Jerusalem Getting Ready for Hanukkah

Jerusalem Getting Ready for Hanukkah

It’s the week before  חנוכה  and spellcheck has decided Hanukkah is the correct spelling in English.

At least one thing should be easier this year, with that problem decided.

In Jerusalem, Israel, before we began preparing for Hanukkah, international visitors took priority.

The President of Chad Idriss Deby dropped by for a quick visit.

Seems it went well, as our Israeli PM is planning a trip to Chad soon to set up diplomatic relations which were severed in 1972.

Czech flag for President in jerusalem Israel

The President of Czech Republic Milos Zeman and his wife were here on a state visit.

The Czech delegation got the presidential treatment with flags flying and state dinners and lunch. Zeman brought along a large entourage, making for long motorcades on the Jerusalem streets.

reduced GPO photo by Mark Neiman

The third Jewish Media Summit was held in Jerusalem, with over 100 people coming to join us from 30 countries. It included days of intense sessions, listening, talking, travelling and eating.  I found it interesting how new social media has been accepted and promoted along with conventional journalism, so very different from the past Jewish Media Summits. For a change I decided to sit at Beit Hanasi with President Rivlin and our group and use this GPO photo.

Jerusalem is going digital sign

I am not sure how many in Jerusalem noticed those visitors. But as more of these signs have popped up, Jerusalem residents will notice the city is going digital. Quick and easy service, no standing in line for municipal services. Sounds good, we will have to see how that goes.

Jerusalem Kikar Zion in morning after renovation

The renovation in Kikar Tzion, Zion Square, after being a construction site all summer, seems to have gone well.

Cofizz on Ben Yehuda closed

The copycat five shekel coffee and food place on Ben Yehuda Street seems not to be doing well. This one was closed midday, as the original 5 shekel Cofix announced joining with Rami Levy for future projects.

It was time to prepare for Hanukkah in Jerusalem.

Thousands of big people were sitting on little chairs and watching hours of Hanukkah song and dance performances by young children.

Did you get your Hanukkah stamps? The Israel- US joint venture was launched earlier this month.

Chanukah in Israel supermarket

Jerusalem supermarkets have displays with hanukkiot, Hanukkah menorahs.

Ready for Chanukah

Shop windows are ready with Hanukkah gift suggestions.

JErusalem Waldorf Astoria menorah ready for Hanuka

The Waldorf Astoria Jerusalem readied their large hanukkia last week,

Window display at Jerusalem Waldorf Astoria menorah

and a gold and silver hanukkia was on display in this window.

Chanukah Lights on poles for Hanuka

Electric hanuikkot are lining some busy Jerusalem intersections.

Jerusalem, Israel on Hanukkah 5778

The hanukkia is up and ready for another year at the Kotel, Western Wall.

Chanuka sign for neighborhood events.

Hanukkah celebrations are planned for the week in various Jerusalem neighborhoods.

The Chabad hanukkiot have been placed on corners all around Jerusalem.

JErusalem for Chanuka donuts

And donuts, almost everywhere suffganiot of all types can be found.

I am looking forward to something new this year for Hanukkah. The Jerusalem Hanukkah Parade is to include 8 giant balloons like the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade. Hard to imagine a Golden Dragon with over 200 people holding it as it proceeds down Jerusalem streets. That is a sight I want to see and share.

And we had two weddings this week.

With all the good, the crazy, the busy, so much happening in Jerusalem.

 

Hanukkah Highlights From Jerusalem

Hanukkah Highlights From Jerusalem

Hanukkah highlights.

It is both easy and hard to write this post every year.

Finding something new?

That is easy.

 Unusual menorah in Jerusalem Israel on Hanukkah

Look up and see a lit hanukia, Hanukkah menorah,

in a new and unusual location.

This year there were flags

 Beit Hanasi ready for Hanukah and US VP Pence

flying high above the hanukia outside Beit Hanasi,

the Israeli President’s Residence.

US flags were hung along with the hanukia street decorations,

United States, Israel and Jerusalem flags near Israel President residence

ready for the visit of US Vice-President Pence.

The visit was postponed until next month,

and those extra flags were removed.

God Bless Trump posters in Jerusalem Israel

Dozens of these blue signs remained.

Plus, there is a full-size bus covered with this message,

but I’m sorry, it went by so fast I missed the photo.

Trump’s speech on Jerusalem was a distraction for some,

but for most, the eight days of Hanukkah

Chanukia for seventh night

involved lighting a personal hanukia at home.

On the last night of Hanukkah,

 tens of thousands arrived in the Old City

Performer with fir torches on Hanukkah at Jaffa Gate

to see performers with torches on fire

Jaffa Gate on Hanukkah in Old City Jerusalem Israel

and special lights at Jaffa Gate.

Hanukkah dreydels as decoration in Old City

Spinning dreydels were a favorite new decoration.

Hundreds of tour groups worked their way slowly through

the narrow alleyways of the Old City.

Jerusalem Israel Hanukkah lights on street

A photo-op of a man sitting by his candles

Chanukiot in window in Old City

or windows up above the streets,

caused the crowds to slow to a standstill.

Lights on Hurva Synagogue on Hanukkah night Jerusalem

In the Jewish Quarter, the Hurva Synagogue was lit up.

A constant flow of people came and went

Kossel on Hanukka 5778

to and from the Kotel,

the Western Wall Plaza, during holidays.

Jerusalem, Israel on Hanukkah 5778

As every year the large hanukia,

 is a photo highlight.

Old City lighting of menorah in costume as Jewish Temple priests

This was one photo I was not anticipating,

a re-enactment of the Jewish Temple priests lighting the Temple menorah.

Chanuka candles, oil menorahs for Hanukka

At classic spots, it was hard to get a clear shot,

as cell phone cameras were in use by the thousands.

Wall in Old City with light projection with Macabbe features

One wall had a projection of the Macabees in days of old.

Mamilla Mall Hanukkah ceremony

The crowds at Mamilla Mall for lighting were impressive.

Hundreds came each night,

 the recent warnings of danger did not affect enthusiasm.

Tourists from near and far gathered to celebrate

the last night of Hanukkah.

Only the warm weather seemed out of the ordinary.

Parade of Habad hanukiot in Jerusalem Israel

These Habad vans were part of a convoy,

pulling large electric hanukiot.

Too bad I did not get a good position for a video,

large colorful chanukia in Jerusalem part of Chabad show

they changed colors as the music blasted.

Habad has brought the lights of Hanukkah

out to main streets all around the world.

But in Jerusalem, and around Israel,

there is more than candles and oil lights.

Special suffganiot, those fried decorated donuts

Hanukka donuts in store window in Old City

filled store window displays,

and were consumed by the millions.

See that little hand reaching for one more?

For one last time until next year,

Hebrew sign on bus in Jerusalem Israel Old City

Happy Hanukkah.