Jerusalem, Israel,
is old and new and constantly changing.
These birds flying over the ancient walls of the Old City
are migrating as they have for centuries,
though those powerful lights are new.
The Waldorf-Astoria has new window displays.
New towers are being built,
the Jerusalem skyline is changing.
At the David Citadel Hotel, those white things in the distance
are balconies being prepared for Sukkot holiday meals.
I was at Jaffa Gate at sunset
and looked up at the Tower of David,
to see something new on top.
That is a special cork sukka designed as part of the
3rd Jerusalem Jewish Contemporary Art Biennale,
by artist Avner Sher.
At the Jaffa Gate below there is nothing new,
just this man performing the kapparot ritual
moving around a live chicken.
These women did not look as comfortable with
the ancient custom to absolve one’s sins before Yom Kippur.
The new Old City Train was ready bright and ready to go.
Here are two new bright signs above the Old Cardo.
The City of David has a new sound and light show.
This decorative stone from the Second Temple is a new find
by archaeologists near the Kotel, the Western Wall.
I went to the Old City before Yom Kippur,
for late night Selihot at the Kotel.
While the synagogues were quiet that night,
from the new observation spot above the
new police station building
the crowd stretched further than my lens could capture.
Tens of thousands of people kept arriving
though it was well after midnight.
Would selfies at the Kotel be considered new?
The dome and wall are certainly not new,
but always impressive sight lit up at night,
so late that no transportation was in sight.
For the last time this year,
here is a bus with the Yom Kippur greeting,
“Gmar Hatima tova”
“May you be sealed for a good year.”
Now that is old too.
As soon as Yom Kippur ended in Jerusalem,
sukkot started popping up.
If you would like to not only see the Kotel scene,
but hear a bit of the selihot prayer,
I am sharing this short video:
Now it is time to prepare for new holiday and guests.
חג שמח
Chag sameach.
What beautiful pictures. Thank you for sharing them. I would hit “like” on all you posts but you seem to have gotten rid of that button.😍
Thank you, feel free to share. Lots more to come on City of David and Biennale.
Mazal tov and Hag Sameach!
Your photos are so spectacular it
makes me fees as if I actually visited
all the sights you described.
Esther
Thank you!
Chag sameach
Firstly Mazal Tov on the birth of your new grandson. May he always give you and all the family lots of nachat.
Your post is very interesting as always so that I almost feel that I am in Jerusalem seeing it all by myself.
I wish you and all your family Chag Sameach and Shabbat Shalom
Thank you Ruth! Chag sameach and best regards to your family.
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Finally catching up on my emails after our short trip to Yerushalayim. Thanks for the fabulous pictures which show the true spirit of Yerushalayim at this time of year. Each picture looks so real as if I am seeing it myself in person. Great job! Moadim L’simcha, Mazal Tov and enjoy the rest of the chagim.
Thank you! Moadim l’simcha
Mazal tov! Is it now 19 grands??? This was a magnificent post. Chag sameach to the entire family!!
Thank you, not counting, but past chai awhile ago. Moadim l’simcha.
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