Jerusalem street photos

See What’s Happening in Jerusalem – 6 months since October 7

Sharon A

April 7, 2024, in Jerusalem, Israel.

Over the Jerusalem streets, the sun is shining. The weather is a bit cool.

Six months after the brutal murders of over 1,200 people in Israel by invaders from Gaza on the holiday Shabbat is still hard to comprehend.

However, while remembering that there are still 134 hostages captive in Gaza, we try to move forward. Under the constant shadow of war, with tens of thousands of people from the south and north unable to return home for the Passover holidays, with an uncertain future, struggling to be joyous in some fashion.

The new National Library of Israel (NLI) has become a popular site, especially impressive at night.

Included in the new video presentation for visitors with information is the quote, “If you have gone to the library a dozen times to look at the books, go once to look at the people.” – Martin Buber

I have not gone a dozen times yet, but even before it opened. and each time there is something new to see.

On Thursday night, I caught NLI Rector Shai Nitzan and CEO Oren Weinberg seated near the video having a conversation.

The Batim M’befnim, Open Houses Jerusalem, is an annual event, previously held at the end of October. As Mayor Moshe Lion welcomed guests at the NLI to the opening event, he mentioned the decision to move forward in the spring opening hundreds of locations to the public.

Open Houses Jerusalem used to be called Houses From Within.

I vividly remember one of my first experiences years ago when they opened the gates at Hansen House for the first time and had a tour inside. Oh, how Hansen House has changed!

The Mayor spoke briefly in Hebrew and English, for the benefit of leading Israeli architects and visiting international tourism professionals in the crowd.

The dairy food was presented inside in the lobby before the Mayor arrived,

and the dessert display outside was also photo-worthy and tasted as good as it looked.

An NLI tour was offered to various groups. I was in the white group, which was in English, and included international visitors from India, the US, and Italy.

The modern automated stacks of over 4 million books are impressive even when not in operation.

Across the small viewing room stands this relic, with a warning not to get close, a reminder of the library of days past, for my librarian and researcher friends.

Going out to the Jerusalem streets this week were lovely sights and signs of spring.

But the closed-off street near the Prime Minister’s home is making the headlines.

Closed hours before protesters, at least we could walk by Azza Street.

New large posters were calling for Unity Now.

And the better slogan, #LetThemGoNOW was on display over a major Jerusalem street.

This week I went on a press visit to Shefayim, in the hotel dining room where survivors of Kfar Aza are presently living, a table is set for their kidnapped members.

After months, some of the young families have been moved out of hotel rooms into small buildings made for them to have a little more space, as it will be a long time until they can return to Kfar Aza.

As we walked away from meeting the distraught family members of the kidnapped hostages, the fog was settling in, time for one more photo before heading back to Jerusalem.

I

n the National Library’s main reading room, the display for the Bibas family children draws attention.

But, after hearing Doron Steinbrecher’s mother’s anguished appeal to international media

and Gali and Ziv Berman’s brother speaking, I decided to share their photos displayed in the library again.

The world concern for Israelis held captive in Gaza must constantly be raised. It’s been 6 months too long.

April it’s spring!

The Jerusalem streets look to nature with music and workshops planned in parks.

Passover the holiday celebrating freedom is in two weeks.

Wondering how many visitors will fill the Jerusalem streets this year?

What’s Happening for Purim in Jerusalem this Year?

Sharon A

Purim is celebrated in Jerusalem on Shushan Purim – a day after the rest of the world.

As I mentioned most years, it feels so strange to those of us who grew up elsewhere.

Megilat Esther in Israel Museum

Megillat Esther, Scroll of Esther, is read at night and again during the day.

Purim past megillah reading on Jerusalem street corner

Ten years ago Chabad Rabbi Yisroel Goldberg was at a megillah reading on Azza Street.

His initiative AZZA ZAZA has grown to hourly readings, day and night, on more Jerusalem streets.

Strange creatures have been spotted on Jerusalem streets for many days before Purim.

A princess was seen in a park ably managing the play equipment in a big hoop skirt.

Make-up stores were busy before the holiday began.

Wine for the festive Purim meal was on display in Jerusalem shopping malls.

Jerusalem celebrates Purim

Remember the large sign for the Purim parade Adloyadah?

Due to complaints from hostage families, the name has been changed to the United Purim Parade.

As the hostage tragedy drags on into a sixth month, the concerns about their welfare heightens.

Hamentashen

This Purim, the fillings for hamentashen have taken less attention than in some years.

While there are many more IDF costumes this year.

Happy Purim on Jerusalem Montefiore Windmill

The Montefiore Windmill was dressed up during the pandemic when no events were allowed.

This year the Purim events in multiple locations around Jerusalem are too many to list.

Happy Purim bus sign in Hebrew

Purim Sameach!

Happy Purim!

February and time for Presidents again in Jerusalem

Sharon A

Trying to keep an equilibrium as the weeks after the October 7 War continue.

The down feelings continue on the Jerusalem streets with too many funerals, and shivas to attend.

Can we also celebrate life events with joy when so many are in various stages of mourning?

Despite the unpredictable weather in Jerusalem, Israel, in the past, the month of February was a very busy time for conferences and international visitors.

In the US it is President’s Day. In Jerusalem, we have Lincoln and Washington Streets every day.

We had cloudy February days that made for dramatic skies over the Jerusalem.

We had the return of Shaon Horef, the Jerusalem Winter Noise Festival on Monday nights.

With Purim coming soon, appropriately the first events were held on Shushan Street.

The idea is to draw people to these small, once-neglected, city streets for food and fun.

Monday nights in February were not prime time for outings, even with tourists or conference delegates.

Now for Shaon Horef high tech has advanced from “maps to apps.”

Music, live and recorded, played by DJs, unpredictable as the February weather.

The avant-garde art and music of Shaon Horef are usually hard to describe.

This year there were fewer light projections on the buildings, but a few stores were open. Many with the yellow “Bring them home sign” in the window. Even when celebrating with music, beer, and food, the hostages are not forgotten in Jerusalem.

The volunteerism goes on as strong as ever, with baking, grilling, and the Jerusalem city farmers markets.

The Israeli municipal elections were postponed from the end of October until February 27, 2024.

Will be interesting who gets elected to the new City Council with a disrupted time to campaign.

Current Mayor Moshe Lion continued his city beautification with tens of thousands of flowers planted around Jerusalem.

But, there are locations in Jerusalem with natural beauty and tranquility.

I wanted to get closer to take a better photo of the wildflowers but decided not to bother the women who found the spot before I arrived there.

The weather has been wonderful for the flowers and green grass to grow.

Those yellow ribbons are tied around many trees along Jerusalem streets.

Yet, Muslim women still walk freely and ride public buses as before October 7, even as signs for the return of hostages line many Jerusalem streets.

The protest tent area near Balfour Street has a sign that says “We want them alive.” As of now, 32 hostages are known to be dead, murdered on or after October 7.

Oh, the euphoria last week when two male hostages were rescued by the IDF!

It’s hard to forget Hamas holds 134 hostages captive and 574 IDF soldiers have fallen since October 7.

But, the citrus fruits are ripe for picking along the Jerusalem streets,

and even the simplest flower is a sign of spring beauty and hope.

Balancing the dark days, a simple bat mitzvah celebration with close family and friends brings light.

I will close with the annual – It’s Presidents’ Week in the US and the National Leadership Mission of the Conference of Presidents is back at the Inbal Hotel in Jerusalem.

The CEO William Daroff, was smiling at the dinner at the Museum of Tolerance.

But notice, that he was wearing a yellow ribbon lapel pin and also one of the dog tags around his neck to remember the hostages in Gaza.

He had the challenge of finding the balance, the equilibrium between hosting a conference during a time of war and advancing good for the future.

Good to see friends back on the Jerusalem streets, hope you will come soon too.