An Inside Look at What’s New this Week in Jerusalem

It was hard to decide on only three of the special things from this past week. There was so much happening on and off the Jerusalem streets you may not have heard about, but should know.

Ok, only two were really inside and one very much outside.

  1. Who remembers the old President Hotel on Ahad Ha’am Street?

We stayed there once on an organized tour and I remember saying the 1-star status at the time meant there was a toilet in the room.

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I had heard it was being used as a new Social Space and drove by to share a photo a few weeks ago, but that didn’t get shared at the time.

Then I started out last week to see inside but got distracted by a loud noise.

Oh no, I thought, not another protest group marching thru the Jerusalem streets. But I was wrong. They were color war teams of a local youth group. I ended up following them in the opposite direction that day instead.

So finally, here it is!!

Remember this photo? Yes, the hotel was this run down – not Photoshop.

For a very long time mostly abandoned, as in this photo from four years ago.

However, now stepping inside I got a pleasant surprise. At the end of the hall, a dance studio opened in March, and the dancers were having a lesson.

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A wall mural was clean and neat and new.

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I looked through the metal grating and saw a bar space ready to open,

and an impressive colorful meeting area, smaller spaces around and above.

Tables were set up outside, but only a few people seemed to know about Jerusalem’s newest urban renewal by the reaction to my post on Facebook.

The side of the building that faces Keren Hayesod Street is still an eyesore and has been for years. It still needs work, but the lower levels are a huge improvement and it looks like they are working their way up.

I wrote about Urban Recycling in the past. Plus, we have appreciated the Social Space renovation at the old Shaare Zedek Hospital.

2. A much more well-known Jerusalem meeting space is the Israeli Knesset.

Walking to the Negev Hall for a meeting, I was so surprised to see Alan Clemmons, a former State Senator from South Carolina, to my embarrassment, I at first called him – Sam Clements.

The halls were filled with Knesset Members interacting with visitors.

The meeting I attended started late, as members were busy voting. But the Knesset Israel Victory Caucus held its opening meeting. I learned that with each new Knesset, caucus meetings have to be held anew, as they do not carry over from one government to the next.

Speakers from the government and opposition, as well as security officials, called on Israel to start defeating its enemies, in the event titled “How Should Israel Win the Next War?”

Held in coordination with the U.S.-based Middle East Forum, which manages the Israel Victory Project, it’s an initiative seeking to change the public discourse on the Arab-Israeli conflict. 

While the Jerusalem street where the Prime Minister lives is often closed, walking the Knesset halls one would never realize troubles outside.

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3. The 40th Jerusalem Film Festival opened in the Sultan’s Pool on Thursday night, with thousands filling the outdoor amphitheater stands.

Award-winning actor Dame Helen Mirren was on hand for the premier.

The British actress stood out elegantly dressed in white lace. Director Oliver Stone was also honored – wearing the red tie, also in the front row, as everyone stood when Israeli President Herzog and his wife Michal entered.

President Isaac Herzog was the first of several speakers.

Helen Mirren, the actress who starred as Golda Meir in “Golda,” got the most attention that night, for her brilliant performance in an excellent movie.

The Yom Kippur War was a difficult time, yet the movie has a few moments of comic relief and was well-paced. Even though everyone knew the ending, the film kept viewers entranced. An amazing depiction of a great woman at the most difficult time of her life.

The Jerusalem Film Festival, JFF40, runs from July 13 – 23, 2023.

Showing “Golda” as the opening event made this year indeed special.

Want to guess where else I was?

I have lots more to share for next time, so check back next week.

A clue–this sunset was not in Jerusalem but in southern Israel.

Everyone is trying to stay cool and hydrated, as it’s very hot this week on the Jerusalem streets. So very glad it did cool off to enjoy the movie, as most summer nights in Jerusalem have been reasonably comfortable.

Jerusalem Opera, Genesis Prize and More

Hot.

It is hot in Jerusalem, Israel.

The pool at Jerusalem Dan Hotel looked so cool.

Shrut HaDin 052b

But Sharut HaDin was having a conference inside the hotel,

so we were inside listening to experts on panels

discussing the new cyber and legal battlefields Israel is facing.

When it gets hot,

Teddy Park Mitchell Garden Jerusalem Israel

the parks are quiet by day,

Teddy Garden Mitchell Park Jerusalem Israel

but every fountain is as good as the beach.

Jerusalem Israel street graffiti

Even new graffiti was in a shady spot.

This was certainly the most random street scene,

random street scene garbage Jerusalem

getting ready for a trip to the beach,

but with a box of memorial candles?

End of June.

It is again the season,

of big people on little chairs.

end of year party Jerusalem big people on little chairs

The mandatory end of school year celebrations,

are at all hours of day and night.

But this week, there is another celebration.

Itzhak Perlman is in Jerusalem to accept the Genesis Prize.

Itzhak Perlman speaking with Uri Dromi before Genesis Priza

A gifted musician whose abilities overcame his disabilities.

Through appearances on Sesame Street

he taught important values to a whole generation.

Born in Israel,

though he has lived in New York for decades,

Itzhak Perlman Jerusalem Israel

he was surrounded by the Hebrew media and well-wishers

after a press conference at Mishkanot Sha’ananim.

Also, Dame Helen Mirren is in Israel

this week to present the Genesis Prize.

Dame Helen Mirren at JPC before Genesis Prize

She only played a Queen in the movies,

but she is a regal act in real life too.

Her stories of good times spent in Israel – priceless.

Helen Mirren Jerusalem Israel for Genesis Prize

She was evidently pleased to receive a membership card

to the Jerusalem Press Club.

Now I can say I have something in common

with Dame Helen Mirren.

But on some days,

big truck going up small street

not only on the Jerusalem streets is it hard to get by,

 but there is so much happening,

it is hard to do it all.

That night was opening of the Jerusalem Opera Week,

Italy Israel at Jerusalem Opera

with an Italian theme for Rigoletto.

People were warned to come on time.

Parking and picking up tickets for hundreds

 of opera goers required planning,

plus because of Ramadan fast ending at that time,

a shortage of taxis were anticipated.

Jerusalem Opera stage in Sultan's Pool

The huge stage was constructed in Sultan’s Pool,

with seating rising to street level.

As the sun was setting the audience

opera stage in Sultan Pool Jerusalem Opera Rigoletto

and Israeli Philharmonic prepared for the show.

Translations in Hebrew and English,

were provided on the top and sides of stage.

Rigoletto Opera in Jerusalem Sultan Pool

Magnificent music filled the air.

 Even though the story line is one of tragedy,

Cst of Rigoletto Jerusalem Opera in Sultan's Pool

it was especially exciting to see an Israel performer

excelling in the lead female role.

field of flowers, Jerusalem Israel

So everything may not always be as beautiful as a bed of flowers,

but as I walked home at night near midnight,

Shavuah Hasefer Israel Book Week at First Station

people were still at Shavuah HaSefer at First Station,

watching the football (soccer) match and drinking beer.

Hundreds more were leaving the Jerusalem Theater.

sign for Jerusalem Theater

The signs are up for the new season at the theater,

but the Genesis Prize award is there tonight.

Then we will have to wait to see what

 will be happening next on the Jerusalem streets.