Sukkot holiday – Page 9 – The Real Jerusalem Streets

10 Special Smiles in Sukkot Holiday Crowds

October 11, 2012rjstreets

While the mainstream media did an extensive job of covering

the “riots on the Temple Mount,” there was far less coverage of how

Jerusalem, Israel, was crowded with visitors for the Sukkot holiday.

It was impossible to count the huge numbers in the Old City,

as Birchat Kohanim attracted crushing crowds.

This Arab woman may not have smiled,

but she did not fear revenge as she tried to pass through the crowd.

Beit Hanasi, the Israeli President’s residence, held a sukkah open house.

Thousands of people waited in long lines to see dancers and singers

perform in the outside gardens,

while Israeli President Shimon Peres sat and smiled on stage.

Thousands and thousands of visitors were on the Jerusalem streets,

but this stunning beauty made me think to share a few of the faces

and smiles that stood out in the crowd.

For the Jerusalem Parade over 6000 people from all over Israel

and from 60 countries marched through the center of town.

There were only two participants from India,

but many countries had very large delegations.

Spectators, including many young children, were excited

to see the costumes and receive small flags from around the world.

This young woman offering a snack to marchers

received many smiles and thanks.

For more parade photos see The Real Jerusalem Streets Facebook page.

As usual there were countless meetings with friends

and family reunions during the holiday vacation week.

How special to be able to smile when organizing a group

that does not show at the right place or the right time.

Many people stopped and smiled in the Kikar Zion, Zion Square,

as Chabad had young boys offering lulav and etrog to those who passed by.

There were so many smiling faces of children on family outings.

This mime on a street corner got attention, a smile and money.

There were too many concerts and musical events to mention,

but one of the last ones was Hakafot Hasheniot, the second Hakafot.

For the 31st year, live music and dancing

energized Gan Hapa’amon, the Liberty Bell Park.

Hundreds without tickets had to stand in the back,

but some were still able to smile at the end of a long holiday week.

Both of Israel’s Chief Rabbis addressed the gathering,

as did Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat.

Seven times men were called to the stage to dance with the Torah scrolls

and women were dancing and smiling too.

More photos in The Real Jerusalem Streets Facebook Hakafot album.

There were colorful characters

even clowns on the streets,

but I especially liked the many families with big smiles.

That is it.

Holiday time is over.

Now it is back to school and back to work.

Favorite Sukkot of Sukkot

October 9, 2012rjstreets

The Sukkot holiday is over and as the tourists are heading home,

I would like share a few favorite Sukkot from this year.

In some neighborhoods there were so many visitors

that warning signs were posted asking for quiet.

In the Nachlaot neighborhood,

I found this tiny sukkah down a narrow lane

and another one almost hidden up on a roof top.

At the Kotel, the Western Wall Plaza, where there was a large sukkah

as well as smaller ones for the huge crowds of visitors.

The public was invited one morning to visit the sukkah at Beit Hanasi,

the official residence of Israeli President Shimon Peres.

Arriving inside the building after a long wait outside,

many stopped to peak in

to the President’s Official State receiving room,

before passing through to the sukkah.

As usual the President’s sukkah was not designed for eating,

but rather for showcasing the fruit and agricultural wonders of Israel.

Many hotels had large sukkot, where thousands of visitors ate.

The large sukkah at Kikar Safra, Safra Square,

looked the same as in recent years, but

inside it was decorated with unique decorations using recycled plastic.

Sukkot ranged from the most simple,

to a ‘political’ sukkah on poles,

to this colorful beer bottle decorated bar sukkah.

Perhaps the biggest difference from last year was Jaffa Road.

Jaffa Road was lined with sukkot and crowded.

The Jerusalem light rail trains were running and filled with people,

last year they were going, but filled with sand bags on trial runs.

The city center was busy day and night.

Our sukkah was a busy place too, I just wish it hadn’t rained

so hard during the main course at dinner the first night.

It was indeed a very happy Sukkot holiday in Jerusalem, Israel.

If you missed it perhaps, next year in Jerusalem?

Birchat Kohanim Attracts Kotel Crowds

October 4, 2012rjstreets

The annual Birchat Kohanim, the Priestly Blessing

at the Kotel, the Western Wall, on Chol HaMoed Sukkot,

is known to attract large crowds.

Entering the Old City by way of the Jaffa Gate the crowds looked normal,

with the plaza all ready for a large Sukkot holiday fair.

The Muslim Shuk was set for the Jewish crowd, with talitot for sale

and there was even an Israeli flag on display.

I started out late, and was surprised to find that

the route to the security entrance was not the one I usually take.

The crowd grew and waited very impatiently;

there was nearly a riot as security personnel would let no one in.

It was very hot, uncomfortable and impossible to move,

then the crushing crowd surged forward and pushed everyone along.

Inside the plaza area I saw the regular crowded holiday scenes,

with people as far as you could see, both to the right

and to the left.

The Kotel, the Western Wall is usually packed with people on Sukkot,

and certainly for the Birchat Kohanim.

This year,

there were people watching

from rooftops,

stairwells and small passages.

There seemed to be fewer kohanim

with arms raised and covered by white talitot, but

there were hundreds of raised arms taking photos on their cellphones.

After the blessing, the trick was to find a way to leave,

again pushing through the crowds.

At least this man found some solitude

in the sukkah on the roof of Aish HaTorah.

.

Regular folks grabbed whatever spot they could,

while others slowly proceeded out to the Jewish Quarter.

I thought that I was finished with the crowds, but then I went to Beit Hanasi

for the Israeli President’s annual open sukkah.

Wow, was I wrong–but those photos

will have to wait for later, as there are more crowds

again on the streets for the Jerusalem Parade.

Whatever estimates you see quoted for this year’s Birchat Kohanim,

they will have to be low if they do not include the thousands

who were outside the plaza area and unable to get in.

Moadim L’Simcha !