Jerusalem as August Ends and September Begins

Jerusalem as August Ends and September Begins

What a week!

That’s it for the summer.

Most visitors to Jerusalem, Israel have gone home.

At the end of August, a 9% increase in tourism was announced.

In the US and Israel, everyone was on holiday, at the beach one last time, or at a big-time BBQ.

Meanwhile, here in Jerusalem, two first-time events were held.

Jerusalem’s Kraft Family Sports Complex hosted the ninth European Flag Football Championship.

Israel finished in fourth place, but was full of pride, for Israeli Dani Eastman was named men’s tournament MVP. The tournament was to be held in Israel previously but was canceled in 2014 due to the security threats of the July-August Operation Protective Edge.

Also, there was JeruStock at First Station, a mud-free, drug and alcohol-free, family-friendly, musical, tie-dyed celebration of 50 years since Woodstock.

Har Herzl Museum with actor dressed as Herzl

At the end of August in 1897, 208 delegates and 26 press correspondents attended the First Zionist Congress in Basel, Switzerland.

Theodor Herzl is not only remembered on the anniversary of the movement he started or on the day when he was re-interred in Israel in 1949. He is remembered on Har Herzl which was named for him, the man who died so young and before his vision became a reality.

This year special ceremonies were held near his tomb on Har Herzl.

Beit Hanasi garden Herzl with Sara Zoabi

A sculpture of Theodor Herzl stands in the front garden of Beit Hanasi.  Here Sara Zoabi posed next to the statue in the presidential garden after a recent event held in the main hall.

Sign on ground for summer camp at Liberty Bell Park in Jerusalem Israel

Memories and this sign were all that remained of the big summer vacation and water activities in Jerusalem’s Liberty Bell Park.

It was time this week to go back to school.

Sign on Jerusalem Israel bus for good school year.

Signs lined some Jerusalem streets, similar to this one on a bus, wishing all a successful school year תש”פ 5780.

Time to get ready for school, but also to get ready for changes in the streets of Jerusalem, Israel.

Sderot Shazar Jerusalem Israel closed until 2022 for new road

The new traffic pattern at the entrance to Jerusalem was well advertised. Until now no fines have been imposed on cars going in the public transit-only lanes, but that is to change now. Police will be watching and will issue tickets and fines to those drivers of private vehicles who are not following instructions.

Azza Street to be upgraded with new sidewalks and more

But there is more–multiple signs are up for other road works to begin soon.

Jerusalem Israel park with horse stature and Windows

Remember the Gan HaSoos, Horse Park and ‘Windows’?

Windows as seen from behind Gan Hasoos Jerusalem Horse Park

‘Windows’ was constructed for the Mekudeshet Festival which is to run September 4- 21.

Repairing Windows in Gan HaSoos in Jerusalem Israel

This week ‘Windows’ was being repaired and readied for the musical opening of the creative festival, whose music will be filling Jerusalem streets and parks.

First plan for Knesset expansion

The design for new construction for the Knesset expansion was published.

First plan for Israeli Knesset expansion

After the municipality sent out these images of the accepted plans, objections arose that the “iconic” building is not prominent enough.

However, what the sketches do not show is all the construction surrounding the Knesset which obscures many views.

Construction and moving are two themes found throughout Jerusalem streets this week.

I especially love to see the piles of books left out for passersby to take and give a new home.

Paper from boxes lining elevator in Jerusalem Israel building

Long gone are the days when Jerusalem had few elevators and only low buildings.

This is one of the new elevators that have a number pad ONLY on the outside wall.   You must push the number of the floor you want before entering the elevator.  Then you have to check and see which elevator to use and then enter.

I had to take a photo of this “C” elevator. I entered after pressing the button for the 16th floor.  While still in the lobby, one man came in, looked around, and exited quickly.  This was a sure sign he was not a regular visitor to the building as he panicked on encountering the new technology.

FoZ sign to welcome Honduran President Hernández to Jerusalem Israel

A very special visitor, Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez, and his wife arrived in Jerusalem for a ceremony inaugurating a Honduran “trade office” in Jerusalem. Their first public appearance was at the Kotel, Western Wall. This visit was to be the first step to moving the Honduran Embassy to Jerusalem.

Music in Jerusalem Israel end of September 2019

With the new month of Elul, the countdown to Rosh Hashana, the New Year, has begun. Signs are up for pre-holiday evenings of song and prayer.

Fall events include the ‘Jaffa to Agrippas Festival’ in the Machane Yehuda Market.

I am looking forward to The Jerusalem Biennale 2019 – For Heaven’s Sake! in October.

Pomegranate tree in Jerusalem Israel

The pomegranates are ripe as they hang on trees along Jerusalem streets.

Limes of tree in Jerusalem ready to pick in fall

Another sure sign the summer has passed – limes on the tree.

Finally, it is cooling off enough to be comfortable walking outside again.

View of Old City walls in Jerusalem Israel at sunset

One sees the reflection of the sun as it sets against the walls of the Old City.

I love this time of year, and the time of day when Jerusalem turns to Jerusalem of Gold.

From Jerusalem Firgun, Fun and Food

From Jerusalem Firgun, Fun and Food

It started in Jerusalem, Israel, six years ago.

July 17th is International Firgun Day.

Everyone is invited to join from anywhere in the world, sharing the spirit of #Firgun

(Hebrew: פרגון) an act of kindness performed solely to make another person feel good.

How do you celebrate Firgun Day?

You come up with a firgun, a compliment, a kind word, a small pat on the back for someone (person, business or group) and post it on any social network, adding a photo or video and the hashtag #Firgun.

Or just say something nice to someone you know to pleasantly surprise them.

“Say Something Nice, Make Someone Happy”

Whoever thought up ‘Windows’ for the September Mekudeshet Festival is really clever.

Structure called Windows for Mekudeshet Festival

This structure called ‘Windows’ has received attention since it went up last week in the center of Jerusalem. The house of windows is made out of 550 windows from all over Jerusalem, in a variety of shapes, and from various time periods.

Jerusalem Israel park with horse stature and Windows

The location is called Gan HaSus or HaSoos, Horse Park, well, because this horse is in this Jerusalem park.

The windows were collected and preserved for decades by the late Yoram Amir, an artist, photographer, activist, and lover of people and Jerusalem who recently passed away.

Windows Jerusalem Israel festival called Mehudeshet

These posters tell the story of the exhibit in three languages.  The Mekudeshet website promises that on every Wednesday from afternoon to dusk the place will be full of surprises.

Windows as seen from behind Gan Hasoos Jerusalem Horse Park

‘Windows’ is set back from King George Street, and is located near the water fountains. These rescued windows are from condemned or abandoned buildings. Just before his death, Amir joined forces with Mekudeshet, the Jerusalem Municipality through Eden, the Jerusalem Center Development Company, and artists Itamar Faluja and Lili Peleg to construct a structure filled with majesty and presence. Amir’s final gift to the city that he loved. #Firgun

sign for Jerusalem event Hebrew is in our blood

I missed an event at Beit Alliance on July 11 but liked this poster ‘Hebrew this is my Blood’ promoting the event.

Jerusalem Israel Mussara festival sign

Bogrim 2019 goes to the end of the month, with art and musical events for young people.

Front Stage performs at Ben Yehuda Mall this coming Friday afternoon. Last week hundreds of young people danced to live and loud pounding music on Friday afternoon. I am surprised I could only hear it on the municipality Facebook live feed.

Hebrew Jerusalem sign on street for good summer long holiday

Jerusalem street signs are up wishing children a pleasant summer holiday.

Jaffa Road Jerusalem Israel iced coffee in cate

Summer for me means it’s time to sit and enjoy an iced coffee.

Jerusalem Israel food truck at night

Food trucks are back in the Hinnon Valley near the Cinematheque on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday nights again this year.

Down dozens of stairs, people came to stand in line to buy sushi and three other food offerings. Every week there are to be four options, in addition to beer and wine trucks.

Jerusalem Food Truck Festival in Hinnon Valley at night with full moon

Under the full moon with live music, people sat at the few tables or on the ground. What a great view they had for the moon and its partial eclipse.

Jerusalem Israel at night from near Cinematheque toward Old City walls

OK, just for this Jerusalem view I am glad I went to check it out.

Jaffa Road sign for Overall at Tower of David

OVERALL is this week at the Tower of David Museum. Fashion and more in twenty locations throughout the expanse of the Mamluk monumental complex.

Events at the Tower of David are always a photographer’s delight. #Firgun

This one called OVERALL has everything from making lapel pins to a Met Gala (like in NYC) exhibit to designing with a 3D pen and more.

Tower of David where the very old past meets the very modern future.

Tens of thousands, record-breaking, numbers of tourists, have come to Jerusalem this year.

93% of tourists said they were happy with their visit.

I hope they had time to enjoy what’s happening on the Jerusalem streets,

Jerusalem full of fun and food and #Firgun.

 

 

Old and New in Jerusalem for Summer

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.

Jerusalem, Israel, Jaffa Street in morning

Obviously, I am not alone, as Jaffa Road before 8:00 am was a very quiet place.

Jerusalem view of Jaffa Street in morning

One lone runner came along as I stood near Kikar Zion, Zion Square.

Construction sign in Zion Square in Jerusalem Israel

Or rather what was Kikar Zion; there was a large sign and it was fenced off from view.

Jerusalem, Israel Zion Square being renovated

Inside the fence was a construction site, as the old Kikar Zion is getting a whole new look.

Jerusalem Israel Jaffa Street at night

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.

Light rail on Yaffo Road at night Jerusalem Israel

The Light Rail trains blasted their horns to warn people out of the way as they slowly made their way along the tracks.

Lights on building at Zion Square at night Jerusalem Israel

The Herbert Samuel Hotel was lit with a colorful video for the Jerusalem Light Festival

Jerusalem light festival on Herbert Samuel Hotel at Kikar Zion

“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.

Jerusalem Israel umbrellas over street

If you can find your way past the construction site to find Yoel Salomon Street, it is once again covered with colorful umbrellas.

Umbrellas at night over Yoel Salomon Street Jerusalem Israel

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.

View of Tower of David citadel and court yard for Rock Paper Scissors by Karen Sargsyan

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.

Jerusalem art exhibit Tower of David Rock Paper Scissors

There was a colorful King Cyrus the Great with the citadel in the background.

Queen of Sheba by Karen Sargsyan

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.

Tower of David summer art exhibit

Of course in the Tower of David Museum, you will find King David.

King David by Karen Sargsyan

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.

I love Jerusalem sign in Jerusalem Israel

The old “I love Jerusalem” sculpture has been moved from Kikar Zion to new location in Kikar Tzahal, Zahal Square.

Tourist information trucks #itraveljerusalem

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.

Fun in Jerusalem and Jerusalem City Pass Card

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 festival signs in Jerusalem, Israel

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.