tourism – Page 54 – The Real Jerusalem Streets

Jerusalem New Arena Opening September 11

September 11, 2014rjstreets

School has started and another week has whizzed by.

The countdown for Rosh Hashannah has begun.

You can feel the seasons starting to change with cooler nights.

Headlines were made when Light rail trains were attacked

in some Arab neighborhoods,

and also of attacks in the French Hill neighborhood.

Sadly, French Hill residents have had trouble with some Arab neighbors for years,

but it was not newsworthy until this recent escalation of violence.

However, this Arab woman was waiting to ride the light rail this week.

There were fewer Arab girls on the streets over the summer,

and there were fewer people on the streets tourists were missingl.

Now, Jaffa Road is looking busier every day.

This week Jordan complained about a “wooden bridge.”

Someone decided to build a second wooden ramp to reach the Temple Mount.

The wooden structure on the left is the only access for non-Muslims.

Though this new one is much smaller, it is coming down.

For a $15 billion gas deal, Jordan gets its wish?

The summer concerts at Kikar Safra

featured music of the Beatles and ABBA.

The last free music concert of season is tonight,

at the Pianos at Jerusalem Theater.

But the big, really big, biggest news in the Middle East,

is opening of the new Jerusalem Arena tonight.

The first press conference was held in the special press conference room,

with Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat and leaders of the massive project.

Built next to Teddy Stadium and near the Malha Mall,

the view from main lobby of Jerusalem is impressive.

The main floor can be changed for events – sports, recreational and cultural.

There is seating for 11,600 people,

and 16 executive boxes.

I wondered if I would get back to a VIP suite,

and assumed it was my last chance to hang in a locker room with the Mayor.

Workers were all over trying to finish up for the opening tonight.

70% of the 400 million shekel cost was covered by the Israeli Lottery,

but many wish some of that money would go to finish up school construction.

We lived near Washington, DC on September 11, 2001.

As the world remembers those lost in NY Trade Towers,

we also remember those killed in the Pentagon that day.

Sept 11 should have been a wake up call

for US & for the world to terrorism.

Meanwhile, in Israel,

though there have been a stream of terror attacks,

we have two things in our favor,

as shown here.

The inaugural ceremony of the new Jerusalem Payis Arena

will be a salute to soldiers of IDF.

18 Signs of our Times

August 6, 2014rjstreets

The last week has been another roller coaster one,

with so much attention centered around Gaza,

which in Hebrew is Azza.

There were even jokes about Azza,

Street that is, which is near where we live.

No jokes, as 64 Israeli soldiers died,

and one went to this Jerusalem, Israel school.

The death notices posted and displayed inside are in his memory.

Many more soldiers were injured.

You could spot the hospital rooms of injured soldiers

by the collection of gifts near the room and

the well-wishers in the hall waiting to enter.

The banner reading

“Soldiers of Israel, we are with you the whole way, return in peace,”

was displayed on many Jerusalem buses this week.

This synagogue had its flag flying at half mast.

Small Israeli flags were flown from cars,

and the Jewish Agency Building brought out their large flags

and this special sign, all in support of Israeli Army.

Flags and signs were hung in Paris Square,

even hand painted ones were allowed to stay.

Children’s summer activities were moved inside,

while signs announced free admissions in August.

In spite of everything, there were signs of development,

as construction continued deep into the ground.

Tisha B’Av with its signs of mourning,

sitting on the ground

while reading Eicha, in Gan Ha’atzmaut, Independence Park.

Hundreds joined the 20th walk around the Walls of the Old City

on Tisha B’Av night, with many waving Israeli flags.

The route was changed this year.

A funeral was being held on Mount of Olives for a young father

who was killed by a terrorist driving an excavator on a Jerusalem street.

Security was high,

but the crowds were not as large as usual

near the Western Wall, the Kotel,

a sorry sign of these times.

And this sign,

it was just announced that Hussam Kawasma,

the Hamas terrorist who planned and commanded the terror cell

that kidnapped Eyal Yifrach, Gilad Sha’ar and Naftali Fraenkel

has been arrested.

“We Are Strong Together,” in bold letters on another sign.

What a time it has been.

Today the strange winter clouds have lifted,

the sky is again a clear summer blue.

From people passing on the street you hear the words

“shooting” and “ceasefire,”

but tension felt in the air seems to be lifting too.

Next time we plan to share photos from the new exhibit

at the Bloomfield Science Museum,

as everyone gets back to ‘normal’

on the real Jerusalem, Israel streets.

Photos of happy, smiling family reunions as soldiers return home

are filling Facebook pages.

Oh well that was quick, red alerts are going in the South,

36 hours into 72 Gaza is firing rockets again!

Now saying false alarms.

What next?

Week 3: Crazy Times of War and Weddings

July 29, 2014rjstreets

Another crazy week trying to keep everything going.

Signs supporting Golani soldiers are appearing

and Israeli flags are flying, with more out every day.

Israel is under threat.

Those tunnels from Gaza into Israel have proven deadly,

and last night five young soldiers were killed in Israel

by terrorists emerging from the ground near a kibbutz.

The tunnels have to be destroyed.

Meanwhile, countless missions, private and public,

are driving south to give food and personal items to

reserve soldiers who are on duty.

Family members have gone to visit my son-in-law more than once.

Even an unexpected call from a soldier can take a few minutes to appreciate,

after the ‘what is wrong’ feeling is over.

Everyone wants to do something, give money, bake, cook,

but there was one unusual “war effort” I had to go check out and share.

Morah Roc is a professional story teller.

She offered to entertain children one afternoon,

with all the donations going to a good cause

to support those affected by the situation.

Signs are up for the annual International Puppet Festival in August

and we continue to plan for our August wedding.

This evening there is a funeral at Mount Herzl Military Cemetery

for a soldier from our synagogue,

and at the same time, the Great Synagogue is holding

the shloshim (30 days of mourning) observance for Eyal, Gilad and Naftali.

At this roller coaster time, we often think of words of Golda Meir.

If only they cared for their children as much as we do.

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Two soldiers on reserve duty get engaged,

and there is another wedding to plan.

It’s good to have good news to share,

even as more rockets are fired at southern civilians.