Shabbat Shalom from Jerusalem.
שבת שלום
Jerusalem
Jerusalem in August, Everything but Singing in Rain
Jerusalem, Israel in August.
While it does not rain in Israel,
the humidity makes for interesting colors at sunset.
Of course, some sights are colorful at any hour.
Four new Ambassadors to Israel presented their credentials
this past week at Beit Hanasi, to the Israeli president.
The IDF band plays the national anthems of each country.
Time for one last minute rehearsal, before
the new Ambassador from Australia arrived.
Chris Cannan brought along his two sons.
The King David Hotel was also busy with international visitors,
US Congressmen and the head of the Organization of American States,
joined the ranks of thousands of summer tourists.
Out in back of the hotel behind the pool,
in the Bloomfield Gardens,
you will find the annual Shakespeare in Motion.
Taming of the Shrew is being performed in English,
August evenings before the sun goes down.
I still have not found the story behind this song and dance,
happening in Yemin Moshe,
near the Montefiore Windmill.
As the sun was setting,
I was walking through Yemin Moshe,
to see the International Arts & Crafts fair.
The set-up for international booths
seems to be the same as usual.
Fewer people seemed to be on the main path,
yet tens of thousands attend this annual end of summer event.
During holiday time, Jerusalem parks are popular.
As the sunset sets on Teddy Park,
with the walls of the Old City and Tower of David in the background,
the park fills with families on outings.
Segways have become a common sight.
But watch out in Mamilla Mall,
for these contraptions racing through
the hundreds of people walking and shopping.
Musical events in Kikar Safra, Municipal Square.
are held every summer,
but this year in honor of 50 years of Jerusalem unification
3 major musical events are set for August 17, 28 and 31.
Then, there is the Oud Festival
and Mekudeshet, which starts in August and ends September 15,
and there is dancing at the Jerusalem Theater,
plus Hansen House has evening events.
Festivals, singing and dancing…but no rain.
When you see security out dressed in heavy protection,
a reminder that singing and dancing in the rain
was only found in old movies.
Meanwhile, there is so
much great stuff happening in Jerusalem,
I will have to save more for next time.
15 August Activities and Fun in Jerusalem
Tisha B’Av and the days of mourning have ended,
and the month of August is holiday time.
Jerusalem does not have a beach with a sunset view.
The new water activity in First Station
for children to play soccer under a water spray,
the Teddy Park Fountain
and Lion’s Fountain are poor substitutes for a dip in the water.
Lacking in water, Jerusalem compensates with
summer activities and festivals
during the long summer school holiday,
both for locals and the tourists arriving daily.
After years of construction,
the new Orient Hotel is open near First Station
and boutique hotels have popped up all over town.
Khuztot Hayozer, the annual international arts & crafts fair,
attracts thousands to the Sultan’s Pool, and opens next week.
The Bloomfield Science Museum has
a special bicycle exhibit and other popular activities.
Summer programs for children are advertised by the National Library.
The 26th International Puppet Festival is this week.
And again this summer,
free August admission for children at the Israel Museum.
The colorful and popular umbrellas over streets downtown
are back up for the summer,
as is this new giant radio on Ben Yehudah pedestrian mall.
Shakespeare in Motion opens on August 10
in Bloomfield Park near the Montefiore Windmill.
The Wine Festival and Beer Festival are popular,
night time adult only happenings.
There are also many Tu B’Av night happenings,
like this one on Emek Refaim Street.
Ice skating at Sports Arena in Malha goes until August 13.
Consider taking one of our Photo walks
which are so much better as evenings get cooler.
This is getting too long!
For more August happenings see:
or the special Summer Fun Guide
As I was slowing down in the August heat,
Mayor Nir Barkat sent a
“Welcome to Kitah Aleph” postcard message
to all incoming Jerusalem first graders.
I love how “Welcome to Kitah Aleph”
is bigger a deal than most Israeli university graduations!
Only in Israel!
I am getting exhausted thinking how to do everything,
still not enough happening for you,
check out this new video: