Jerusalem, Israel – what is really happening
The Passover holiday starts soon.
However, activities have been ongoing.
Children were out of school and special programs were held before the holiday week began. One was at Takana Rishona, First Station.
I missed the matza baking and stayed for the concert, so decided a short video would be the best way to share.
Take a minute and get into the holiday mood.
Chag sameach!
The week before Pesach, Passover, many houses are turned upside down and kitchens are cleaned and changed over for the holiday.
Children are out of school – but are they ready to help and clean?
The current Knesset is on recess after a tumultuous session.
The good news, the Knesset Museum is showing positive signs of progress.
One place you did not find me was standing on the street across from Beit Hanasi, the Israeli President’s Residence waiting to photograph Knesset Members coming and going for meetings on a judicial reform compromise.
I did pass by Natan Sharansky but decided not to put my camera in his face.
Not only pots, pans, and kitchenware are out on the Jerusalem streets, but large displays of toilet paper stand there next to the fresh produce.
Some streets were easier to access than others this week due to the protests.
Plenty of Israeli flags were flying above the streets, as usual before the spring holidays, while others were carried to protest locations.
People came from all directions, for both a protest against the government, as well as one supporting Judicial reform. Sorry for those who arrived in Jerusalem by train on Monday and had to walk, as buses were not getting through the blocked streets.
The fountain at France Square was behind a barrier. I will spare you photos of the stronger metal barriers found on more and more Jerusalem streets.
In spite of it all –
Signs have gone up on old buildings to go higher in remodeling projects.
The Jerusalem skyline is changing as new buildings go higher and higher.
One hundred and twenty-five years later, Theodore Herzl would certainly not recognize Jerusalem today.
Beit Avi Chai has new posters announcing spring and summer events.
A new non-profit called OurPeople was established to help Russian-speaking Olim who have come recently in increasing numbers.
This is one room in the new business complex that OurPeople opened this past week on King George Street in downtown Jerusalem.
Love those old tiled floors in all the rooms.
The spring weather has not been the best, but nevertheless, there were activities for young families in the parks on Shabbat.
And on Friday there was a bike ride around Jerusalem. Those Jerusalem streets were not closed for long when the dozens of bikes went by.
The Community Center on HaPalmach Street held a mini-fair on Friday. The weather was cold, but the families attending seemed to be enjoying the events, especially those inside. Notice the box outside for food donations of chametz, food not for Passover use goes to those in need.
It seems as if all the Jerusalem flower beds are constantly dug up and replanted with new flowers for the spring holiday time.
And weddings! So many weddings with people coming from around the world to get married in Jerusalem before Passover.
The hotel had changed over to Passover-only food. But unless you saw the sign on the front door or missed seeing bread on the table you would never have known. Amazing what can be done using potatoes these days!
Government offices are to be closed from Wednesday, April 5, through Saturday, April 15, 2023. But the rest of the country will be busy exploring and enjoying nature parks and museums.
In Jerusalem, there are too many things happening to mention now.
Will have to see how many I am able to attend in the short time of Chol HaMoed, the intermediate days this year, starting with Birkat Cohanim, Priestly Blessing scheduled for next Sunday morning.
Happy Passover
from
The Real Jerusalem Streets
After living in Jerusalem for several years, I was upset. The world did not see what was really happening, only sensational media images. So I started posting photos online on The Real Jerusalem Streets.
I decided to share events from this week you would not have seen as anti-government protesters captured world attention.
It’s a busy time of year, so keeping to the three best events I attended.
The new National Library building was lit up at night as I walked by on my way to the National Library currently on the Hebrew University Givat Ram Campus.
They say the new building is to open in the fall, and I’m looking forward to finally getting to tour inside!
The National Library welcomed NASA Astronaut Dr. Jeff Hoffman who donated his space diary and memorabilia to the Israeli National Library.
Jewish Astronaut Jeff Hoffman’s flights on the Space Shuttle included the mission to repair the Hubble Space Telescope in 1993.
He also took a Space Torah for a mission, explaining how he used velcro to attach the yad, and clamps to hold the parchment down in the shuttle capsule. Velcro was also used to attach a mezuzah to the sleeping cubicle.
Hoffman flew five missions, a patch was designed for each and was included in this donation to the National Library.
Along with new autographed stamp sets, the Israel National Library now reaches the moon and into space.
Amazing how quickly Jerusalem Marathon 2023 is old news. I am pleased when someone comes along and identifies a runner’s photo on Facebook days later. Did you know I updated the post with a video?
Two weeks ago, going past Hansen House, Primavera caught my attention.
Thursday and Friday, the Hansen gates were open for Primavera.
Not a new Jerusalem pasta dish, but a designer festival was being held.
Jewelry, clothes and bags, and a variety of wares were on display,
to all types of clothing including this knit top
and diverse as Roota sprouts.
Ok, I stopped and laughed there, as I remembered the sprouted potato I found while cleaning under the dishwasher for Passover. New art form?
There were 36 more displays, MORE PHOTOS were posted on Facebook.
And for the third and biggest event, which ended Diaspora Week.
For the eighth time, from March 19 – 23, 2023, the Israeli Ministry of Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism held Diaspora Week events.
During the course of the week, Diaspora Week events and activities were held throughout Israel, in the education system, on campuses, in cultural institutions, in the IDF, and at this gala in the Jerusalem Theater.
The Minister of Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism Amichai Chikli introduced the program theme of unity and “loving one another.”
Israeli performers took to the stage, in a well-executed program.
Along with the IDF band, the performers were applauded by an enthusiastic audience for the #FOREVER_AM 2023 program.
There was an excellent video screen running in the background,
to the audience filled with representatives of youth groups and MASA.
After the show, which was broadcast live, ended, Chickli stayed around to the very end. As I commented to some passersby, he reminded me of the last one out of shul after sponsoring an elaborate kiddush.
Photos did not do justice to the night, so I made a short video with clips of the music, and there are more photos on Facebook.
Now on to the holiday season!
Whether you call Pesach the Holiday of Freedom
or the Holiday of Spring, new signs are up along the Jerusalem streets.
Easter and Ramadan coincide with Passover this year.
The important thing is it should be a Happy Holiday for all.
Hope to see you on the Jerusalem streets soon!