When was the last time you were in Jerusalem?

When was the last time you were in Jerusalem?

Sharon A

Jerusalem, Israel.

When was the last time you were in Jerusalem?

It is a marvel how things have changed over the past few years.

Oh, the traffic, the road building, the light rail construction in every direction, so much is happening at once it is hard to believe.

The Cranes from the National Library work-site, illuminated at night, rise against the night sky along with the Chord Bridge for a view of colorful lights.

Jerusalem Israel from above on Jaffa Road

Construction cranes and building materials fill the area near the Jaffa Road light rail line.

View of Jerusalem Central Bus Station from high building window

This is the view in the other direction to the Central Bus Station, with old buildings and cranes.

Bread sold in Jerusalem Israel Machena Yehudah market - shuk

In the Machane Yehuda Market the daily bread

Playing ball in Jerusalem shuk as people walk by

and the young men playing ball are familiar sights.

Jerusalem Israel new building

But the buildings towering over old Jaffa Road – oh my, what a contrast to days past.

Just this past week in Jerusalem:

Digital art at the Tower of David in Jerusalem

The old Tower of David was filled with new-age ZERO ONE digital art.

Jeruslalem Biennale Art at Van Leer

The Jerusalem 2019 Biennale came to an end at Van Leer Institute and a dozen other locations.

Manofim contemporary art festival in Jerusalem

There was the 11th Manofim Jerusalem Contemporary Art Festival.

Jerusalem Thanksgiving Dinner for lone soldiers

Thanksgiving dinners large and small were held. A tent at First Station hosted 1000 IDF lone soldiers and some US Marines for dinner.

Jerusalem First Station Bloomfield Science Museum fair at night

At the same time at First Station, the Bloomfield Science Museum held a Mini Maker Fair to encourage future scientists and their families.

Jerusalem Israel launch of FEMJL<

FEM-JLM was launched at Jerusalem WeWork to encourage female entrepreneurs to go into fields of technology. There is a lot of work to do for more fem in STEM.

President Reuven Rivlin poses with Israeli Physics Olympiad medalists at Beit Hanasi

President Reuven Rivlin hosted the Israeli medalists from the International Physics Olympiad held in the summer in Tel Aviv. Notice they are all men?

Jerusalem Beit Hanasi teen science winners with President and Education Minister Peretz

The President greeted each young man.

Hopefully, in the future, there will be young women there as well.

Hebrew street sign for Day for Persons with Disabilities in Jerusalem Israel

December 3, 2019, was International Day for Persons with Disabilities.

There were signs posted and events held throughout the week all around Jerusalem.

Jerusalem street and sidewalk repair

Getting around Jerusalem for those with disabilities, and those without is not simple.

Jerusalem narrow streets

This car got through this narrow street, with centimeters to spare.

However, the next one got stuck.

One never knows when or where in Jerusalem what will happen next.

Jerusalem Jaffa Street old building near new

The very old, against the very new, a constant theme in Jerusalem.

So much more.

But enough, for now, just these photos from part of what happened this week.

Graffiti off of Agrippas Street in Jerusalem near market

Jerusalem, Israel, where even graffiti on the old walls is not like any other.

 

 

As November Ends in Jerusalem Photos of 9 Happenings

As November Ends in Jerusalem Photos of 9 Happenings

Sharon A

Jerusalem, Israel, was warmer than usual this fall.

The usual complaints of bone-chilling cold winter weather have been missing.

Rose in full bloom in Jerusalem Israel garden

My third growth of roses was impressive enough to share.

Hebrew welcome to Knesset sign

The Knesset entrance looked nicely kept with green landscaped welcome.

What’s happening–or not happening–inside appears to be a mess.

Sign and new sidewalk area near the entrance to Israel Museum

But, across the street from the Knesset, the Israel Museum entrance has a clean new look.

Do you think this time of year, from “after the holidays” until Hanukkah, it’s quiet on the Jerusalem, Israel, streets?

Not at all, some evenings there are multiple events at the same time!

Israeli President hosts press conference for January Antisemitism conference at Yad Vashem

  1. At Beit Hanasi, President Rivlin hosted a press conference to launch an international conference on antisemitism at Yad Vashem at the end of January.

Ben Moor and Steve LInde BDS and Antisemitism at Jerusalem Post Diplomatic Conference

2. At the Jerusalem Post Diplomatic Conference,  Chief strategist and Foreign Ministry PMO spokesperson Ben Moore, during an interview with Steve Linde, pointed to recently published antisemitic cartoons.

Unmasking BDS at Jerusalem Post Diplomatic Conference

The results of his research have confirmed that the BDS movement has succeeded in mainstreaming and desensitizing the West to antisemitism in the Israel context.

J Post diplomatic conference panel on world antisemitism

Another international panel discussed antisemitism. Paul Packer from the US Commission for the Preservation of America’s Heritage Abroad expressed US support for Israel.

J Post Mario Bucoro Ambassador from Guatemala to Israel at J Post Diplomatic Conference

Ambassador Mario Bucaro of Guatemala (third from left) was one of the foreign dignitaries attending.

Tourism Ilanti Melchior sustainable at J Post Diplomatic Conference in Jerusalem

There was more than antisemitism, politicians, and journalists.  Tourism was the topic of Ilanit Melchior’s TEDTalk.

Ilanit Melchior with tourism sustainable slide of world cities.

With 2.5 million visitors to Jerusalem over the holiday season, sustainability and accessibility are important topics. The traffic from tourist buses and rental cars can be felt on the streets.

A very different conference that did not receive as much media attention was held in the Jerusalem International Convention Center.

ICC Temech Conference 2019

3. The tenth Temech Conference for Israeli businesswomen and female entrepreneurs attracted 1000 women from the north and south to Jerusalem.

Tenth Temech Conference networking area in Binynei Hauma

Networking is a very important feature of this event run by women for women.

The English track was smaller than in the past, but the Hebrew-speaking program has grown.

Temech Conference at Jerusalem International Conference Center

The theme ‘Unlock the Wealth’ had panels and speakers appreciated by women aspiring to grow their various endeavors.

Elimination of violence against women rape crisis report in Israel

4. The 2019 Elimination of Violence against Women’s Day was marked at Beit Hanasi.

It’s 50 days after Yom Kippur when the national holiday of Sigd is celebrated.

Woman praying at Sigd event in Jerusalem Israel

5. Sigd was a holiday in Ethiopia when prayers were offered for the return to Zion and Jerusalem.

Ethiopian women praying on Sigd holiday in Jerusalem Israel

Sigd means ‘prostration’ and marks a reaffirmation to Jewish heritage.

Ethiopian religious leaders Kessim in Jerusalem for Sigd

Here the religious leaders called Kessim in their white robes led services in Jerusalem.

Sigd in Jerusalem Israel

Tens of thousands annually gather on the Tayelet with its view of the Old City.

Jerusalem Street Art Festival graffiti at First Station

6. Jerusalem Biennale ‘For Heaven’s Sake!‘ 2019 ends November 28, but the Street Art Festival pieces will be up longer at First Station, adding color to the tourist area.

כט November street sign in Jerusalem for 29 November

7. Time to remember Kaf Tet November, the date the UN accepted the partition plan to establish the State of Israel.

Machane Yehuda Market strawberries

8. With Rosh Chodesh Kislev, strawberry season is approaching.

With sufganiyot, donuts of all sizes, shapes, and flavors – everywhere –

Happy Hanukkah from Real Jerusalem Streets

9. Hannukkah or Hanuka or Chanukah will be here before we know it.

No. No downtime, something is always happening on these Jerusalem streets.