9 New Holiday Scenes in Jerusalem

 Jerusalem, Israel,

is old and new and constantly changing.

These birds flying over the ancient walls of the Old City

Jerusalem migrating birds

are migrating as they have for centuries,

though those powerful lights are new.

Waldorf Astoria Jerusalem Israel new window display

The Waldorf-Astoria has new window displays.

Jerusalem Israel sunset view

New towers are being built,

 the Jerusalem skyline is changing.Mamilla Mall view at sunset from near Jaffa Gate

At the David Citadel Hotel, those white things in the distance

are balconies being prepared for Sukkot holiday meals.

View of Jaffa Gate from outside Jerusalem Israel

I was at Jaffa Gate at sunset

and looked up at the Tower of David,

Tower of David, Jerusalem Israel Old City

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,

Keporos at Old City with live bird

just this man performing the kapparot ritual

moving around a live chicken.

Man waving bird over head of two women for Keporos at Jaffa Gate Jerusalem

These women did not look as comfortable with

the ancient custom to absolve one’s sins before Yom Kippur.

Jerusalem Old City train for tourist to Western Wall

The new Old City Train was ready bright and ready to go.

Lights of new food places above Cardo in Old City Jerusalem Israel

Here are two new bright signs above the Old Cardo.

Jerusalem Israel new sound and light show City of David

The City of David has a new sound and light show.

Jewish second temple stone found in excavation under site of new police station

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,

Western Wall selihos booklet for late night Selihot at the Kotel.

Synagogue Old City Sephardi

While the synagogues were quiet that night,

New police station and roof of building near Kotel for selihot

from the new observation spot above the

new police station building

Western Wall Plaza full of people for sehlhos after midnight

the crowd stretched further than my lens could capture.

Kotel for Selihot 5778 Jerusalem Old City Israel

Tens of thousands of people kept arriving

though it was well after midnight.

Women at Kotel for Selichot 5778

Would selfies at the Kotel be considered new?

Jerusalem Israel Old City view of Western Wall and dome of Rock at night

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,

Bus from Old City with sign Gmara Hatima Tova

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,

Jerusalem Israel sukka on a balcony

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.

13 thoughts on “9 New Holiday Scenes in Jerusalem

  • October 3, 2017 at 10:10 am
    Permalink

    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.😍

    Reply
    • October 3, 2017 at 12:31 pm
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      Thank you, feel free to share. Lots more to come on City of David and Biennale.

      Reply
  • October 4, 2017 at 3:05 am
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    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

    Reply
    • October 4, 2017 at 3:44 am
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      Thank you!

      Chag sameach

      Reply
  • October 4, 2017 at 3:49 am
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    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

    Reply
    • October 4, 2017 at 3:51 am
      Permalink

      Thank you Ruth! Chag sameach and best regards to your family.

      Reply
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  • Pingback: Views of Sukkot - Israel Active

  • October 9, 2017 at 4:37 pm
    Permalink

    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.

    Reply
    • October 10, 2017 at 5:46 am
      Permalink

      Thank you! Moadim l’simcha

      Reply
  • October 9, 2017 at 11:31 pm
    Permalink

    Mazal tov! Is it now 19 grands??? This was a magnificent post. Chag sameach to the entire family!!

    Reply
    • October 10, 2017 at 5:46 am
      Permalink

      Thank you, not counting, but past chai awhile ago. Moadim l’simcha.

      Reply
  • Pingback: Gute Nachrichten aus Israel — Wochen bis 08.10.2017 | abseits vom mainstream - heplev

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