Feeling Festive

Over 130 missiles, rockets and grads were fired from Gaza

into southern Israel last week and major cities were hit.

People were killed, injured, shocked, and left homeless.

Meanwhile, 81 US congressmen arrived in Israel and left rather quietly.

With a Hamas request for a cease-fire came a security alert in Jerusalem.

But it is festival season in Jerusalem:  how did the real streets respond?

The last night of annual wine festival at the Israel Museum was held,

though many were not in a much of party mood after hearing

that 8 Israelis were murdered in ambushes that afternoon near Eilat.

Infected Mushrooms performed on Thursday night as scheduled.

The massive stage in Gan Sacher, Sacher Park remained in place until

 for a free concert for young people which lasted until midnight.

The Friday Arts and Crafts Market on Bezalel Street was open for business,

  while the tent protest was nearby and the light-rail had its first public runs.


The 26th Kite Festival at the Israel Museum got off to a slow start.

At noon the water over the Dome of the Book

was the only thing that could be seen in up in the air,

but later in the afternoon breeze there were dozens of kites

and hundreds of families enjoying the annual festival.

The annual Puppet Festival is over,

but the Children’s Film Festival has just begun at the Cinemateque.

The end of August also means that it is time for

The International Arts and Crafts Fair.

 The International exhibits and sales, food, music and performances

fill the area known as the Sultan’s Pool below the Old City walls

and Khutzot Hayoser, The Artists’ Colony comes to life.

It will take more than a security alert to get people to miss

 this popular end of summer event

or to keep them out of Mamilla Mall.

The 5th End of Summer Celebration has begun at the Jerusalem Theater,

with various performances taking place outside on the plaza.

If these events are not enough, 

 the Beer Festival is to be held next week in the Old Train Station.

The security alert may not be readily perceptible on the Jerusalem streets,

but it could be felt in synagogue service this past Shabbat,

with the quiet attention of worshipers during the prayer for the State of Israel

and especially for the prayer for the safety of its soldiers,

and the loud unified response by the congregation of

  “Amen.”

0 thoughts on “Feeling Festive

  • August 24, 2011 at 7:36 pm
    Permalink

    love visiting your website!

    Reply
  • August 24, 2011 at 8:24 pm
    Permalink

    I am so sorry for the loss of people and all the pain that Israel must go through time after time..
    Your picture is wonderful and especially one pleased me more than the others.. The Norwegian flag along the Israeli. Over the cinema? It hangs there only during the festival? Would like to take a picture of it next time I come to visit your country.

    Reply
    • August 25, 2011 at 12:38 pm
      Permalink

      4th Jerusalem International Festival for Children and Youth will take place on August 22-25 2011 at the Jerusalem Cinematheque, located near the breathtaking panoramas of the Old City and the Tower of David. Bringing the world’s best films for children and young adults, the Festival attracts film professionals and local distributors.

      The Information on the Children’s Film Festival, will be holding an International Competition judged by an international jury consisting of five film professionals, and a children’s jury consisting of seven local Jerusalemite boys and girls of various ages , carefully selected and trained. Prizes and awards to be announced.Other sections of the festival include: Israeli Shorts for Children (competition), Animation for Youth, “My Jerusalem” – films made by and for children, as well as animation, filmmaking, and dubbing workshops for the whole family.
      Join us for a four-day exhilarating tour around the globe, revealing the loves, hates, fears, difficulties ,and hopes of children from Jerusalem, Amsterdam, Oslo, New Zealand, and other countries

      Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.