9 Special Signs of Jerusalem

I love the signs in Jerusalem, Israel.

I wonder if it’s a ‘Only in Israel’ thing? 

Here are photos of 9 of my favorite signs.

welcome to school sign

1. The city of Jerusalem wishes students good luck on the new school year.

sign

2. This sign was only up for a short time. I’m not sure how authentic

the “cheeps” were, but they are still in business with a different sign.

sign misspelled

3. When it comes to English spelling, this is an example of excellence.

sign old city

4. The city in its wisdom is changing all “ch” to “h” in street signs.

It works for “Habad” Street, but “Hen” Street?

5. Then there are the Hebrew equivalents for English brand names,

like “Crocs.”

6. This sign in Kikar Safra, Safra Square, is just asking to be touched.

voting sign

7. New signs are up for the municipal elections to be held on November 20  

for community representatives in “Heart of the City” neighborhood. 

Yad Ben Zvi

8. Remember this old sign at the entrance to “Yad Yitzchak Ben-Zvi,

the library of the former Israeli President?

Yad Ben Zvi building

This is the sign on the brand new Yad Ben-Zvi building

to be dedicated tonight,

  which will house its international school on Jerusalem studies.

sign

9. Sometimes it is hard to know which way to go 

and even harder to predict what will happen next.

Southern Israel has been bombarded by rockets from Gaza,

though you would never know it by the media headlines.

If this post seems too lite under the circumstances,

please read this brilliant blog which sums it all up so well.


Hadassah Women Cause Chaos in Center of Jerusalem

This week Hadassah celebrated its 100th birthday with 

its centennial convention in Jerusalem, Israel.

red flag

Red Hadassah banners are flying on the streets near hotels, 

as 2000 women and associates converged for a very special dedication.

Hadassah Hospital Jerusalem

The impressive Hadassah Medical Center covers a vast campus.

Construction of its newest building has taken years,

construction cranes

in October 2009, construction work could be seen above ground.

Hadassah construction

By November 2010, much of the outer structure was completed,

construction

 work often extended well into the night.

Hadassah new building

As part of  the centennial celebration this week,

the new medical center building was dedicated.

I wish I could show you inside

Hadassah hospital

where Israeli Jews and Arabs work side by side

to give and receive the same expert medical care.

Hadassah has accomplished so much and has reason to be proud.

A salesperson in a shop in the center of Jerusalem complained that  

Hadassah red shirts

 those Hadassah people in red tee-shirts were causing chaos in town.

Hadassah , red shirts

Really?

Please friends keep shopping and come back to Jerusalem, Israel, 

to cause this kind of chaos anytime!

flag 100

Happy 100th birthday Hadassah,

 thank you and keep up the great work!

Updated with special thanks to Karen F. for sending photos of those red shirts!

Erev Sukkot in Jerusalem

The Sukkot holiday season begins early in Jerusalem, Israel.

sukkos,

Starting before Yom Kippur, in every empty lot,

like mushrooms popping up, there are sukkot for sale.

shach on car

The early bird gets the good schach for the top of their sukkah

and the top of the car is the way to get it home.

Space is limited,

sukkos

 so you’ve got to grab your spot early and get your sukkah up.

sukkah, sukka sleeping

Some people really move into their sukkah for the week, 

decorating and sleeping in comfort.

sukkah on camel

 This sukkah on a camel is a favorite photo,

but would anyone really want to sleep in one?

sukkos

It takes time to shop and select the perfect specimens of lulavim

estrog

and etrogim for the holidays.

sign hebrew

Sukkot happenings are too many to list, but I liked this new sign.

Meanwhile, this year

for sale sings

 there are plenty of “For sale” signs in time for the invasion of tourists.

The New Year messages,

bus holiday sign

will switch to the Chag Samaech, Happy Holiday ones and

Jerusalem street

some very busy shopping areas will close for all the days of Sukkot.

holiday cookies

But we are expecting a lot of guests,  

so it’s back to the kitchen, because one day of baking will not last long. 

coke bottle

Chag Samaech!