Jerusalem, Israel – what is really happening
The holiday of Shavuot begins as Shabbat ends.
Who remembered how often Shabbat goes into the holiday of Shavuot?
I didn’t until I searched for Shavuot and saw the repeated theme in past posts.
Flowers for Shabbat and for the Shavuot holiday.
And for Shavuot, Moses with the ten commandments as seen in Cinema City.
Cheese and dairy products for the holiday.
Shavuot the holiday of cheesecakes and Torah.
And more flowers!
Yom Yerushalayim. Jerusalem Day.
Another fabulous day of celebrations has passed, celebrating 52 years of reunification in Jerusalem, Israel.
Remembering the divided city and nineteen years under Jordanian occupation is more important than ever as anti-Israel groups spread their narratives.
Celebrating Jerusalem 52 signs lined Jerusalem streets.
On Yom Yerushalayim a large morning prayer service was held at the Kotel, Western Wall, and another with music on the Tayelet Promenade, with the Temple Mount in view.
The official memorial ceremony for Ethiopian Jews who perished on their way to Israel is held in the morning at Har Herzl Military Cemetery.
A government minister and a representative of the bereaved families spoke at the event along with President Rivlin near the memorial for those who died during the treacherous journey from Ethiopia to the promised land.
Then there was another Har Herzl official memorial ceremony for the fallen of the Six-Day War and the War of Attrition.
The list of municipality events is too long to mention, and it was certainly impossible to attend them all. There were free tours, including the reopening of the sifting project, plus musical events and parades.
The long-established parade dancing with flags went through the Old City. While a family-friendly parade begun four years ago was held elsewhere.
Roads were closed. Cyclists rode in from Gush Etzion.
To end the day, there was an official ceremony marking the 52nd anniversary of the reunification of Jerusalem, with the President, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion in attendance, at Ammunition Hill. At the Kotel, the singing and dancing went on until well after dark.
Flags lined major routes, such as Jaffa Road along the light rail line. The trains did not run Yom Yerushalayim in the afternoon as thousands walked this way to Jaffa Gate and the Kotel.
Construction somewhere in Jerusalem is a given, as here on Yoel Salomon Street.
Repairs and painting were slower as this has been the month of Ramadan.
Muslims fast by day and break their fast at sunset meal called Iftar.
President Rivlin hosted an annual Iftar meal in the gardens of Beit Hanasi, the Israeli President’s residence, for 200 guests, including the Ambassadors of Egypt and Jordan and Muslim leaders.
There is less shopping in Jerusalem by Muslim women during the heat of the day on Ramadan. However, these women were out on Ben Yehudah Street.
Jews were allowed on Temple Mount in the early morning Yom Yerushalayim. Police had to control the Arabs who rioted, screaming and throwing chairs.
However, this past week Sheikh Ashraf Al Jabari from Hebron joined Avi Zimmerman from Ariel at Media Central for a press conference to discuss the Judea-Shomron Chamber of Commerce, economic cooperation and plans to go to Bahrain.
Also this week, US Rep Eliot Engel was at the Israel Democracy Institute to discuss his views on US and Israeli relations.
While across the street, the Jerusalem Theater was being readied for the two-week Israel Festival opening night musical event.
A huge stage was erected in the plaza for bands to play at night.
The Islamic Museum has a new exhibit on jewelry, where old pieces are given a new look by new artisans.
Not just art and design, but the music of Beat/Second filled the Jerusalem streets.
If that is not cultural enough, opera is coming back to Jerusalem.
Nabucco, “the beloved opera with the Hebrew slaves choir” is to be performed in the Sultan’s Pool, on June 20.
President Rivlin opened his Yom Yerushalayim evening remarks:
“My brothers and sisters, lovers of Jerusalem, 52 years ago this city was liberated, 52 years since the hearts of millions of Jews, Israel and the world heard the ‘Temple Mount in our hands’…52 years since we stood on the summit of Mount Scopus, touching a dream, a united Jerusalem.”
After dark, Yom Yerushalayim did not ebb away quietly. Near the Kotel, music, and dancing continued. as tens of thousands of people filled the plaza.
On the walls of the Old City, Facebook comments were projected.
White Night in Gan Sacher, Sacher Park, with live loud music continued all night long. People as far away as Baka and Arnona said they were kept awake by the music.
But not to worry, no downtime in Jerusalem!
Another Jerusalem Design Week is coming.
But first, the holiday of Shavuot begins as soon as Shabbat is over.
Again people plan to stay up all night, this time learning Torah.
Oh, Jerusalem!
Does anyone else remember the good old days back in America?
The quiet time between Passover and Lag B’Omer. There were no weddings. Live musical performances were taboo. Parties were rare. Then starting on Lag B’Omer celebrations would begin again.
Not so in here in Jerusalem. There is no down time!
Flags, flags, more flags. In Jerusalem it is a season of flags and flowers and celebrations.
Eurovision was held in Tel Aviv, getting much media attention.
Driving through Tel Aviv on the Ayalon Highway, the only sign of Eurovision I saw was this huge banner from StandWithUs offering tourists a trip to see to see coexistence.
On the Jerusalem streets, GFNY, the cycling race where amateurs can ride with the pros, streets were closed on the first Friday morning in May.
Going past the Knesset the lead cyclists were going too fast to get a clear image.
Close to 900 riders took part in the race, which included three routes of various lengths.
One warning sign was still left on Azza Street this week. I often say Jerusalem streets all go up!
At least on a bike, one has to slow down.
Happenings on Jerusalem streets seem to never slow down.
Sport Week in Israel is from May 17 – 24. On May 17th, there was another Jerusalem cycling event. But for that amateur race fewer streets were closed.
Also, there was the International Writers Festival and Jerusalem Book Forum, from May 12-16, for the less athletic types. Authors and publishers came to Jerusalem from thirty countries, and the program included live music, panels discussions, and lectures in varied venues.
At the opening at the YMCA, Joyce Carol Oates received the Jerusalem Prize from Mayor Moshe Lion. In her acceptance remarks, Oates spoke about her grandmother who gave her an early love of books and writing.
The Hansen House hosted a Conference on Design.
It’s hard to keep track. So many different events and signs are posted.
The Prime Minister’s office announced that the PM was to mark one-year of the US Embassy in Jerusalem, Israel.
I was on my way to the David Citadel Hotel for the event, when I noticed this sign.
In front to the hotel was a bus with “Thank you, President Trump, Thank You, America” boldly posted on the side.
It turned out to be an event with US Ambassador David Friedman.
On the stage Chief Rabbi David Lau spoke about mezuzahs.
A mezuzah was completed on stage with the Prime Minister and the US Ambassador.
A special silver case for the mezuzah was presented by the Friends of Zion to the US Ambassador for use on the new official US Residence in Jerusalem.
At the end of the program, a copy of the new Embassy sign was displayed on stage.
MK Tzipi Hotovely and Tammy Friedman were kind enough to pose with it for a photo.
That night included impassioned speeches, dignitaries, good food, and wine.
But I think my favorite scene was on the way home. This pile of empty boxes was left on the street. Outside the former US Consulate, now the US Embassy Building, it looked like moving day.
Across Agron Street in Gan Haatzmaut, Independence Park, was a large sign saying, “Happy Independence Day.”
Israeli flags were on light poles, decorated this month with Ramadan holiday lights.
In this time from Passover to Lag B’Omer, we have had no shortage of celebrations.
The Jerusalem Bird Observatory celebrated its 25th anniversary.
On the day of the Jerusalem Marathon, its green roof was really green.
The rain was a blessing. There was more than usual this year.
But now open areas are dry. A severe heat wave is on the way.
While the main Lag B’Omer celebration is in Meron, young people in Jerusalem have been saving and storing wood for large holiday bonfires.
Signs are up. Parades. Parties. Carnivals. Music. Lag B’Omer ready.
The usual large bonfires are banned and fires must be more controlled this year.
Museums are free on May 23, Lag B’Omer.
Welcome to Jerusalem Friedman family.
Hope you enjoy your new residence.
But be advised to keep your windows closed on Lag B’Omer.
Always so much happening on the Jerusalem streets.
There was more, but as this is getting way too long, saving some special happenings for next time.
Here we go again, Happy Lag B’Omer!