In Jerusalem, the year ends with colors and candles

It’s the end of December, the end of the Hebrew month of Kislev, and the end of 2024.

It’s been a difficult year with war raging against Israel on so many fronts.

I lived in the northeastern United States, and after the amazing autumn colors disappeared with the falling leaves, December was not only cold but dark and dreary.

See what’s on the Jerusalem streets – more than the yellow ribbons and protests.

Winter in Jerusalem, Israel, though some tree branches are bare, it’s easy to find bursts of color.

I love that you can still find white roses blooming in late December.

These orange aloe flowers are another favorite sight along the Jerusalem streets.

The bright colors contrast against the blue sky during the day, an annual winter delight.

The blue and white flags with colored army unit flags are new, a sad reminder of this year’s events.

But for Hanukkah, the lights are out to brighten up the Jerusalem streets at night.

Candles and colors started inside homes on Wednesday, the first night of Hanukkah.

An oil Hanukkah menorah was in a restaurant window in a Jerusalem mall on the first night.

On the second night, we had the annual family Hanukkah get-together.

My holiday-themed Hanukia menorah-shaped cookie and dreidel-shaped cake were not as colorful.

This is the potato latke kugel – at least I got a before photo. The chaotic commotion, with most of the family together, ended up with no posed photo of the table before or the people after.

Coming from the Ashkenazi culture in the US, potato latkes, those greasy fried potato pancakes, were the traditional holiday food for Chanukkah.

In Israel, we have adapted and adopted the sufganiyot, jelly-filled donuts as a holiday treat.

This year decorating the plain versions with piles of cream and colored candies was popular.

On Friday, I went to walk off some of the calories and check out the InPrint Festival at Hansen House.

InPrint Holiday Edition was much smaller than the Hansen House In Print ART Book Fair in January 2023.

However, a few people were still taking advantage of an activity near the closing on Friday afternoon.

The candles I had admired in many locations as decorations inside – had fake flames.

After Shabbat, the sufganiyot traditional donuts covered in white sugar with red jelly in the center,

and donuts with various frostings and fillings were real and served by the box.

Chabad Talbiya was back at Mamilla Mall after Shabbat on the fourth night for the 14th year.

The Solomon Brothers provided live music, while the family of fallen soldier Yosef Malachi Guedalia hy”d said the blessings and lit the large menorah.

A fourth night with flames and music and donuts in Jerusalem.

The crowd was packed in the mall and walking through was a challenge, so I stopped trying.

On the way home at Paris Square, the Chabad Rechavia lighting of the hanukiah and program had ended.

But a few steps away, the protesters were out near the Prime Minister’s official residence and the sign for 449 days with all the yellow flags and ribbons, a reminder of those denied freedom on this holiday–the celebration of freedom.

At Beit Hanasi, Israeli President’s Residence the electric hanukiah was lit for the fourth night.

There were private parties with music and colorful lights.

and signs thanking soldiers for their service along my way.

Schools are closed, but I liked this – “each one is a small light, and together we are a mighty light.”

The walls of the Old City were lit again each night.

However, I prefer one from nine years ago with Hanukkah music.

New signs are up for more holiday activities. Now to decide what to do with so many choices.

Hope for you to see the colors and lights – next year in Jerusalem.

חנוכה שמח

Hanukkah sameach.