Yemin Moshe is a favorite location
for taking wedding photos,
for many it’s a favorite Jerusalem location.
שבת שלום
Israel
15 Hanukkah Menorah Favorites Burning Brightly from Jerusalem
The sun was shining brightly on the eighth day of Hanukkah.
The bright blue skies awere scattered with white puffy clouds
over the cold Jerusalem streets.
There were so many hanukkiot being lit for the past 8 days,
it was not easy, but here are 15 of my favorites.
On the last night at home,
these olive oil flames burned brightly.
The electric lights over the Knesset
were clearly visible next to the Israeli flag.
The electric light street decorations
were in different locations this year,
but they are always a favorite sight.
Chabad menorahs seemed to be on every corner,
and some were on top of cars.
Again this year in Mamilla Mall
a special Chabad hanukkia
attracted large crowds every night.
Selected guests were honored with lighting the lights,
from lone soldiers to victims of terror.
Every night there were music and sufganiot for all.
Near the entrance of Beit Hanasi,
the Israeli President’s Residence,
stood a new hanukkia with the Israeli state emblem
wishing all a Happy Hanukkah.
Whether made of glass and colorful and lit inside,
or simple and lit outside on the street,
or flames rising high above the Kotel,
the Western Wall, as on the fifth night,
the variety and quantity of hanukkiot was astounding.
Thousands came in the evening to the Kotel,
for the lighting of the Hanukkah Menorah.
It was hard to get a clear photo,
as one after another men climbed up to pose for photos,
in front of the burning lights.
On my way home through the Old City
there was singing and dancing as lights
and more lights lined the paths.
This old electric menorah near Jaffa Gate,
was as popular as ever,
but it paled next to the light projection on the nearby wall.
But, the most unique menorah I saw this year
was the one lit at Yad Vashem
by former chief Rabbi Yisrael Meir Lau,
a child survivor with an extended family photo in view.
On the third night of Hanukah,
the centuries-old Krakow menorah candles burned brightly,
for over two hundred international Jewish leaders
gathered in Jerusalem, Israel, for an educator’s conference.
Hanukkah is a holiday celebration of survival in ancient times.
But it is also a good time to appreciate the modern miracles
of survival and rebirth and new light.
That’s it,
until next year,
still not sure how best to spell in English,
Hanuka sameach!
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
is not always easy, as short cuts can be blocked off.
Construction seems to be going on everywhere.
Even walking is not so simple on the narrow roads.
Often we joke that Jerusalem streets were built for donkeys.
These days maybe,
they are better suited for flying motorcycles.
But if you persist and keep going,
where else will you find kosher cheese,
so colorful and flavorful?
For a Hanukkah dairy holiday treat,
try this wine cheese, it was terrific.
Wine in cheese,
but of course, wine is for celebrating.
The varieties found in the shuk astound every time,
amazing varieties of olives,
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,
where else will you find Hot Chilli halva,
and see the machine that makes it.
Some of the shutters of shops come down at night,
but then the partying begins.
Beer tasting, so many flavors of beer,
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
“fresh up shop” pay toilets could come in handy.
Always merchandise to purchase,
but for Hanukkah the menorahs are displayed outside.
A walk through the shuk
is always good for photo ops,
with ripe pomegranates,
and my Hanukkah favorite,
the fresh strawberry season has started.
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,
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:
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.