Winter and Holiday Lights in Jerusalem

Winter and Holiday Lights in Jerusalem

Oh, what a week in Jerusalem, Israel!

A new survey stated that 57% of the Israeli public is unhappy with their existing work-life balance.

However, in response to various initiatives to shorten the workweek in Israel, 62% of the employees prefer leaving the situation as is – vacation on Friday and working on Sunday.

Wonder what the results of a survey asking about having three elections in a year would be?

Israeli Knesset at night with lights on

The lights of the Knesset were burning brightly Wednesday after midnight, as another government fell. Or did never get started?

Photo on King George Street in Jerusalem of future Knesset Museum

The only thing taking more time is the future Knesset Museum. Though it appears little is happening inside, the outside got a new construction fence.

Road work on Jerusalem Israel street

Construction seems to be everywhere, with streets and sidewalks closed.

One never knows when traffic will come to a stop or when you will have to walk in the street.

Road work and street closings seem to pop up as often as pre-holiday sales.

Winter morning on Jaffa Street in Jerusalem Israel

It is winter. Even Jaffa Road starts slowly on cold mornings.

New building in Jerusalem across from the Jerusalem Theater

With the short winter days, construction goes on as the sun sets.

Jerusalem is getting a new look.

Jerusalem rubbish truck

New signs for a pretty Jerusalem are displayed on the garbage trucks.

Water for fire emergency

Fire hydrants got a fresh coat of paint.

Lion of Jerusalem near Montefiore Windmill

The Lion of Jerusalem looked freshly painted and regal over the empty flower bed across from Liberty Bell Park near the Montefiore Windmill.

Cleaning the notes from Kotel in Jerusalem Old City

Record numbers of tourists in Jerusalem and visitors to Kotel, the Western Wall, means more notes to remove before the holiday crowds next week.

Jerusalem Education Week

It’s Jerusalem Education Week from December 15 -20. The opening event was held at the Jerusalem Cinematheque with the Mayor and Education Minister attending.

However, though I planned to go, I skipped that one.

Jerusalem Israel final of Talmud Israeli Hiddon participants

The same evening, in the Jerusalem Theater, Rebecca Crown Auditorium the first International Israeli Talmud competition was held.

Talmud Israeli international competition at Jerusalem Theater

From over 1000 participants, the final round winners posed with Education Minister Rav Rafi Peretz.

Mayor Moshe Lion and the Education Minister went from the Jerusalem Theater to the Jerusalem Cinematheque for the Education Week event. I decided to go home for some hot soup.

Winter festivals and events included a sports morning at First Station.

Ethiopian music festival at First Station and other Jerusalem locations

The 10th Hullegeb Festival Jerusalem is at the Jerusalem Theater and other locations from December 19-24. Ethiopian Music from the “golden age” to hip hop is to be featured.

Van Leer Institute sign for winter programs in Jerusalem Israel

The Jerusalem Van Leer Institute has a full program for December.

The 21st Jewish Film Festival is on from Dec 19-26 at the Jerusalem Cinematheque.

The International Chess championships are at the Notre Dame Center.

Chanukiah on Jerusalem street

It’s official. The winter holiday season has begun – the first Habad Hanukia popped up on a street corner.

Haunkka in Jerusalem Israel Old City

It’s almost Hanukkah – however you want to spell it this year.

Fruit in Jerusalem shuk, Makane Yehuda Market

Fruits in the Machane Yehudah Market, the shuk are plentiful and colorful.

Hanuka donuts in shuck in Jerusalem

American style donuts are out along with traditional Israeli ones

Chanuka donute Roladin

and more exotic sufganiyot.

One way to burn off some of the holiday food calories is the Jerusalem Crossroads 6th annual Night Run, which is set for December 26.

Shuk fresh strawberries in winter Jerusalem

And a favorite in Jerusalem for winter – strawberries are piled up in the shuk.

Jerusalem Snowman

This snowman was looking rather sad and worn.

Jerusalem Christmas decorations at YMCA

But the YMCA is decorated for a month of holidays.

Holiday lights in Jerusalem Armenian Quarter

In an Old City Armenian Quarter restaurant, the lights burn brightly all day.

And holiday lights will line the Jerusalem streets.

The list of events, tours and Hanukkah holiday lights of the nights – too long for now.

Jerusalem Holiday of Lights

Jerusalem Happy Holiday of Lights.

9 Favorite Tastes of Hanukkah in Machane Yehuda Market

Hanukkah in Jerusalem, Israel,

can be celebrated in so many ways,

but one universal favorite is a visit to

the Machane Yehuda Market, the shuk.

Walking to the shuk through the Nachlaot neighborhood

Nahlaot street with graffiti

is not always easy, as short cuts can be blocked off.

Truck in Jerusalem street

Construction seems to be going on everywhere.

Machena Yehuda market

Even walking is not so simple on the narrow roads.

Often we joke that Jerusalem streets were built for donkeys.

These days maybe,

Nachlaot motorcycle sign

 they are better suited for flying motorcycles.

But if you persist and keep going,

Multi colored cheeses in machane yehuda market

where else will you find kosher cheese,

so colorful and flavorful?

For a Hanukkah dairy holiday treat,

Machane yehuda market cheese made with wine

 try this wine cheese, it was terrific.

Wine in cheese,

Wine kosher from Arab winery machane yehuda market

but of course, wine is for celebrating.

The varieties found in the shuk astound every time,

Variety of olives in machane yehuda market

amazing varieties of olives,

machane yehuda market selection of olive oils for hanukah

plus those olive oils!

Some are special for use in Hanukkah menorahs,

to use instead of candles for the eight nights of Hanukkah.

Halva, huge blocks of halva,

varieties of halva in machane yehuda market

where else will you find Hot Chilli halva,

Machine to make halva in machane yehuda market

and see the machine that makes it.

Solomon Sousa painted shutter in Machane Yehuda Market

Some of the shutters of shops come down at night,

but then the partying begins.

BeerBazaar in shuk

Beer tasting, so many flavors of beer,

Machane Yehuda Market beer Bazaar back room

this warm party room in back is becoming

a new “hot” spot on the cold winter nights.

Too much food and drink, and the new

Machane Yehuda Market pay bathrooms, restroom for 3 shekel

 “fresh up shop” pay toilets could come in handy.

Always merchandise to purchase,

Hanukiot in Machane Yehuda Market

but for Hanukkah the menorahs are displayed outside.

A walk through the shuk

is always good for photo ops,

Rimonim in Machane Yehuda Market

with ripe pomegranates,

and my Hanukkah favorite,

the fresh strawberry season has started.

Night is coming at shuk, Machane Yehuda market

Machane Yehuda Market is changing daily,

and if you have not been in awhile, it is a must see.

A Hanukkah tasting tour would not be complete,

Donuts for Hanukkah suffgania

without suffganiot,

those donuts filled with fruit jam

or dozens of other flavors.

I am saving up Hanukiot, my favorite Hanukkah menorahs,

for a special post next week.

Meanwhile, enjoy this new sound and light projection

on the walls of Old City outside of

 Jaffa Gate and up from Mamilla Mall.

חנוכה שמח

Happy Hanukkah

UPDATED last night of Hanukkah:

Kosher Cheese store in Machane Yehuda Market Jerusalem Israel

I received comments about cheese and other shops,

in the shuk, questions about kosher supervision.

The piece of paper attached to the wall, at the top of this photo,

is a valid kosher certificate.

Sadly, not all the shops have proper supervision.

The staff at this one is happy to offer you a taste.

Music, Lights, Shabbat and Happy Hanukkah

Music, Lights, Shabbat and Happy Hanukkah

How could I forget?

With a post last week of musical events in Jerusalem, Israel,

Jerusalem Theater Pianos

I forgot to include the annual Piano Festival

taking place once again at the Jerusalem Theater.

In the ‘what will they do to top last year’ department,

Jerusalem Theater Piano Festival

chairs were set up outside in a large tent.

Piano performances will be held over three days,

and piano bars stocked with wines

will help keep visitors warm in the cold nights.

Meanwhile,

Jerusalem Theater lobby

inside the theater,

Jerusalem Theater singer

musicians and singers who immigrated to Israel

Jerusalem Theater singers

performed throughout the building.

Jerusalem Theater snack time

Some were more interested in the snacks

Painted glass at Jerusalem theater olim event

than the music or art works on display.

With the holidays approaching, visitors are arriving

Jerusalem street lights with hanukiot lit up for chanuka

and decorations are lining the streets.

Street signs for hanukah

Chanukkah celebration signs are posted.

Jerusalem street sign for lights of hanukah

Festivals, performances and happenings

will light up the city for Hanuka,

 too many events to list.

The lights of Shabbat

Lighting the lights of Hanukah

will be followed by the lights of Hanuka.

Yes, I spelled חנוכה different ways in English,

but the wishes are the same.

First

שבת שלום

Shabbat Shalom,

then

חנוכה שמח

Happy Hanukkah

 And if you want more lights and music

to get in a holiday mood,

here is my favorite video from last year.