Jerusalem Spring Colors

Passover is over.

It is back to school,

except for high school students who are on a two-day strike.

Back to work, back to “normal”

and trying to get back on a schedule.

Trash after holiday needs to be collected

It will take awhile to clean up mess left behind

by tens of thousands of people in all the outdoor spaces.

But I started the week indoors at the Israel Museum,

Israel Museum contemporary art

where colors are waiting to greet you.

What a treat,

I had a guided tour with the curator.

I am so pleased that I went back to get more of

 Pharaoh in Canaan: The Untold Story.

sphinx in Israel Museum exhibit on Pharaoh and Canaan

From a visiting the sphinx

Old dice from ancient Egypt Israel Museum Pharaoh exhibit

to games from ancient Egypt,

this is a fascinating era in history,

and one I had not thought about before.

With Passover over, do not worry,

there is no time to get bored.

It is now time for the Yoms,

Yom Hashoah, Holocaust Memorial Day,

then next week Yom HaZikaron,

Memorial Day for Fallen Soldiers and Victims of Terrorism,

followed by Yom Haatzmaut, Israel Independence Day.

Planes flyover Jerusalem Israel for Yom Haatzmaut

I love to catch the dress rehearsal flyovers.

Two planes flying over Jerusalem for INdependence Day show

This year there were only two small planes,

against the blue sky with wisps of white clouds.

Planes over Jerusalem Israel for Independence Day show

Only two short flights,

Planes flying in formation over Jerusalem Israel for Yom Haatzmaut

with two planes flying in formation.

I assume there will be much more action mid-day on Yom Haatzmaut,

and I plan to be in Gan Sacher, Sacher Park for the show.

The blue and white Israeli and Jerusalem flags

 Israel flags lining Jerusalem streets for holiday

are waving over many Jerusalem streets,

hung annually for the Yoms.

But new this week,

Colorful umbrellas in Music Square Jerusalem Israel

these large umbrellas

Music Square stage Jerusalem Israel

are hovering over Music Square in Jerusalem,

small umbrellas off Yoel Salomon Street Jerusalem Israel

with smaller ones in the lanes as you approach

the square from Yoel Salomon Street.

Jerusalem flowers colorful unusual

Color from real flowers,

food #D art on Jerusalem Israel streets

or another 3-D street art piece, or

Angry Birds poster in Hebrew in Jerusalem Israel

I love movie posters in Hebrew,

especially this red one is for “Angry Birds.”

Yom Hashoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day,

begins tonight, real torches will be lit at Yad Vashem,

but many buildings have not only blue and white Israeli flags,

Remembrance flame over King David Hotel for Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Remembrance day.

but also red and orange memorial flames,

like this one on the King David Hotel.

Slow, sad music has started on the radio.

On the Jerusalem, Israel streets,

it is easier to remember,

“Never Again.”

Jerusalem: Summit, Hackathon, and CleanTech

In Jerusalem, Israel, this week,

the sky was blue

path in Valley of Cross in spring Jerusalem Israel park

and the open spaces were green after winter rains.

My walk through the Valley of the Cross to

the Israel Museum is a favorite,

but I kept stopping to take photos.

 I was on my way to the Israel Museum

for the Forbes Under-30 summit.

Love Ahava sculpture in Rose Garden Israel Museum

600 young “game changers” attended, 

200 from US, 200 from Europe and 200 from Israel.

Forbes 30 under 30 at Israel Museum Jerusalem, Israel conference

This is an annual event to swap ideas, collaborate,

create partnerships and to learn.

Monica Lewinsky moderating panel at Forbes 30 under 30

One session was led by Monica Lewinsky,

who is currently working to prevent cyber bullying.

It was hot outside in the sunny garden,

Israel Museum Billy Rose Garden Jerusalem, Israel

but Regis, a delegate from France, posed for me anyway.

I sure hope he met Konstantinos from Greece,

who also has an internet site to help young volunteers.

Also, this week,

the Israel National Library

has its cornerstone laying ceremony.

Book cover used as centerpiece at Israel National Library event

It was a well-planned and fancy affair,

down to the book-themed centerpieces, buffet tables and coffee.

This was not the “real” streets

as the streets were blocked and traffic was stopped

for the Israeli government officials and royalty to attend.

Most of the 350 library staff members were not invited.

Benjamin Netanyahu shaking hands with David Gottesman as Lord Rothschild watches

In the center, is Lord Rothschild, or

Nathaniel Charles Jacob Rothschild, 4th Baron Rothschild, BtOMGBEFBA,

as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reached to shake hands

with another major donor to the library, Mr. David S. Gottesman.

Israel National Library was started on Mt Scopus but had to move in 1948, new one to be built in Jerusalem

The original library was built on Mt Scopus in 1930,

but had to be abandoned in 1948,

and the collection was scattered around Jerusalem in various locations

before being consolidated in present Givat Ram location.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaking at Israel National Library cornerstone ceremony

The Prime Minister was one of the speakers.

The new complex is between the Knesset Building

and the other leading museums.

Museum heads were present,

as were other prominent community leaders.

Heads of Israeli Museums at National Library corner stone event

Let’s see who remembers our friend on the right?

But there was so much more happening

in Jerusalem, Israel, this week!

Hansen House Wikimedia Hackathon Jerusalem Israel

Hansen House hosted Wikimedia Hackathon Jerusalem.

Hundreds of “techies,” computer programmer volunteers,

Hansen House courtyard Wikimedia Hackathon Jerusalem Israel

gathered to work on data, photos, and media

that goes with and supports Wikipedia.

Wikimedia Hackathon Jerusalem at Hansen House

In the old renovated leper hospital,

ultra-modern technology was being developed.

The Wikipedia-Wikimedia community wants to make

Wikimedia Hackathon Jerusalem at Hansen House

 all knowledge free and accessible to the world.

Hansen House grounds for Wikimedia Hackathon Jerusalem Israel

The Hansen House gardens were green,

and noticeably improved from their sad state a few years ago.

I love seeing the new coming from the old in Jerusalem.

But there was yet another first time in Jerusalem, Israel,

conference this week.

CleanTech2016 was held at the Ramada Hotel.

Co-sponsored by my friends at JBNF,

the Jerusalem Business Networking Forum,

this 20th international conference dealt with

energy technologies, waste systems and sustainability.

It was fascinating to speak with a woman from China,

Sino-signapore Chinese at CleanTech conference in Jerusalem, Israel

who was here representing a Sino-Singapore project.

They are planning a new development complex outside

 China’s biggest city and are looking for investors and technology.

She knew English and seemed well-educated.

However when I told her about Wikipedia,

she said she had never heard of it.

Thousands of people came together in Jerusalem.

Many were first time visitors at these first-ever events,

call it a summit, hackathon or conference,

Clean Tech conference Jerusalem, Israel china booth Sino-Singapore

it was a meeting of minds, all working for a better enlightened future.

What an amazing week in Jerusalem!

From London, China, Greece, Germany, US, France, and more,

 people were able to see what was really happening.

All these great things and the good things

that the mainstream media ignores.

No blood. No story. Does not sell.

So please enjoy the good stuff and share.

More Under 30 photos HERE. 

Purim in Jerusalem

As soon as the Jerusalem Marathon is over,

the Jerusalem Purim marathon drew to a close.

With this leap year’s second Adar,

shops, organizations, and schools

have been preparing to celebrate the Purim holiday,

for a long, long time.

In Jerusalem, Israel, there is a street named

for Shushan and Mordechai HaYehudi,

and for Queen Esther,

Esther Street in Jerusalem

 with this sign as always a holiday favorite.

New this year was

Purim masks

a mask exhibit at the Bible Lands Museum.

masks in shul for purim

Masks, face paint, and hats were the norm

reading megilat esther

at one synagogue megillah reading,

where costumes were optional.

tent for community reading of meglia

On Emek Refaim Street a tent was set up

for community readings of Megilat Esther.

Meanwhile, there was a party was going on

down the road at the community center;

Barbara Sofer in a Purim hat

and yes, I liked Barbara’s hat.

Zev Stub out Purim night

Hats and smiles out at night with over tired babies,

Purim costume with lights

or ready to party, all lit up,

Thursday night as Purim was ending for the rest of Israel,

Shushan Purim in Jerusalem was just getting going.

Superman on Purim

This year Supermen of all sizes

Purim costume

and little fire fighters were out on the streets,

costume on Purim

but I only saw one of these big guys getting on a bus.

Problem is, often in Jerusalem, it is hard to tell

man with highlights

Purim

Purim or not Purim

or not Purim?

Purim went right into Shabbat,

so it has taken until Sunday to wish all

jerusalem street sign for purim

Purim Sameach!

Happy Purim!

Whew, but now that Purim is finally finished,

Jerusalem Old City festival

it is time for the Sounds of the Old City music festival

Arts festival after purim

and the Jerusalem Arts Festival,

and to start planning for Passover!

But first maybe a good night sleep?

After changing the clocks,

some rest would be very helpful.