that Operation Pillar of Defense has ended.

3. Schools were closed for over a week in much of Israel.

Not only young children stayed home with anxious parents,

but medical schools and universities in the line of fire were closed.

This yeshiva study hall is located on the second floor of the building.

It is usually full of students day and night,

but it was emptied during Pillar of Defense.

Many students were called up for army service,

and for the rest, it was too dangerous.

It was more than 15 seconds away from the nearest shelter.

2. Bomb shelters had become a way of life in Southern Israel.

This Kiryat Malachi shelter was furnished with activities for children,

but the playground nearby was empty,

as parents with young children stayed close to the shelter entrance.

Remember, there are only 15 seconds to get everyone to safety.

With a break in the rocket fire, there was time for simple things

like food shopping.

Some people were forced to sleep in community shelters for safety.

“Lucky” families had their own reinforced room at home.

These girls have grown up with the threat of rockets.

As we all gathered in their safe room during a red alert siren,

they were happy to make faces and smile for the camera.

Many Hamas rockets do land in open spaces in Southern Israel.

But perhaps the ONE most important thing to remember

is that those Hamas rockets from Gaza can and do kill.

It only took only 20 seconds to murder

three people sitting in this living room.

After 12,000 rockets from Gaza,

it was time to #StopTheRockets.