Another week in Jerusalem, Israel filled with contrasts.
This photo essay will focus on culture and color in Jerusalem, not crises.
The white autumn clouds drift in the blue skies over the Jerusalem streets.
Construction continues blocking the streets as buildings rise higher and higher.
A special movie screening was held at Jerusalem Cinema City on Monday night.
Tragic Awakening premiered in Israel with a private screening. Rabbi Raphel Shore, the director, was in the US promoting the film and his new book. However, others involved with the documentary exploring antisemitism were on hand to participate and share their ideas.
Rabbi Shalom Schwartz, one of the producers, and Rawan Osman, the star, spoke with Fleur Hassan Nahoum after the screening. Rawan’s journey from antisemite to finding Judaism is a fascinating story.
Tourism is down. This large souvenir store inside Jaffa Gate has closed.
But Mamilla Mall is often as busy as ever with no vacant stores.
The Tower of David’s new cafeteria was open and busy. But a tour of the newest exhibit was the reason to come back again to see what was new in the Tower of David Museum. Please notice the new trees.
A tour of “On the Other Side” led by Zadok Ben-David was a highlight of the week.
His two-minute video in the temporary gallery features bright flowers.
This Is – Same Place Other Times was created in January 2023.
It goes to blackened fields, but circles back around to the new growth. Almost prophetic?
In the same darkened gallery, is this astounding work, where he explores acute transitions in the natural world with butterflies. Did you notice the human form as the center of each colorful creature?
On the reverse side of this large circular piece under blue UV light – roaches. Zadok discussed the beauty of the butterfly in contrast to the creepy caterpillar.
Exploring transitions in the natural world, there is a site-specific piece of a male form in 15 poses outside.
The exhibit ends bright, colorful, and hopeful with three flowers at the new exit onto the street inside Jaffa Gate (where the old entrance was located).
When I first arrived at the Tower of David entrance, with the sun shining. I thought these figures were newly planted cypress trees. How wrong I was!
With Zadok Ben-David’s work, you have to take time and look at the details. Those were not leaves. They were human shapes. Each of the seven trees shows growth from the first sparse tree to a full one at the other end.
The exhibit goes until April.
Design Week also opened at Hansen House this year titled “The Ark.”
Hundreds of visitors filled the spaces outside for the opening event where the Mayor came to speak.
The inner courtyard had pieces of art and displays filled the buildings and campus.
In one room Bezalel students made colorful videos.
Fascinating fashions filled another room.
Entering “The Factory” felt like a scene from Willy Wonka. So much fun, I should go back. Design Week runs until September 26, 2024. Something for everyone, so much to see, this is barely a taste.
Hmm, these guys were arriving at Hansen House as we were leaving.
So fascinating is Rawan Osman, for the second time this week, I went to hear her speaking with Paul Gross at the Menachem Begin Heritage Center.
This is one protest site across from Cinema City.
And yellow ribbons are found on many of the Jerusalem streets.
And also the sounds of music. A new musical preview of David, the Servant King, premiered.
Talented women performed the new songs written by Shlomit Koffler Weinreb,
to a full house, all-women audience to start the week on Sunday night.
War rages on north and south, and no one forgets the hostages, or soldiers, or those in danger, or those forced out of their homes for almost a year.
But, on Thursday night to end the week, a Wine Festival attracted hundreds to First Station.
L’Chaim, to life, to life l’chaim.
