The Real Jerusalem Streets – Jerusalem, Israel

One Week into October 2024 – Looking Back from Jerusalem

October 6, 2024October 6, 2024Sharon A

Some weeks are harder than others.

Each week the goal of The Real Jerusalem Streets is to share real things you may not hear about in the mainstream media. There are many such events and usually hundreds of photos to select from.

This week even more so than usual, it was hard to get started – oh what a week it was.

As I sat down at the computer after grabbing a quick photo out the window of impressive clouds at sunset, my phone on the desk blasted a Homefront Alert to seek shelter. This was the first-ever mass warning of incoming ballistic missiles from Iran.

I may be the only person who does not have a dramatic story or a selfie to share from Tuesday night.

Much of Israel was affected, and it was a miracle that the only people killed were a Gazan in Jericho, 5 Iranians on a backfire mishap in Iran, and possibly one person in Jordan.

It was sad to see the Kotel, Western Wall empty on a night it should have been filled for prayers before Rosh Hashana. A small service was held inside Wilson’s Arch instead.

However, after Shabbat which followed the two-day Rosh Hashana holiday, the crowds were back.

A simple photo from before the holiday, with the 72-hour candle, will have to do.

It was both a long holiday and a short week.

But, how can we complain about too much holiday, when those held hostage in Gaza for a year have had so little food and no freedom?

Cleaning my desk last night I found this 1982 cartoon.

Except for Castro, it is the same as today. “I move to condemn Israel!”

Today this warning from the Homefront command for northern communities flashed on the computer screen. There have been hundreds of missiles in the past week, and over 10,000 in the past year. Over 63,000 people have been forced from their homes – Shlomi is the last on this list.

Check out Israel’s Northern Exposure from 4 years ago.

Look at those “houses” on the Israeli border in Lebanon – some of the thousands of above-ground shelters for missiles.

The sounds of shofars for Rosh Hashana filled the Jerusalem streets, and planes flew overhead day and night. However, our friends and families in the north were under the constant stream of rocket fire interrupting their holiday and trying to take their lives.

“Falling in open spaces” means more miracles, when under persistent attack.

Tomorrow is October 7, 2024, with a list of commemorative events for the murdered and hostages.

Before I could publish, a terrorist stabbing in the Beer Sheva bus station with casualties.

These messages are no longer seen on buses, but the message has become more significant – Hatima Tova, “May you be sealed for good!”

In Jerusalem September Ends with the Sounds of Selihot

September 29, 2024September 29, 2024Sharon A

What a week this was in Jerusalem, Israel!

The Jerusalem streets are usually full of tourists this time of year as Rosh Hashana, the New Year, and the High Holiday season begins at the end of Elul into the Hebrew month of Tishrei.

People are arriving. But, only ElAl is flying and they are booked solid.

Cannot tell what will happen next.

But check out what happened on Jerusalem streets this week.

The view from the Tayelet shows Old Jerusalem, Mount Zion, and Mount Scopus in the distance.

But the view of the growth of Jerusalem is also evident, as the population of Israel grows to 10,000,000.

Where else do people arrive to visit and live as housing prices go up – during prolonged wars?

Since the outbreak of the war, around 853,000 tourists have entered mainly from (in descending order): the United States, France, the UK, Russia, and the Philippines.

The olive trees are full as the season changes and Jerusalem nights are cooler.

With war raging around, daily life and building in Jerusalem, there are new roads and tunnels.

Renovation on the old Knesset site for the new Knesset Museum is finally visible.

New outdoor lighting illuminates the Great Synagogue and Heichal Shlomo next door.

‘Uniting for the future’ was the theme of the Keren Kayemet – Jewish National Fund solidarity mission which opened on Sunday night at the Jerusalem International Conference Center.

Its themes are working for the future in education, rebuilding, and honoring heroes and heroines of the Iron Swords War which is ongoing.

I arrived early as did Dani Dayan, the chairman of Yad Vashem, one of many institutions affected by war.

Three hundred people came from around the world on this solidarity mission dedicated to rebuilding.

Involved in the program were victims of terror and loss. The siblings of fallen soldier Cpt. (res.) Shaul Greenglick, who was an aspiring singer, sang in the program.

It was a powerful program that hopefully inspired major givers to give even more.

Ending with a child from a southern community saying ‘Thank You’ for helping us re-light our hope’.

As October 7 approaches, multiple organizations, programs, and videos are appearing to tell the story.

Michael Dickson of Stand With Us spoke at the opening of the Faces of October 7 on Tuesday night.

Portraits by talented artist Benzi Brofman are on display in Jerusalem until the end of October.

Each life-like face is a person kidnapped or killed since October 7, 2023.

The entire Siman-Tov family was brutally murdered on October 7 by Hamas terrorists in their home.

The photos are exhibited with the family’s cooperation. IDF soldier Reef Harush’s parents were there, his father was one of the speakers. For Reef’s mother, it was too painful for her to look at the portrait by Brofman. Look into the bright eyes, in the photo in his IDF uniform in the center, and see her world lost.

With each image is the personal story of the person. What is overwhelming to me – this photo of Loris z”l was drawn in one hour during the afternoon before the opening by the talented Brofman.

Too much loss. Too many new graves this past year,

especially in the military cemeteries throughout Israel.

However – more is happening on the Jerusalem streets that is not sad.

The Jerusalem Design Week “The Ark” ended on Thursday night at Hansen House.

With lectures and talks along with the out-of-sight designs.

After Shabbat the Jerusalem streets were almost as busy as ever.

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is Selihot-5784-Erev-Rosh-Hashana-201-1024x461.jpg

As Rosh Hashana approaches in only a few days, there are fairs galore to support Israeli businesses.

It’s been a rough year for not only business but personal loss and longing on many levels.

Rachel Sharansky Danziger spoke at a book launch for “Az Nashir – We Will Sing Again: Women’s Prayers for Our Time of Need,” an anthology of prayers written by Jewish women in Israel addressing the unique experiences of living in Israel today in a post-October 7th world.

Before Rosh Hashana in Jerusalem, the streets are filled with sounds of Selihot, and late-night prayers. At Yemin Moshe you can see the Old City Walls illuminated in the distance. One of many possible sights for popular Selihot tours each year.

The Solomon Brothers returned to do a musical Selihot with people standing all around.

At the Jerusalem Great Synagogue, Cantor Tzvi Weiss was singing in a very different style.

The men’s section was full this year to hear him accompanied by the choir directed by Elli Jaffe.

Thousands were at the Kotel, Western Wall, filling the plaza, as many past nights.

While thousands more at the Jerusalem International Conference Center to hear Yitzhak Meir again and at hundreds of other Selihot services as every year.

Colored holiday lights have appeared this week over the Jerusalem streets before Rosh Hashana.

I thought it would be nice to end with some of the sounds of the Solomon Brothers’ Selihot,

and share a few minutes of the Great Synagogue choir and chazan.

Shana Tov Jerusalem 5785

May all be inscribed for a good year.

Jerusalem a Week of Color, Culture, and Contrasts

September 22, 2024September 22, 2024Sharon A

Another week in Jerusalem, Israel filled with contrasts.

This photo essay will focus on culture and color in Jerusalem, not crises.

The white autumn clouds drift in the blue skies over the Jerusalem streets.

Construction continues blocking the streets as buildings rise higher and higher.

A special movie screening was held at Jerusalem Cinema City on Monday night.

Tragic Awakening premiered in Israel with a private screening. Rabbi Raphel Shore, the director, was in the US promoting the film and his new book. However, others involved with the documentary exploring antisemitism were on hand to participate and share their ideas.

Rabbi Shalom Schwartz, one of the producers, and Rawan Osman, the star, spoke with Fleur Hassan Nahoum after the screening. Rawan’s journey from antisemite to finding Judaism is a fascinating story.

Tourism is down. This large souvenir store inside Jaffa Gate has closed.

But Mamilla Mall is often as busy as ever with no vacant stores.

The Tower of David’s new cafeteria was open and busy. But a tour of the newest exhibit was the reason to come back again to see what was new in the Tower of David Museum. Please notice the new trees.

A tour of “On the Other Side” led by Zadok Ben-David was a highlight of the week.

His two-minute video in the temporary gallery features bright flowers.

This Is – Same Place Other Times was created in January 2023.

It goes to blackened fields, but circles back around to the new growth. Almost prophetic?

In the same darkened gallery, is this astounding work, where he explores acute transitions in the natural world with butterflies. Did you notice the human form as the center of each colorful creature?

On the reverse side of this large circular piece under blue UV light – roaches. Zadok discussed the beauty of the butterfly in contrast to the creepy caterpillar.

Exploring transitions in the natural world, there is a site-specific piece of a male form in 15 poses outside.

The exhibit ends bright, colorful, and hopeful with three flowers at the new exit onto the street inside Jaffa Gate (where the old entrance was located).

When I first arrived at the Tower of David entrance, with the sun shining. I thought these figures were newly planted cypress trees. How wrong I was!

With Zadok Ben-David’s work, you have to take time and look at the details. Those were not leaves. They were human shapes. Each of the seven trees shows growth from the first sparse tree to a full one at the other end.

The exhibit goes until April.

Design Week also opened at Hansen House this year titled “The Ark.”

Hundreds of visitors filled the spaces outside for the opening event where the Mayor came to speak.

The inner courtyard had pieces of art and displays filled the buildings and campus.

In one room Bezalel students made colorful videos.

Fascinating fashions filled another room.

Entering “The Factory” felt like a scene from Willy Wonka. So much fun, I should go back. Design Week runs until September 26, 2024. Something for everyone, so much to see, this is barely a taste.