President Reuven Rivlin – Page 9 – The Real Jerusalem Streets

US Vice-President Biden Returns to Jerusalem

March 10, 2016rjstreets

US Vice-President Joe Biden was in town this week.

When he visited five years ago,

it was a blog-worthy occasion, a very no-frills visit,

as compared to a US Presidential visit to Jerusalem, Israel.

But this visit was not like last time.

The big red no-parking signs were not warnings for the

upcoming Jerusalem Marathon street closings,

but for Vice-President Biden’s visit to

President Reuven Rivlin at Beit Hanasi,

the official residence of the Israeli President.

The red carpet was unfurled,

and for an extra layer of security, this blue tarp was erected.

Flags, flowers and podiums were arranged.

Hamentashen were among the sweets served to munch.

There was a long delay and wait,

because the VP stayed longer than planned

with Prime Minister Netanyahu.

Finally, it was show time.

Key players were in their positions.

The motorcade arrived.

A huge US vehicle with DC license plates

and adorned with US and Israeli flags

pulled up along the carpet with swarms of security,

and the United States Vice-President.

International press lined the way ready to report.

Such coordination,

even their ties matched.

I was late for a meeting and left after the speeches,

right after the official hand shake.

The waiting cars of the motorcade filled the driveway,

while security shades blocked the view.

This was a full scale production,

everyone knew that Joe Biden was here this time.

And don’t you know it,

as soon as I turned around to leave there she was–

another one of those Arab girls!

Crazy layers of security, a street lined with police cars,

bomb squads whose photos I cannot share,

and there was an Arab girl having a driving lesson.

One Day to the Next in Jerusalem

February 24, 2016rjstreets

In this crazy, sometimes upside-down place called Jerusalem, Israel,

one day can be so different to the next.

Yesterday, it was cold and wet and rainy.

The President of Kenya came for an official visit,

stood on a red carpet next to the President of Israel,

outside at Beit Hanasi, the Israeli president’s official residence,

as the morning rain was falling.

The national anthems were played.

It was cold and wet, but

the honor guard stood at attention with raindrops falling off them.

Yesterday I was under my umbrella trying to stay dry,

the sky was foggy and grey.

Then the next morning it was hot and sunny.

A beautiful day to be outside,

it was like summer in Gan Ha’atzmaut, Independence Park.

People were eating outside in Ben Yehuda cafes

and strolling along Jaffa Road,

with the new Mashbir rising above Zion Square.

Renovation is under way on the old Mashbir building on King George Street,

after a serious fire around Sukkot time.

WeWork is coming to this site in Jerusalem, Israel,

so stay tuned for more innovation for the start up nation

sure to come from this venture.

While this art display is not as popular as the umbrellas of last year,

people were out on Yoel Salomon Street today.

As I walked home,

I passed the work at the future Museum of Tolerance,

and the flowers lining the Horse Park.

Not sure what will happen tomorrow,

but next week,

an ice skating rink will open in Cinema City.

One day to the next,

you can never sure what you will find on the streets

of Jerusalem, Israel.

Star Wars, then Back to Normal in Jerusalem

December 23, 2015rjstreets

After Hanukkah is over

there comes a long stretch with no major holidays.

It’s a time to get back to ‘normal.’

For many tens of thousands, mostly Anglos,

the visit and four performances of Jerry Steinfeld

was a big deal for two evenings in Tel Aviv,

so was the opening of Star Wars at Jerusalem’s Cinema City.

Out on the Jerusalem, Israel, streets

new bollards are being installed at city bus stops,

to make waiting for a bus safer from car rammings.

But, as I write this post,

there has been a new stabbing attack outside Jaffa Gate,

at the open walkway where hundreds pass day and night,

which was recently the back drop of a wonderful video.

An annual occasion,

one of the bittersweet kind,

was the Bar and Bat Mitzvah reception,

held at Beit Hanasi, Israeli President’s Residence.

Naor Ben-Ezra who was seriously injured

by a 13 year-old stabber in October spoke

on behalf of 58 young victims of terror

who joined President Reuven Rivlin to celebrate their special day.

The Rivlins were in New York for most of Hanukkah,

but this cat stayed on guard in their absence.

Jerusalem started a cleanup campaign,

initiating environmental improvements that include

much needed shady areas in public parks.

The President of Ukraine was here for three days,

but as usual there is too much happening to keep up with him too.

The annual Hullegeb Festival

celebrated Israeli-Ethiopian arts and music,

was followed by three days of Piano concerts

at the Jerusalem Theater.

That seems to be our normal,

the good and bad,

birth and death.

Time to get going to deliver dinner to families with new babies,

then two nights of pianos ahead!

Disturbing, but fact,

the majority polled think attempted murder is justified.

Must enjoy the good things happening,

because those stabbings, rammings and attempts at terror

are not going away any time soon.

This is the not-so-new normal in Jerusalem.