culture – Page 33 – The Real Jerusalem Streets

Pharaoh: The Story and Untold Story

April 20, 2016rjstreets

On Passover, the story

of Pharaoh and the Children of Israel leaving Egypt

is told and retold,

year after year.

This year in time for the Passover holiday

the Israel Museum opened a new exhibit called

Pharaoh in Canaan: the Untold Story.

Big posters announcing this momentous exhibit,

which consists of hundreds of pieces in multiple rooms,

are displayed on the Jerusalem, Israel streets.

There is even a colorful video which is used to illustrate

the Egyptian Empire of the 4th millennium BCE.

This was an entrance to a fortress in Jaffa:

the highlighted pieces have Ramses’ name inscribed.

Loans from international galleries are included.

Ancient artifacts are on display,

in room after room,

with some unique and special pieces.

There are displays of pottery,

urns, and jewelry,

and much more lining the walls.

The gift shop is stocked with items for sale

for this impressive exhibit, perfectly timed.

The story of leaving Egypt is retold in the Hagaddah

in Jewish homes on Passover at the seder,

which takes place this year on Friday night in Israel,

and on Friday and Saturday nights around the world.

This year thousands in Jerusalem will enjoy

the new exhibit of Egyptian rule in Caanan,

until now the untold story.

As in dozens of Israeli museums during Passover holiday,

children are invited free of charge.

Schools are out. Government offices are on holiday.

Temperature is rising.

Passover is vacation time in Israel.

Signs and Scenes of Spring in Jerusalem

April 13, 2016rjstreets

Spring.

The Hebrew month of Nissan started on Shabbat,

and the signs and scenes of spring are visible on

and off the Jerusalem, Israel, streets.

The Valley of Cross is green from the recent rain.

These lime blossoms are bursting out in the sunshine.

Yemin Moshe is always a pretty sight.

One “rainy” and cold day, it rained dirt,

but one day was hot enough for a dip in Lion Fountain.

I am sorry I missed a Spring Fair at Hansen House,

but a nearby park is being replanted this spring,

with the Jerusalem Theater in the background.

Flowers are growing on trees,

while greens are taking over this abandoned structure.

Look up and see purple,

look down and see red,

and the colorful Bird-of-paradise is always a favorite.

But not all the color was from nature.

These lovebirds nest on a car decorated for a wedding,

and this bench adds color to Azza Street.

School is out for the Passover holiday.

Holiday camps for children have started.

Two young grandchildren arrived today to “help,”

and now it is time to start cleaning.

Sounds of the Old City

March 30, 2016rjstreets

Sounds of the Old City,

is an annual music festival

held at night in Jerusalem, Israel.

This year the weather was cold and wintry,

but at least the heavy rain stopped for opening night.

Walking to the starting point at Jaffa Gate,

Mamilla Mall was not busy as usual.

For the festival, musicians performed

on a large stage outside on Jaffa Gate Plaza,

and inside along the Tower of David wall.

There are nine large stages with various performances.

Traverna was inside the Tower of David – in the moat.

The musical styles and instruments were varied,

from Kelzemer and religious music to DJs and pop songs.

Along the route through the Old City,

musicians played alone,

or as a group.

The festival is free and open to the public,

but this harpist was looking for donations.

As every year,

one of the most popular performance locations is the Cardo.

Yitzhak Meir was singing

to an enthusiastic crowd.

Who could imagine on those streets of old,

that one day Jews would be singing and dancing to Hebrew songs,

and the powerful Roman Empire would be ancient history?

Next on to the plaza

by the Hurva Synagogue,

this large stage was dark between shows,

but I had to share with you the size of the crowd.

Thousands of people were out enjoying the music.

The sounds of music have now spread outside the walls of the Old City,

and for the first time a stage is located at Zion Square.

The festival runs from Monday to Thursday,

7:00 – 11:00 pm, so there is still time to see and hear.

As I went to leave, some streets were too quiet.

Though cold and damp weather and security concerns

may have kept some away,

it was still a beautiful sight,

as the sounds of music filled the Jerusalem streets.