Hanukkah Favorites – Old and New

  Hanukkah or Chanuka,

however you spell it

is a favorite time in Jerusalem, Israel.

Hanukiot, special holiday menorahs,

tower above many public locations,

like the hanukia burning

large menorah near Jaffa Gate

 near Jaffa Gate on the fourth night,

chanukia at Kotel

and this large one at the Kotel, the Western Wall.

What a find!

chanukiah

On the first night of Hanukkah I saw this new one,

sponsored by the Jerusalem Development Authority,

along with the Municipality and iTravel.

Look for it off of Yoel Salomon Street.

Also new this year

Jerusalem old city walls lit for hanukka

is the light and sound show,

on the Wall of Old City near Jaffa Gate,

Hanukkah 5776 new light show Walls Old City

which is well done,

old city walls Hanukah

with holiday songs and projections!

And of course,

menorah

millions of special smaller hanukiot can be found inside.

 During the Hanukkah festival

the Jerusalem streets are usually full of visitors and tourists.

Whether it is the winter cold or the security situation,

 unfortunately the Jerusalem streets are much too quiet.

Remember those umbrellas over Yoel Salomon Street last summer?

decoration over Jerusalem streets

This is the new colorful display in its place for Hanukkah.

Hanukkah is the holiday of the Hashmonaim,

the Maccabees of old.

Their story is of the re-dedication of the Jewish Temple,

and streets are named in their honor, not only in Jerusalem,

but also in Modi’in, the ancestral home of the Maccabees.

Chanukah story in Hebrew

This sign explaining the main street named HaHashmonaim,

tells the story remembered from so long ago.

Hanukah street signs

A cross street is “Blood of the Maccabees”

remembering the fight against Greek Hellenism.

Modern Modi’in youth posted a sign,

sign hebrew modiin Hanyuka

“Happy Holiday of the Maccabees.”

We had our family Hanukkah party here in Jerusalem on the second night.

 I managed to get one photo

one last donut

 of the last sufgania before it too disappeared.

Lots of food and fun and presents for most families,

with four more nights and lots more happening.

woman sleeping on street gets sleeping bag

However, the weather has turned cold,

and for one woman who has been camped

outside the Prime Minister’s residence in a tent for weeks,

this new sleeping bag was a welcome gift.

Now to end with a new photo of an old favorite for many,

Bus sign for Hanukkah

the Jerusalem buses join in wishing all

Hanukkah sameach.

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