Three highlights from a Jerusalem week like no other

Was it a whiplash/12-hour/one-day/or annual June War?

Anyway, the past week was more of an unamusing amusement-park ride than the usual roller coaster of the Jerusalem streets.

Sunday threats turned to Monday morning siren alerts of incoming Iranian ballistic missiles.

Events were canceled. Some were postponed due to security situations. Reservists were called back into uniform.

Children on school trips in the north were brought home in the middle of the night.

And BOOM. The next day, it was over and back to regular programming.

It was nice to relax on Tuesday night at the Tower of David Jerusalem Museum.

The weather was perfect. Whatever was going to happen had happened.

Now it was time for – Lights. Action. Music.

The featured performer was Assaf Amdursky, one of Israel’s leading contemporary musicians.

The temporary galleries for the past year have had an exhibit on the life and music of Yehoram Gaon.

On Tuesday night, the exhibition came to life with a special concert.

With Gaon called to the stage, the cell phones came out to record him.

On the stage for one classic song – here’s one minute of the performance.

The citadel courtyard was filled with music for an appreciative audience, with the colorful lighting on the stone walls adding to the experience.

I walked home past Gan Haatzmaut, Independence Park. The construction fencing contained a picture of the future Mamilla Pool project.

Most of Gan Haatzmaut’s green area is also surrounded by construction fencing.

Construction fencing is showing future development projects near Zion Square.

At least some renovation projects are announcing completion, as seen here next to the Mamilla Hotel.

The annual Hebrew Book Week opened at Kikar Safra.

Hundreds of people, of all ages, come each night.

This statue was an interesting feature and was accepting donations.

The Hebrew books are from a long list of varied sellers and publishers.

Marking 100 years from its inception, celebrating Hebrew books in Israel.

My favorite was seeing the generations together, families, with 3 generations, grandparents bringing their grandchildren.

The Hebrew Book Week moved to Kikar Safra last year, due to the light rail construction at First Station.

The light rail tracks have made some progress, but walking, not only driving, can be complicated.

Traffic lights have disappeared. New signs pop up every day.

Another of the series on Prime Ministers was held at the Begin Center.

I recommend the talk about Golda from Meron Medzini. I found it fascinating.

Medzini was born in Jerusalem in 1932. He knew all the Prime Ministers and was her spokesperson. He spoke well, very well. Fascinating bits of history.

What a week it was on the Jerusalem streets!

President Herzog welcomed the President of Somaliland on His First State Visit to Israel this morning. It is a Muslim country with 6 million people, so the l’chaim was with orange juice, not wine.

Now we go on to see what will happen next.

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