I was stuck, trying hard to find new words for another roller-coaster, emotional week in Jerusalem, Israel.
How about upside down, or how topsy turvy?
The commotion was too much of a downer at the start of the week, so I went to the Jerusalem Botanical Gardens for a bit of fresh air and sunshine.
Stopping to watch a white swan swim across the pond,
appreciating the small wonders in nature,
and seeing the brilliant colors makes it’s also hard to remember it’s winter.
But to be real, not all is so pretty and pleasant on the Jerusalem streets.
Barriers abound and block sidewalks.
As the weeks go on, the barriers are getting bigger.
And they seem to be multiplying, and blocking the pathways.
Barriers are set early on Friday, ready for the after-Shabbat protesters at Beit Hanasi, the Israeli President’s Residence.
Barriers have been placed around the fountain at French/Paris Square.
Then Wednesday, the street where the Netanyahus live, was closed.
The barriers in front of their home remind me of those in the park.
However, there was much more happening in Jerusalem this week.
My friend from the US noted there was no armed guard at the entrance to our synagogue in Jerusalem on Shabbat.
But security is on higher alert, as seen here in Gush Etzion last week.
However, road works, such as the second tunnel from Jerusalem to Gush Etzion, are finally reaching the final stages, after years of construction.
For the first time, the Speaker of the Senate of Canada was visiting the Knesset and flags were flying for the official welcome.
Sunday, Slovakian Prime Minister Eduard Heger was in Jerusalem.
Buildings are going up and up all over Jerusalem. These towers tower above and off King George Street.
The center of Jerusalem off of Jaffa Road along the light rail tracks has come back to life again after pandemic closures.
New stores are opening in anticipation of returning tourists.
Old streets are being regentrified with new boutique hotels and shops.
HaBoydem has opened a new larger space to sell its recycled clothing.
Shaon Horef – שאון חורף or Winter Noise was back Monday nights in February.
Winter Noise was on the street near where we lived and also in the 2014 Winter Noise. I used to go to all four Monday nights, but not this year.
This time I only got to the last one on the last Monday of February.
These guys were my favorite as they walked into Harvey’s and sat down.
Oh, Jerusalem streets, where much of the year, one can often ask whether it’s Purim or not Purim.
The Shaon Horef of 2023 was well done, check out a few video highlights.
And it was held on Shushan Street, a perfect location before Purim.
The Purim holiday signs are up along the Jerusalem streets.
Mishloach Manot baking and preparations have begun.
Signs of Purim in the neighborhoods were up last week.
The streets were filled with schoolchildren dressed in costumes, however, some of the cutest did not want to be photographed.
So you will have to come back next week for Purim favorites.
There are too many Jerusalem Purim events to list, at the Israel Museum, the Tower of David, the Train Theater, Safra Square, and more,
but you can find Purim events in English on the Jerusalem website.
Purim week is always a time of upside-down, topsy-turvy.
Hoping this Purim will be celebrated in a good way, so check back next week to see.
פורים שמח
Purim sameach!
