The time before Purim in Jerusalem, Israel, is usually filled with surprises, like seeing teens going to school in pajamas, children with painted faces, or adults dressed in costumes walking down the street.
Prime Minister Naftali Bennett met in the Kremlin with Russian President Vladimir Putin last week on Shabbat, which was certainly a first.
Firsts. Also, highs and lows filled the emotional rollercoaster week as we watched reports from Ukraine.
The official welcome for Israeli President Isaac Herzog on a state visit to the Republic of Turkey at the invitation of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan at the official complex in Ankara was a significant first.
The Herzogs were hosted by the Jewish community on Thursday morning at the Neve Shalom Synagogue in Istanbul.
While at the Presidential Library in Turkey, accompanied by the First Lady of the Republic of Turkey, Emine Erdoğan, Michal Herzog gifted a number of Hebrew books to the library during the visit.
Certainly, there were other firsts in Turkey and the international scene, but now back to Jerusalem the week before Purim.
This was not the first visit of Mike and Karen Pence to Jerusalem. Three years ago as US VicePresident they received royal treatment. This time their visit to Hebron got more attention than to the Kotel, Western Wall. Former US Vice President Pence received an award from the Friends of Zion at the beginning of the week.
I never found out what video they were shown last time at the Kotel.
But the photos of Keren Pence I took that day are still a favorite of mine.
- For the first time, I got a good view of the Jerusalem Gateway Project from above with a look at how they are working around the old cemetery. The housing projects in the distance have expanded considerably.
2. First time I got a tour of the Jerusalem Report, courtesy of editor Steve Linde and the Jerusalem Post, and saw editor-in-chief, Yaakov Katz, at work in his office.
3. First time seeing the new art displays are back in Mamilla Mall.
4. The new Paris Fountain at French Square was revealed. It is not the same fountain, similar and larger.
The area will look very different than before, larger and with seating and landscaping. They started planting flowers today.
Twenty years ago, at this spot was the Moment Cafe, where a suicide bomber blew up himself, killing 11 people. Today a new residential building has been completed and the cafes have closed. Families have come every year to remember their murdered relatives and friends, with posters, flags, and memorial candles.
5. For the first time this year, a special box with spaces to hold 11 candles was in place. I have not seen that elsewhere and there are way too many of these memorial plaques at other terror sites.
Not a first, but unusual, to have thunder and lightning storms over the Jerusalem streets. Thanks to Facebook memories I saw in March, the weather extremes changing by the hour are an annual occurrence.
6. The lightning flashes are too fast to capture. However, this storm went on long enough for me to get a few shorts to make a stormy night video.
And from the video to get an image of one of the lightning flashes to share.
After the storm, Mamilla Pool was half-filled. Lovely photo, though a few minutes later I had to run home in heavy rain, not such a pretty picture.
7. I have seen several tourist buses, but this was the first welcome back sign in a very, very long time. Today I stopped to talk to a couple from Luxembourg with a tour guide and a group from New York City who had been here all week. The women were shopping before going home tonight.
8. Love signs are up along the walking/biking path at First Station
and this heart-shaped sculpture is now in First Station, moved from near the Jerusalem Old City Walls at Tzahal Square.
9. Who does not love those first buds and signs of spring?
Ok. Perhaps those suffering from seasonal allergies are not that excited. At least all the rain is washing away the pollen.
But oh the variety and colors lining the Jerusalem streets.
Even sprouting up from the ancient rocks, a favorite sign that winter is waning.
These purple ones are very common to see on many Jerusalem streets.
10. But this was the first time I saw a sign for ‘Purple in the Armon’. The south has the Darom Adom, Red South for fields of red wildflowers. The Jerusalem event is to promote the local hill filled with purple lupines.
But Purim? Not new, the Hansen House has hosted continuous events and plans for Purim, and on Shushan Purim, it sounds like a place to stop and see.
These new signs at first I thought were for Purim but later realized are for an educational conference in Jerusalem after Purim.
Also, signs are up for the sports EXPO held before the Jerusalem Marathon. It is back at Cinema City, similar to the EXPO before the races in October.
And, a nice winter view of the Knesset, which is now closed for a two months intercession, from the newly developed walking path.
11. And to close, another first. An RJS video recap of some of the sights and sounds on the Jerusalem streets of the last week before Purim.
More upcoming Purim events in Jerusalem – Purim in Disguise
Safra Square on Shushan Purim – Friday, March 18th this year.
Certain early events have already been postponed due to the changing weather. So check back next week for the real story of what happened on the Jerusalem streets for Purim.
You never know what you will find on the Jerusalem streets.
