Jerusalem Autumn Colors in Photos

Jerusalem Autumn Colors in Photos

In the Northeastern United States,

the leaves turn vivid colors in autumn

before they fall off the trees and pile up below.

While walking around in Jerusalem, Israel, yesterday,

I was impressed by the many colors of Jerusalem.

Straight out of the camera, no fancy editing filters were needed

Jerusalem Israel fall colors in garden area

to capture the fall colors of this lovely new area.

Only a few meters away,

Ceramic fountain in Jerusalem Israel

 the fountain of the North African Jewry Heritage Center

is always a colorful sight.

After a few days of rain,

the sun came out and warmed up the streets.

Jerusalem street cats on sunny fall day

Street cats of all colors were resting in the sun.

In an alleyway of Nahlat Shivah

Blue Jerusalem door in old neighborhood

this door is painted bright blue

to keep the evil eye away.

Hospital old French in Jerusalem Israel with blue sky near old city walls

Near the walls of the Old City

there are blue painted bars on the old French Hospital’s windows.

When it started to rain,

the popular summer attraction

Jerusalem Israel umbrella over streets

of colorful umbrellas  was taken down;

these were the last ones off of Yoel Salomon Street.

The Museum of Tolerance can now be seen above ground,

Museum of Tolerance construction and sign

and with plans for over 240 toilets

it should be a very popular tourist (rest) stop.

I love Jerusalem in Zion Square Israel

This “I love Jerusalem” attraction is new.

But I especially love the Jerusalem colors:

On Jaffa Road two nuns in traditional habits walk by

black and white,

Jaffa Road man wearing unusual shirt with stripes

and all kinds of stripes,

all can be seen on the Jerusalem streets.

Actor on Jaffa Road, in most unusual costume Jerusalem Israel

This guy fits my ‘you never know what you will find’ theme.

I have no idea what that is around his face.

Men filming on Jerusalem Israel Jaffa Road location

However he is assured a seat where ever he goes.

If you find a video he is in, please send me a link.

Jerusalem Israel Old City near Jaffa Gate photo displays

The newest attraction is along the Old City Walls.

These over-sized colorful photos of people

Large photos of Jerusalem faces near Jaffa Gate

are portraits of residents and workers in the Old City.

However, I prefer the natural colors,

Fall in Teddy Park Jerusalem Israel

the changing leaves in Teddy Park,

Street in Yemin Moshe with flowers in mid day sun Jerusalem Israel

and the flowers of Yemin Moshe.

These photos were all taken on a short walk on one nice day.

However, posting on today’s date,

I must include one old favorite street sign–

כט November street sign in Jerusalem for 29 November

Kaf Tet November.

70 years ago, in 1947,

the United Nations Partition Plan was accepted,

a day so significant it has its own Jerusalem street.

Hadassah Women Cause Chaos in Center of Jerusalem

This week Hadassah celebrated its 100th birthday with 

its centennial convention in Jerusalem, Israel.

red flag

Red Hadassah banners are flying on the streets near hotels, 

as 2000 women and associates converged for a very special dedication.

Hadassah Hospital Jerusalem

The impressive Hadassah Medical Center covers a vast campus.

Construction of its newest building has taken years,

construction cranes

in October 2009, construction work could be seen above ground.

Hadassah construction

By November 2010, much of the outer structure was completed,

construction

 work often extended well into the night.

Hadassah new building

As part of  the centennial celebration this week,

the new medical center building was dedicated.

I wish I could show you inside

Hadassah hospital

where Israeli Jews and Arabs work side by side

to give and receive the same expert medical care.

Hadassah has accomplished so much and has reason to be proud.

A salesperson in a shop in the center of Jerusalem complained that  

Hadassah red shirts

 those Hadassah people in red tee-shirts were causing chaos in town.

Hadassah , red shirts

Really?

Please friends keep shopping and come back to Jerusalem, Israel, 

to cause this kind of chaos anytime!

flag 100

Happy 100th birthday Hadassah,

 thank you and keep up the great work!

Updated with special thanks to Karen F. for sending photos of those red shirts!

Charity, Saving a Life or Scam?

It’s that time of year again.

 Rosh Hashanah, the New Year, approaches, and it is time for 

tefilah, and teshuvah and zedakah:  prayer and repentance

charity

and appeals to give money for charity. 

Appeals are blasted on the radio, printed in the papers and sent by email.

Jerusalem photo

Small charity collection boxes and

charity boxes

large collection boxes line many Jerusalem, Israel streets.

charity box

Does 100% really go to Zedakah, to the poor? 

In The 7 habits of highly effective schnorrers

beggars, J Street

a friend discusses the sites of successful Jerusalem beggars 

beggar, Old City

from a business marketing perspective.

Techniques are varied,

beggar, Jerusalem street

from a casual stance using a loud-speaker to get attention, 

beggar

 to sitting passively, appearing down and out.

beggar woman, J street

And there is always the traditional plastic cup collection approach.

Israeli VAT, the value added tax, has gone up 1%, 

so already high prices are certain to rise as is the cost of living.

Money is tight for most everyone,

so how does one decide where to give one’s charity money?

bike riders, Alyin ride

Hundreds of riders do Wheels of Love to raise money for Alyn Hospital. 

biker, Jerusalem street

Then there is this bike rider who seems to regularly need money for 

bus fare to her daughter in Bet Shemesh or a few shekels to buy water.

A few hours after I saw her ride by,

beggar, J Street

 this young woman on the right with a small child slung over her shoulder, 

was approaching English speakers on King George Street

 asking for 35 shekel to get back to Haifa.

I recognized her from last year with the same story

and suggested she go to the synagogue for help.

I am always impressed how many people walking on Jerusalem, Israel 

streets will stop, take out money and give to those out-stretched hands.

What are true opportunities to help strangers or what are scams?

I wish I had an answer to the questions, what do you think?

As the year 5772 comes to an end,

it is time for the new year’s greeting to be back on the buses,

sign shana tova bus

Shanah tovah, Happy New Year. 

May 5773 be a prosperous and healthy one for all.