Jerusalem Returning to Life with New Colors

Imagine seeing more people you know in one day on the Jerusalem streets than in the entire past year!

The Jerusalem streets are coming alive again.

Shabbat morning the weather was lovely for a long walk. I passed people returning from prayers at the Kotel, Western Wall, and friends who had taken one of many morning nature walking tours. A family was celebrating the birth of a baby daughter – one year ago – in a park near their home.

There were new colorful art pieces in Mamilla Mall for the holiday season. I will have to go back with my camera to share some of the fun artwork.

The large blue flag of Kosovo was flying on their new Embassy opened in Jerusalem on Keren Hayesod Street.

Paris Fountain in France Square was gone, removed to start the renovation.

It will be some time until King David Street is open to traffic.

But the King David Hotel is one of the dozens opening to the public now, of course, with restrictions.

After construction work is completed, too often ripped up again and redone.

These metal moveable bollards will now make it possible to get into the Netanyahu family’s private driveway.

Bible Lands Museum Jerusalem posted very clever signs. Here an ancient icon sits on a suitcase near Bloomfield Gardens on King David Street.

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In another of their series ‘Returning to Life’ signs, a statue is holding a bottle of sparkling wine to celebrate the reopening. L’chaim to life.

The BLMJ YEMEN exhibit is to close on April 30th. It was a favorite exhibit. During Passover, March 29- April 2nd there are free admission and tours.

The opening venues require registration and numbers are limited.

On the streets, however, more and more people are seen sitting at cafes.

Tourists and student tour groups are back in the Jerusalem parks.

The Pais Arena announced 6 nights of – “All the World is a Stage” concerts.

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One concert was Hanan Ben Ari performing to a live and excited audience.

Pools are reopening, a guard was sitting outside of the YMCA entrance.

This past week was Passover holiday preparation time – which in Jerusalem means fresh garlic in the Machane Yehudah Market, the shuk, piled high.

This man was walking home with a large bag full of fresh garlic. Not only did he stop so I could take his photo, but he also insisted I wait until he took it out of the bag so I could get a better image of his proud purchase.

A musician in the shuk was being recorded, another sign of “normal.”

Restaurant and cafe owners were smiling to see customers to serve again.

Politicians were in the shuk campaigning, but not on the day I was there noticing the new roof and lights and colorful upgrades.

The protesters near the Prime Minister’s residence are always on the street. I wonder if they will pack up after the election on Tuesday?

Sadly, 6025 was the rising number of corona deaths this past year.

The Central Election Committee has set up tents at the Knesset ready to start counting the votes on election night.

Election Tuesday is a day off from work and a good time to come to Jerusalem to see the colors in nature.

One never knows what you will see on the Jerusalem streets, I often repeat.

For instance, as I was hurrying, late one morning to meet a friend in the shuk for coffee – another first time in a year event,

I saw a man along a nature path beginning his prayers, and using his blue face mask to cover his head instead of a kippah.

It was a difficult year, especially for those involved in tourism, and of course, for those families who were affected by illness and coronavirus.

But this past week with loosened restrictions and spring weather, more Israelis were able to enjoy the colors and sights both on and off the Jerusalem streets.

As we will say next week at the seder “Next year in Jerusalem!” for all.

How to Spend Time in Jerusalem in 2020

How to Spend Time in Jerusalem in 2020

Time.

Time in Jerusalem, Israel, as in much of the world during the corona pandemic, has become a blur. Days have become weeks, then months and a New Year is almost here.

Since March 2020, an 8:30 backyard minyan, morning prayer service, has been one constant. No need for a watch. I could set my clock to the minute when they start.

We live in a “mixed” Jerusalem neighborhood, and there is no synagogue on our street. But starting after Purim, I have woken up to the sounds of morning prayers. As  I brush my teeth or stand at the kitchen sink, I have been able to receive the Priestly Blessing from a distant voice.

Kotel during coronavirus for morning services

The Kotel, Western Wall, in the morning, was set up for bar mitzvah groups in keeping with the latest COVID-19 regulations. This time of year the area is often packed with thousands of people.

Kotel Plaza divided into sections for late night selihot during coronavirus pandemic limitations on size of gatherings

But this year at night, there are chairs set for Selihot placed “socially distant” from each other.

Chairs placed in Wilson Arch Kotel at night

The Kotel area inside Wilson’s Arch was set at night, ready for the next morning.

This screenshot of prepared prayer spots feels frozen in time.

Jerusalem path near the Israel Museum above the Valley of the Cross

In the past, I walked the Jerusalem streets for hours, looking for crowds, people, and interesting sites to share. Now going out means staying away from those crowds and avoiding people.

Recognizing friends at this time is not so simple. With hats, sunglasses, and masks, someone who you have not seen a few months can be difficult to recognize.

Sign for New Year gatherings in Jerusalem Plarks

Over the summer during this coronavirus time, Jerusalem began offering park camping opportunities. Families were encouraged to come to outside green areas. A sign in Nayot Park is encouraging families to spend their holiday time in nature areas.

Bunch of grapes growing on Jerusalem street

One image for the passing of time are grapes ripening on the vine.

Polce vehicle turning to exit park area

No, this police vehicle was not trying to block these people. The driver was on this part of the path–with no vehicular exit–for his first and last time.  He got stuck, and had to back up and try and turn around to get out of the area.

old Belarusian flag, now used as the opposition flag in the rallies against Lukashenko

There have been eleven weeks of loud protests near the Prime Minister’s Residence and the Knesset. However, this was the first time seeing a protester near the Knesset with a Belarus flag.  His aim, which is for Israelis to pay attention to the situation in Belarus, worked – the large red and white flag got me to notice.

Jerusalem Israel Hebrew signs posted on street corner

As summer ends, new signs were up and it is time to support the Jerusalem Symphony.

At the Bible Lands Museum Jerusalem, there’s a  YEMEN Fest – מופע גרוב-ג’אז-פאנק

entrance of the Jerusalem Bible Lands Museum

There’s still time to book a tour in person or watch online at the Bible Lands Museum.

Jerusalem Yad Vashem exhibiit

After many months, Yad Vashem also announced it’s opening its doors at limited times.

Sacher Park new seating near the play equipment

The summertime weather was pleasant and  Jerusalem nights were cool. But now a heatwave has arrived.  It’s too hot for the play equipment or midday picnics in Gan Sacher. 

Jerusalem school year sign during coronavirus

School is to start on September 1, 2020. It’s going to be an interesting time for all.

The usual back to “Kita Aleph” – first-grade mega productions have been toned down. With COVID-19, it’s one parent, wearing a mask, holding the hand of a small child walking into the unknown new classroom. Capsules, masks, and moving online is the pandemic era new norm.

Wishing all students and teachers a good and healthy year!

Women soldiers in the Israel army

And now is the time for new Israeli recruits to the IDF to begin their army training.

Six years ago, Chazan Shai Abramson led the IDF Choir at the Jerusalem Great Synagogue.

As the Jewish holiday season with so many unknowns approaches is a good time to repeat the prayer for the Israel Defense Forces and all of Israel, and the world.

Stay safe. Stay well. Stay healthy.

Hope to see you sometime soon on the Jerusalem streets.

Jerusalem Streets Go Virtual for Passover Pleasure

Jerusalem Streets Go Virtual for Passover Pleasure

Jerusalem, Israel this time of year is usually one of the busiest.

Pesach, Passover, has many other names, including the holiday of spring, and the holiday of freedom. Streets are usually full of people, rental cars, tour buses, and holiday pilgrims.

This year the yearning for freedom from home isolation was felt around the world as the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic kept people inside their homes.

This year with Pesach and Easter coinciding streets should have been packed.

Instead, they are empty.

Three years ago this was the scene at the Kotel, Western Wall for Birkat Kohanim, Priestly Blessing.

Ten men prayed together at the Kotel and recited the blessing today.

A tiny microbe has done what wars, stabbings, suicide bombers, car-rammings and other forms of terror could not accomplish.

However, if nothing else, Israelis are resilient.

Moving off the streets and online, here are five suggestions to experience Jerusalem over this holiday week.

  1.  Instead of sharing places to go and things to do in Jerusalem, Fun in Jerusalem is offering at home ideas.

2. The Tower of David Museum has virtual tours free for this week, check out one introductory tour HERE

Or take time and explore the site for other tours HERE

3. The Jerusalem Cinematheque is closed. Last month when I went to a special performance, already concerned about the virus, I heard a woman coughing. Quickly I went in ahead of and away from her. Hard to believe that was just over a month ago and one of their last events.

However, the Cinematheque is offering a wide variety of entertainment links, from first-rate old US movies to ‘Peter and the Wolf’ performed by the Royal Ballet and Metropolitan Opera mega productions: HERE

4. The Bible Lands Museum Jerusalem is also at work getting more content online: HERE you can see the video from Yemen exhibit.

5. Experience the Western Wall Tunnel Tours from home:

Sadly the exciting Jerusalem night shows are on hold.

But here is a bit of the introduction to the Tower of David Night Show.

And the City of David Sound and Light Show Finale.

Hoping all stay well, wishing you a healthy holiday.

Let’s keep in touch virtually, until we can see you again soon on the Jerusalem streets.