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: Lights, Action, Camera

Jerusalem. Israel. In August.

When the evening temperatures cool and the sun is setting, and people venture outside.

Jerusalem Israel Jaffa Gate at sunset from Bet Shmuel;

As the setting sun reflects off the Old City walls, it lights up a ‘Jerusalem of Gold.’

Inside Beit Shmuel, at the MassChallenge Finale, ten start-up winners were announced to go to Boston to present their business ideas with the hope of obtaining funding.

Mass Challenge Finale Mayor NIr Barkat receiving award Israel Ganot

But first on stage was Mayor Nir Barkat to receive a special award from MC director Israel Ganot. Barkat co-founded a very successful early cyber-tech startup called CheckPoint.

Nir Barkat at Mass Challenge Finale

Having attended one of Barkat’s early meetings where he shared his vision for Jerusalem to be a bio-technology world center, as I stood in the international crowd of hundreds of startup initiators, mentors and eager funders,  I marveled how far the Jerusalem biotech and startup scene has grown.

Jerusalem is no Tel Aviv, but watch out. To come so far in 10 years is amazing.

Hebrew Jerusalem Israel street sign for children in summer

During the summer in Jerusalem, what is on many minds is keeping their children busy.

Puppet Festival in Perusal Israel Hebrew sign

I love that there is an annual International Puppet Festival.

Summer programs for children in Jerusalem Israel

The Nature Museum has musical programs for children and special Shabbat programs.

The concerts in the Sultan’s Pool giant outdoor stage are too many to list.

First Station has free musical entertainment most nights.

This summer public parks not only have music, but some are encouraging families to camp out in tents.

International Arts Festival in Jerusalem end of summer

The annual end of summer biggie, the International Arts and Crafts Festival, is on.  Construction of the booths for dozens of countries to showcase their wares has been going on for over a week.

A line-up of various popular Israel performers are to be on the giant stage each night.

JTown Free to Be you and me at AACI Jerusalem Israel

The small JTown Theater stage at AACI in Talpiot has a new production.

“Free to Be You and Me” is performed and scheduled for children, with shows in the afternoon and Friday mornings in August.

This production of Marlo Thomas’ gender-bias-breaking work is very timely.

On other stages and screens, the Jerusalem Film Festival has announced its awards.

Founding of Shas political party film UnOrthodox opened Jerusalem Film Festival

“The Unorthodox” did not win a prize, though it was selected to be featured on the Jerusalem Film Festival opening night at Sultan’s Pool.

Director of The UnOrthodox Eliran Malka at Lev Smadar after showing of his movie

I saw the movie at Lev Smadar on Monday, with director Eliran Malka answering questions from audience after the screening.

All movies in the film festival have English subtitles. This trailer is in Hebrew, but I am sharing, that even if you do not understand the language, you can get a feel for the intensity of Shuli Rand’s performance. Rand plays a father whose daughter was expelled from school for being Sephardi, and goes on to initiate the Shas political party.

The docudrama keeps the audience on edge as it unfolds, even though we already know that Shas went on to be successful beyond every early projection.

Malka is a graduate of Maaleh. In case you are not familiar with this Jerusalem school, here is a link, as Maaleh’s film library is available to the public on the Maaleh website.

In honor of Israel@70, Maaleh has opened a special YouTube channel, where viewers have access to 70 Maaleh short films for free, and susan@maale.co.il is happy to email you the link.

Jerusalem culture festival MekudeshetAfter months of preparation and advertising Mekudeshet is running from August 8- 28.

How does one describe this out-of-box culture festival, where some events are free and in the middle of the night?

One performance is at the YMCA pool, and the audience is to come in bathing suits and participate.

Never know what you will find on the Jerusalem streets, or in the Y, or yes, up on the roof tops too.

Another week with so much happening in Jerusalem.

There is more, but I will leave you with part of a song from the versatile, talented Shuli Rand.

Rand performed in June, at Beit Hanasi, the Israeli President’s residence.