real politics – Page 7 – The Real Jerusalem Streets

Jerusalem International Arts and Crafts Festival

August 6, 2013rjstreets

Once again at the end of summer,

there are lots of festivals on the streets of Jerusalem, Israel.

One of the most impressive is

חוצות היוצר ירושלים

Khutsot Hayotser, the International Arts and Crafts Festival,

which may be hard to transliterate from Hebrew,

but it is hard to miss, right across from the walls of the Old City.

This event has grown for the last 40 years.

At least once a year the Arts & Crafts Lane comes alive.

There is an Israeli Pavilion with 200 Israeli artists and exhibits,

Thousands fill the festival grounds

and some entertainers really stand out.

Mayor Nir Barkat was there on opening night and posed with potential voters.

Making the rounds, he stopped by Hadassah College’s Neverland booth.

Each night of the festival a major Israeli musical performer stars,

and last night Barkat introduced Shlomi Shabat to the Sultan’s Pool audience.

No Israeli event would be complete without food.

It was hard to push your way through the crowded main food court.

Families found places to sit, eat, rest and listen to music.

The International Pavilion had booths from Asia,

South and Central America, Europe, Africa and United States.

Bulgaria had a prime location, but their stuff still was still stuck in customs.

India was well represented.

The nice lady of South Korea had a variety of fans.

Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Guatemala,Turkmenistan and Madagascar,

Angola to Zimbabwe and more: so why not Canada?

Popular African musicians were among the many international entertainers.

This huge event will host tens of thousands of Israelis from August 5-17.

The Israeli news Channel 10 was there live for opening night.

But as usual,

no matter how large or how many people are out on the Jerusalem streets,

if there is no violence,

it’s not worthy of the mainstream media’s attention.

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.

Jerusalem’s Montefiore Windmill Returns

August 31, 2012rjstreets

Today, after more than 150 years, the afternoon wind was again

turning the blades of the Montefiore Windmill in Jerusalem.

The Windmill, initiated by Sir Moses Montefiore to aid

the “Suffering Jews in the Holy Land” was completed in 1857

and operated for around twenty years.

Montefiore’s goal was to help the poor of the Jewish community

grind their grain for bread and support themselves.

It was the first project built outside the Walls of the Old City

in the Mishkenot Sha’ananim-Yemin Moshe Jewish neighborhood.

The Old City Walls in the distance are easy to see from the plaza,

where a few name cards from the reserved seats were the only sign today of

the Montefiore Windmill rededication and ribbon cutting ceremony

that took place in the evening of August 28, 2012.

A restored Montefiore carriage is now on display behind protective glass

after it was vandalized and burned in 1986.

During the reception the door was open and I was able to go inside.

After months of construction and delays

Jerusalem Foundation president Mark Sofer had plenty to smile about.

The Windmill is not exactly the same as the original though,

as it has an electric motor and security systems.

Maybe it was the crepes,

the ice cream,

or the wine and fruit at the reception,

but everyone seemed to be smiling on Tuesday.

When Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks,

there is extra security all around

and extra cameras.

A short video showed the barren area in the 19th century.

What a contrast to the Jerusalem of today.

Christians for Israel from the Netherlands worked hard on this project.

There were Christian representatives from Holland,

as well as the Dutch Chief Rabbi, Rabbi Binyomin Jacobs present.

Jerusalem, Israel Mayor Nir Barkat, like the Prime Minister,

spoke about his childhood experiences playing in the area.

The blades of the windmill started to turn again,

but they are not just there to look at

as an important National Heritage Site,

the plan is to grind grain and sell the bread made from it to the public.

Of course, there were speeches,

it would really be too long to list all the officials present,

however, for a short video click here.

The Prime Minister spoke of the symbol of ruach,

which can be translated as wind or spirit:

there was wind and a beautiful spirit as the Windmill returned.

For more photos see The Real Jerusalem Streets Facebook Page.