Jerusalem: Tisha B’Av Lows to Celebration Time

Jerusalem: Tisha B’Av Lows to Celebration Time

When we lived in Australia, Tisha B’Av, the 9th day of the Hebrew month of Av, fell in winter.

It was a regular work day and school was not on holiday.

How different is the experience of Tisha B’Av in Jerusalem, Israel.

Busy streets are shuttered at night, restaurants, wine bars and street cafes are closed.

For hundreds of years, Jews have been mourning and fasting on Tisha B’Av.

Stones left in pile from Second Temple next to Kotel wall Old City Jerusalem Israel

These stones next to the Kotel, the Western Wall, at Robinson’s Arch, are from the ruined Temple, and remain as a reminder.

Independence Park reading of Eicha

As a sign of mourning, every year Jews sit on the ground or on stones, or a low chair, to read Eicha, the Book of Lamentations.

Walk around Walls Women in Green on Tisha Be'Av

For the last 6 years I have joined in the Walk around the Walls, led by Women in Green.

Women in Green Walk around Walls of Jerusalem

Every year I am surprised by the size of the crowd, as hundreds of people of all ages join in, many carrying Israeli flags.

Walk around walls security leading way

Security led the way for the crowd walking around the walls. Security is always a concern, but I have never felt any danger.

New Gate, Jerusalem, Israel at night

First the walk passed New Gate,

Damascus Gate at night

then Damascus Gate,

People with Israeli flag walking by Flowers Gate Old City Jerusalem Israel

and Flowers’ Gate. On this walk I get to see parts of Jerusalem not on my regular routes.

Deputy Mayor Dov Kalmanovich, MK Zeev Elkin, Marc Zell, Yehudit Katsover, Nadia Matar at Lion's Gate Old City Jerusalem Israel

At Lion’s Gate, there was a speech from MK Zeev Elkin, along with others. He also spoke six years ago.

Night at Lion's Gate Jerusalem Israel Old City

Lion’s Gate is where, in 1967,  Israeli soldiers entered to liberate the Old City of Jerusalem from Jordanian occupation.

Lion Gate on Tisha BeAv for Women in Green

I am always amazed how many people stand and sit on the stones in the middle of the night to listen to speeches.

Lion's Gate security drone on ground after Walk around Walls Old City Jerusalem Israel

New this year were drones over the crowd.  The beautiful horses that used to patrol were missing.

Walls of Old City lit at night Jerusalem Israel

As I walked around to the Kotel, the Western Wall, the walls were illuminated.

Group hearing about excavations in Old City on Tisha Be'Av night

I was not alone as I passed a group listening to a guide in the southern wall excavation.

Night time Old City Tisha B'Av Jerusalem Israel

There were many tour groups and guides sharing the stories of ancient Jerusalem.

Jerusalem, Old City section with stones from second temple time and new platform

Walking around to the Kotel, I looked in by Robinson’s Arch, the egalitarian section platforms.

There those ancient stones have remained at the base for millennia.

Western Wall section where stone fell

It is a vast area, and hard to photograph, especially at night. A crop of the photo shows the cracked stone which fell the next day, almost hitting a woman.

Koitel Tisha B'av night Old City, Jerusalem Israel

And as every year, tens of thousands of people were coming and going, sitting and praying, singing, and some even socializing.

Western Wall Plaza on Tisha Be'Av night man and children sitting on stones

They were sitting on the stones or walking somberly, remembering tragedies of old.

View at night of Kotel Plaza excavations

For over 6 years, near the Kotel Plaza under the stones, levels of history are being revealed.

Temple menorah lit at night in front of Hurva Synagogue on Tisha B'Av night

The replica of the golden menorah of the Temple was shining brightly in front of the Hurva Synagogue. It was moved recently when work began on a new elevator access to the Kotel.

Six years of walking around the ancient walls, a simple act that for so many years our ancestors could only dream about. The distance seems less each time, but the hour is always late.

Jerusalem Israel summer festival 360 degrees

A Jerusalem festival this week is called 360 degrees,

however, Tisha B’Av mourning revolves 180 degrees.

After the lows of mourning, the roller coaster of life returns to celebration.

After Tisha B’Av comes a big wedding season.

Jewish wedding in Ein Hemed Jerusalem Israel Judean Hills

A new family starting a new home in Israel.

The situation in Syria is getting more intense.

Hamas continues to burn the south.

However, families from around the world are coming together.

At this wedding in the hills of Jerusalem, as at all Jewish weddings, there is a song to remember Jerusalem.

Not just on Tisha B’Av, but every day, Jerusalem was and is in Jewish prayer.

After Tisha B’Av, so much is happening in Jerusalem, Israel, it is hard to decide what to do first.

For culture, there are large musical performances in Sultan’s Pool and free movies at night in the parks.

For sports fans, there is a street ball tournament and a basketball competition, plus flags are up for 52nd International Children’s Games, set to attract 2000 teenagers.

If you hurry, you could have an up close view, there is a special offer at Kikar Safra, one of the best Airbnb deals ever – HERE

For more Tisha B’Av in Jerusalem, photos  HERE

Shabbat Shalom – Jerusalem Near and Far

Shabbat Shalom – Jerusalem Near and Far

Each week I try to post a nice photo for

Shabbat shalom greeting,

Flowers in Yemin Moshe Jerusalem Israel

 like this one taken in Yemin Moshe.

However,

this week I decided to also share two short videos.

The first from a Jerusalem site not so well known,

Zedekiah’s Cave or Solomon’s Quarry,

and the second taken in Old Jaffa,

where on the coast as the sun sets,

as usual at a Jewish wedding ceremony,

we remember Jerusalem.

שבת שלום

Jerusalem: More than Riots

The Shavuot holiday as celebrated in Jerusalem, Israel,

is so different from anywhere else in the world.

Tens of thousands of people went to the Kotel, the Western Wall,

 to pray at sunrise, after a night-long marathon 

of classes, lectures and programs that were

truly amazing and mind-boggling.

Ads posted image, J Street

 These posted ads are for only a few such learning events.

There was one thing very different this year – it rained at 8:30 am!

There have been protests against the new budget,

Jerusalem photo, image protest Israel

and new taxes have made for some very angry citizens.

protest poster image, JSTreet

New social protest signs can still be found in the city center

after last weekend’s demonstrations.

The Israeli Prime Minister is back from China

and a very quick visit to Russia to meet with Mr. Putin.

And I assume that most people have no idea that

the Foreign Minister of Finland Erkki Tuomioja and

  Foreign Minister of Lithuania Lianas Linkevicius are in Jerusalem.

Also, who heard that at the Hebrew University

there is a conference being held called

Canada and Israel in a Changing World, New Trends and Directions?

When the Shavuot holiday is over,

on the real streets, it is wedding season.

decorated car and couple taking weddnig photos

Brides posing in parks for photos and decorated rental cars

are normal sights, though it will be hard to come close

to the traffic-stopping Belz wedding with 50,000 guests. 

Wonder if any of their international guests will go into town?

If they do, they would see, 

photo King George Street

there is a sign for traffic changes on King George Street.

One big surprise, I found a moment with no buses or taxis.

Jaffa Street photo

For years, this large mural on Jaffa Street showed

the light rail train of the future.

photo light rail train on Jaffa Raod

Well the future is now, 

and the train is running and people are returning to the city center.

The media always reports Arab and Haredi riots in great detail.

But there was no sign of trouble today or any sign of Apartheid 

photo Israeli and Arab

as this Muslim woman and Haredi Israeli man crossed Jaffa street,

Muslim women Israel image

and these women were sitting off Ben Yehuda Street in the afternoon sun.

Summer is finally here, 

Muslim family Israel, Arabs walking .in Jerusalem, J Street photo,

and it is time to head outside and to the parks.

Poster for Israel Festival

It is also the time for the month-long Israel Festival Jerusalem,

with so many cultural programs, some in new exciting venues,

enough to keep everyone busy.

And my favorite festival, Light in Jerusalem is coming soon.

Remember last year?

There is so much to see and do in Jerusalem, 

but what did you hear about?