Montefiore Windmill – The Real Jerusalem Streets

Jerusalem in August, Everything but Singing in Rain

Jerusalem in August, Everything but Singing in Rain

August 15, 2017August 15, 2017Sharon A

Jerusalem, Israel in August.

While it does not rain in Israel,

the humidity makes for interesting colors at sunset.

Of course, some sights are colorful at any hour.

Four new Ambassadors to Israel presented their credentials

this past week at Beit Hanasi, to the Israeli president.

The IDF band plays the national anthems of each country.

Time for one last minute rehearsal, before

the new Ambassador from Australia arrived.

Chris Cannan brought along his two sons.

The King David Hotel was also busy with international visitors,

US Congressmen and the head of the Organization of American States,

joined the ranks of thousands of summer tourists.

Out in back of the hotel behind the pool,

in the Bloomfield Gardens,

you will find the annual Shakespeare in Motion.

Taming of the Shrew is being performed in English,

August evenings before the sun goes down.

I still have not found the story behind this song and dance,

happening in Yemin Moshe,

near the Montefiore Windmill.

As the sun was setting,

I was walking through Yemin Moshe,

to see the International Arts & Crafts fair.

The set-up for international booths

seems to be the same as usual.

Fewer people seemed to be on the main path,

yet tens of thousands attend this annual end of summer event.

During holiday time, Jerusalem parks are popular.

As the sunset sets on Teddy Park,

with the walls of the Old City and Tower of David in the background,

the park fills with families on outings.

Segways have become a common sight.

But watch out in Mamilla Mall,

for these contraptions racing through

the hundreds of people walking and shopping.

Musical events in Kikar Safra, Municipal Square.

are held every summer,

but this year in honor of 50 years of Jerusalem unification

3 major musical events are set for August 17, 28 and 31.

Then, there is the Oud Festival

and Mekudeshet, which starts in August and ends September 15,

and there is dancing at the Jerusalem Theater,

plus Hansen House has evening events.

Festivals, singing and dancing…but no rain.

When you see security out dressed in heavy protection,

a reminder that singing and dancing in the rain

was only found in old movies.

Meanwhile, there is so

much great stuff happening in Jerusalem,

I will have to save more for next time.

Jerusalem Autumn Colors

November 4, 2015rjstreets

Autumn means beautiful photos of fall foliage

from the northeastern United States.

There is nothing like that in Jerusalem, Israel.

This year I found one tree with some fall colors.

But, as those US multi-colored leaves fall to leave bare limbs,

Jerusalem palm trees fill with ripe dates,

and fall flowers burst out over the sidewalks

Flower beds are being planted,

and a new flower bed has been added outside

of Beit Hanasi, the Israeli President’s residence.

The fall flowers of Yemin Moshe are always a favorite.

With a sandstorm this week,

the Montefiore Windmill was turning briskly,

but hard to see against the white sky.

Some streets have been too quiet since tourism has been down.

The German Colony is sponsoring special events

every Monday evening in November and December.

Australian tourists were enjoying a free day to see sights.

Not far away a female tour guide was injured in a terror attack.

A friend was out walking a grandchild

with her whistle handy in case of trouble.

People are more wary and careful going about their business.

But oh, those cats,

While I pass women walking with pepper spray

in hand ready for whatever might happen,

Jerusalem cats have a special chutzpah.

Those cats hold their ground no matter what.

And in the fall,

Jerusalem cloud formations,

with the blue and white sky at sunset.

Ten measures of beauty descended to the world;

nine were taken by Jerusalem.

Talmud Kiddushin 49b

Autumn in Jerusalem,

the seasons change.

Days are shorter and cooler,

the dark hours of night longer.

The cycle of life goes on.

Jerusalem’s Montefiore Windmill Returns

August 31, 2012rjstreets

Today, after more than 150 years, the afternoon wind was again

turning the blades of the Montefiore Windmill in Jerusalem.

The Windmill, initiated by Sir Moses Montefiore to aid

the “Suffering Jews in the Holy Land” was completed in 1857

and operated for around twenty years.

Montefiore’s goal was to help the poor of the Jewish community

grind their grain for bread and support themselves.

It was the first project built outside the Walls of the Old City

in the Mishkenot Sha’ananim-Yemin Moshe Jewish neighborhood.

The Old City Walls in the distance are easy to see from the plaza,

where a few name cards from the reserved seats were the only sign today of

the Montefiore Windmill rededication and ribbon cutting ceremony

that took place in the evening of August 28, 2012.

A restored Montefiore carriage is now on display behind protective glass

after it was vandalized and burned in 1986.

During the reception the door was open and I was able to go inside.

After months of construction and delays

Jerusalem Foundation president Mark Sofer had plenty to smile about.

The Windmill is not exactly the same as the original though,

as it has an electric motor and security systems.

Maybe it was the crepes,

the ice cream,

or the wine and fruit at the reception,

but everyone seemed to be smiling on Tuesday.

When Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks,

there is extra security all around

and extra cameras.

A short video showed the barren area in the 19th century.

What a contrast to the Jerusalem of today.

Christians for Israel from the Netherlands worked hard on this project.

There were Christian representatives from Holland,

as well as the Dutch Chief Rabbi, Rabbi Binyomin Jacobs present.

Jerusalem, Israel Mayor Nir Barkat, like the Prime Minister,

spoke about his childhood experiences playing in the area.

The blades of the windmill started to turn again,

but they are not just there to look at

as an important National Heritage Site,

the plan is to grind grain and sell the bread made from it to the public.

Of course, there were speeches,

it would really be too long to list all the officials present,

however, for a short video click here.

The Prime Minister spoke of the symbol of ruach,

which can be translated as wind or spirit:

there was wind and a beautiful spirit as the Windmill returned.

For more photos see The Real Jerusalem Streets Facebook Page.