Old City – Page 25 – The Real Jerusalem Streets

Outrageous

May 18, 2011rjstreets

Princess Chulabhorn of Thailand who is visiting Jerusalem

is recovering from an injury and presently unable to climb stairs.

The grounds of Beit HaNasi, the President’s official residence

are accessible for those with disabilities,

however it is reported that on an official visit she had a difficult time

because of the stairs inside.

Many places in Jerusalem can be difficult if you cannot do steps.

The Kotel, the Western Wall can be accessed by wheelchair

but until a proposed elevator is built,

getting there from the Jewish Quarter requires going down many steps.

Some sidewalks are narrow,

very narrow.

The new Mamilla Mall

and the central square in the Rova, the Jewish Quarter, are passable,

but too many sidewalks

are blocked,

or non-existent,

forcing wheelchairs and similar vehicles into busy streets.

None of this is news in Jerusalem,

for too many restaurants, synagogues and public buildings

are not accessible to the disabled.

In Gan Sacher, Sacher Park, on Yom Ha’atzmaut, Israel’s Independence Day

when thousands and thousands of people gathered

…there were NO additional bathrooms provided.

Those women patient enough to wait in line had to navigate steps.

Some women required assistance,

requiring men in the toilet area to help them in and out of a waiting wheelchair.

Outrageous…

there is no excuse for this situation in the center of Jerusalem!

It may be hard to avoid going in the street in some locations,

but one should not have to be royalty to have their basic needs accommodated.

Outrageous!

Update: April 17, 2012,

New bus stops make walking easier,

now we need better public toilets in Gan Sacher for Yom Ha’atzmaut.

Birchat Kohanim

April 21, 2011rjstreets

17 Nissan 5771

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Jerusalem

Birkat Kohanim, the Priestly Blessing at the Kotel, the Western Wall.

Major streets were closed to traffic.

Security was out in force

as thousands of people walked to the Old City,

trying to get close enough to hear

and see the Birkat Kohanim.

From every entrance

and stairway the crowds gathered.

Dignitaries did not need an umbrella this year, as the weather was pleasantly cool.

Thousands of people stood completely still,

except for a couple of security men watching the crowd,

as everyone looked toward the Kohanim.

The chief rabbi began to recite a psalm and people began to move.

As the Kes walked toward the Kotel

other people began to leave the area.

In the mass of people

it was possible to find a friend.

Awesome event… but it’s Passover,

so time to eat… again.

More Israeli Apartheid?

March 24, 2011rjstreets

Boycott Israel Day approaches, Israel Apartheid Week goes on and on

and we hear that 6 people are killed in a mosque in Syria.

In Jerusalem,

in spite of calls for “Days of Rage”,

Muslim prayer services have gone on

Friday

after Friday.

Around Mamilla Mall

and the Old City walls,

freedom of movement is hampered only by wet and cold weather.

Purim security checks were required of everyone

when entering

areas crowded with costumed celebrants.

As hundreds of mourners tried to squeeze on the only Egged bus

to the funeral for the murdered Fogel family,

an Arab woman was waiting at the same bus stop,

the scene of the Jerusalem bombing where a woman was killed.

It is not far from Gan Sacher, Sacher Park,

where preparations for the Jerusalem Marathon were well under way.

Two hours before the bus stop bomb exploded,

bus loads of Arab school children arrived at Gan Sacher

for an outing in the park.

Human rights are abused, freedom of religion is denied,

ethnic cleansing and atrocities are in the media,

but hard to find on the real streets of Jerusalem.