With the month of Elul beginning,
from the dedication of 75 Torah scrolls,
one of my favorite photos seemed most appropriate.
שבת שלום וחודש טוב
Shabbat shalom and Chodesh tov.
Western Wall
Tisha B’Av Around Jerusalem
Tisha B’Av in Jerusalem, Israel, is unique.
On the ninth day of the Hebrew month of Av,
for centuries, Jews around the world
sat on the ground as a sign of mourning for Jerusalem,
and read Eicha, the Book of Lamentations.
I went to ‘Walk Around the Walls’ again after Shabbat.
Last year Tisha B’Av coincided with Ramadan
and even at midnight there was a huge crowd
at Sha’ar Shechem, Damascus Gate.
This year all was quiet,
as the Israeli-flag waving crowd walked by,
with only a few Arabs in sight near police barriers.
Going past Herod’s Gate,
the atmosphere was very different
from Tisha B’Av of last year.
Although it was a few days ago,
I still want to share that night,
and the beautiful sites around the Old City Walls.
As Lion’s Gate and midnight approached
we passed this man walking with two young boys.
Spectacular views were of Har Hazetim, Mount of Olives,
across from the Old City Walls,
and the impressive major excavations.
But most impressive,
was the huge crowd at the Kotel, the Western Wall,
where tens of thousands came,
some to sit and sing sad songs,
others to pray, or to spend the night.
People were coming and going all night long
to the Old City of Jerusalem.
But nearby at Sha’ar Yaffo, Jaffa Gate,
Mamilla Mall was closed and quiet,
as were all entertainment and most food places.
Tisha B’Av in Jerusalem, Israel,
is not like anywhere else in the world.
More photos of Walk on Facebook, HERE.
But,
after the mourning of Tisha B’Av comes
and party time celebrations grow every year,
this one is to take place in the Jerusalem Forest.
Jerusalem Day Celebrations
The date has passed.
Most flags are removed.
Commentators have spun stories with their biases.
The main stream media focused on a small group.
However,
Yom Yerushalayim, Jerusalem Day,
celebrations in Jerusalem, Israel,
are always like no where else in the world.
Today Jerusalem has a flag,
and an official pin.
The ancient Tower of David,
is always impressive.
In the morning of Yom Yerushalayim,
Mayor Nir Barkat and his wife Beverly
greeted the public inside the gardens.
While a live orchestra played music
and visitors sat and enjoyed their program.
Hundreds of families took tours of Yemin Moshe.
Thousands of young people gathered in Gan Sacher,
Sacher Park to march with Israeli flags to the Old City,
to the Kotel, the Western Wall.
Tens of thousands of people, singing, dancing, and
celebrating the reunification of Jerusalem in 1967.
This year other events were planned,
as this one for families at the new First Station.
There were prayer services,
and official invitation only ceremonies.
A free concert was held at Kikar Safra, Government Square.
Once again the annual “White Night” celebration
blasted until 4 am from Gan Sacher.
I do not appreciate that one!
In schools and kindergartens there were special programs,
with art projects songs, and even bubbles.
The main stream media missed hundreds of thousands
of people who were not news worthy.
For those who find Jerusalem Day objectionable,
please remember,
in 1965,
no Jews were in the Old City.
Under control of Jordan from 1948 – 1967,
no Jews could enter ANY of the gates.
In 1965,
this was as close to the Kotel, the Western Wall,
American Jewish tourists could get.
Photos were taken from across No Man’s Land,
safe from Jordanian sniper shots.
Yom Yerushalayim should be appreciated every day.
Our friends have posted on a bench by their home,
a short passage from the Prophet Zechariah,
on his vision for the future,
Jerusalem will be full of boys and girls
celebrating in her streets.
And that is what was really happening
on Yom Yerushalayim,
on the real Jerusalem streets.