First Station

Jerusalem Conferences and Festivals Returning

Sharon A

In Jerusalem, Israel, where to begin RJS this week is a problem.

Today is September 11th.

September 11 memorial flame off main road to Jerusalem

The day we remember 9/11 – September 2001 when terrorists hijacked jetliners, and crashed into the financial World Trade Center in New York City and the Pentagon, the heart of the US military, murdering thousands of innocents.

Jerusalem memorial to victims of September 11 flowers placed on names of murdered.

On September 11, 2018 – we had a different US Ambassador in Israel, but the Israeli 9/11 Memorial off the main road to Jerusalem, with all the names of the victims of terror, is there 24/7.

Jerusalem is changing. Buildings are to come down and go up higher.

The traffic back-ups. Near the entrance of Jerusalem, the road changes and heavy equipment, always something new to confuse drivers.

But this week outside, and inside the Jerusalem International Convention Center, one could find earth-moving equipment.

AGROMASHOV, Israel’s Largest Agricultural Conference, and CLEANTECH, two international conferences & exhibitions were held in Jerusalem, Israel, on September 5-6, 2022.

Israeli agriculture displays included watermelon of course!

Solar technology was also on display in the large hall.

One area featured the use of sabra cactus as food. The Ambassadors and Embassy representatives heard about various ways to use the fruit on their guided tour of the exhibits.

Angola was not the only African country in Jerusalem for the exhibition. I met a man who came from Nigeria that day who flew in specially for the conference.

I did not hear who won the cherry tomato competition.

But can tell you that 10% alcohol sabra cream was way too strong for me.

With the end of summer, school is back in session, a new bicycle tunnel opened, and Jerusalem festivals have returned to fill the days, nights, and streets.

For the first time, the Hansen House hosted a contemporary dance festival with solo works by choreographers from Israel and overseas. The new Jerusalem International Dance Festival included master classes and discussion panels.

The Takhana Rishona, First Station, is busy with food and entertainment.

At First Station, one can always find something new. I have no idea what this young woman was recording one night near the carousel.

At Teddy Park, the moon was full over the Old City walls and the fountain was on, but people were only passing by, headed to the Sultan’s Pool.

Thousands of concertgoers were headed to their seats at the Sultan’s Pool for the Shlomo Artzi concert.

The mega concerts and Jerusalem festivals have returned to the Jerusalem streets, and after two years, people are happy to be out again.

The Manofim Jerusalem Contemporary Art Festival joins the September Israel Festival in Jerusalem with unusual cultural options.

The postponed Woodstock Fest at Silo, near First Station, off the large parking lot, is set for September 15, 2022.

Plus, Emunah Jerusalem’s first Ethiopian Israeli Cultural Festival Featuring traditional Cuisine; Art; Theater; Drum Workshop and circle; Basket Weaving; Dance; Film, and more, is also at the Silo Cafe, on September 29th, from 4:30 – 8:30 pm.

A Green Inside and Out Festival will be held on the grounds of the Bloomfield Science Museum from September 14-16.

It’s hard to know what to do first!

End of summer clouds covered the Jerusalem streets this week,

and the setting sun setting added impressive colors to the Jerusalem streets, a reminder that the holidays are approaching.

Rosh Hashana, the New Year Selihot crowds have started to gather at the Kotel, Western Wall after midnight. Culminating, October 3, 2022, before Yom Kippur with what should be a huge attendance.

Hope to see you here soon.

Jerusalem Colors and Hopes

Sharon A

Oh my goodness, we are off to an interesting start for the new year 2022!

Red countries are now green, as rules and regulations changed overnight.

Oh what an upside-down world. Children out during what should be a school day buying ice creams, as their classrooms return to online instruction. Testing positive is bad. Test negative–all is good. The lines for testing are long and longer and the variants seem endless.

A big balloon for 2022 was displayed in Jerusalem’s Takana Rishona, First Station at one eatery.

The winter igloos for restaurant guests to isolate were ready.

But the crowds of tourists were noticeably missing.

At least there was no snow, and the sun came out for a few hours this week.

But the big news to cloud the week was not the weather, but Omicron.

The highly contagious coronavirus variant has the government issuing the go-ahead for the 4th injection for those over 60 years of age and health workers. Free test kits are to be supplied to every child in Israel – in pre-schools and primary schools, as well as teaching staff.

At least our health center was well run and, without the news cameras, the halls were quiet and orderly as people arrived for their appointed times.

Again this week the scene at Jaffa Gate was too quiet without tourists.

The birds resting on the Tower of David above Jaffa Gate seemed to be more than I had ever noticed in the past.

While some areas were lovely scenes not appreciated by visitors,

the food places at Mamilla Mall below were busy with lunchtime crowds.

At Kikar Safra a few people were enjoying the sunny weather and blue sky.

But what caught my interest was the new art on display at Jerusalem’s municipal square, posters by 13 illustrators curated by Dov Abramson.

The artists each portrayed one of the 39 types of work not allowed on Shabbat to create a clever poster.

The colorful posters lined the main Safra Square area

and brightened the way and day for those who stopped to look.

The Jerusalem Theater also had new and different art on display.

Prize-winning quilts lined the wall in the Jerusalem Theater main lobby.

The colorful and clever fabric designs are spread out on various levels throughout the building.

Here is the display outside one of the auditoriums above

and another below the main theater lobby. As you can see I had the entire space to myself on the afternoon I ventured in. Wearing a mask was required, but I saw no other people except staff.

Jerusalem Theater hosts the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra. These past weeks of closings the JSO has performed and also posted regularly online. From the Hallelujah Festival – Leonard Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms | לאונרד ברנשטיין – מזמורי צ׳יצ׳סטר was the video shown last night. Check it out.

I had never noticed this sign at the Montefiore Windmill in the past -“Guy’s Hope,” but thought it amusing that there was one guy sitting alone on the overlook.

I was on my way to check the new art on the walls at the Mishkanot Sha’ananim gallery by Ilan Baruch, “A Painter Facing the Land.” With so many events canceled and going online, I hope this guy’s exhibition is seen.

With a week with too much not-good news, how good on my way home to see a bride having her photos taken on the stairs at Yemin Moshe.

The old British post boxes were freshly painted. And wonders, since I was last in the area – new public restrooms have been installed!

Jerusalem billboards have been updated announcing upcoming arts and culture, music, and song. Everyone I know is hoping events will be able to go ahead as planned, though many things are going back online this week.

When the sun shines and one can get out to walk about, even stop and talk to a friend or two, along with the gorgeous views, you can almost forget the news.

In spite of the latest health scene, nature can be a source of hope. So good to see the almond blossoms will be ready in time for Tu BeShevat.

Some weeks are harder to find, but good and colorful things on and off the Jerusalem streets await those who take the time to stop and look.

Jerusalem 15 Happenings for Bright Summer

Sharon A

The Jerusalem summer of 2021 is looking to be brighter and so much better than last year.

In 2020, Jerusalem, Israel gatherings were limited because of the multiple and changing coronavirus restrictions. Museums shuttered. Theater lights were dark. Festivals were canceled.

See what’s new and what’s happening again in Jerusalem for this summer:

The wooden structure, called Ester Tower, in the Hansen House garden, was lit at night for Design Week. Talented artists prepared other unique and original pieces for the Runaway Circus theme of the annual event.

The fullest IDF band in recent memory was assembled on July 6th, for Israel’s outgoing 10th President Reuven Rivlin to welcome Israel’s 11th President Isaac Herzog to Beit Hanasi, the President’s Official Residence.

The sculpture of Reuven Rivlin in the garden was unveiled in the morning.

During a rehearsal break, members of the honor guard were able to see the ‘heads’ and read histories of the former Israeli Presidents.

The full red carpet was rolled out for the arrival of the official motorcycle-led motorcade in the early evening after the Knesset swearing-in ceremony.

President Isaac and Michal Herzog were escorted in by the IDF military and Beit Hanasi personnel.

Former President Rivlin waited to escort the new occupants inside to the main reception room where the Beit Hanasi staff and family waited.

Warm speeches and hugs, and more children than usual filled the room.

Stopping on the way out to sing Hatikvah for the live stream and cameras,

the Herzogs waved goodbye to the former president,

who was accompanied by Rivka Ravitz and her staff who also are moving on.

But not only was it good to be back again at Beit Hanasi this week.

It was good to see the fountain and lights back on in Teddy Park!

Last year it was not operating and no children were having fun in the cooling water as it stops and starts and pulsates upwards overhead.

Groups are back in the parks, tour groups and tour buses are again seen on the Jerusalem streets.

First Station was busy when it was allowed to be open over the past year. Starting soon in July at First Station there will be a new activity: ice skating.

Signs are up for the annual Beer Festival July 21-23, again to be staged in Gan Haatzmaut, Independence Park.

The Wine Festival is to be back on July 26-27th at the Israel Museum.

The annual Street Ball Festival is set for July 27-28, and the Outline Festival “layers” August 5-12th.

Food Trucks are back in Hinnom Valley from now until the fall.

Jerusalem signs are up for summer in the neighborhood. In August there will be street performances and street installations along nine main Jerusalem streets.

Sultan’s Pool and Safra Square concerts are to be back again bigger than ever.

Camping sites for families are planned in six Jerusalem parks on July 29 from 4:30 pm to July 30 at 10:00 am.

Urban nature events and guided tours will augment the end of August Silchot tours.

At the Botanical Gardens, a Snow Kingdome is to run from July 25 – August 31st, with ice figures and lights.

Work at the Tower of David is ongoing, but events were also announced.

So much and more happening in Jerusalem for a busy and bright summer! See full details of Jerusalem summer events

Let us know what you decided to do this summer on the Jerusalem streets.