Each week the goal of The Real Jerusalem Streets is to share real things you may not hear about in the mainstream media. There are many such events and usually hundreds of photos to select from.
This week even more so than usual, it was hard to get started – oh what a week it was.
As I sat down at the computer after grabbing a quick photo out the window of impressive clouds at sunset, my phone on the desk blasted a Homefront Alert to seek shelter. This was the first-ever mass warning of incoming ballistic missiles from Iran.
I may be the only person who does not have a dramatic story or a selfie to share from Tuesday night.
Much of Israel was affected, and it was a miracle that the only people killed were a Gazan in Jericho, 5 Iranians on a backfire mishap in Iran, and possibly one person in Jordan.
It was sad to see the Kotel, Western Wall empty on a night it should have been filled for prayers before Rosh Hashana. A small service was held inside Wilson’s Arch instead.
However, after Shabbat which followed the two-day Rosh Hashana holiday, the crowds were back.
A simple photo from before the holiday, with the 72-hour candle, will have to do.
It was both a long holiday and a short week.
But, how can we complain about too much holiday, when those held hostage in Gaza for a year have had so little food and no freedom?
Cleaning my desk last night I found this 1982 cartoon.
Except for Castro, it is the same as today. “I move to condemn Israel!”
Today this warning from the Homefront command for northern communities flashed on the computer screen. There have been hundreds of missiles in the past week, and over 10,000 in the past year. Over 63,000 people have been forced from their homes – Shlomi is the last on this list.
Look at those “houses” on the Israeli border in Lebanon – some of the thousands of above-ground shelters for missiles.
The sounds of shofars for Rosh Hashana filled the Jerusalem streets, and planes flew overhead day and night. However, our friends and families in the north were under the constant stream of rocket fire interrupting their holiday and trying to take their lives.
“Falling in open spaces” means more miracles, when under persistent attack.
Tomorrow is October 7, 2024, with a list of commemorative events for the murdered and hostages.
Before I could publish, a terrorist stabbing in the Beer Sheva bus station with casualties.
These messages are no longer seen on buses, but the message has become more significant – Hatima Tova, “May you be sealed for good!”
Another week of rollercoaster emotions and war on the Jerusalem streets.
Sunday morning September 1, 2024, was the first day of school after long summer break.
You may have seen photos of protesters that the media loves to share.
But did you also see the tens of thousands of people each night after midnight for Selihot? The Sephardi tradition is to start late-night prayers from Rosh Chodesh Elul.
You can see how many people came to the Kotel, the Western Wall.
At night, the Prime Minister took to English social media to show a map of Israel in the Middle East.
As the night before in a Hebrew version, he highlighted the Gaza Strip and Philadelphi Corridor.
While Sunday morning was the first day of school, the usual excitement and photos were overshadowed by the dreadful news of the murder of six Israeli hostages in Gaza by Hamas terrorists.
Then on Monday afternoon, tens of thousands lined the Jerusalem streets with Israeli flags.
Flags large and small, on both sides of the road, along the route,
arriving from afar to line the way,
as the funeral procession for Hersh Goldberg-Polin went to Har Hamenuhot Cemetery.
Red shirts of his favorite sports team, many with his profile were seen along the way and at the cemetery.
Oh, what a contrast to the red flowers and bridal photoshoot minutes away.
Three brides dressed in white with families and photographers were in the Jerusalem Botanical Gardens.
Going for some quiet beauty in nature, and seeing wedding parties was a bonus on a dark day.
At night, the signs seliha asked for forgiveness for the hostages that were not brought back alive.
Interesting timing, I noticed also a poster for Avraham “Avera” Mengistu an Ethiopian-born Israeli crossed into Gaza on September 7, 2014. Ten years a hostage in Gaza!
With the start of Elul and the Sephardi Selihot, the Kesher Yehudi organization held an opening event.
Sivan Rahav Meir was on hand to support families of hostages still in Gaza.
Musicians Akiva and Yonatan Razel performed for the event before proceeding to the Kotel for selihot.
Rabbanit Yaffa Deri was also there to inspire and encourage the participants.
On Wednesday I took some time off the Jerusalem streets with the constant construction and noise and went south. The old Shmita signs are still up on some fields.
However, this pile of dried hay was interestingly piled up.
It was a quiet day when we were in Sderot with its decorated shelters, but in the north, there were 100 missiles/rockets at the same time. Without shelters, tens of thousands of Israelis are still forced from their homes and schools since October 8.
After decades under attack from Gaza, Sderot has new construction to keep up with the demand.
People arrive in Israel to volunteer and immigrate during a war, and people want to live in Sderot.
I finally got a better photo of the watermelon in front of the library.
Ironic, that the watermelon was there long before its use in a social media campaign against Israel began.
There are bomb shelters by the bus stops along the road to Sderot.
But also, kilometers lined with the Sabra Cactus plants.
On leaving Sderot is the AMDOCS building with a large blue and white banner.
Under the blue and white flag in Hebrew is – “Strong together.”
The week past saw Israelis united in mourning, now to maintain that unity to victory.
Every year the days leading up to Tisha B’Av are an emotional time.
This year more so on the Jerusalem streets after October 7, the past week was one of highs and lows.
Har Herzl Military Cemetery was where I began the week on Sunday evening with a memorial service.
It is 18 years since Michael Levin z”l fell during the Second Lebanon War. But he has not been forgotten.
At the annual service, were prayers and words of remembrance from friends and new young soldiers serving in Gaza. During the war in 2006, on Tu B’Av, we made aliyah. Lebanon is once again a threat with constant rockets raining on the north of Israel. Israel has been at war for the past 10 months.
However, walking home from Har Herzl I passed the construction site of the new light rail station.
Amazingly, Israel has been under constant threat, yet over the years, construction continues, buildings have gone up higher and higher, and so have the purchase prices.
Tisha B’Av began on Monday night with nightfall and the recitation of Aicha (translated as Lamentations).
Of thousands of mournful readings, one new location was held in Jerusalem, Israel, near Balfour Street. With the hostage families, on both sides of the street, people sat on the ground on the stones and plastic chairs, hundreds came to support the families and pray for their safe return, as they recounted past tragedy and destruction in Jerusalem of old.
The walk around the Walls on Tisha B’Av night was held, led by a new organization with new faces.
As the walk was leaving Gan Haatzmaut, Independence Park, I seemed to be the only one who noticed a Muslim family walking by, as security blocked the street to vehicles.
We went past New Gate and arrived at Damascus Gate where the scene was unusually quiet.
Strange no Arab media and no trouble. Could there be a connection? I have done the walk for over 12 years – and nothing exciting or newsworthy has happened.
Zedekiah’s Cave or King Solomon’s Quarries has a new light show that opened. But it was already fully booked through August last week. With travel limited this year, many Israelis have plans to come to Jerusalem for the end of August holiday time.
At Herod’s Gate, you can see the security watching as Israeli flags of those walking pass by.
While in most of Jerusalem, food places were closed on Tisha B’Av night, this kiosk across from Damascus Gate was open. A big difference is how much cleaner this area is than when I first saw it years ago.
Then the view as you walk around and see the lights and Mount of Olives far ahead on the left side.
Finally! I could not see Shar Rachamim, Golden Gate, or Gate of Mercy on the eastern side in the past years, The overgrown trees had blocked the view from the street below.
This gate was sealed by Muslims in 810 and reopened in 1102 by the Crusaders. It was walled up by Saladin after regaining Jerusalem in 1187, then sealed in 1541.
In Jewish tradition, Moshiah will enter Jerusalem through this gate, by way of the Mount of Olives. The Ottomans also built a cemetery in front of the gate. Much more to that story…but I kept going after leaving the group at Lion’s Gate.
The views of the valley below the Mount of Olives are another favorite and another reason I do this walk.
The lights added over the years have improved the image of thousands of years of history.
Then arriving at the Kotel, the Western Wall, the crowd, was almost as large as usual. Thousands came at night to sit on the stones, pray, and some to sing slow sad songs. Women, men and children.
As I left around midnight, these people were waiting for security checks to enter the plaza.
The crowd was almost as large as in past years. Even larger was the crowd as Tisha B’Av ended, threats from Iran, and people arrived by the tens of thousands in Jerusalem for Tisha B’Av.
This year new to the sad stories of past years, “For these things Do I Weep” in the ancient Roman Cardo.
The Golden Menorah of the Temple in the Rova, Jewish Quarter in front of the Hurva Synagogue was lit.
All the stores in Mamilla Mall were closed, but hundreds of people came and went most of the night.
Israeli flags and fasting, the lows of TishaB’Av were seen on the Jerusalem streets.
However, as the day ended, life again moved on…
the end of August, and school-age children need activities.
The usual fairs, exhibitions, and concerts are happening, like the Puppet Festival at the Train Theater.
Parents try to work and find ways to keep their children busy and safe.
Infinity, which I mentioned last week, opened near the Pais Arena in a large tent in the parking lot.
It is hard to describe the various rooms with light, music, and interactions in a few photos or words.
From the main hall, there are seven areas for people to enter with hands-on wall interactions.
In this 12-minute show, the surroundings change with the season and various-sized balls are to sit or jump on. One man I saw stacked the balls in a corner. More on this another time.
Tonight begins Tu B’Av and is a time for celebrations.
Many weddings are planned, and at each, a glass is broken to remember Jerusalem.
A rollercoaster of emotions week even in the best of times, but this year steeper twists and turns.
After a wild ride this week, ending with Jerusalem of Gold – the sweet music from the Rosmarin Trio.
