Jerusalem, Israel, is in the midst of a mid-August heat wave.
Walking around the Jerusalem streets during the day is a challenge.
But where did the summer go, this week is Rosh Chodesh Elul!
Pomegranates growing on trees along the Jerusalem streets are a familiar sight. Those who want to save their best fruits cover them to protect the pomegranates from birds getting to eat the ripe fruit first.
A very new, long-time coming sight is the new Bezalel Arts Campus.
The Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design on the new Jack, Joseph, and Morton Mandel Bezalel Campus opened its doors to the public. Initially proposed in 2013, the School for the Arts broke ground in 2015.
The entrance lobby is an example of the vast modern structure of glass, cement, and Jerusalem stone constructed on multiple levels.
Brand-new sewing machines were piled into the clothing design section.
There is a store to buy student work, as well as a theater, synagogue, and mosque along with classrooms for instruction.
A mini-market was also open to the public.
Until August 18th, the halls are lined with student graduation projects.
Industrial design has all kinds of equipment for students to create projects. Each arts division has its own space with impressive modern facilities for instruction and endless prospects for creativity.
Something for everyone, including the restrooms.
Oh, and the view!
From the balcony off of the food court can be seen the neighboring Underground Museum building,
and oh what a great new view of Jerusalem from above.
Another great view, but not so new, is from Bloomfield Gardens across Yemin Moshe to the Old City walls.
It was here that the annual August Shakespeare in Motion was back with a unique production of Julius Caesar this year.
Live audiences each night find a spot on the park grounds.
This show had a chorus that added musical and humorous bits
because remember Julius Caesar is a tragedy of death and deception.
To be or not to be, Caesar is stabbed to death.
But not to worry this Caesar joined the cast for a final bow on the first night.
More of the Shakespeare in Motion production HERE
And then there’s Hutzot Hayotzer, the Arts and Crafts Festival, held in August in Jerusalem in the Sultan’s Pool near the Arts and Crafts Colony.
This year inflatable balloons lined much of the park area near the Old City.
Thousands attend musical concerts each night in the huge outdoor theater.
The food court has expanded to the area where the international crafts had been. It was so crowded one would assume they were giving food away, but no – you pay to enter, pay to eat, and pay even more for the concert seats.
There were local craft folks selling, along with internationals, including Indonesia, but with less emphasis on the international booths this year,
More of the Hutzot Hayotzer HERE
Israelis may be traveling by the tens of thousands overseas in August for the long summer holiday. But you would never know it in Jerusalem near the Old City. Even a bus from Nirvana could not avoid the traffic jams with the honking of car horns.
Trying to get parking in the area for the Sami Rohr Prize, held at the Menachem Begin Heritage Center, was a challenge. The Sami Rohr prize winner, this year for fiction, was Iddo Gefen for Jerusalem Beach.
Gefen spoke after a panel discussion that included the other prize finalists and translators.
David Wolpe did an admirable job of leading the evening program.
The dairy dessert buffet after the program was elaborate. However, I was too busy tasting the treats and talking with long-time friends, and meeting new people to photograph the multiple stations.
More of the Sami Rohr Prize photos HERE
Something new these August nights for the public to see, so I went early the first night. I saw no one and no projectors. Concerned right place and the right time? Yes, see those 3 tiny cameras in the center of the photo?
They project, at 8:30 pm, on the building, check it out on King George Street.
Every night, all night, there are people coming and going at Jaffa Gate to the Old City and Kotel, Western Wall.
As always more, much more to see on the Jerusalem streets to share in one post. A few more HERE.
I do love that most nights cool off even though the days are so warm. Not sure about this week as this end-of-August heat wave hits and temperatures soar.
A stroll thru Mamilla Mall is always an option, until next time…
I love Jerusalem.
