November clouds in the sky over Jerusalem, Israel,
after pure blue skies all summer,
picture perfect days.
שבת שלום
Shabbat Shalom.
The Old City
What’s Happening on Jerusalem Streets after Holidays?
After the chagim, after the holidays.
The holiday visitors have gone.
Now what? Plenty.
The universities are finally starting.
The Knesset is back in session after long break.
Way too much is happening in Jerusalem to keep up.
The imposing Tower of David (ToD)
was open for the launch of its new Innovation Lab.
These old statues were being relocated,
and over 20 technology startups in augmented reality/virtual reality,
AR/VR, were being presented.
Click and see history of 3000 years unfold!
With glasses like these,
one day you will be able sit at home
and feel as if you were in Herod’s old fortress.
And with these glasses,
eye movements can operate a robot.
Much more is happening and planned for AR/VR.
It all sounds like science fiction,
but is being developed daily to enhance the museum experience
and improve quality of life.
Oh the contrast of old and new!
Outside those walls of the Old City, near Jaffa Gate,
these Christian tourists were singing and dancing,
while across the street a woman was sorting
the olives she had just taken from this olive tree.
Olive harvesting is nearly finished for this year.
However, new festivals are beginning.
Here are 3 favorites of new Hebrew signs.
Until I saw it in English,
I had hard time understanding,
the Lev Smadar Theater is hosting “Eclectic Jerusalem” cultural films.
Then there is this sign for an illustration and poetry,
“Out-Line Festival.”
And how about an International Animation Festival
in Jerusalem, at Cinematheque?
Not enough?
Houses WithIn, now called “Open House”
starts on Thursday, with 117 interesting and free tours.
Some are fascinating sites open to public,
some are announced as free access,
others were fully booked at warp speed.
Poor Folks’ Cemetery or the Har Herzl military cemetery,
famous private homes
or the Jerusalem home of the Electric Company, are a few options.
The Pillbox in Rechavia was opened last year.
It was less than comfortable inside and a worse photo op,
but it was interesting to hear about.
Photos from the International Jerusalem
Jewish Contemporary Art Bienalle will have to wait for next time.
Oh and soon, Open Restaurants – 5 days, 100 options!
More next time,
will see how many I can get to.
So much is happening on the Jerusalem streets.
Jerusalem in August, Everything but Singing in Rain
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.