A favorite classic Purim in Jerusalem, Israel, image.
The Montefiore Windmill decorated for Purim during the pandemic.
This year, the central Jerusalem, Israel celebration will be held on Sunday, March 16, 2025 –
The Jerusalem Marching Together Giant Puppet Parade event of the Purim celebrations in Jerusalem will assemble on King David Street at 10:00 AM and begin moving at 11:00 AM.
The parade will pass through King David Street and King Solomon Street, turn at Tzahal Square onto Jaffa Street, and conclude its route on King George Street in front of the old Mashbir building, like last year.
The calendar page has turned from a very hot August to a more temperate September.
It’s the middle of the Hebrew month of Elul and we are approaching the New Year 5784.
The nightly musical concerts in the Sultan’s Pool will soon end, with the potential of cold nights and rain.
This week saw the rise of the Blue Moon over the Jerusalem streets.
Though not blue, the full moon appeared bright pink before rising further from the horizon into the sky. The second time for a full moon in August was what qualified it as a Blue Moon.
Every week, we see new construction going down and down,
while old structures are being renovated throughout Jerusalem.
Azza Street made the headlines again when the Netanyahus got new security bollards installed in front of their private residence. As you can see from a previous photo, it is hardly palatial from the outside.
It is amazing how many times you can walk past a property and not notice unless there is a new blue sign telling its history posted in front.
The public better take notice of the parking regulation signs that have gone up along Jerusalem streets.
And the newly painted parking restrictions, where people would have used this space to park.
And watch out for those new vehicles roaming the streets at night, not sure what they are called, going through Teddy Park toward the fountain on a pedestrian walkway.
The ice rink was closed one August evening last week, but the time was been extended into September.
The Ferris Wheel in First Station was being repaired and not running that night. Usually, it’s filled with young children at the end of their summer holiday time in the evening.
Chairs were set for the End of Summer Festival at the Jerusalem Theater. A guard blocked my entrance, saying no entry without a paid-for ticket. I remembered that they were free in the past.
However, he let me go into the lobby to see the art exhibit which was to change the next day.
I will have to go back and see what new art work lines the theater lobby walls for September.
I think some of the best colors and sights are found in nature as the seasons change.
So one more view of the Blue Moon rising above the trees and Old City.
One more renovation image with a Jerusalem small store getting a major makeover.
But the biggest transition is that 2.5 million students are back to school. The signs are up as the school begins for 5784 – and without the usual teachers’ strike.
Even businesses wish good luck and success in Kitah Aleph, or first grade.
I love the huge big deal made as youngsters enter first grade!
I wish all the students and teachers well as the year begins!
The transition from the start of school to the start of the New Year Selihot and tours begins next week.
The Jerusalem Museum at the Tower of David announced a Selihot event that includes a tour of the Tower of David, connecting the new museum with the Old City, and ends with saying Selihot at the Kotel, Western Wall.
Tens of thousands will be on the Jerusalem streets late into the night forthe sounds of Selihot.
This year in Jerusalem, Rosh Hashana was not like in previous years. As with most of the world, the Jewish New Year was spent alone at home or in small gatherings rather than in crowded synagogues and overflow services.
At the Kotel, the Western Wall, the usual huge crowds were missing.
Sections were divided into small prayer groups before Rosh Hashana for late-night Selihot.
Those smaller groups filled some of the plaza areas this year.
And then at night after Rosh Hashana, even those small groups were gone.
Such a sorry sight, at a time usually filled with tourists and visitors.
The Jerusalem Great Synagogue was empty for the first time in its history.
The green spaces of Jerusalem, all of its parks, were called into use.
These signs were posted wishing park visitors’ good health and a good year.
A special announcement was made that the Gazelle Park would be open during the lockdown, with everyone required to wear a mask.
Hope they turned off the water sprinklers on the holiday for Gan Sacher, Sacher Park. Extra bins for holiday trash were available.
The ads for juice near Gan Sacher had a happy holiday greeting.
Almonds were ripe on the tree and falling to the ground. Only they were so hard I could not crack the ones I brought home with a hammer.
Machane Yehuda Market, the shuk, was busy the week before the impending holiday shutdown. Shoppers were rushing to stock up with food and supplies. Supermarkets were filled to overflowing capacity.
Fresh new fruits for the second night of Rosh Hashana are especially popular this time of year.
A long time favorite, yummy pomegranate pie for the holiday.
No little bees photo ops this year, and a very much smaller reception for beekeepers was held at Beit Hanasi, the Israeli President’s Residence.
No big New Year event for foreign diplomats at Beit Hanasi as in the past.
Photo credit: Mark Neyman GPO
This year President Rivlin hosted a socially distanced private reception for diplomats who were seated apart and all wearing masks.
The Selihot in the Beit Hanasi Synagogue was an annual event during Rivlin’s tenure. This was the last chance as his 7-year term is up in July.
However, this year due to religious service size restrictions these will not be held during this three-week lockdown period.
For a lockdown, this new Jerusalem project in the Schneller Compound is the place to live, to enjoy parks and open spaces. It is a magazine perfect neighborhood.
From Jerusalem this past week, all eyes were watching the signing of treaties with UAE and Bahrain. Only later I noticed on the left side for Israelis, a man in the front rows got up to take a photo on his phone, as the US side sat politely.
The Old City Walls that night were illuminated with flags of Israel, the US, UAE, and Bahrain in honor of the historic occasion.
Already numerous interactions have taken place. The webinar on health and technology I listened to is worthy of sharing with you soon, it was so impressive what they have done in Abu Dhabi in the last few years.
Photo credit: Shifra
However, also on the Jerusalem streets near the Prime Minister’s Residence, the protests continue. Though there was a supposed lockdown, a large table was set for 120 people, with no distancing, no masks, and lots of noise for Rosh Hashana on the first night. Protests in democratic Israel are legal.
Sorry, but I find their behavior UNEXCEPTIBLE.
New security cameras are being installed in the area, and new security is reinforcing the regular police and border police who have had to deal with these loud mob scenes week after week.
But for now, hoping all have a sweet and healthy year.
President Reuven Rivlin gave New Year greetings in English this year.
Next year in Jerusalem!
Meanwhile, preparing for Sukkot holiday to start October 2, 2020,
