See New Old Streets – London in Jerusalem:

See New Old Streets – London in Jerusalem:

Time.

Time sometimes seems to pass so quickly and other times so slowly. This week in a heat wave every minute outside seemed longer.

The history of Jerusalem goes back millennia, and 30 years is a mere blink of an eye.

The British began their governance of Jerusalem after centuries of Ottoman rule in December of 1917, and left in 1948. However, in those 30 years, Jerusalem changed drastically.

Social and cultural exhibit at Tower of David Museum London in Jerusalem

The British brought with them a new life of culture to the Middle East, and a new exhibit at the Tower of David Museum shares it with us.

Have you ever thought about how much changed over the 30 years of the British Mandate?

Replica of Fink's Bar in Tower of David Museum exhibit on British rule

British soldiers needed their entertainment and liquor. Cafes such as Fink’s Bar and Restaurant offered oysters and other delicacies  previously unknown.

Tower of David London in Jerusalem menu from British days

The London in Jerusalem exhibit offers insights into life on the real Jerusalem streets.

Cigarettes and liquor brought to Levant by British in first part of 20th century

Infrastructure was important, but so were cigarettes and alcoholic beverages.

Old sign in Tower of David Fink's Bar Jerusalem

Some items in this exhibit would not be considered politically correct these days.

Jerusalem map for British Mandate soldiers

This is a map of Jerusalem given to British soldiers. The photo is one of dozens of old photos in a slide presentation.

Palestine Radio at Tower of David Museum for London in Jerusalem exhibit

One of the five sections of the exhibit highlights the British Palestine Broadcasting Service (PBS) which opened in March 1936. “This is Jerusalem Calling!” was followed by broadcasts in Hebrew and Arabic.

Old posters from British era in Jerusalem

Posters announced the various shows, plays and events new to Jerusalem, including flower shows with trophies presented to the winners.

Tower of David set for performance

The Tower of David today hosts numerous events on this stage and can seat over 300 people.

Tower of David London in Jerusalem, photos from early British years

In this old photo we can see how the space looked before it was excavated in the 1980’s.

Over the centuries the Tower of David was used for military purposes. It was the first British Governor Sir Ronald Storrs who envisioned it as a cultural venue.

Sports day in Jerusalem with men on camels old photo

The British also brought sports.  A military sports day was held on Mount Scopus in 1934.  I am not sure what the sport was on these camels. Perhaps polo?

Jerusalem YMCA photo in Tower of David Museum

There is a  photo of the sports field behind the YMCA.

Notice those barren hills in the distance.

Tower of David photo men dancing in kilts London in Jerusalem

With the culture and music, the British brought new dances too.

Early scene of Jerusalem 1918 at Tower of David London in Jerusalem

On each side of the exhibition room, there are three panels over the thick stone walls, which change to show the passage of time.

If you could look out, in 1918, you would have seen the scene above

Tower of David Museum photo of blimp in Jerusalem

and in 1933, in the distance was the Hebrew University on Mount Scopus.

London in Jerusalem at Tower of David Museum

Ah, 1934 was a good year, Happy Birthday King George.

Tower of David 1946 Jerusalem streets blocked in Tower of David show

But by 1946, streets were blocked, and barbed wire was up, Jerusalem streets were dangerous.

Parlour from British influence in London in Jerusalem exhibit at Tower of David Museum

This salon is reconstructed as it would have been in Rechavia, and has original artifacts on display.

Ad for Lipton Tea in Tower of David London in Jerusalem exhibit

Oh, and the British brought tea and grand tea parties, too.

Tower of David London in Jerusalem bat

And Pimm’s for summer afternoon cocktails at parties on the lawn.

London in Jerusalem bar sign Tower of David

Besides bars and cafes, ten cinemas were opened in Jerusalem.

London in Jerusalem offers visitors also, a small theater recreated with wooden benches, to watch vintage footage from the 1930’s and 1940’s.

While Allenby at the Gates of Jeruslaem featured the military history of the time, London in Jerusalem is a walk down memory lane of the real streets.

Both exhibits are to run until December 2018.

I think older visitors will appreciate this exhibit more than younger ones, even with the modern technology included. Therefore, I was especially pleased to see that this exhibit is disabled and wheel chair accessible.

At night, you can come back to Tower of David for the new King David Night Spectacular 

So much happens on the Jerusalem streets these days, however, it was interesting to see what was happening at the beginning of the century also.

 

Eight Days of Hanukkah: Not Enough in Jerusalem

Eight Days of Hanukkah: Not Enough in Jerusalem

Hanukkah time in Jerusalem, Israel,

is always a busy time of year.

This past week the world has had Jerusalem

in its headlines after US President Trump acknowledged

Jerusalem as the capital of the State of Israel.

US flags flying in Israel on street where US consulate is located.

US, Israeli and Jerusalem flags

were flying on Agron Road

along the street of the US consulate building.

No photos are allowed of that building,

so this corner view of the

Jerusalem Waldorf Astoria will have to do.

Old city walls of Jerusalem Israel seen from King David Hotel with US, Israel and EU flags near pool

The Israeli, US, and EU flags were on display behind

the King David Hotel with

 the walls of Old City in the background.

Chanukia on display in Mamilla Mall as people walk under in mall

Hanukkah menorahs are placed in hundreds of locations.

Choir performs at Hanukkah performance for grandparents in Gush Etzion Efrat

Thousands of school performances

large, and not-so-epic, have been held.

So what about the “tense” situation?

On road to Efrat red warning Israel prohibiting Israelis to enter way to Bethlehem

Those red signs and IDF security posts

are the norm for the outskirts of Bethlehem.

Muslim woman and child in Liberty Bell Park in Jeremiahs Israel

Parks may be a little less crowded,

but I did not find the that the “situation”

was much different than usual.

There are neighborhoods of New York,

Washington, DC, and Chicago,

I would never walk through,

and where driving can be dangerous.

The Tower of David Museum opened a new exhibit,

A General and a Gentleman

Allenby at the Gates of Jerusalem;

there was no way I was going to miss this event in the Old City.

Macabees to Allenby poster

Since the viewing Balfour-Allenby Exhibit

at the Israel National Library,

I have anxiously awaited December 11, 2017.

December is an important month for religious holidays.

Exhibit in Tower of David Museum for 100 years Allenby

Hanukiot are on display,

text description Allenby

this photo has the explanation.

There are dozens of original photos.

Keep in mind that World War I was first time soldiers

had cameras on the battlefield.

Not exactly Facebook live, but they captured memories

now frozen in time for over 100 years.

Three photos were ordered destroyed for proper procedure of British Narrative of war

The collection of authentic items and research is impressive.

Three official photos from the series are missing;

they were destroyed as they did not fit the British war narrative.

The exhibit runs until the fall of 2018,

but on December 11, 1917,

General Edmund Allenby entered through Jaffa Gate

to an impoverished Jerusalem.

100 years after actor dressed as General Allenby enters Jaffa Gate Jerusalem Israel

Actors recreated the event,

and thousands of spectators, local and international,

Actor as General Allenby on steps of Tower of David Museum

crowded in to watch the reenactment of the original ceremony.

‘General Allenby’ spoke, and his heirs who came from England

joined local dignitaries, past and present.

Thousands were in the streets of the Old City,

without violence – so not news.

But about that rusty key of the city,

Actors Allenby and Lawrence of Arabia at Tower of David Museum after reenactment holding key

Mayor Nir Barkat did not keep it.

Allenby took it out of his pocket as he spoke to

Lawrence of Arabia after the program

inside Tower of David.

Facebook photos of A General and A Gentleman

Street sign in Hebrew for Chaukkah event in Jerusalem

Here’s hoping people will not miss the multitude of events

Poster in Hebrew for Hanukkah event in Old City Jerusalem Israel

 planned this week in Jerusalem.

School is out.

Museums are free for children.

Too many events to list, but here is a link

to some of the Jerusalem Hanukkah events.

Menorah for Channuka on roof top in Jerusalem Israel

From Cinema City to Safra Sqaure to Yes Planet,

look up and look around.

There is, as usual, too much to do on Hanukkah.

In Jerusalem, eight days are not enough.

חנוכה שמח

Happy Hannukah!

Hebrew sign on bus in Jerusalem Israel Old City

Time to get going,

the first day is almost over.