Life goes on in Jerusalem, for Lag B’Omer and Future

Another week in Jerusalem, Israel, where it’s hard to know where to start and what to share–so much was happening on the Jerusalem streets.

Yemin Moshe was as usual in the spring – picture-perfect.

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The International Writers’ Festival was again held across from the Old City Walls in Mishkenot Shaanamim.

The annual festival began on Sunday night with an introduction to an international writers’ group. PEN – Poets, Essayists, Novelists, which was founded in London in 1921.

It has spread to more than 100 countries, with a stated aim of supporting the unhampered transmission of thought within and between all nations.

Pulitzer Prize-winning American novelist Jennifer Egan, former PEN President, was one of the speakers at the opening event.

The 2014 Sapir Prize winner Rami (Reuven) Namdar led one discussion group. The Sapir Prize is the largest literary prize awarded in Israel.

The Writers’ Festival meetings in Jerusalem could not find a more historic or lovely location than Mishkenot Shaananim, next to Yemin Moshe.

Another special international guest in Jerusalem was the President of Kenya William Ruto. Kenyan flags were flying outside Beit Hanasi for his official arrival ceremony and state dinner with the President of Israel.

The past week included Lag B’Omer, the Israeli day associated with fire.

Some families started early with their fires on Monday night in the park.

As others were arriving, with every kind of wood to burn and food to cook.

The smoke rose from these bonfire sites before dark.

And more wood was on the way, to keep the fires going.

Over the years, I have repeated, there are those who love Lag B’Omer and those who go inside and close the windows. I went in again this year.

But Lag B’Omer is also a big family day of celebration for children, as it’s an Israeli school holiday.

Chabad Lag B’Omer parades were held in several Jerusalem locations.

Lag B’Omer in Meron is still the main Israel event.

But this year with the Meron site limited, a Lag B’Omer celebration was held in Jerusalem by an organization called the Rebbi Shimon Foundation.

As men continued singing and dancing, after men had poured oil to ignite the fire, it spread to the table holding the bonfire.

Water from a garden hose saved the day, and the party continued into the night inside the new party location.

While all this was happening, in the space above, we were enjoying a Lag B’Omer wedding. Lag B’Omer is also a day filled with weddings.

This one went as planned, however, many southern weddings had to scramble to find new locations with Gaza rockets being fired into Israel.

On Wednesday, in Kfar Batya, near Ranana, again questions of safety arose, for the groundbreaking ceremony of the new AMIT educational campus.

With a few changes, moving the event to be close to shelters in case of an alarm, the long-awaited and exciting program went ahead.

I heard the boom of an Iron Dome missile interception not too far away.

But it was on with the show – Dare to Dream.

An example of Israeli resilience, Nurit Davidi, principal of AMIT high school in Beer Sheva, the wife of the Mayor of Sderot, came and participated in the program while her town and family were under rocket fire.

Lag B’Omer is over, and signs are up for the new Jerusalem musical events.

But, notice the blue sign at the bottom with red for May 12th in Jerusalem.

On Friday hundreds of cyclists rode around Jerusalem, starting from First Station and along Jaffa Gate for rides of different distance routes.

Writing and weddings, fires, and riding not for you?

How about trying the newest tourist attraction in Jerusalem?

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Look closely and see the brown line across the bottom third of the photo.

It’s the new suspension walking bridge across the valley from near the Mount Zion Hotel to the Mount of Olives.

Or you can walk and go at your own pace, and enjoy the old and new of Jerusalem on a Jerusalem Photo Walk.

Hope to see you on the Jerusalem streets soon.

Jerusalem: Clouds, Cactus, Color, Crowds, and Cats

With the end of the holiday season, some Israeli flags are slowly disappearing from the Jerusalem streets for the summer.

But flags still out were flying in the wind and wind is great for flag photos.

The week in Jerusalem began with clouds covering the Jerusalem streets, making for cooler days and even cooler nights.

Heavy and dark clouds appeared and some neighborhoods reported light rain. Facebook reminded me there were clouds last year this time also.

They continued at night for dramatic photos of the full moon. Who needs a Blue Moon or Blood Moon? Every full moon over Jerusalem is special.

Each construction crane seems to rise higher approaching those clouds.

Construction appears to be going slowly again at the Netanyahu house across from Yoni Netanyahu Plaza.

The new residence of the US Ambassador to Israeli has been revealed on Emek Refaim. It was hard to get a photo without the cars passing by.

An interesting complex that takes over a large corner of the street. Will be interesting to see if the bus stop there remains and what happens when construction of the light rail line begins. But still, no US flags to be seen.

It was the natural growth and beauty along the Jerusalem streets this week that I appreciated more than all the ongoing building and construction.

Not only the yellow cactus flowers but weeds bursting with color.

Color seems to burst out from the stones in the Old City.

Wonderful to see the tour groups were back in and around the Old City!

Tourists and crowds have returned after two too quiet years.

How long has it been since a friend from overseas made a Bar Mitzvah at the Kotel, the Western Wall? A very special occasion indeed.

But not the only one, as groups crowded in, I had to search for the right Bar Mitzvah boy and his family.

Wonder how many of those tourists will realize this is a new fountain at the new traffic circle on King David Street?

But back to what’s happening now in Jerusalem, signs Just for Youth.

Jerusalem College to give wings for more educational opportunities.

And for all who are interested, every Wednesday during the summer – there is a cinematic celebration with Maaleh films – dramas and documentaries – each week 3 short films by Maaleh Film School students will be featured.

The films have been screened in film festivals around the world and are now available at The First Station and admission is FREE.

Jerusalem Israel restaurant in old silos

On June 23 outside the Silo Café next to First Station, the Jerusalem Community Woodstock Festival returns featuring music from the 60s with live bands. This year my friend is partnering with the Emunah women’s organization, to help support their work with children and at-risk young women in Israel, while also featuring her promising young musicians.

And what would a report on what’s happening on the Jerusalem streets be without at least one photo of a Jerusalem cat posed on a royal throne?

Exciting times as the Jerusalem streets become alive again with tourists and events, and conferences return.

Stay well and hope to see you here soon for a Jerusalem Photo Walk.

Jerusalem Sounds of Music

Who would think the quiet sounds of Jerusalem parks would be a good thing? But children are back in school after a long year at home. Public parks are hosting group activities again, not just providing for family health and sanity with a break out of the house during the day.

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At Takhana Rishona, First Station, on a recent Friday morning, deliveries arrived early for open area dining, and inside seating dining as well.

An outdoor yoga class in the center tent area was happening,

as the aroma of fresh brew from the new coffee bar filled the air.

I was off to meet with Daniel and Yedidia Schwartz near JETH – the Jerusalem Entrepreneur Tourism Hub. A perfect location for their new tour innovation to begin.

Great seeing other groups also as we set off on foot from the Takhana.

The first stop was the Khan Theater, where Daniel, a professional tour guide, told us that the site was built in 1853 as a silk factory. However, it became a night hostel (a khan in Arabic) for Christian pilgrims on their way to Bethlehem, and Jewish travelers on the way to Rachel’s Tomb and the Cave of the Patriarchs. Since 1968, it has been a popular theater venue.

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Minutes away under the St. Andrew Scottish Guesthouse, near the Menachem Begin Heritage Center, is an archeological site of importance.

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A burial area from First Temple times, featuring posters with excellent explanations concerning the finds, including silver amulets with old Hebrew Birkat Kohanim, the Priestly Blessing engraved on them.

Daniel’s tour of Ketef Hinnom and the First Temple period burial site added a new dimension with additional and interesting information.

However, what distinguished this tour from others was the music. Daniel and his brother Yedidia, a professional violinist with the Jerusalem Symphony, entertained us, providing relaxing interludes along the way.

At one of my favorite off-the-street locations, there was time to sit and appreciate nature,

and historical sites, including the Tower of David, along the way to Yemin Moshe and Montefiore Windmill.

Yemin Moshe is a perennial favorite, who can’t but enjoy its beautiful lanes.

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Near the Montefiore Windmill, deserted for so long, people were enjoying the spring-like weather and being out and about again.

In the park area behind King David Hotel, the history of the hotel was retold as nearby groups were getting in their partying before Ramadan.

Celebrating graduation 2021 – and oh what a year it was.

The Lion Fountain had children splashing in the cool water again.

Tourists were learning about the Templar Meeting House next to the Orient Hotel. Tours are for Israelis, with most in Hebrew, as international visitors are limited until May 23rd.

After the Templar houses of Emek Refaim Street, we left for what was advertised as the “Secret Garden.”

In 1880, Martin Pauser built this building as a baker, and he also sold ice cream. During the War of Independence, women and children from Kibbutz Ramat Rachel took refuge here, on what is now called Patterson Street.

In the garden, the tour ended with more music – and wine. I refused to drink so early in the day. But seated in the lovely garden, I felt like I was on a holiday vacation far away – but yet so close to home.

At each stop on the tour, people who walked by would take out their phones and cameras to record the lovely sounds. This tour group was recording us at the last stop, so I finally decided time to take their photo in return.

But really, who could blame them?

The sounds of music and beauty were a treat to celebrate the opening up of Jerusalem streets after a year of repeated closures.

Jerusalem Photo Walks are starting again, in real life and online.

As a guest of Tour de Sound, another way to enjoy the Jerusalem streets

photo credit: Spokesperson Mayor’s Office

Also new – the municipality announces bike rental stations!.

Hope to see you all in Jerusalem one day soon.