Rosh Hashannah,
the start of Jewish New Year,
may it be a good, healthy and sweet one for all.
שנה טובה
Shana tov.
culture
New Jerusalem Favorites Before Rosh Hashannah
All around Israel glasses are being “raised”
as Rosh Hashannah, the new Jewish year 5777
is rapidly approaching.
My favorite was at Beit Hanasi,
the official Israeli President’s residence,
where 90 foreign countries were represented
by their ambassadors or head of mission in Israel.
Ambassadors from Jordan and Egypt were present,
as President Reuven and Nechama Rivlin
made l’chaim outside in garden reception,
Wine. Lots of wine.
Walls of wine, kosher wine,
line the walls of יין בשוק, Yayin B’Shuk.
Since 1870, the Teperberg family has been making kosher wine,
and we tasted some new favorites on a tour Sunday night.
Before Rosh Hashannah wine for gifts
and gift baskets with wine seem to be everywhere.
Chalahs will be piled high by the end of week,
but holiday cakes were ready and on display early.
Did you know Berman Bakery been baking since 1875?
Machane Yehuda market, the shuk,
not as old as the winery or bakery,
has piles of varieties of new fruits out for the holiday.
The shuk has changed greatly.
The familiar looking stalls with tea,
shops with nuts, oil and spices by day,
at night close their shutters.
Then this happened.
Graffiti appeared on the drab grey screens.
At first shop owners were not pleased.
But the works of spray painted art,
have become a favorite night attraction.
Solomon was ready to fix his Matisyahu portrait.
Since he asked not to show the old one before the do-over,
we will have to get back to the shuk at night
after the holidays to check it out.
Matisyahu is to perform again in Jerusalem on October 13th.
But Solomon Souza is not the only artist busy at night.
We found this man painting on Agrippas Street.
The night life in the area,
has continued to grow this past year,
crowds of people will fill the tables,
which fill the lanes when the shop keepers go home.
Even more popular than last year,
Selihot, special prayers leading up to Rosh Hashannah
Musical services begin late and go early.
Tours are offered for those wanting to see selihot
around the Old City and parts of Jerusalem.
Also again this year, a street festival on Emek Refaim,
with sales of used clothing, wares and musical performances.
This long table was as set ready for a holiday meal,
but provided seating for those wanting to listen to holiday music.
Not your usual Rosh Hashannah selihot venue!
Walking down Emek Refaim Street,
there was Solomon painting compost bins
to be placed in Jerusalem community gardens.
Recycle, reuse, help the environment,
and get the new year off to a good start,
this neighborhood fair hosted thousands.
Variety and diversity,
not only of fruits,
but of holiday programs all week is astounding.
New initiatives and programs,
on traditional themes for the new year.
I decided to end with the old favorite,
Shana tova,
a good and healthy year to all.
12 Signs this Week in Jerusalem
This was another autumn week
filled with Jerusalem festivals and events.
Mekudeshet and Manofim,
try and keep all those arts and music programs straight.
At night the temperatures go down
and the people come out from hiding – after the hot sunny days.
Near the light rail tracks and Zion Square,
and not in New York City,
signs beckons for end-of-season sales.
As part of a cultural festival
trees were brought in and placed around Zion Square.
I am not sure I like the new look,
but loved seeing so many people out on the streets.
I was on my way to the Italian Festival.
The beautiful sanctuary of the Italian Synagogue,
off Ben Yehuda Street,
was open to the public.
The wooden benches may be authentic,
but they are not the most comfortable for long prayer services.
This was the annual festival
where pizza was available in the plaza
and old Vespas were on exhibit inside.
Italians were not the only ones featured this week.
Chinese flags were flying over the Knesset
as government officials were in Jerusalem,
joining hundreds of Chinese tourists.
When it comes to tourists,
John Hagee is back, leading over 300 people,
his banner sat in the quiet lobby as they toured the Old City.
The celebration of 50th year of Jerusalem’s reunification
brought together the builders and funders of Jerusalem,
the families who support the Jerusalem Foundation,
Their major projects are too many too mention now.
This large sign and Israeli flags greeted them at Beit Hanasi,
the Israeli President’s official residence.
Celebrations will happen throughout the year,
as Hebrew year 5777 begins next week.
Also at Beit Hanasi this week.
an emotional event was held honoring IDF soldiers
who were bone marrow donors
by grateful recipients and their families.
For the past 10 years,
IDF soldiers have undergone voluntary screening,
and their bone marrow donations have saved 1,100 lives.
From this small sign about a craft festival
on Derech Bet Lechem,
to this over-sized sign announcing that Matisyahu
is coming back for a Sultan Pool concert in October,
new signs have been posted all around Jerusalem.
Not all are in Hebrew-
sometimes the ones in English get the most attention.
Would you pay 200 shekels for destroyed jeans?
Hundreds of signs were posted for the
5000 runners who filled the Jerusalem streets
on Monday night for Jerusalem Maccabiah Night Run.
Another on sports,
signs are posted for the annual basketball shooting derby
event at Kikar Safra, Government Square.
But until the balls start flying through the air,
these safety signs were getting more attention.
Not into sport?
A Picasso exhibit is on at the Israel Museum,
and the rooms filled with hundreds of the artist’s works.
Outside. Inside. Large. Small.
Still not enough?
Our local Pillbox is to be a star
at the Houses Within annual event.
This modest sign posted on nearby trees
offers just one of dozens of options over 3 days.
It’s a great opportunity to see private homes and other buildings,
otherwise closed to the public.
Whew,
just a few signs of what is happening
in Jerusalem this week.
Now you have seen these signs,
please let me know what you would like
to see more of next time and in future.