Valley of Cross – The Real Jerusalem Streets

Sounds of Summer in Jerusalem

July 12, 2020Sharon A

The birds are chirping.

The sounds of moving traffic fill Jerusalem streets.

An emergency vehicle siren blaring passes by.

The happy voices of children at play can be heard.

Sounds of summer fill the Jerusalem streets.

The boisterous sounds from the Israeli Scouts returned to their Jerusalem base.

The sounds of prayer at the Kotel, the Western Wall have continued as numbers of prayer gatherings have changed.

The numbers inside the Wilson’s Arch area are limited but worshipers have returned.

Sadly the Jerusalem Great Synagogue has been silent for months.

Beit Hanasi new ambassadors meet Israeli President — Photo credit: Amos Ben Gershom (GPO)

The red carpet was out. Signing the guestbook was similar. For the first time since the outbreak of the coronavirus, President Rivlin received diplomatic credentials from the new ambassadors of Colombia, Greece, Denmark, Romania, and Argentina to the State of Israel.

This could be the last time for Foreign Ministry Chief of Protocol Meron Rueben (far right) to present new diplomats, as he is to become Israel’s next consul-general in Boston.

Jerusalem Ambassadors at Beit Hanasi pass honor guard reduced because of COVID-19 — Photo credit: Amos Ben-Gershom (GPO)

The honor guard, comprised of 8 people with flags, was standing where the band usually stood. The very downsized band to play anthems stood behind in the garden, shielded by bushes.

Here the police band played for one of the past presidential red carpet welcomes.

Jerusalem Philharmonic performed live and was streamed on Facebook.

Beautiful sounds with distance and masks on stage.

Also late at night, the lights were on at the Knesset, but for a change, the sounds were inside instead of outside from a protest.

Amazing that so close to the Knesset, below the Israel Museum is such a quiet spot.

March 1, 2020, I took this photo walking home from the museum.

This image was taken the very next day. Who would imagine the only photo I took on March 2nd, would be the last one for months? Sadly, the Israel Museum like the Great Synagogue has remained silent because of COVID-19.

But in the quiet of these coronavirus days, the lizards and geckos have become regular visitors to the Jerusalem nature paths.

Police on a motorcycle at the entrance of Gan Sacher, Sacher Park was a new sight this week.

Police are handing out 500 shekel tickets to those not wearing masks.

New signs. Protest signs. Sounds of protests are heard and seen.

Meanwhile, Mekudeshet is trying to provide Jerusalem with cultural events on the Sherover Promenade. Sounds from the big summer festivals are missing from the streets.

With tourists missing the usual sights and sounds and crowds of summer visitors in Jerusalem are missing.

The Orient Isrotel reopened on July 8 with an 85 % occupancy for Shabbat.

With the number of infected people rising, and restrictions changing, it is hard to keep up day to day, let alone week to week.

But one thing that the novel coronavirus pandemic has not affected – the vibrant colors found along the Jerusalem streets.

The colors in nature seem to be thriving, even as the economy dips to new lows.

So I will leave you with this image, and a wish for all to stay healthy and well, on or off the Jerusalem streets where ever you are.

And the sounds from last summer Old City Light Festival, when I wondered what would be next?

Never imagined there would be no festival and the sounds of silence.

Jerusalem: Walk, Run, Ride, Skate and Eat

February 13, 2019Sharon A

After the winter rains, when the skies clear over Jerusalem, Israel,

open spaces like this one under the Israel Museum turn green.

Instead of driving south to see the kalaniot, the red poppies, popping up,

I love to walk through the paths in the Valley of the Cross,

to see the wonders of nature right here in Jerusalem,

and see those red flowers that open up in the sunshine.

As the wild flowers peek through the rocks and weeds, often I am alone walking up the hill towards the Israel Museum and the Knesset.

However, last Friday morning, nursery children were having a pre-Shabbat party with their parents.

School children were also appreciating the wonders of spring.

Not all were walking, this man was running down the path that leads to

this new walking and cycling path that will lead to the Jerusalem Marathon finish line.

The Jerusalem Winner Marathon to be held on March 15, 2019 was launched last night by new Mayor Moshe Lion.

The full marathon runners, with the Knesset in the not so far distance, at this point will be near the finish line.

The new path is ready for the full Jerusalem Marathon runners before they enter the Gan Sacher, Sacher Park.

There will be many more vantage points this year, as old and burnt areas have been cleared.

New benches have been placed along the cycling, walking and running path for spectators.

After months of work, Gan Sacher looks like it will be ready before the start countdown.

Posted across from Gan Sacher, is this large ad for the ice skating rink and food in Mitchell Park.

The Jerusalem Marathon is in its ninth year, but there is a new location for the ice skating rink.

There have been previous ice skating rinks in Jerusalem, but this one seems to be the largest, with a new concept of ice and eat in Mitchell Park, which is near the Artists’ Colony.

Not many people were eating or skating last night.

No one was smoking last night when we went to check it out.

And finally cycling. GFNY is set for May 3, 2019, and the registration sale ends at the end of February, but these cyclists were out training already. Another chance for amateur cyclists to ride with the pros.

Jerusalem is not usually associated with sports, but walk, run, ride, or skate, or sit and eat.

Always something new happening on these Jerusalem streets.

More photos of marathon launch HERE

3 Suggestions to Enjoy Jerusalem in Stormy Weather

January 9, 2019Sharon A

This time of year, in Jerusalem, Israel, with the beginning of the Hebrew month of Shevat and the approaching “New Year of Trees,” we anticipate new growth and spring.

Walking yesterday toward the Knesset, I spotted the first wild flowers in bloom.

New paths are being prepared through the Valley of the Cross.

There are no blossoms on the almond trees yet, but new olive trees have been planted.

New benches have been placed along the new walking and bike path under development.

The Knesset rises beyond the construction site of the new National Library.

But then the weather turned from sunny to rainy and cold. Thanks to this bird who perched outside my window, I had something else to photograph other than the grey foggy sky.

People ask, “What is there to do when it is too nasty to be out on the Jerusalem streets?”

Here are three of the easiest answers to this often asked question:

The Bible Lands Museum Jerusalem – BLMJ

BLMJ main galleries take visitors back to the earliest civilizations.

A new exhibit opened with pieces looted from archaeological sites in Judea and Samaria and recovered by the Israel Antiquities Authority.

Each piece has a story, going back many centuries.

The Israel Museum

Across the road from BLMJ, one sees the dome of the Shrine of the Book, the home of Dead Sea Scrolls.

In the Israel Museum, the largest of Jerusalem’s dozens of museums, are collections of ancient Jewish life in the land of Israel.

Learn about ancient Egyptian Mummies on a audio-guided tour with the latest modern technology.

Of late, Jerusalem museums have taken a special interest in attracting and engaging children.

Multiple exhibits provide young people opportunities to explore and learn.

The Bloomfield Science Museum Jerusalem

The science museum had special exhibits on fire for Hanukkah, which were very popular the last days when it was raining.

Check in with information when you enter.

There are exhibits which are temporary

and are constantly changing to engage young minds.

Makerspace was in the main hall on my last visit.

Young people were encouraged to design and fly their own paper airplanes.

There was a reading section called Challenge and Risk.

Notice that everything in these museums is in Hebrew, Arabic, and English.

Colors and technology are used to attract visually,

though sometimes simple things can be made interesting too.

Outside areas are much more popular when the weather is pleasant.

Play areas outside change regularly and are designed to teach basic scientific principles.

This new age dinosaur can be found on the grounds outside.

I do not think this is the tree of knowledge.

But there is no better place to start for toddlers to explore and learn.

These museums, located near each other, have places to eat, and provide more than shelter.

But I must repeat my warning, if you are supervising young children,

do NOT try and do any of the amazing Jerusalem museums if you are a tired adult.

Another piece of advice: check museum hours before going, as they vary day by day.

If you do not have membership, there are days free for children, but costs vary and can be expensive.

However, in honor of Space Week, the Bloomfield Science Museum is offering free entrance.

Even if Jerusalem is warm and the sun is shining, worth checking out.

Enjoy!