current-events – Page 29 – The Real Jerusalem Streets

Shabbat Shalom

January 25, 2019Sharon A

The Cinema City mural, an all time favorite, for this week.

Shabbat shalom with Moses

שבת שלום

3 Suggestions to Enjoy Jerusalem in Stormy Weather

January 9, 2019Sharon A

This time of year, in Jerusalem, Israel, with the beginning of the Hebrew month of Shevat and the approaching “New Year of Trees,” we anticipate new growth and spring.

Walking yesterday toward the Knesset, I spotted the first wild flowers in bloom.

New paths are being prepared through the Valley of the Cross.

There are no blossoms on the almond trees yet, but new olive trees have been planted.

New benches have been placed along the new walking and bike path under development.

The Knesset rises beyond the construction site of the new National Library.

But then the weather turned from sunny to rainy and cold. Thanks to this bird who perched outside my window, I had something else to photograph other than the grey foggy sky.

People ask, “What is there to do when it is too nasty to be out on the Jerusalem streets?”

Here are three of the easiest answers to this often asked question:

The Bible Lands Museum Jerusalem – BLMJ

BLMJ main galleries take visitors back to the earliest civilizations.

A new exhibit opened with pieces looted from archaeological sites in Judea and Samaria and recovered by the Israel Antiquities Authority.

Each piece has a story, going back many centuries.

The Israel Museum

Across the road from BLMJ, one sees the dome of the Shrine of the Book, the home of Dead Sea Scrolls.

In the Israel Museum, the largest of Jerusalem’s dozens of museums, are collections of ancient Jewish life in the land of Israel.

Learn about ancient Egyptian Mummies on a audio-guided tour with the latest modern technology.

Of late, Jerusalem museums have taken a special interest in attracting and engaging children.

Multiple exhibits provide young people opportunities to explore and learn.

The Bloomfield Science Museum Jerusalem

The science museum had special exhibits on fire for Hanukkah, which were very popular the last days when it was raining.

Check in with information when you enter.

There are exhibits which are temporary

and are constantly changing to engage young minds.

Makerspace was in the main hall on my last visit.

Young people were encouraged to design and fly their own paper airplanes.

There was a reading section called Challenge and Risk.

Notice that everything in these museums is in Hebrew, Arabic, and English.

Colors and technology are used to attract visually,

though sometimes simple things can be made interesting too.

Outside areas are much more popular when the weather is pleasant.

Play areas outside change regularly and are designed to teach basic scientific principles.

This new age dinosaur can be found on the grounds outside.

I do not think this is the tree of knowledge.

But there is no better place to start for toddlers to explore and learn.

These museums, located near each other, have places to eat, and provide more than shelter.

But I must repeat my warning, if you are supervising young children,

do NOT try and do any of the amazing Jerusalem museums if you are a tired adult.

Another piece of advice: check museum hours before going, as they vary day by day.

If you do not have membership, there are days free for children, but costs vary and can be expensive.

However, in honor of Space Week, the Bloomfield Science Museum is offering free entrance.

Even if Jerusalem is warm and the sun is shining, worth checking out.

Enjoy!

Jerusalem Hanukkah New Favorites in 24 Photos

December 12, 2018Sharon A

Hanukkah.

Eight days of Hanukkah in Jerusalem, Israel, are not enough.

With so many things happening, one has to make a list and organize the time carefully.

Lighting the large hanukkiah by the Kotel, the Western Wall, is a popular annual evening event.

New this year, the Prime Minister and US Ambassador conducted a special lighting ceremony,

but it was a very private event on a different hanukkiah, shielded from the heavy rain and curious spectators.

As usual, a large electric hanukkiah was lit each night of Hanukkah over the Knesset.

New this year was the hanukkiah erected on top of the Hadar Mall in Talpiot.

Advertised as one of the world’s biggest Hanukkah menorahs, it measured 11 meters tall and 56 meters wide.

But Hanukkah candles are best lit in the home, as illustrated in this new projection on the Old City walls near Jaffa Gate.

One of the most famous of photos of a Hanukkah menorah hangs on the wall at Yad Vashem, next to the real one displayed in a glass case. It shows a hanukkiah in the city of Kiel, Germany in 1932, with the Nazi flag flying across the street. This hanukkiah is lit each year by members of the family that owned it, its lights burning on after the fall of Hitler’s Nazi Germany.

Before Hanukkah shops featured selections to satisfy every fashion and taste.

On Jerusalem streets one could find a lone hanukkiah lit outside a home,

or dozens shining brightly outside a yeshiva dormitory.

The idea is to show, share, and enjoy the lights in celebration of the miracle of Hanukkah.

With a simple hanukkiah at home,

or a large hanukkiah at Beit Hanasi, the Israeli President’s Residence, Hanukkah was a special time.

The President hosted multiple groups over Hanukkah, morning and night, to join in lighting ceremonies, including groups of Holocaust survivors and children.

This Paralympic athlete who was honored to light at one ceremony had a favorite smile.

Did you know Jerusalem has a street named for Judah the Maccabee?

On the building at #7 Judah Maccabee Street was this holiday themed graffiti.

Large crowds were found in Mamilla Mall for candle lighting, with music, singing and dancing.

The last night of Hanukkah there was a glorious sky at sunset. You see a glimpse of it to the left. We were on our way to one last Hanukkah party in heavy traffic, and slowed to take this photo. Seems like this cyclist stopped as well, along with the cars slowing to watch.

Missed a great sunset photo, but in spite of traffic made it to Hub Etzion in time for Michael Oren to light the hanukkiah and celebrate at the last Hanukkah party for this year.

In recent years the walls of the Old City were lit up with projections for Hanukkah.

This year again a favorite with Hanukkah greetings in multiple languages.

Inside the walls by Jaffa Gate, the Old City was the site of a Hanukkalayim Festival.

Live performances, music and more lights for Hanukkah.

Glad I went on Wednesday night.

On Thursday it started raining, pouring, and raining some more.

The Bloomfield Science Museum had special Hanukkah fire exhibits and was packed.

Other museums were filled as a day at the zoo was not good option.

Going to the Israel Museum had been our original plan. Viewing menorahs from 4th – 5th century CE in Tiberias, from the Susiya synagogue in the Hebron hills. and from Beit Shean in 5th – 7th century CE, our visit fit the Hanukkah spirit perfectly.

Thankfully the weather was perfect for the first Jerusalem Hanukkah Together Parade as it went down King David Street.

Famous balloons did not include Spider-Man, Kung Fu Panda, Anna and Elsa from “Frozen,” Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck, and Pokemons, but included “others” and Jerusalem basketball players.