Tisha B’Av, the 9th day of Hebrew month of Av,
time to remember destruction of Jerusalem and pray for future.
שבת שלום
Jerusalem
Nine Days of Av
Rosh Chodesh Av starts the annual period of mourning in the Jewish calendar before the fast of Tisha b’Av, the 9th of the month of Av, which commemorates the destruction of both the First and Second Temples and other catastrophic events that befell the Jewish people.
With restrictions on live music, eating meat and drinking wine, there is a more somber mood this week in Jerusalem, Israel.
This year, however, the World Cup final provided and excuse for some to hold large gatherings to watch the game: at the Tower of David, street cafes and many outdoor venues.
This summer there is something new called Auto Ochel, food trucks in Valley of Hinnom. The restaurants featured this week provided dairy meals for the Nine Days.
For this week, celebrations are limited, as for example, no Jewish weddings are held, in order to remember the destruction.
This model of the Second Temple stands outside at the Israel Museum.
Inside the museum a stone salvaged from its destruction in Jerusalem so many centuries ago is on display.
This time of year I remember the beautiful town of Yamit which was destroyed in 1981 in order to return every grain of sand in the Sinai peninsula back to Egypt as part of the peace treaty.
Thirteen years have passed since summer of destruction of Gush Katif. These beautiful homes were in one of the Israeli communities destroyed.
We are no closer to the promised peace.
Israeli fields have gone up in smoke over past three months. 7,400 acres were burnt.
Today two incendiary balloons from Gaza landed in a nursery school playground.
In this photo from Operation Pillar of Defense, November 2012, children in Sderot played inside the bomb-protected playground as missiles were launched at them from Gaza.
Who remembers the Truth about Gaza?
Thousands of pilgrims walked up these steps to the Holy Temples of old.
This week we remember the destruction in Jerusalem.
Ir David, City of David, is having a summer festival after Tisha B’Av, with camel rides and workshops.
The 35 th Jerusalem Film Festival begins next week, followed by the annual Wine Festival at the Israel Museum.
Next week we look forward to weddings, music and celebrations, and building new homes, with hope for the future.
Old and New in Jerusalem for Summer
Half of all Israelis are reported to be going overseas this summer.
At the same time, however, a record number of tourists are arriving.
Being out on the Jerusalem, Israel streets early in the morning is not my regular thing.
Obviously, I am not alone, as Jaffa Road before 8:00 am was a very quiet place.
One lone runner came along as I stood near Kikar Zion, Zion Square.
Or rather what was Kikar Zion; there was a large sign and it was fenced off from view.
Inside the fence was a construction site, as the old Kikar Zion is getting a whole new look.
Back on Jaffa Road after dark, a man wearing a in red shirt was running and had a hard time negotiating his way through the crowds.
The Light Rail trains blasted their horns to warn people out of the way as they slowly made their way along the tracks.
The Herbert Samuel Hotel was lit with a colorful video for the Jerusalem Light Festival
“I love Jerusalem” was repeated in lights, but it was hard to capture in one photograph.
Old downtown Jerusalem is getting a whole new look.
If you can find your way past the construction site to find Yoel Salomon Street, it is once again covered with colorful umbrellas.
Old or new, the umbrellas make interesting photos against the night sky.
Once again, the very old Tower of David Museum is offering a new exhibition for the summer.
From the museum entrance, throughout the archaeological gardens and up to the citadel ramparts, there are nine new pieces of art. These aluminum sculptures were crafted by artist Karen Sargsyan, who brought 100 kilo of aluminum and 3,000 knives from Holland to create these Jerusalem historical figures.
There was a colorful King Cyrus the Great with the citadel in the background.
This man was not bowing down to the Queen of Sheba, but putting finishing details to the sign before the exhibit opened to the public.
Of course in the Tower of David Museum, you will find King David.
King Herod, the Builder of old Jerusalem, has a whole new look.
Children’s activities in an air conditioned tent, is a new idea that sounds good, plus from middle of July to end of August children are admitted to the Tower of David without an entrance fee.
The old “I love Jerusalem” sculpture has been moved from Kikar Zion to new location in Kikar Tzahal, Zahal Square.
If you want to find something old or new in Jerusalem, Israel, the new colorful #itravelJerusalem tourist information trucks are out on the streets full of information.
The trucks are distributing the new summer edition of Fun In Jerusalem. Also, selling new Jerusalem City Pass Cards, which enable tourists to ride on the Light Rail and city buses and to enter museums for the day both for free and at discount rates.
Mekudeshet cultural festival starts August 8. You can count on them for creative and new.
Old and new are coming together this summer off and on the Jerusalem streets.