Hanukkah Highlights From Jerusalem

Hanukkah highlights.

It is both easy and hard to write this post every year.

Finding something new?

That is easy.

 Unusual menorah in Jerusalem Israel on Hanukkah

Look up and see a lit hanukia, Hanukkah menorah,

in a new and unusual location.

This year there were flags

 Beit Hanasi ready for Hanukah and US VP Pence

flying high above the hanukia outside Beit Hanasi,

the Israeli President’s Residence.

US flags were hung along with the hanukia street decorations,

United States, Israel and Jerusalem flags near Israel President residence

ready for the visit of US Vice-President Pence.

The visit was postponed until next month,

and those extra flags were removed.

God Bless Trump posters in Jerusalem Israel

Dozens of these blue signs remained.

Plus, there is a full-size bus covered with this message,

but I’m sorry, it went by so fast I missed the photo.

Trump’s speech on Jerusalem was a distraction for some,

but for most, the eight days of Hanukkah

Chanukia for seventh night

involved lighting a personal hanukia at home.

On the last night of Hanukkah,

 tens of thousands arrived in the Old City

Performer with fir torches on Hanukkah at Jaffa Gate

to see performers with torches on fire

Jaffa Gate on Hanukkah in Old City Jerusalem Israel

and special lights at Jaffa Gate.

Hanukkah dreydels as decoration in Old City

Spinning dreydels were a favorite new decoration.

Hundreds of tour groups worked their way slowly through

the narrow alleyways of the Old City.

Jerusalem Israel Hanukkah lights on street

A photo-op of a man sitting by his candles

Chanukiot in window in Old City

or windows up above the streets,

caused the crowds to slow to a standstill.

Lights on Hurva Synagogue on Hanukkah night Jerusalem

In the Jewish Quarter, the Hurva Synagogue was lit up.

A constant flow of people came and went

Kossel on Hanukka 5778

to and from the Kotel,

the Western Wall Plaza, during holidays.

Jerusalem, Israel on Hanukkah 5778

As every year the large hanukia,

 is a photo highlight.

Old City lighting of menorah in costume as Jewish Temple priests

This was one photo I was not anticipating,

a re-enactment of the Jewish Temple priests lighting the Temple menorah.

Chanuka candles, oil menorahs for Hanukka

At classic spots, it was hard to get a clear shot,

as cell phone cameras were in use by the thousands.

Wall in Old City with light projection with Macabbe features

One wall had a projection of the Macabees in days of old.

Mamilla Mall Hanukkah ceremony

The crowds at Mamilla Mall for lighting were impressive.

Hundreds came each night,

 the recent warnings of danger did not affect enthusiasm.

Tourists from near and far gathered to celebrate

the last night of Hanukkah.

Only the warm weather seemed out of the ordinary.

Parade of Habad hanukiot in Jerusalem Israel

These Habad vans were part of a convoy,

pulling large electric hanukiot.

Too bad I did not get a good position for a video,

large colorful chanukia in Jerusalem part of Chabad show

they changed colors as the music blasted.

Habad has brought the lights of Hanukkah

out to main streets all around the world.

But in Jerusalem, and around Israel,

there is more than candles and oil lights.

Special suffganiot, those fried decorated donuts

Hanukka donuts in store window in Old City

filled store window displays,

and were consumed by the millions.

See that little hand reaching for one more?

For one last time until next year,

Hebrew sign on bus in Jerusalem Israel Old City

Happy Hanukkah.

13 thoughts on “Hanukkah Highlights From Jerusalem

  • December 20, 2017 at 12:35 pm
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    Thank you for making me feel a little more “Po” from way over here in “shom”. Zote Chanuka Sameyach…if there’s still any left there…!

    Reply
    • December 20, 2017 at 1:37 pm
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      Glad you enjoyed..

      Reply
  • December 20, 2017 at 12:55 pm
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    Your Real Jerusalem Streets are always a joy – thank you for this very special one!

    Reply
    • December 20, 2017 at 1:38 pm
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      Thank you, Hanukkah is special time, hard to keep up with it all.

      Reply
  • December 20, 2017 at 1:21 pm
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    Loved it. Will send it to my friends in N.Y. E

    Reply
    • December 20, 2017 at 1:38 pm
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      Thanks! Hope to see you soon, it has been way too long.

      Reply
  • December 20, 2017 at 8:38 pm
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    Hi Sharon,

    Thanks again for all your beautiful pictures. Would like to be there to see everything live.

    Reply
    • December 21, 2017 at 10:31 am
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      Hope to see you again soon. Shabbat shalom

      Reply
  • December 21, 2017 at 10:16 am
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    Thank you so much for making me feel I’m there. My friend Sylvia sends these to me whenever you post.
    Be well

    Reply
    • December 21, 2017 at 10:31 am
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      Good to hear, thanks to your friend Sylvia.

      Reply
  • December 22, 2017 at 5:02 am
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    I always look forward to viewing your excellent interesting posts and they never disappoint me.
    Shabbat Shalom

    Reply
    • December 22, 2017 at 9:13 am
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      Thank you Ruth. Shabbat Shalom or Shavuah tov

      Reply
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