Beit Hanasi – The Real Jerusalem Streets

When was the last time you were in Jerusalem?

December 4, 2019Sharon A

Jerusalem, Israel.

When was the last time you were in Jerusalem?

It is a marvel how things have changed over the past few years.

Oh, the traffic, the road building, the light rail construction in every direction, so much is happening at once it is hard to believe.

The Cranes from the National Library work-site, illuminated at night, rise against the night sky along with the Chord Bridge for a view of colorful lights.

Construction cranes and building materials fill the area near the Jaffa Road light rail line.

This is the view in the other direction to the Central Bus Station, with old buildings and cranes.

In the Machane Yehuda Market the daily bread

and the young men playing ball are familiar sights.

But the buildings towering over old Jaffa Road – oh my, what a contrast to days past.

Just this past week in Jerusalem:

The old Tower of David was filled with new-age ZERO ONE digital art.

The Jerusalem 2019 Biennale came to an end at Van Leer Institute and a dozen other locations.

There was the 11th Manofim Jerusalem Contemporary Art Festival.

Thanksgiving dinners large and small were held. A tent at First Station hosted 1000 IDF lone soldiers and some US Marines for dinner.

At the same time at First Station, the Bloomfield Science Museum held a Mini Maker Fair to encourage future scientists and their families.

FEM-JLM was launched at Jerusalem WeWork to encourage female entrepreneurs to go into fields of technology. There is a lot of work to do for more fem in STEM.

President Reuven Rivlin hosted the Israeli medalists from the International Physics Olympiad held in the summer in Tel Aviv. Notice they are all men?

The President greeted each young man.

Hopefully, in the future, there will be young women there as well.

December 3, 2019, was International Day for Persons with Disabilities.

There were signs posted and events held throughout the week all around Jerusalem.

Getting around Jerusalem for those with disabilities, and those without is not simple.

This car got through this narrow street, with centimeters to spare.

However, the next one got stuck.

One never knows when or where in Jerusalem what will happen next.

The very old, against the very new, a constant theme in Jerusalem.

So much more.

But enough, for now, just these photos from part of what happened this week.

Jerusalem, Israel, where even graffiti on the old walls is not like any other.

As November Ends in Jerusalem Photos of 9 Happenings

November 27, 2019Sharon A

Jerusalem, Israel, was warmer than usual this fall.

The usual complaints of bone-chilling cold winter weather have been missing.

My third growth of roses was impressive enough to share.

The Knesset entrance looked nicely kept with green landscaped welcome.

What’s happening–or not happening–inside appears to be a mess.

But, across the street from the Knesset, the Israel Museum entrance has a clean new look.

Do you think this time of year, from “after the holidays” until Hanukkah, it’s quiet on the Jerusalem, Israel, streets?

Not at all, some evenings there are multiple events at the same time!

At Beit Hanasi, President Rivlin hosted a press conference to launch an international conference on antisemitism at Yad Vashem at the end of January.

2. At the Jerusalem Post Diplomatic Conference, Chief strategist and Foreign Ministry PMO spokesperson Ben Moore, during an interview with Steve Linde, pointed to recently published antisemitic cartoons.

The results of his research have confirmed that the BDS movement has succeeded in mainstreaming and desensitizing the West to antisemitism in the Israel context.

Another international panel discussed antisemitism. Paul Packer from the US Commission for the Preservation of America’s Heritage Abroad expressed US support for Israel.

Ambassador Mario Bucaro of Guatemala (third from left) was one of the foreign dignitaries attending.

There was more than antisemitism, politicians, and journalists. Tourism was the topic of Ilanit Melchior’s TEDTalk.

With 2.5 million visitors to Jerusalem over the holiday season, sustainability and accessibility are important topics. The traffic from tourist buses and rental cars can be felt on the streets.

A very different conference that did not receive as much media attention was held in the Jerusalem International Convention Center.

3. The tenth Temech Conference for Israeli businesswomen and female entrepreneurs attracted 1000 women from the north and south to Jerusalem.

Networking is a very important feature of this event run by women for women.

The English track was smaller than in the past, but the Hebrew-speaking program has grown.

The theme ‘Unlock the Wealth’ had panels and speakers appreciated by women aspiring to grow their various endeavors.

4. The 2019 Elimination of Violence against Women’s Day was marked at Beit Hanasi.

It’s 50 days after Yom Kippur when the national holiday of Sigd is celebrated.

5. Sigd was a holiday in Ethiopia when prayers were offered for the return to Zion and Jerusalem.

Sigd means ‘prostration’ and marks a reaffirmation to Jewish heritage.

Here the religious leaders called Kessim in their white robes led services in Jerusalem.

Tens of thousands annually gather on the Tayelet with its view of the Old City.

6. Jerusalem Biennale ‘For Heaven’s Sake!‘ 2019 ends November 28, but the Street Art Festival pieces will be up longer at First Station, adding color to the tourist area.

7. Time to remember Kaf Tet November, the date the UN accepted the partition plan to establish the State of Israel.

8. With Rosh Chodesh Kislev, strawberry season is approaching.

With sufganiyot, donuts of all sizes, shapes, and flavors – everywhere –

9. Hannukkah or Hanuka or Chanukah will be here before we know it.

No. No downtime, something is always happening on these Jerusalem streets.

Jerusalem After Holidays Now What?

November 6, 2019Sharon A

What’s new in Jerusalem after the holidays?

Looking back at last year it seems much is the same.

The universities are back in session.

A rocket from Gaza hit a home in Sderot.

Again, thankfully, the family was able to get to shelter and was not physically hurt.

Winter clouds hover over Jerusalem and the Old City as seen from Mishkenot Sha’ananim.

Holidays are over but tour buses line busy streets, coming and going from Zion Gate.

The annual Jerusalem ‘Houses From Within’ was held at the end of October.

The sign was up for entry to the old leper hospital grounds, one of 200 sites open to the public.

But it is so different now, unlike the first tour nine years ago when it was in ruin.

Nine years ago the price of tomatoes made headlines, this year it is the scarcity of butter.

Jupiter was in line with the moon. Crazy–this photo received hundreds of likes on Facebook.

Amazing. It is so fascinating what gets attention on social media.

The new moon and conferences galore begin as the holidays end.

The Herzl Conference on Contemporary Zionism ‘From Vision to Reality’ was a first-time event.

The opening was held at night on Har Herzl close to Herzl’s final resting place, with the gravestone illuminated.

Former US Senator and Vice-Presidential Candidate Joe Lieberman was on the opening program, mentioning proudly that he has children and grandchildren who made aliyah.

Stanley Fischer at Herzl Conference in Jerusalem

Dr. Stanley Fischer was another featured speaker on the program, along with President Reuven Rivlin.

The annual Jewish Agency Board of Governors opened on a somber note with a powerful video remembering those murdered in Pittsburgh one year ago.

PM Benjamin Netanyahu spoke to the Jewish Agency Board of Governors at the Begin Center.

There was security for the Prime Minister, this time I got a photo as they were taking it away.

Security was at a high level at the Waldorf Astoria. But, unlike most events, security let guests at the KKL-JNF Gala get close enough to photograph former Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper seated next to the Netanyahus. The new KKL-JNF visitor center in Hula Lake Park is dedicated in Harper’s honor.

Though busy with government and election drama, President Rivlin hosted a special meeting on antisemitism at Beit Hanasi, the President’s Residence.

US Special Envoy for Monitoring and Combating Antisemitism Elan Carr attended.

The panel also included the UK – Lord Eric Pickles, France – Frederic Potier, Germany – Dr. Felix Klein, and European Commission – Katharina von Schurbein. The consensus was that education is the key to combating antisemitism. Opinions once considered fringe are becoming mainstream on campuses and they are spreading. The problem is not a Jewish one, but one for all humanity.

The Bible Lands Museum Jerusalem shared important finds from an excavation in Beit Shemesh. Though no one knows exactly who the ‘Glorious Martyr’ was, the dig exposed a large Byzantine church, filled with hundreds of glass pieces and stone lamps.

On opening night invited guests arrived to see the exhibition and hear from experts.

A favorite object was this marble piece, probably the ‘seat’ of a high church official or donor.

Who knew hundreds of years ago donors had names on plaques in churches?

International Science Centers and Science Museum Day is November 11.

Look for free admission to the Bloomberg Science Museum and again the end of November.

The annual Piano Festival at the Jerusalem Theater is from November 13-16.

But first will be the annual international Animation festival in Jerusalem – AniNation.

Science and tech and start-up conferences–always more happening on Jerusalem streets!

In honor of Aliyah Day, celebrated this week, time to share an old favorite.

No government and elections looming.

Years of rockets from Gaza.

Serious threats from Lebanon and Iran.

Jordan, a very cold peace partner.

Rush hour traffic reaching nightmare levels.

Miracle in our times,

Am Yisrael Chai.