16 Photos Snow in Jerusalem

A few weeks ago there was supposed to be a big snowstorm

in Jerusalem, Israel,

and the word “blizzard” was used a lot.

A little snow started to fall just as it was time

to light Shabbat candles,

so I only managed to take and share two quick photos,

and by the next day, it was all gone.

This week I did not hear the “b” word,

though a heavy snowfall was forecast.

The snow started to fall on Thursday night,

boy throwing snowball in Jerusalem

and this could be one of the first snowballs.

snow covered street jerusalem israel

The streets were slippery

man walking in snow Jerusalem

and mostly deserted.

flower in snow in Jerusalem

I took one flower photo,

imaige snow scene Jerusalem

if the warnings were wrong,

I had one ready for the Shabbat Shalom post.

image snow storm Jerusalem

But by morning the snow had accumulated,

image snow scene in Jerusalem Israel

and the Jerusalem streets looked like a winter wonderland.

image Wolfson towers in fog from snow storm

Heavy fog and a white sky added to the wintry scenes.

Jerusalem snow covering ground by Knesset

When the fog cleared the Knesset grounds were covered.

image israel museum in snow

This Israel Museum view shows trees covered.

against the white sky.

street scene Jerusalem under snow

Heavy snow stuck to power lines and branches,

Snow in Jerusalem stuck to everything

and just about everything.

image snow plow lone vehicle on busy streets Jerusalem

Most people stayed off the roads in the morning.

Jerusalem Israel snow scene Valley of Cross

The monastery in the Valley of the Cross,

a beautiful and serene scene,

was like a picture postcard.

lemon tree covered in snow and ice Jerusalem storm

But lemon trees

snow covered plants Jerusalem snow storm

and sabra plants covered in snow?

Only in Jerusalem, Israel!

שבת שלום

Shabbat shalom.

Last Jerusalem International Book Fair?

Could this be the last Jerusalem International Book Fair?

The 27th Jerusalem International Book Fair (JIBF)

was not held in the Jerusalem International Conference Center.

For the first time, it was in a new location, in First Station,

Jerusalem International Book Fair

where some entered from the First Station parking lot.

(In case you are wondering about the sky here,

being inside during a sandstorm was a good idea.)

While others came in through the main area,

past the First Station food mall and shopping area.

image disappearing wall

These people stopped to see the “Disappearing Wall,”

Jerusalem International Book Fair

5000 small blocks of wood with German quotes written,

also in Hebrew and Arabic,

(some of which were lost in the translation) that attracted all ages.

At night the wall was an empty acrylic form,

as people were happy to remove the blocks and keep them.

 Austria, Spain, Romania, Germany, Poland, Russia,

United Kingdom, Italy and United States were represented at the fair,

but it was a small fraction of former years.

Jerusalem International Book Fair

One night, a crowd gathered by the German booth

Jerusalem International Book Fair

for this food and wine.

Opening night of JIBF had more than one event,

that attracted large crowds.

speaker at Jerusalem book fair

There were lectures and programs all week, some held in

 the Jerusalem Cinematheque, Mishkenot Sha’ananim

and the Khan Theatre, all auditoriums that are located near by.

Magazine at book fair

As usual, not just books

but also magazines were for sale.

Jerusalem International Book Fair

Authors were available to meet readers and fans,

Rabbi Adin Steinsalts

Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz–Rav Adin Even Yisrael–

was available at JIBF one night.

Jerusalem International Book Fair

Besides Germany, Austria had a nice size display.

But books from the United States and some Israeli sources,

were noticeably missing.

Each time I went to JIBF,

it was great fun to see and talk with friends,

looking at books and even buying some.

But as an international book fair,

it felt like the international and book components

were sadly lacking this year.

Shabbat Shalom from Jerusalem

Beware:

Heavy traffic and long lines near car wash locations.

 In much of Israel this week,

image of Knesset in sandstorm

a sandstorm was so heavy it was hard to see,

and breathing was difficult.

It was not a pretty picture.

Then, cold, strong winds came and blew and blew.

It only rained a little in Jerusalem, Israel,

enough to leave mud covering everything, especially cars.

Finally,

image Jerusalem Israel clear cay

the sky cleared,

the sun came out,

time to admire the flowers again.

image Shabbos

שבת שלום