middle-east – Page 5 – The Real Jerusalem Streets

In Jerusalem 10 Signs of Purim Season

February 12, 2013rjstreets

You can never tell what you will find on the streets of Jerusalem, Israel,

and that is especially true at this time of year.

The month of Adar has arrived,

and though the Purim holiday is still two weeks away,

here is a sign of the season, a great mask I passed on the street.

Across the street from the Prime Minister’s residence

blue balloons were hanging and blowing in the wind.

At first I thought they were some sort of reminder of a terrorist attack

that had killed 10 people at this spot in Adar of 2003.

But, the number 18 was not about years or the number of victims of terror,

when I looked more closely, they said:

18 ministers in the new government is enough!

End of season sale signs are up in Mamilla Mall, where

the humor themed art is perfect for this time of year.

The giant sign for February sport events and the Jerusalem Marathon

at Jaffa Gate cannot be missed.

Even with signs, the construction of new sidewalks

can be hard to figure out, and it took awhile to get around this mess.

For months on this corner, there was a protest against racism,

in the same spot where Gilad Shalit’s family spent so many years.

Today it was cleaned up and clear of all tents and banners.

You can now see the sign that says that it is prohibited to hang signs.

However, there are new signs being hung

across from Beit Hanasi, the Israeli President’s Residence,

“Honored President, Save Pollard.”

There are many more signs of the Purim season,

but two of my favorites

are the street signs named for Mordechai the Jew,

and of course,

those full plates of hamentaschen being served where ever you go.

Signs of Israeli Election Fever

January 3, 2013rjstreets

Everyone has noticed by now that the world did not come to an end,

but the year 2012 has ended.

Living in Jerusalem, Israel, at this time of year is such a different experience.

Colorful lights and decorated trees are hard to find

and just do not compare to displays in other places we have lived.

After Hanukkah,

it was back to work while the rest of the world was on holiday.

This year we not only have work, but also an election season to keep us busy.

Surveys, polls and recorded phone messages are a constant headache.

There is no getting away from it on the streets,

where text messages are sent to cell phones

and campaign signs are posted illegally

and legally.

It seems that Tzippi Livni has an ad on the back of every bus.

Faces are posted on buildings

and signs line this foot bridge near government buildings.

Naftali Bennett’s popularity and “you have a home” campaign

may have been a surprise to some, but not to me.

I saw hundreds of people standing in long lines

waiting to vote for him in the party primaries a few weeks ago.

Look on the right at that pile of rolled up signs,

soon all of Israel will be filled with signs

The good thing for those sick of this election season,

is it has only 3 weeks left to go.

Yes, 2013 is starting with negative election campaign attacks,

but also there are new signs to welcome Taglit-Birthright participants.

For the 13th year, thousands of young people are visiting Israel,

it is great seeing so many visitors on the streets.

I hope everyone has a chance to see some of the beauty for themselves.

Winter flowers are a great antidote for the stress of election fever.

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.