Jerusalem street photos

See the Jerusalem Streets for Tu Bishvat

Sharon A

What is changing faster?

The weather over the Jerusalem streets–or the mood of the people, trying to move forward after almost 4 months since Hamas atrocities started a war on October 7?

From the horrors on Simhat Torah, it is already time for Tu Bishvat, the holiday called the ‘New Year of Trees’.

The almond trees were indeed bursting with flowers this week.

The sky at sunset was often filled with pink clouds.

Even the pink blossoms of the cherry trees in the Jerusalem Botanical Gardens were ready for the holiday.

A sign on the way to the gardens was for ‘raising a glass’ to celebrate Rosh Hashana before an election which was to be held at the end of October and is still on hold until the end of February.

Inside the gardens, the pond is ready for the spring and summer ahead.

The 75th-anniversary birthday celebration for the Knesset on Tu Bishvat was extremely low-key. Oh so very different than in 2016, when the current location celebrated its 50th year on Tu Bishvat.

No flags were flying on the street, and no tourists were admiring the menorah across from the entrance.

The row of carob trees across from the Supreme Court was fully green, a far cry from those old brown bokser pods we remember for the holiday “treat” that in Jerusalem litter the ground.

Back at Beit Hanasi, the Israel President’s Residence, the reception held was not for Tu Bishvat, but for the UN-mandated International Holocaust Remembrance, Day which falls on January 27th, and this year on Shabbat.

Inside the chairs were lined up for survivors of the Kindertransport, but the hostages in Gaza were not forgotten. There is an undercurrent everywhere thinking about the hostages held by Hamas.

These “children” who were saved 85 years ago by being sent to England, many never to see their parents again, were the featured guests of the President of Israel.

Germany’s Ambassador to Israel, Steffen Seibert attended and listened carefully to the survivors’ stories.

Sitting next to the moderator, he heard one of the survivors rescued from Nazi Germany in the Kindertransport operation in 1938, say that she was once again evacuated from her home – this time in Kibbutz Zikim on the Gaza border, after the community came under attack by Hamas on October 7.  

So yellow ribbons are tied to trees anticipating the hostages’ return.

The military cemeteries are expanding, with more graves and fresh memorial wreaths,

and new ones being prepared for use.

There were only two graves here on our last visit, not so long ago.

Love not war, as war goes on into the fourth month–a war Israel did not want, but must win.

On Tu Bishvat it was good to see the roof of the Bird Observatory green again.

Even the Jerusalem buses go green with the new electric ones.

The new towers rising over the Jerusalem Streets seem to reach the grey clouds in the sky.

Construction is starting up again.

Nature is coming back to life again, with green grass and almond trees in bloom.

Flowers line the path ready for the Jerusalem Marathon in March.

Azza Street was blocked for a protest – again.

But flowers are sprouting from the old stones, part of the old and new, and changing along the Jerusalem streets.

Tu Bishvat four years ago at Beit Hanasi, ended with a special hope. Still singing songs of hope.

Moving forward and upward from October 7, it’s Israel Space Week 2024.

Israel Space Week started on January 28, 2024.

Something is always happening on the Jerusalem streets.

Hope to see you all here soon!

Jerusalem Streets Slowly in War Time Returning to Normal

Sharon A

Another week — where to begin and what to share?

No, this is not a Six-Day War.

However, life is beginning, ever so slowly, to return to the Jerusalem streets.

The buildings are rising higher and higher than in the past.

The shops are opening after dark again.

Winter clouds fill the skies and the weather is again a topic of conversation.

The “activity” on the northern border reminded me of this photo from the last trip to the border with Lebanon when we were shooting each other with cameras, not missiles. Hezbollah was already on the border, in violation of UN Resolution 1701.

The residents of northern communities have been evacuated from their homes for months, as well as the residents of southern communities. Up to 300,000 Israelis cannot go home yet.

However, to start the New Year, the barrage of rockets fired from Gaza reached the partygoers in Tel Aviv.

On December 31st, there was a well-attended book launch and program at Ohel Nechama Synagogue in Jerusalem.

The farmer’s markets have become a regular sight, along with soldiers in uniform with a weapon over one shoulder and a child in tow.

Baking has become a weekly event in thousands of households. Thousands of challahs and cookies are being sent every week to soldiers on all fronts, as a way for those not toting a weapon to support the war front from home.

The delicate beauty in nature can still catch your eye if you walk along the Jerusalem streets.

However, a favorite sighting was the new Japanese Pagoda in the Jerusalem Botanical Gardens lit at night as seen from the road. It is planned to open when the cherry trees next to it start to bloom, which is only a few weeks away. Perhaps it will be on schedule.

While plans for events in the future are limited, some are being held. One bat mitzvah girl had a party for close friends to mark the occasion, a larger event for family will be held later. Each girl made two bracelets, one for themselves, and one for a girl who was evacuated from her home.

So Jerusalem streets are filling with honking traffic again, with reminders of those still held hostage in Gaza to “Bring them home now.”

And below this sign, near the Jerusalem Botanical Gardens, I saw a Gett taxi driver who had just gotten off his knees after evening prayers. As he tossed his prayer mat into the taxi, I walked around and up the stairs to go home.

Just another day on the real Jerusalem streets that does not make headlines.

Jerusalem Remembers but Looks to Better Future in 2024

Sharon A

On my social media feed, Israeli friends are posting, “For the rest of the world it’s New Year’s Eve,

but here in Israel – it’s October 85.” Today is the 86th day since Hamas invaded on the Shabbat of Simhat Torah, October 7, destroyed thousands of lives, and hundreds of Israelis were taken hostage in Gaza.

The Jerusalem streets are filled with refugees from the south of Israel and the north, as the war rages on. Life also goes on, though at a different pace.

This past week, there was another full moon over Jerusalem, as the seasons began to change from long dark nights to longer brighter days.

The lively sound of piyut music was coming from downstairs at the Menachem Begin Heritage Center.

While upstairs Benny Begin son of Menachem Begin was giving a short history of Gaza.

Oh, how I dislike the photos that show those posters in the small hall.

But there was something about the way Ariel Sharon kept staring during Begin’s interesting presentation.

I knew of the mosaic from a 6th-century synagogue in Gaza, but his image is better than the one I had.

I did learn about the Margolin family who owned a hotel in Gaza. In the 1929 riots, the Jews living in Gaza were able to shelter in their hotel and escape without being killed.

On the way home the sign at the parking lot near First Station said “FULL” and it really was, as people are slowly coming back to the Jerusalem streets.

Jerusalem Municipality is promoting culture with multiple sponsored events.

Coming back, a new kosher restaurant at 1 Ben Maimon Street, at the site of the old Moment Cafe.

The extra-long Israeli flag is too short for the new buildings rising in Jerusalem.

It was a surprise to see work being done on the future Knesset Museum on King George Street.

A very good sign to see the tables out and a few people back in Kikar Hamusica, Music Square.

These decorations were put up before the summer but seemed to only get attention now.

While the holiday decorations are up the holiday crowds stayed away by the millions this year.

But the volunteers and solidarity missions keep coming to Israel. This group of 18 young adults from around the world came for a first-hand experience to take back to their countries to support Israel. This is so important as social media is filled with lies, distortions, and denial. They are part of a Young Leadership Academy sponsored by KKL-JNF and WZO, each one an outstanding individual, and hope for the future.

Their last stop on the brief mission was at the Kotel, Western Wall, before heading home.

These female soldiers caught our attention as they came to pray.

This case of candles is located at the Kotel Plaza, in memory of the murdered and fallen on October 7.

As the world moves on, after 3 months, the candles are a sign to also remember the hostages.

For the holiday season, the Old City was sadly too quiet, with early evening looking like the middle of the night.

Even at the Hurva Synagogue, I could get a photo with no one in the image.

Also sad, is the Arab shuk, where the Arab vendors have missed another big holiday season.

A lone Jerusalem cat at First Station is also suffering from a lack of tourists.

However, to leave you on a brighter note, the new Jerusalem swimming pool and fitness center is open.

The pool is not Olympic-sized, but large and open all year round, the only comparison to the old one is its location. There is a baby pool outside ready for the summer. The fitness center upstairs is impressive.

The “Israel loves Biden” sign has been replaced with “You are great Congresswoman Elise Stefanik.”

Dana & Yakir got married last week. Love the flowers and bows decorating the wedding party cars.

So along with the sadness, life moves along. One day at a time. We wish Dana and Yakir a big mazel tov.

And hope to see you all soon on the Jerusalem streets. That’s it for 2023.