While I miss the colorful autumn leaves from the North Eastern United States, it was a very colorful week in Jerusalem.
Different colors, such as the colorful wedding we attended to start the week.
Occasionally an interesting leaf appears on a Jerusalem street.
But it was the bright yellow of the blooming flowers
and newly planted Jerusalem flower beds that really got my attention.
Under a bright blue sky with white clouds, Jerusalem was full of color.
The Israeli Presidential Medal of Honor was awarded to President Nicos Anastasiades of the Republic of Cyprus at Beit Hanasi by President Herzog.
During the ceremony, the colorful flowers outside the window distracted me and caught my attention.
But I put together a short video if you want to see more of the event.
Not only are there new colors in the smaller receiving room,
but new colorful Jerusalem artwork is displayed on the walls.
A few hours after the Medal of Honor ceremony the furniture was rearranged in order to receive the representatives of the political parties to recommend a candidate to form the new government.
As in the recent past, the President’s discussions were broadcast live.
The procedure began with Likud, the party with the most votes.
The media has the same view on screens from a reception space off the main room, however, I decided to go to see what was happening.
Here a TV news person reported in Arabic as the Noam party finished their turn with a recommendation to the President.
I waited to see the United Arab List (Ra’am) delegation comprising Mansour Abbas MK, Yasser Hajirat MK-elect, and Iman Khatib-Yasin MK arrive on the red carpet to tell the President they would not make a recommendation.
I did not stay around to see if they made a comment after or were followed out by journalists for comment as I saw for the Noam members.
The media was out in full when President Isaac Herzog assigned the task of forming a government to Benjamin Netanyahu MK at the President’s Residence today. So glad I got a front-row seat and was not standing on a chair in the back of the crowded room.
But more was happening this week than election news.
How appropriate that a book launch for “A Banker’s Journey: How Edmond J. Safra built a global financial empire” was held at the Israel Museum.
The Museum Theater where author Daniel Gross spoke with journalist Matti Friedman was next to the Edmond and Lily Safra Art Wing.
Colorful posters line some Jerusalem streets announcing events and festivals, like the Tower of David’s ZEROline II 1/2 on November 11-13.
Then there is the Israel Music Showcase Festival on November 22-27 and more, such as The Train Theater conference to begin on International Children’s Day on November 20, entitled, “How a child writes.”
Just when I thought I had finally found a place to enjoy a bit of fall color,
further down the path were big blue signs blocking the way.
Oh, the Jerusalem streets! Fix them and then tear them up again?
But to end with one piece of good construction news,
remember the Summer street scenes of the tunnel to Gush Etzion?
It was reported that one of the new tunnels is ready to open this week.
Perhaps some of the traffic backed up coming off of new Route #16 we ease up with the traffic flowing better out of Jerusalem.
It has mostly been warm during the day, so the leaves in Liberty Bell Park are still full and green. Love the Jerusalem colors as winter approaches.
It may not feel like it, but it’s time to plan for Hanukah, only 5 weeks away!
New this year is a Hanukkah tour of Nachlaot starting with donuts.
Or for those interested in a Jerusalem walking tour without the calories to see the colors of the real Jerusalem streets and lights check HERE
We always appreciate you keeping us up to date with what’s going on in the Holy City… and seeing your “fall colors” was delicious. Thank you, Sharon!
Thank you for your encouraging comment!
As always, I very much enjoyed this weeks theme, the colors of Jerusalem. I didn’t realize that trees change colors in Israel. It must be gorgeous.
Very few trees change colors, so we go quickly to take advantage. The contrast between winter in Boston to Jerusalem is great!