Jerusalem, Israel – what is really happening
What’s new and happening now that Hanukkah is over?
Some chanukkiot are still around on Jerusalem streets, but for many it feels like the holiday was long ago.
Projections for Hanukkah like this one over the moat wall of the Tower of David,
and this one inside of Jaffa Gate are no longer.
But these on the walls of the Old City were still up last night.
The reindeer which were up since Hanukkah also burn brightly.
The Christian Quarter of the Old City is only one location with holiday lights.
The Jerusalem Municipality continues its annual tradition of distributing complimentary Christmas trees
A special festive market near the New Gate began with loud and brightly colored fireworks exploding after Shabbat in the sky over Jerusalem.
PM Netanyahu repeated one of his favorite themes, “Israel is not isolated and improving relations with Arab neighbors” at the annual Government Press Office New Year toast for foreign journalists.
The event was held at the Shalva National Center to mark the International Day for Persons with Disabilities.
As usual there was entertainment. The Shalva Band was very warmly received after a wonderful performance.
However, everyone including the Prime Minister and his security had a surprise.
As the band received a standing ovation and took their final bow, the drummer went over to the end of the stage, bent down, and gave the Prime Minister a hug.
Shalva Center is an impressive complex providing multiple services and therapies to individuals with a wide range of disabilities.
While the GPO event at Shalva was by invitation only, involving many levels of security, the Art of Jazz event at the Israel Museum was open to the public.
After a delay because of rain during Hanukkah, Crossroads and Janglo held their 5th annual night run.
In this photo taken just before race began at the starting and finish line, you can see the winner wearing blue shorts. For the group selfie, he looks like he has already run, won and is celebrating.
AirBnB has been discussed and covered endlessly this week.
But did you hear about ArtBnB music in Jerusalem at the Maffil?
The 9th Jerusalem Hullegub Festival featuring Israeli-Ethiopian Arts is December 20 – 26.
President Reuven Rivlin hosted new mayors and heads of councils at Beit Hanasi, the President’s Residence. Of 100 newly elected community leaders, 60 attended. New Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion got in the last word, but it was noteworthy that many Arab, Muslim, and Christian mayors came to Jerusalem to attend and were asked to speak.
As I walked home one night in the Hansen House garden, Ester was lit, resembling a spaceship.
I heard music coming from the direction of Hansen House, so went to see what was happening. Not only is it a new center for arts and technology, but it has also become a popular and colorful gathering places for food, drink and events.
One Only in Jerusalem, Israel photo – taken at #7 Judah Maccabee Street ” WANTED ALIVE MASHIACH BEN DAVID Reward redeemed world. “
There you have it.
Only a bit of what was happening in Jerusalem.
Diversity, disability, culture, coexistence, up and down, always something new happening.
Miri Mesika’s song from performance at Shalva seemed like a beautiful way to conclude.
For those interested, more GPO at Shalva photos HERE
You never know what will appear next on the Jerusalem, Israel streets.
Hanukkah.
Eight days of Hanukkah in Jerusalem, Israel, are not enough.
With so many things happening, one has to make a list and organize the time carefully.
Lighting the large hanukkiah by the Kotel, the Western Wall, is a popular annual evening event.
New this year, the Prime Minister and US Ambassador conducted a special lighting ceremony,
but it was a very private event on a different hanukkiah, shielded from the heavy rain and curious spectators.
As usual, a large electric hanukkiah was lit each night of Hanukkah over the Knesset.
New this year was the hanukkiah erected on top of the Hadar Mall in Talpiot.
Advertised as one of the world’s biggest Hanukkah menorahs, it measured 11 meters tall and 56 meters wide.
But Hanukkah candles are best lit in the home, as illustrated in this new projection on the Old City walls near Jaffa Gate.
One of the most famous of photos of a Hanukkah menorah hangs on the wall at Yad Vashem, next to the real one displayed in a glass case. It shows a hanukkiah in the city of Kiel, Germany in 1932, with the Nazi flag flying across the street. This hanukkiah is lit each year by members of the family that owned it, its lights burning on after the fall of Hitler’s Nazi Germany.
Before Hanukkah shops featured selections to satisfy every fashion and taste.
On Jerusalem streets one could find a lone hanukkiah lit outside a home,
or dozens shining brightly outside a yeshiva dormitory.
The idea is to show, share, and enjoy the lights in celebration of the miracle of Hanukkah.
With a simple hanukkiah at home,
or a large hanukkiah at Beit Hanasi, the Israeli President’s Residence, Hanukkah was a special time.
The President hosted multiple groups over Hanukkah, morning and night, to join in lighting ceremonies, including groups of Holocaust survivors and children.
This Paralympic athlete who was honored to light at one ceremony had a favorite smile.
Did you know Jerusalem has a street named for Judah the Maccabee?
On the building at #7 Judah Maccabee Street was this holiday themed graffiti.
Large crowds were found in Mamilla Mall for candle lighting, with music, singing and dancing.
The last night of Hanukkah there was a glorious sky at sunset. You see a glimpse of it to the left. We were on our way to one last Hanukkah party in heavy traffic, and slowed to take this photo. Seems like this cyclist stopped as well, along with the cars slowing to watch.
Missed a great sunset photo, but in spite of traffic made it to Hub Etzion in time for Michael Oren to light the hanukkiah and celebrate at the last Hanukkah party for this year.
In recent years the walls of the Old City were lit up with projections for Hanukkah.
This year again a favorite with Hanukkah greetings in multiple languages.
Inside the walls by Jaffa Gate, the Old City was the site of a Hanukkalayim Festival.
Live performances, music and more lights for Hanukkah.
Glad I went on Wednesday night.
On Thursday it started raining, pouring, and raining some more.
The Bloomfield Science Museum had special Hanukkah fire exhibits and was packed.
Other museums were filled as a day at the zoo was not good option.
Going to the Israel Museum had been our original plan. Viewing menorahs from 4th – 5th century CE in Tiberias, from the Susiya synagogue in the Hebron hills. and from Beit Shean in 5th – 7th century CE, our visit fit the Hanukkah spirit perfectly.
Thankfully the weather was perfect for the first Jerusalem Hanukkah Together Parade as it went down King David Street.
Famous balloons did not include Spider-Man, Kung Fu Panda, Anna and Elsa from “Frozen,” Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck, and Pokemons, but included “others” and Jerusalem basketball players.
Rain was no problem for a serious game of Hanukkah dreidel.
Tons of suffganiot were consumed.
These colorful ones were not a favorite, I prefer a fresh, simple glazed donut.
For those wanting a healthier Hanukkah option, there were these any time favorite pomegranates in Machane Yehuda Market, the shuk.
The hanukkiah on top of Hadar Mall, changed colors in this short video.
The projections on the walls of Old City near Jaffa Gate also need a video presentation to appreciate why it was favorite.
A final favorite hanukkiah is found on top of the Sderot Yeshivat Hesder.
This hanukkiah is made of projectiles fired from Gaza into southern Israel.
Hanukkah lights shone in the dark, from Sderot, from Jerusalem, from Israel,
tens of thousands of burning, shining lights in the night.
