attractive tourist destination – Page 9 – The Real Jerusalem Streets

Sunday Sounds of Sukkot on Jerusalem Streets

October 9, 2022October 9, 2022Sharon A

The sounds of the shofar blasts broke the silence over the darkening Jerusalem streets as Yom Kippur ended on Wednesday night.

Then the sounds of hammers banging and clanging were heard as people began to build their sukkah.

Thursday felt like a Sunday!

Each morning this week I had to stop and try to remember what day of the week it was and what had to be done.

After Yom Kippur, it was time to prepare for Shabbat and the Sukkot holiday starting on Sunday night.

On Thursday evening, in the midst of Shabbat and Sukkot preparation, dozens of people gathered in Gan Haatzmaut, Independence Park.

Israel stands with the Iranian people was the theme of the event.

I remember that for Australians, long before these new direct routes, Tehran was a favorite stopping place for those flying on holidays. Of course, since 1979, that is but a fond far-off lingering memory.

Masha Amini and other women have been murdered. It was time to let them they are not alone, we are thinking of them.

Next to the park, the large sukkah at the Leonardo Plaza is ready.

Look up. Lights were on this apartment house sukkah in preparation.

And now that the borders are open after 2 years of corona conditions, people are returning. A long-time favorite sukkah was being installed.

Pop-up sukkah shops abound on Jerusalem streets.

Day or night, with etrogim and lulavim and sukkah decorations for sale.

Anywhere but the Jerusalem streets do you find baskets of string for sale in bins outside of the electrical appliance store at night?

Signs are up for Hashana Raba programs, with music and learning all night,

as well as the mega-musical events on the intermediate days of Sukkot.

Too many events and activities to list now, but the official ones are HERE.

Our modest new sukkah is ready.

The holiday challah and treats are prepared.

Shana Tova from Jerusalem, Israel!

Hope to see you celebrating the holidays this week on the Jerusalem streets.

Jerusalem Conferences and Festivals Returning

September 11, 2022September 11, 2022Sharon A

In Jerusalem, Israel, where to begin RJS this week is a problem.

Today is September 11th.

September 11 memorial flame off main road to Jerusalem

The day we remember 9/11 – September 2001 when terrorists hijacked jetliners, and crashed into the financial World Trade Center in New York City and the Pentagon, the heart of the US military, murdering thousands of innocents.

Jerusalem memorial to victims of September 11 flowers placed on names of murdered.

On September 11, 2018 – we had a different US Ambassador in Israel, but the Israeli 9/11 Memorial off the main road to Jerusalem, with all the names of the victims of terror, is there 24/7.

Jerusalem is changing. Buildings are to come down and go up higher.

The traffic back-ups. Near the entrance of Jerusalem, the road changes and heavy equipment, always something new to confuse drivers.

But this week outside, and inside the Jerusalem International Convention Center, one could find earth-moving equipment.

AGROMASHOV, Israel’s Largest Agricultural Conference, and CLEANTECH, two international conferences & exhibitions were held in Jerusalem, Israel, on September 5-6, 2022.

Israeli agriculture displays included watermelon of course!

Solar technology was also on display in the large hall.

One area featured the use of sabra cactus as food. The Ambassadors and Embassy representatives heard about various ways to use the fruit on their guided tour of the exhibits.

Angola was not the only African country in Jerusalem for the exhibition. I met a man who came from Nigeria that day who flew in specially for the conference.

I did not hear who won the cherry tomato competition.

But can tell you that 10% alcohol sabra cream was way too strong for me.

With the end of summer, school is back in session, a new bicycle tunnel opened, and Jerusalem festivals have returned to fill the days, nights, and streets.

For the first time, the Hansen House hosted a contemporary dance festival with solo works by choreographers from Israel and overseas. The new Jerusalem International Dance Festival included master classes and discussion panels.

The Takhana Rishona, First Station, is busy with food and entertainment.

At First Station, one can always find something new. I have no idea what this young woman was recording one night near the carousel.

At Teddy Park, the moon was full over the Old City walls and the fountain was on, but people were only passing by, headed to the Sultan’s Pool.

Thousands of concertgoers were headed to their seats at the Sultan’s Pool for the Shlomo Artzi concert.

The mega concerts and Jerusalem festivals have returned to the Jerusalem streets, and after two years, people are happy to be out again.

The Manofim Jerusalem Contemporary Art Festival joins the September Israel Festival in Jerusalem with unusual cultural options.

The postponed Woodstock Fest at Silo, near First Station, off the large parking lot, is set for September 15, 2022.

Plus, Emunah Jerusalem’s first Ethiopian Israeli Cultural Festival Featuring traditional Cuisine; Art; Theater; Drum Workshop and circle; Basket Weaving; Dance; Film, and more, is also at the Silo Cafe, on September 29th, from 4:30 – 8:30 pm.

A Green Inside and Out Festival will be held on the grounds of the Bloomfield Science Museum from September 14-16.

It’s hard to know what to do first!

End of summer clouds covered the Jerusalem streets this week,

and the setting sun setting added impressive colors to the Jerusalem streets, a reminder that the holidays are approaching.

Rosh Hashana, the New Year Selihot crowds have started to gather at the Kotel, Western Wall after midnight. Culminating, October 3, 2022, before Yom Kippur with what should be a huge attendance.

Hope to see you here soon.

Jerusalem Under the Sturgeon Moon

August 14, 2022August 14, 2022Sharon A

Did you know the last supermoon of 2022 was named for a fish? Kosher or not kosher, the sturgeon is the largest fish found in the US.

The full moon over Yemin Moshe is always photo-worthy. However, this week I wished I had a better camera with me when I saw it rise in the sky.

President Herzog received new Ambassadors to Israel, the first of the day was from Viet Nam with his wife in traditional colorful outfits.

Then the new Ambassador from Germany presented his credentials.

In spite of recent controversies, German government officials receive a welcome in Israel second only to those of the US. The dinner for Andrea Merkel is one example, the ceremony celebrating 50 years of diplomatic relations, was another.

https://youtube.com/shorts/MFq3BE6WGks?

But seeing a German military official saluting along with IDF at the red carpet reception for the playing of Hatikvah was a stop and video moment.

Another one of those green bike path lanes runs outside of Beit Hanasi, the Israeli President’s residence. Only they start and stop and go nowhere.

Oh well, there were plenty of places to go now that Tisha B’Av is over.

The Takhana Rishona, First Station hosts musical entertainment.

One night advertised as Klezmer free concerts, young people were featured.

At the Jerusalem Theater, not only inside, but on the plaza out front music could be heard on Jerusalem streets.

Monday night Israeli dancing attracted a large enthusiastic group of participants, men, and women of various ages and styles.

Another August favorite is the Theater in the Rough Shakespeare productions. This year the Merchant of Venice has another seven performances in Bloomfield Park behind the King David Hotel.