This past weekend David's wife, Adi Gordon Rawlings was asked by the Israeli Foreign Ministry to choreograph a "Flash Mob" in the Mamilla Mall.
With her inevitable style, she gathered approximately two hundred Israeli Dancers from Hora Jerusalem ranging in ages from ten to fifty years young. Together they created this amazing performance. The song they are dancing to is called Pitom Kam Adam(At Once Man~Israel~Rises).
Join David and his children as they travel to the Mall and introduce you to Adi just before the fun starts. Finally, watch as these amazing young dancers surprise shoppers in the cafe's, in the square and on the steps. The location is the bottom of the steps, coming down from Jaffa Gate in the Old City of Jerusalem.
This is the real Israel~up close and personal. Enjoy...
Last year, Israel Vision created this short film. Yad Vashem is well known for it's meticulous preservation of history.
What you may not know, is that in 2006, CFYV (Christian Friends of Yad Vashem was established to help raise awareness about the Holocaust...We must never forget...
It has been 1,890 days (more than five years) since he has received even the tiniest communication or sign from his family~and it has been more than two years since his family has received any sign of life from Gilad.
Just ten days ago, the supporters of Gilad Shalit staged a peaceful Hi-jacking of a bus of Gazans returning from a visit to Hamas prisoners in Israel jail.
Trucks of Goods Crossing into Gaza
Standing at the border crossing one sees the trucks arriving from within Israel to provide the citizens of Gaza with food and basic commodities, children's games and electrical goods and more. On this day there were truck loads of cement as well.
Gilad Shalit does not enjoy even the basic conditions demanded for any captive, in accordance with the Geneva Convention. He receives no visits, letters and no contact whatsoever with the outside world.
Hamas Prisoners in Israeli Jail
Gilad Shalit is held captive in inhuman conditions, while his family lives without any knowledge of his physical or emotional state. In stark contrast the State of Israel allows Palestinian/Hamas prisoners to receive visitors, letters, study for degrees and many other benefits. The picture to the left was posted from an Israeli jail by Hamas terror prisoners~to Facebook!.
Need We Say More?
The purpose of this protest is to ask for reciprocation between the treatment of Gilad Shalit and that enjoyed by Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails.
*It Should be Noted: Gilad Shalit was kidnapped by terrorists who infiltrated into Israel, killed two soldiers and wounded four others. Gilad was Not a criminal, whereas the prisoners held in Israeli jails have been convicted of terror attacks and murder of Israeli citizens.
Statement to the Citizens of Gaza:(Hebrew and English follow the video) As citizens of Israel we strive to live in peace with you. Even at this time when the region is far from quiet, we are hopeful that, one day, peace will arrive and we will be able to live side by side with you, as good neighbors, in mutual respect that will lead to mutual prosperity in our region.
We call on you, the residents of Gaza, to do the right, and human thing, and to work to correct this terrible injustice and to help return Gilad Shalit to his parents.
The week before the attacks on southern Israel, my brother Daniel and I decided to visit the various protest sites around the country. We left Jerusalem (A), early in the morning. Our first stop was in Be'er Sheva (B), located on the northern edge of the Negev desert, 115 kilometres south-east of Tel Aviv and 120 kilometres south-west of Jerusalem.
Be'er Sheva Tents
Initially, there was a local population of refugees forced to flee from the Arab countries. The town grew when the Russian immigrants came to Israel. Finally, In 1982, when Israel airlifted a large part of the Ethiopian community to Israel, many were settled in Be'er Sheva. Add to this an assortment of native Israelis and immigrants from around the world and you have the general population that today, numbers about 195,000.
The protesters in Be'er Sheva, like the rest of the country have real concerns about being able to afford a basic existence. For some, the thought of buying an apartment will never be an option, while for others the concern is whether they could afford any kind of a roof over their heads at all. Make no mistake, their issues are very real, as is their desire to have meaningful dialogue towards finding a solution to these problems.
After speaking to some of the tent city residents, we headed off to the bustling city of Tel Aviv(C).
With a population of about 404,000 Tel Aviv is second only to Jerusalem in size. Located on the sea, and boasting high-rises, big business and hi-tech, Tel Aviv tends to attract the secular section of the population, and is considered (by some) to be the New York of the Middle-East.
Rothschild Boulevard, Tel Aviv
The protesters chose one of the poshest areas in the city center~the elite, Rothschild Boulevard. This is where the protests began and surely where the largest number of tents are to be found anywhere in Israel.
It is no surprise that the residents, who are living in some of Israel's most expensive real estate, were less than enthusiastic to see a "tent city" spring up in their front yard, complete with kitchens and porta-potties!
Just like in Be'er Sheva, the people the people I spoke with had varied, yet similar reasons for their "tent city".
One man mused that people had become "bored with life"...You are born~you die~and unless you are a genius there is nothing in between.
In the Streets of Tel Aviv
The people who came out to protest and live in the tents, varied in age. Many were young adults who were struggling to find their way through the education system in hopes of building a future.
High university fees and sky rocketing rents, combined with an almost complete lack of available housing is their main concern. Add to that a wage system that has remained stagnant while prices continue to rise, and you have the problem.
But, it is not only the young who are out in force!
Everyone is Participating!
Those who are well past middle age see little hope of ever retiring~even with the most modest lifestyle.
For years salaries have stayed unreasonably low, while the cost of living has risen at a frightening pace. This combination means that many are forced to work well into their seventies (or until they die), with no chance of a reprieve~They cannot afford to stop working!
This is not a sudden phenomenon, rather, it has been brewing for years, until finally, the middle class citizens of Israel decided to take to the streets. Some claim that the Arab Spring spreading throughout the middle east was a catalyst, but there is a big difference between Israel and the Arab protests. Israel is a peaceful, democratic state, whose citizens are free to select their government via voting. Israel's protesters want a peaceful dialogue that will bring about a reasonable solution. They only ask that the government fulfill promises made over the years.
Kiryat Shmona
From Tel Aviv, our next stop was the northern town of Kiryat Shmona(D), named for the "eight" men who died defending the area during the 1920 Arab revolt. The population is about 23,100~of which one third are under the age of nineteen.
One young girl told us that she was a student and worked two jobs~yet she had nothing. She reiterated that she was "fine" but only existing. She worried that future children would question why nobody acted to change things for the better.
Galilee
After a rest stop in the Galilee(E), it was time to head for home and try to digest what was taking place across our country.
Simply put, Israeli wages are abnormally low, and prices unusually high~with the gap widening. The average citizens across the country, work long hours, to barely put food on the table and have a roof over their heads. Anything more, any future hope, is slim~and for the most, almost impossible.
People need salaries that are in line with the cost of living. The (almost) total lack of affordable living space means that up to 80% of one's earnings will only pay for a tiny room. There is no hope in this situation!
Yes, there are those with hidden agendas, and some who want a free ride,but the majority of Israelis ask only for a fair wage for an honest days work and the chance to build a future.
It's time...Hopefully the Israeli government is listening.
Take the the Neve Ilan exit off the highway between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv , and there, situated between the Arab village of Abu Ghosh, and the Christian moshav of Yad Hashmona, is a very unique place.
That place is The Elvis Inn. You can't miss it because in front of it stands a five meter tall golden statue of the King, that was erected in 1997. This is in addition to the 1989 statue that, at the time, was the worlds tallest at four meters.
Recently I took my brother, Daniel to pay a visit to this unique cafe. In addition to the video below, we sampled a good old fashioned Elvis Burger.
As a point of interest, our (other) brother Joshua, helped make the feet of Elvis!
1,728 Picture of The King Cover Every Surface
I was able to sit down with Amir, son of the owner, Yuri Yoeli to learn more about the beginnings of the Elvis Inn.
Together with his brother Amnon, Yuri purchased what was then a truck stop called the Mountain Inn (Pundak Haharim) in 1974.
Uri Yoeli had always been an Elvis Presley fan. However, when he married, he found his wife did not share his love for the King!
There were two Elvis portraits in his house and his wife declared she would not have them and they must go. Uri took his pictures to his cafe and mounted them by the cash register.
As the story goes, when Uri was in Tel Aviv one day he overheard two cab drivers planning to meet up at "Elvis". Curious he asked for the location and was surprised to find it was his own cafe they were talking about!
You Can Sit With Elvis at His Table
From that point on, the cafe became known as the Elvis Inn and the transformation back to the days of rock-n-roll began in earnest.
When you enter the restaurant it is like being transported to the 50's. Four life-sized Elvis statues are scattered around the premises in various poses, sitting at a table, strumming a guitar, and, in general watching over the place.
The juke box plays non-stop Elvis tunes and as one gazes about you see approximately 1,728 pictures mounted on every available surface~more than half of the photos are gifts from fans and friends around the world.
The food is a mixture of Israeli and American with something for everyone.
Everything in the place is Elvis~from the menus to the souvenirs that you can buy on the way out.
Sugar Packets boast the profile of the Great One~it is very hard to deface one by opening it!
Life Size!
Even the coffee mugs have a picture of...you guessed it! To this day if you order a hot drink you keep the mug.
...And we made sure to get ours!
The Elvis Inn is a pilgrimage site for many people including some very famous names.
The list of past visitors includes the American 6th fleet, Michael Jackson, Sylvester Stallone, Joe Cocker, Sting and of course, a host of Elvis impersonators.
Elvis Watching Over the Booths
On the anniversary of his birthday (08 January 1935) and his yahrzeit (16 August 1977) Elvis lovers and impersonators from across Israel and abroad, make a pilgrimage to the Elvis Inn to celebrate.
The Inn receives more than 5,000 letters and queries a year from around the world and there are traditions and legends galore!
One such tradition tells of the massive fire of 03 July 1995. When the flames raged through the Jerusalem Corridor, destroying everything in its path, the Elvis Inn was spared~many fans considered this to be a miracle.
Yes, He Even Monitors the WC!
It has become a tradition for many newlyweds to come to the Elvis Inn to be photographed standing (or sitting) next to the King,
Rumour even has it that Elvis was a "Shabbos Goy" for his Jewish neighbours when he was young man. He was supportive of Israel, and it is said that his ties remained strong throughout his life.
Next time you are in the area, be sure to drop in for a burger and a bit of nostalgia!
For your pleasure, here is the video from our visit to the Elvis Inn and the story of this amazing landmark and it's humble beginnings, as told to me by Amir Yoeli...Enjoy!
One of the summer highlights in Israel is the Jerusalem Light Festival. This year the Old City of Jerusalem was lit up with a variety of displays from the 15th to 22nd of June. To direct the flow of visitors there were "light routes"--each one marked by a different colour. Inside and out, the old city was transformed into a fantasy of delight.
David went to the old city to meet Zohar Gev, an internationally known artist who now resides in Denmark. He applied and won the bid to put his Rainbow of Lights display on the outer wall of the Old City.
There are times when just being in Jerusalem are beyond words. During the "Spring" of the year as the breezes blow the clouds across the sky it is easy to feel the beauty and peace that is Jerusalem. In this clip David walked the top of the ramparts around the Old City of Jerusalem, capturing the sky, the ancient stones and the amazing views of Jerusalem itself--a blend of the ancient and the future.
The music is by an Israeli group called Eden Mi Quedem, a Jerusalem based group that uses a blend of Hebrew, Arabic and English to produce a sound that is the Israel we know and love.
There is no text or voice-over for this clip, so sit back, put your feet up, listen and enjoy the view...
The newest addition to the amazing hospital is a Virtual Reality Area. It is here that patients will be diagnosed and assessed in a safe environment. It will incorporate the newest, state of the art motion analysis and virtual reality space for examinations. There is actually a "floating floor" that provides a safe, simulation site for patients to regain their ability to move in the real world.
In this section you will meet the people who have benefited from the expertise at the Chaim Sheba Rehabilitation Center. As they tell their stories you can see the suffering that is still there--but it is accompanied by something else--hope and the desire to move forward.
Founded in 1948, the Chaim Sheba Rehabilitation Center, has dedicated itself to helping all in need, Jews, Arabs, Christians, Soldiers, Civilians. There is no discrimination. Not only the staff, but those who have been rehabilitated work to help the victims. Meet some of the people who have survived and re-built their lives.
L'Chaim--To Life~Yes, there are difficulties, but in the end we conclude that it's worth bearing the painful times in order to experience life's pleasures.
Israel is no stranger to disaster, with terrorist bombings and attacks on a regular basis. Join us in this first of four segments on the amazing Chaim Sheba Rehabilitation Center that is dedicated to serving and rehabilitating the victims.
The Huleh Valley is and agricultural area in Northern area with abundant fresh water. Is serves as a bottleneck stopover for more than one billion birds as they migrate annually from Europe to Africa and back. Over four hundred species of birds must cross this tiny strip of land. As anyone who has lived on a farm knows--this is hard on crops. Israel has resolved this problem by establishing a "restaurant" for these birds. Every day they feed them with about two tons of corn seed! Amazing!
Come with us to visit Nachal Alexander, a 32-km river that flows from the West Bank city of Shechem (Nablus), passes by Tul-Karem, crosses the Hefer Valley, passing near the coastal city of Netanya before reaching the Mediterranean Sea. This once polluted water source has been cleaned up thanks to the help of JNF~The Jewish National Fund in Italy and France.
They also created a model to give access to those in Israel who are mobility impaired. See how easy it is to create a friendly, accessible park for all people to enjoy!
...the Negev will be the test of the Jewish People and the Jewish State--or only through the concerted effort of a people that volunteers and a state that plans and acts will we be able to meet the mighty task of, greening and settling the wilderness. This effort will determine the, fate of the State of Israel and the place of our people in the history of mankind...David Ben-Gurion
This is the 2nd in a five part series focusing on the work of the Jewish National Fund~JNF in Israel. Most people know about the planting of trees, but did you know that JNF is also working with Israel on water conservation and the "greening of the Negev"? JNF has been helping to create huge water reservoirs that currently supply the western Negev. Olive groves, vineyards, cactus fields, and huge fish farms have contributed to make the Negev to be the only desert in the world to be shrinking! Friends of JNF in England, South Africa and America have invested in Action Plan Negev.
The media (often biased) is not able to show the real facts on the ground. A reporter who flies in for a days or weeks, stays in a hotel and meets a few people is unable to see below the surface. because they are "journalists on a story". People in other countries, and sadly, some who even live in Israel, have no idea of the amazing things that make Israel special. We hope over time that you will see the wonder that is Israel.
The Jewish National Fund (JNF) is known for planting trees in Israel. To date they have been responsible for over 240 Million trees across the country. Israel is the only country in the world whose forest are "increasing"...
"Our Israel Story" is a new project aimed at providing you with an inside look at the people and places that make this small piece of land called "Israel" the wonder that it is.
Come with us as we will take you on site and up close to show you what the day to day life is truly like in a small country that is increasingly being surrounded by those who would destroy it.
We will introduce you to all sides and opinions, various religious aspects, non-religious views and even those segments that are less than flattering. The sages say that God created the world and everything in it~and it was very good~He does not make mistakes~therefore he created Dark and Light, Good and Evil, Sickness and Cure. Without both sides we would be robots, flawed~Not Good.
It is our hope that by seeing "both sides" and viewing the various aspects you will see the true heart of Israel and understand why it is so important to everyone the world over.
The heart of Our Israel Story, David Rawlings, is an award winning producer, editor and cameraman who is living and raising his family in Israel. He served in the IDF and has spent years traveling the country, filming and interviewing the people (from the Prime Minister to a couple living "with nature") that make up the complex tapestry that is "Our Israel".
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This award winning film recounts the history and struggles of the Jewish people beginning with the early Zionist movement. 
