Gan Sacher – Page 16 – The Real Jerusalem Streets

15 Favorites of Sukkot

September 30, 2013rjstreets

The seasons have changed,

days are shorter

and evenings are cooler.

Children are back in school

after a long break for holidays.

It was, as always, a busy holiday season,

but before getting back to business,

I want to share a few favorites from Sukkot 5744.

Many share photos of Jerusalem, Israel’s religious neighborhoods

where every residence has a sukka,

but my favorite this year was this sukka in a forest outside Jerusalem.

So many sukkot are on the streets, one year I did Only Sukkot,

but it is so nice to pass by a new sukka in a spot which was empty in recent years,

and see someone you know sitting inside.

Thousands waited to pass through the Presidential sukka,

but be it ever so humble, our sukka is also a favorite.

For some, Sukkot was the holiday of pizza in a hut.

I wonder how many thousands of pizzas were consumed over the holiday?

People gathered from all over the world for family celebrations.

It started to rain on this bar mitzvah party,

and then the wind blew a shade umbrella on top of sukka.

The weather was almost as crazy as we remembered in Melbourne,

but nothing could dampen holiday parties.

The huge public sukka in Kikar Safra was again a favorite this year.

For weeks a friend has been asking, Have you seen the bikes?

These are the special bikes that share the plaza with the sukka

and they were a favorite for all who came to government square.

The Jerusalem March went from Gan Sacher through Jerusalem,

it was a huge international event.

There seemed to be fewer participants from Nigeria this year,

but Israel is a favorite destination for Nigerians all year-long.

Many Israeli groups marched also,

two of my favorites were the El Al pilots who stopped to dance

and the Jerusalem football club members who came dressed in uniform.

There were more rain drops during the parade,

but spectators did not seem to mind,

and loved cheering and receiving flags.

Some held signs showing just how much they appreciated the marchers’ support,

tens of thousands watched the parade, see more photos.

Meanwhile Jaffa Street was still busy.

Two more favorites,

were people who carried their lulav and etrog all day

and those who held the lulav and etrog waiting for those who did not.

As the water fountain at Teddy Park went on at the hour,

you could hear squeals of delight from children.

What a favorite it has become with all!

When there are large crowds,

those beautiful police horses can be seen on the streets;

they always are a favorite.

It was great to see Ben Yehuda Street so busy over the holidays.

This man was sitting alone and asked me to take his photo,

but there were tens of thousands more smiles.

Sukkot is a favorite time of year in Jerusalem.

Thousands sang and danced on the streets all week,

but these guys with their feet in the air were really something special.

Jerusalem on Sukkot was indeed a happy season.

Wish there were more?

See The Real Jerusalem Streets Facebook Sukkot album.

Woodstock Revived in Jerusalem

July 22, 2013rjstreets

As soon as Tisha B’Av is over music begins to fill the streets of Jerusalem, Israel.

One event that has gained in popularity is the Woodstock Revival,

which again this year was held in Kraft Stadium near Gan Sacher, Sacher Park.

Dressing as hippies has become part of the fun.

Clothing, swim wear and other items were on sale,

but there were many who already had colorful outfits and flowers in their hair.

This was a time to take out the Marley and tie-dyed tee shirts.

This Woodstock was not an adults-only event.

Along with those arriving early to get a good spot there were lots of children,

lots of adorable children.

This man seems to have found something to eat,

but it certainly was not from Norman’s, as that restaurant is long gone.

The stage was set for live music,

and the flower people were all smiles.

The weather and grounds at this Woodstock were perfect.

People arrived ready to spend many hours.

I had to leave to get to the Maccabiah 2013 opening ceremony,

but when I got home late at night,

I could still the music rocking from the loudspeakers.

Woodstock originals may not approve,

but many enjoyed this revival in Jerusalem!

On Streets and in Houses: Summer Culture in Jerusalem

July 2, 2013rjstreets

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,

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?

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.

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,

sitting in the shade, were a Savta

and her young friend.

So interesting,

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

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.

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

and this week, I knew two of the artists.

The first a portrait painter, Laurel Sternberg

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

And if these examples of culture are not serious enough,

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.