On Streets and in Houses: Summer Culture in Jerusalem

US Secretary of State John Kerry traveled back and forth many times

from Jerusalem to Ramallah, but not to worry, that distance is very short. 

 Italian Prime Minister Enrico Letta was around this week also.

We did not hear that either man had time for leisure or culture while in Jerusalem.

But I wonder if they noticed, as their motorcades sped through the streets,

photo Jerusalem, image Jerusalem

that the viewing stands of the Jerusalem Formula Peace Road Show were coming down?

Still hoping that my hearing will return,

what a noisy event that was!

School is out for the long summer holiday.

So what is happening next on the streets of Jerusalem, Israel?

Image Jerusalem film festival

The 30th Jerusalem Film Festival is to open this week. 

 Also, the International Writers’ Festival is in nearby Mishkenot Sha’ananim;

next year it is to be in May so take note and mark your calendars now.

image season of culture, Jerusalem Photos

The annual Season of Culture in Jerusalem (July 1 – August 23)

is trying something new, “In the House,” 

where some events are held in private homes.

At First Station,

image woman and puppet, photo street theater

sitting in the shade, were Savta 

image Jerusalem street theater, photo Jerusalem, J Street

and her young friend.

So interesting,

Jerusalem street theater image, Jerusalem photography , picture Jerusalem street scene

 that not only children stopped to respond to their street performance.

image Jerusalem street music, photo man Jerusalem music

A young boy in a wheelchair danced in his seat as this street musician played,

just another of many performances in this new tourist spot.

Of course, the Jerusalem Theater is a constant venue of cultural performances.

But also the lobbies of the theater are used to showcase local artists.

image art gallary, photo art show

Last year we knew one young artist whose work was on display,

and this week, I knew two of the artists.

Jerusalem Theater art display

  The first a portrait painter, Laurel Sternberg

watercolor display  on wall of Jerusalem Theater, image gallery watercolour art

and  Shoshana Meerkin, a favorite watercolor artist, had their work showcased.

And if these examples of culture are not serious enough

image Falstaff by Verdi , poster for Opera

 on July 17, 2013,

Verdi’s Falstaff 

with Zubin Mehta conducting the orchestra,

will be performed at the Jerusalem International Convention Center.

 And these are just a few examples of what is really happening in Jerusalem.

9 Signs of Summer in Jerusalem

The Israeli Presidential Conference Facing Tomorrow is history.

Another school year is ending. 

Summer weather has arrived in Jerusalem, Israel.

Image of Hebrew movie ad

I love to see the Disney summer movie for kids advertised in Hebrew.

Post in Hebrew image

The Herod exhibit at the Israel Museum continues to draw visitors.

image for Formula One

Jerusalem Formula – The Peace Road  Show is gone.

image sign for Maacabiah in Hebrew

But sports fans are excitedly awaiting thousands of Maacabiah

participants to arrive soon for two weeks of sporting events.

Hebrew sign image

The New Old Train Station is new site of culture and food and fun,

Hebrew sign with English translation wrong

but one of my favorite signs disappeared the day the site opened. 

Teddy park sign

When the Teddy Park fountain is really working I will share the photos, 

meanwhile it has been closed and this sign was correct for only one night.

Hebrew names on Coke bottle

This is still one of my favorite signs,

but the excitement of this ad campaign has settled down.

Poster in Hebrew for summer of inspiration

Summer of inspiration.

Waiting to see what will happen next on the streets of Jerusalem.

Under-21 Championship Final and Tomorrow

The marathon of big events over the past two weeks,

Jerusalem Lights, Formula 1 Road Show,

and Hebrew Book Week, have ended.

Though it also began the beginning of June,

the UEFA Under-21 Championship Finals are still going.

The Israel-England game that was played at Teddy Stadium

attracted over 22,000 soccer (football) fans.

Many former Brits living in Israel were conflicted,

so they cheered for both sides.

Though Israel won, they still did not go on to the next round.

photo playing soocer

In the middle of Ben Yehuda Square,

usually the scene of street musicians, 

 this Under-21 Championship set-up appeared instead.

image kids playing soccer game

Playing this soccer game did not seem like the best exercise,

photo playing sports on wii

and gotta love these active sportsmen.

But I was glad I came back later

soccer ball practice image

to see that some young people were actually kicking  soccer balls

image boy with soccer ball

and some were using their heads.

UEFA under 21 Championship

Look out world,

here comes another generation of Israeli soccer players.

The European soccer championship game,

Italy vs. Spain, is being played tonight at Teddy Stadium in Jerusalem,

 Spain could win back to back victories.

Update final score: Italy 2- Spain 4.

At the same time, at the Jerusalem International Convention Center

Israeli Presidential Conference

is the opening of  #Tomorrow13, the Israeli Presidential Conference.

 5000 delegates have come from around the world to attend.

 Tonight is a huge 90th birthday celebration

for Israeli President Shimon Peres, with Dr. Barbara Streisand,

(she got an honorary doctorate from Hebrew University yesterday),

former President Bill Clinton, Prince Albert of Monaco

and other celebrities, like Robert Di Nero.

It is harder to get a ticket than to the Barak Obama’s speech in Jerusalem!

But I wonder which event will have more home viewers?

So much happening on the streets of Jerusalem,

you do not have to be here to see the diversity!