Selihos – The Real Jerusalem Streets

In Jerusalem Transition Time and New Beginnings

September 3, 2023September 3, 2023Sharon A

It’s transition time in Jerusalem, Israel.

The calendar page has turned from a very hot August to a more temperate September.

It’s the middle of the Hebrew month of Elul and we are approaching the New Year 5784.

The nightly musical concerts in the Sultan’s Pool will soon end, with the potential of cold nights and rain.

This week saw the rise of the Blue Moon over the Jerusalem streets.

Though not blue, the full moon appeared bright pink before rising further from the horizon into the sky. The second time for a full moon in August was what qualified it as a Blue Moon.

In the past, I chased Supermoons. But I have come to think every full moon over Jerusalem is impressive.

Every week, we see new construction going down and down,

while old structures are being renovated throughout Jerusalem.

Azza Street made the headlines again when the Netanyahus got new security bollards installed in front of their private residence. As you can see from a previous photo, it is hardly palatial from the outside.

It is amazing how many times you can walk past a property and not notice unless there is a new blue sign telling its history posted in front.

The public better take notice of the parking regulation signs that have gone up along Jerusalem streets.

And the newly painted parking restrictions, where people would have used this space to park.

And watch out for those new vehicles roaming the streets at night, not sure what they are called, going through Teddy Park toward the fountain on a pedestrian walkway.

The ice rink was closed one August evening last week, but the time was been extended into September.

The Ferris Wheel in First Station was being repaired and not running that night. Usually, it’s filled with young children at the end of their summer holiday time in the evening.

Chairs were set for the End of Summer Festival at the Jerusalem Theater. A guard blocked my entrance, saying no entry without a paid-for ticket. I remembered that they were free in the past.

However, he let me go into the lobby to see the art exhibit which was to change the next day.

I will have to go back and see what new art work lines the theater lobby walls for September.

I think some of the best colors and sights are found in nature as the seasons change.

So one more view of the Blue Moon rising above the trees and Old City.

One more renovation image with a Jerusalem small store getting a major makeover.

But the biggest transition is that 2.5 million students are back to school. The signs are up as the school begins for 5784 – and without the usual teachers’ strike.

Even businesses wish good luck and success in Kitah Aleph, or first grade.

I love the huge big deal made as youngsters enter first grade!

I wish all the students and teachers well as the year begins!

The transition from the start of school to the start of the New Year Selihot and tours begins next week.

The Jerusalem Museum at the Tower of David announced a Selihot event that includes a tour of the Tower of David, connecting the new museum with the Old City, and ends with saying Selihot at the Kotel, Western Wall.

Tens of thousands will be on the Jerusalem streets late into the night for the sounds of Selihot.

Will you join us this year in Jerusalem?

Jerusalem New and Old

August 29, 2021August 29, 2021Sharon A

While so much in Jerusalem is old, much is also new. It is hard to tell which stones on the ground are really the old ones. Even some buildings are made to look old.

Amazing Old and New in Jerusalem looked so very different 3 years ago.

Walking along Hanasi Street, you can see new signs outside of Beit Hanasi, the Israeli President’s official residence, marking fifty years in the present location.

Images from the past complement the sign with more detailed information.

It’s been Middle Eastern hot this past week. I have refrained from midday excursions, as it was not pleasant to walk under the blazing sun.

But how nice to see the shade provided in children’s play areas in new Jerusalem parks, even if very few children were out playing.

Covered play areas have been a given in Australia for decades, finally, they are in more and more Jerusalem parks.

And now there is a shade for this school, finally, work has been done over the summer after years of neglect.

Families are busy getting ready for school to start on September 1st and hoping for a better new year after the difficult conditions with COVID-19.

Others families were busy with weddings. Mazel tov to Ilanit and Meir!

With new online participation, one can now dance at more than one wedding at a time.

Engagement setups are always fun to see in this popular area. I did not stop to watch if she said yes to the “Marry Me” at the end of the floral runway.

Who would have imagined the first night of selihot online from Bahrain!

Some old scenes never really get old. The Kotel Plaza, Western Wall, visible in the distance with dramatic lighting is one of my favorites.

Notice many men were distanced from one another, that was new this year.

This is my favorite location for photographs, but new this time, I had to show a green pass to gain access.

The selihot tours of the Old City annually draw large crowds. On Thursday night the crowds were so large that cars were gridlocked and parking was scarce in the surrounding area.

New this year, uniformed police on a walking tour with young boys.

Mamilla Mall was busy, busy, busy, you name the hour, Israelis came.

Amazing as soon as one store goes out, a new one comes in the rental spot.

The old Arab souk, however, depends on foreign tourism and was not busy.

For selihot this year, the old prayers have a new look. The Great Synagogue was open again to those with the green pass. The main musical event was held at Binyunei Hauma, the Jerusalem International Conference Center, with the Mayor and a long list of performers.

This year musical Selihot services moved outside in Yemin Moshe, with the walls of the Old City in the background.

The new sounds could be heard around the old neighborhood streets,

from multiple locations late into the night,

Selihot services were held inside synagogues and outside on porches.

This week the 38th international Jerusalem Film Festival was back.

The live audience gathered in the Sultan’s Pool amphitheater with the huge screen, not far from the Tower of David at sunset.

Former president Ruvi Rivlin came with his daughter Rivi and sat in specially reserved seats a few rows back.

The front row was not easy to photograph from the angle that President Herzog’s new security team demanded.

Herzog spoke, then when he announced that he was leaving, the audience responded with audible displeasure.

Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion and others stayed to see the new animated feature film about Anne Frank.

Here is an old sight, the beigelah guy seated by the Cinematheque sign looking for hungry customers.

A week filled with new and old. New technology lets us participate in a Selihot program in Bahrain and witness weddings from afar.

And in the dentist’s office, this cube became a new tooth, in less than half an hour, to replace my broken molar.

As always there was more, but time now to wish you well and hope to see you soon on the (cooler) Jerusalem streets.

Next week is Rosh Hashana, a New Year.

Oh, where did the time go, the new gap year students are arriving?

September Begins with Week of Firsts in Jerusalem

September 6, 2020Sharon A

What a week it was in Jerusalem!

September came in with a blast. Jerusalem, Israel, was hit with a heatwave.

The first time in over a century temperatures soared to such record-breaking September highs.

Despite the heat, on the first day of school with corona restrictions, “Shalom Kita Aleph” balloons welcomed the first-grade students, but celebrations were scaled down. Parents with multiple children need a computer to program to help keep the times straight. Some schools closed after one day, or three days, due to a person diagnosed with the virus, others are struggling along to keep up with changing rules and regulations.

The big news this week was not on the Jerusalem streets, but in the air from Jerusalem to Abu Dhabi. The Israeli and US diplomatic delegations, along with journalists, traveled on an El Al flight. El Al flew over Saudia Arabian airspace, another significant first. OU kosher meals were available for the Israeli delegation in UAE for official meetings, provided by the UAE.

El Al photo of UAE waving good bye to US and Israeli delegation — El Al Photo

From dozens of impressive images of the historic visit, this photograph of the El Al plane leaving to return to Israel was one of the most popular. As the first Israeli-US delegation departed, their hosts waved goodbye at the end of a red-carpet visit.

Thani Al Shirawi, Deputy Managing Director of Oasis Investments, a founding member of the UAE Israel Business Council, is eager for the first open business deals. As he put it: “It’s easier to do business with our cousins.” The Israeli-UAE business community has had connections for years, but not in the open. Israelis used passports from other countries to enter the UAE.

Technology and tourism hubs to Asia and the world will be available for the first time. Collaboration in agriculture and water technologies between UAE and Israel is another big first for potential in the future.

But, back to the Jerusalem, Israel streets.

The Prime Minister of Kosovo announced he is planning to open an embassy in Jerusalem, establish diplomatic relations and deepen bilateral relations.

For the first time, The Jerusalem Marathon 2020 was canceled this week. Originally set for March, the finish line was up when the event was postponed until November. Organizers are now hoping for the March 2021 Jerusalem Marathon. Wars, bombs, and stormy weather did not stop the marathon from successfully running for the past decade. However, a tiny virus has stopped travel and curtailed this event and much more from happening.

This week Jerusalem announced new regulations for clean air, and polluting trucks will not be allowed in the city.

According to Mayor Moshe Lion: “Since taking office, I have set myself the goal of making the capital of Israel the cleanest city. We will continue to concentrate efforts and work for the improvement of the quality of life of the residents in any way. I call on all residents of Jerusalem to keep our Jerusalem clean – For our benefit! “

Cleaning streets has been an ongoing project during corona.

For the first time I saw how they filled those trucks from active fire hydrants – and oops.

Also this week Moshe Lion announced: “The disabled public bravely faces its challenges every day and we must ask at all times how the city can help and assist in terms of accessibility and belonging. I will continue to work for every person with equal disabilities.”

And that day I saw these new benches were installed near the Israel Museum.

Seating, social distanced and accessible from the street, is now available across from the Knesset.

From that bench, you can sit and see the Knesset clock, and really watch the time go by in Jerusalem.

Not sure where the time went, but Rosh Hashanah, the Hebrew New Year, is less than two weeks.

Usually, for Selihot, tens of thousands crowd into the Kotel, Western Wall Plaza. This year for the first time due to COVID-19 restrictions there is a lottery for spots for Selihot at the Kotel. Only 2,500 people will be allowed to attend each night. Hurry, the deadline to submit a request in the lottery is up at midnight tonight.

However, there’s a new option in Jerusalem for Selihot this year. Yitzhak Meir is to be at Kikar Safra to lead Selihot for a limited live outdoor audience with coronavirus regulations. But those who cannot attend in person can view the musical service to be shown live on Facebook.

Five years ago, Yitzhak Meir sang for a much smaller crowd in the Beit Hanasi Synagogue invited by President Reuven Rivlin.

I am assuming a big crowd invited to attend Selihot in the Israeli President’s gardens will not happen this year.

However, Selihot tours in the Old City are being advertised.

One of my favorite memories.

Coming back from the Kotel, I heard singing and followed the sounds to this chazan.

As we approach Rosh Hashanah, what a year this has been!

We started off not sure how to write the year 5780 in Hebrew, was it תש”פ or תש”ף.

At least this 5781, we know how to spell the New Year – תשפ”א.

May it be a good and healthy new year for all.