culture – Page 11 – The Real Jerusalem Streets

View inside the Tower of David fortress

What’s Happening on Jerusalem Streets after Holidays?

October 24, 2017October 24, 2017Sharon A

After the chagim, after the holidays.

The holiday visitors have gone.

Now what? Plenty.

The universities are finally starting.

The Knesset is back in session after long break.

Way too much is happening in Jerusalem to keep up.

The imposing Tower of David (ToD)

was open for the launch of its new Innovation Lab.

These old statues were being relocated,

and over 20 technology startups in augmented reality/virtual reality,

AR/VR, were being presented.

Click and see history of 3000 years unfold!

With glasses like these,

one day you will be able sit at home

and feel as if you were in Herod’s old fortress.

And with these glasses,

eye movements can operate a robot.

Much more is happening and planned for AR/VR.

It all sounds like science fiction,

but is being developed daily to enhance the museum experience

and improve quality of life.

Oh the contrast of old and new!

Outside those walls of the Old City, near Jaffa Gate,

these Christian tourists were singing and dancing,

while across the street a woman was sorting

the olives she had just taken from this olive tree.

Olive harvesting is nearly finished for this year.

However, new festivals are beginning.

Here are 3 favorites of new Hebrew signs.

Until I saw it in English,

I had hard time understanding,

the Lev Smadar Theater is hosting “Eclectic Jerusalem” cultural films.

Then there is this sign for an illustration and poetry,

“Out-Line Festival.”

And how about an International Animation Festival

in Jerusalem, at Cinematheque?

Not enough?

Houses WithIn, now called “Open House”

starts on Thursday, with 117 interesting and free tours.

Some are fascinating sites open to public,

some are announced as free access,

others were fully booked at warp speed.

Poor Folks’ Cemetery or the Har Herzl military cemetery,

famous private homes

or the Jerusalem home of the Electric Company, are a few options.

The Pillbox in Rechavia was opened last year.

It was less than comfortable inside and a worse photo op,

but it was interesting to hear about.

Photos from the International Jerusalem

Jewish Contemporary Art Bienalle will have to wait for next time.

Oh and soon, Open Restaurants – 5 days, 100 options!

More next time,

will see how many I can get to.

So much is happening on the Jerusalem streets.

Jerusalem March 2017

Jerusalem March on Sukkot Amazing International Event

October 15, 2017Sharon A

The 60th International Jerusalem March

took place during the intermediate days of the Sukkot holiday,

the Feast of Tabernacles, and again this year was a huge event.

Flags from 60 countries flew from the flagpoles

and small ones were given out to spectators.

Major streets were closed for the 60,000 participants.

The starting point in Gan Sacher, Sacher Park,

was colorful, and not just because of these clowns.

Thousands of Israelis came

and gathered in the central Jerusalem park,

to join in the parade,

and to see the international visitors.

The weather was sunny and warm,

a perfect time for an ice cream treat.

Here is the banner of the United Nations for Israel.

There were shofars blowing,

matching hats,

and more distinctive headgear,

entertainment for children,

and of course, selfies.

Thousands walked and watched this March for Zion,

singing love from Philippines,

waving Israeli flags,

or carrying a Jerusalem flag as a banner.

This group from China,

besides distributing a flag or candy treat,

gave this woman a pearl necklace.

One marcher’s costume had a US-Israel theme,

while right behind him came

this woman spreading her golden wings.

The enthusiasm and colors,

the flags small and

large, were everywhere.

There were Biblical banners

and Israelis flags, from countries far and wide

including Indonesia.

The love for Yerushalayim,

50 years of a unified Jerusalem,

overflowed,

as tens of thousands marched out

of the park and through

the streets of Jerusalem, Israel, on Tuesday afternoon,

ending at First Station.

What a way to celebrate a beautiful day.

Happy Holiday sign at Israeli President's house on Sukkot 5778 - 70 years.

Sukkot Surprise in Jerusalem

October 11, 2017Sharon A

The Bible Marathon was held October 6.

People raced from Rosh Ha’ayin to site of ancient Shilo,

a distance of 42 kilometers, a full marathon track.

I did not have time to go,

I was on a personal marathon,

racing through a packed holiday season.

So much happening in Jerusalem,

it is really hard to keep up.

For the first day of Sukkot lunch, we were 22 people,

from US, Mexico, USSR, Australia, France, South Africa

and more, all gathered in our sukkah for a meal.

Amazing if you take time stop and think about it.

President Rivlin honored a long-time tradition

and opened the gates of Beit Hanasi,

the Israeli President’s official residence, to the public.

As usual the Presidential sukkah featured

Israeli grown agricultural products,

this year a map of world was unusual and special.

From Beit Hanasi in the morning,

I had planned on walking into town to attend a bar mitzvah.

But also special on that day, was the weather.

Sure they had called for rain in the morning.

But first rain usually is a few drops of wet dirt.

But, surprise!

Thankfully, I made it to a bus stop,

before the heavens opened up.

Below is one of several videos,

in case you think I am overstating.

I made it to the bar mitzvah.

It had moved inside from the sukkah,

but cleared enough to come out again for dessert.

So much more, but for now here is

one special photo from Beit Hanasi Sukkah Open House

“Happy Holiday”

Check back next week for holiday highlights,

Jerusalem March, Kites at Israel Museum, sukkot, etc.

Now back to kitchen to prepare for end of holiday week.

חג שמח