Hanukkah and Holiday Time in Jerusalem

Hanukkah and Holiday Time in Jerusalem

In Jerusalem, Israel, as December begins

the holiday season gets going.

Ethiopian Israeli Festival held in Jerusalem Israel

Signs are up for a new Ethiopian-Israeli Festival.

Tourists from Nigeria pose for photo in Jerusalem Old City Western Wall Plaza

International tourist groups have been enjoying

the unusually warm, sunny, and dry weather.

Chanukah Lights on poles for Hanuka

These holiday streets lights are up

and new signs of Hanukkah

are everywhere:

Poster for Hannukah events in Jerusalem Israel

some with neighborhood activities

Jerusalem Israel posters of Hanukkah donuts

and this series of signs with holiday treats to eat.

Chanukah donuts displayed in sop window Jerusalem Israel

Suffganiot have been in the shop windows

Donuts on large tray carried by man through shuk before Hanukkah

 in Machane Yehuda Market, the shuk’

and in Jerusalem bakeries for weeks.

But one of my favorite holiday foods are

Strawberries for Hanukkah in Jerusalem Israel Machane Yehuda market

those big red, delicious strawberries

 that are just coming into season.

In the shuk, they are for sale, but not yet piled high.

It is not only the Hanukkah season;

Old City Christian Quarter Santa Claus

 Santa Claus is in the Old City,

Jerusalem Israel YMCA Christmas tree in lobby

and the YMCA has decorated trees both inside

Christmas tree at YMCA Jerusalem Israel

and outside in the front garden.

On Friday, while on the bus to the Old City,

Muslim prayer on Friday in Jerusalem Israel Muslim men and women walking

we saw thousands of Muslims coming

Jerusalem, Lion's Gate on Friday afternoon prayer time.

from all directions for Friday prayers,

while at the same time

Counter protester against Women in Black is dressed in Israeli flag

these characters were waving Israeli flags

Pro-Israel supporter with sign in Jerusalem Israel

and holding signs.

It was a wonderful peaceful week in Jerusalem.

We will have to wait and see what will happen next.

But to end on a festive note,

one of my all time holiday favorites,

from two years ago,

is this wonderful sound and light projection,

on  Walls of the Old City.

Real Colors of Jerusalem, Israel

Much of the world is experiencing freezing temperatures,

but yesterday it was so warm here, that is hard to believe

that snow covered the city just two weeks ago.

palm tree photo

The palm trees against the blue sky made for a great photo.

YMCA Jerusalem Israel photo

Some Cypress trees are still bent from the weight of the snow,

but the YMCA tower stands straight as usual.

Mamilla Mall art work, photo Jerusalem Israel

A new exhibit on satire and humor (humour) opened in Mamilla Mall,

making it hard to get through there quickly to meet friends.

So many tourists were out enjoying the day and the weather.

Jerusalem photo

The regular Thursday Bar Mitzvah crowds included many 

that came from overseas to celebrate at the Kotel, the Western Wall.

While yesterday the topic of discussion for some

was the meaning of the Israeli election results,

Jerusalem photo

what was truly impressive was the color and diversity on the streets.

woman at wailing wall

Was this woman with green herbs getting ready for Tu Beshvat?

Old City Jerusalem photo

In the Old City I saw nuns dressed in blue,

oldl city Jerusalem photo

monks in brown passing Arab women dressed in pink,

Jerusalem Old City photo

and groups os Christian tourists following a red and white flag.

Jerusalem Old City photo,

People were eating outside and walking around.

tourists Israel

Not everyone was smiling the entire time,

Ehtiopian children photo

and these boys were riding golden lions?

Israeli soldiers photo

There were lots of soldiers in green uniforms,

Golani tekes sign

 they came for a special swearing-in ceremony in the evening.

soldier at Wailing Wall

At least one soldier took the time to pray at the Kotel, the Western Wall.

sign Jerusalem Israel

On the way home I saw a sign announcing that the Kaiser

is coming to the Tower of David Museum.

photo Jerusalem Israel

Would the Kaiser in 1898 or anyone else imagine that Jews

and friends from all over the world would come to Jerusalem, Israel.

And who a few years could ago imagine that at the Kotel

people would Sykpe on an iPhone to families back home?