New Jerusalem Favorites Before Rosh Hashannah

All around Israel glasses are being “raised”

as Rosh Hashannah, the new Jewish year 5777

is rapidly approaching.

My favorite was at Beit Hanasi,

the official Israeli President’s residence,

where 90 foreign countries were represented

by their ambassadors or head of mission in Israel.

Ambassadors from Jordan and Egypt were present,

President Reuven Rivlin l'cham to new year at Beit Hanasi

as President Reuven and Nechama Rivlin

made l’chaim outside in garden reception,

Wine. Lots of wine.

Wall of wine bottles Yayin B shuk

Walls of wine, kosher wine,

line the walls of יין בשוק, Yayin B’Shuk.

Since 1870, the Teperberg family has been making kosher wine,

and we tasted some new favorites on a tour Sunday night.

Before Rosh Hashannah wine for gifts

Gift baskets for holiday Rosh Hashanna

and gift baskets with wine seem to be everywhere.

Chalahs will be piled high by the end of week,

Berman Bakery in shuk with honey cake display for Rosh Hasahanna

but holiday cakes were ready and on display early.

Did you know Berman Bakery been baking since 1875?

Machane Yehuda market, the shuk, 

not as old as the winery or bakery,

Display of unusual fruits for Rosh Hashana in shuk, Mahane Yehuda market

has piles of varieties of new fruits out for the holiday.

The shuk has changed greatly.

Machane Yehuda market

The familiar looking stalls with tea,

Machane Yehudah market stall

shops with nuts, oil and spices by day,

Night is coming at shuk, Machane Yehuda market

at night close their shutters.

Then this happened.

Art on closed shutters in Machane Yehuda market

Graffiti appeared on the drab grey screens.

Solomon Souza art in shuk

At first shop owners were not pleased.

Solomon Souza art in shuk Machane Yehuda

But the works of spray painted art,

Solomon Souza art in shuk Machane Yehuda

 have become a favorite night attraction.

Solomon Souza in shuk ready with spray paint

Solomon was ready to fix his Matisyahu portrait.

Since he asked not to show the old one before the do-over,

we will have to get back to the shuk at night

after the holidays to check it out.

Matisyahu is to perform again in Jerusalem on October 13th.

But Solomon Souza is not the only artist busy at night.

Machane Yehuda artist at work painting

 We found this man painting on Agrippas Street.

The night life in the area,

Market Machane Yehuda set for night life Jerusalem

has continued to grow this past year,

crowds of people will fill the tables,

 which fill the lanes when the shop keepers go home.

Even more popular than last year,

Selihot, special prayers leading up to Rosh Hashannah

Musical services begin late and go early.

Tours are offered for those wanting to see selihot 

around the Old City and parts of Jerusalem.

Also again this year, a street festival on Emek Refaim,

with sales of used clothing, wares and musical performances.

Rosh Hashana table set at EmekRefaim street fair

This long table was as set ready for a holiday meal,

but provided seating for those wanting to listen to holiday music.

Not your usual Rosh Hashannah selihot venue!

Walking down Emek Refaim Street,

Solomon spray painting compost bins for Jerusalem parks

there was Solomon painting compost bins

to be placed in Jerusalem community gardens.

Recycle, reuse, help the environment,

and get the new year off to a good start,

Muslim women in Jerusalem Israel

this neighborhood fair hosted thousands.

Variety and diversity,

platter of new and unusual fruit for new year.

not only of fruits,

Takana Rishona sehlihos for Rosh Hashanah

but of holiday programs all week is astounding.

New initiatives and programs,

sign Hebrew for Selichot in Jerusalem Israel

 on traditional themes for the new year.

I decided to end with the old favorite,

Eged bus sign photoshopped to read 77 for year 5777

Shana tova,

a good and healthy year to all.

7 thoughts on “New Jerusalem Favorites Before Rosh Hashannah

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