Shabbat Shalom from Jerusalem.
שבת שלום
Israel Museum
Jerusalem, Israel’s Children
June is full of graduations and end-of-year celebrations,
from nursery school children to honorary doctorates.
Plus, all the different festivals in Jerusalem,
and it is impossible to keep up with everything.
The Jerusalem Theater auditoriums were filled with
the 56th annual Israel Festival, an annual June event.
“Songs of Tirza,” a unique performance by Nathan Slor,
with music and readings of his mother Tirza Atar z”l,
was a memorable night for one full-house audience.
While outside all along Chopin Street
and down to the Hansen House,
music and lights from the
Jerusalem Design Week
were seen and heard by all.
Except these musicians, who could be heard only
by festival goers wearing special headsets.
The two major Jerusalem book fairs
were scheduled to overlap this year.
But the large signs for the Book Fairs posted at First Station
have already been replaced by the ones for the Light Festival.
Inside Takhana Rishona, First Station,
children’s books were displayed at the entrance,
and performances for children are scheduled daily.
The flags of the participants in the international fair
were flying outside Station Hall,
which was filled with displays,
with publishers’ booths and rows of books,
and authors coming in to autograph purchases.
So much to do, so much happening,
and so much attention to children.
But.
Also, in the center tent of First Station
last night was a very different type of event.
Hundreds of people showed up on short notice,
informed only by a few afternoon Facebook posts.
Parents of children with cancer held signs,
urging Israeli Health Minister Litzman,
to save their children.
A white, large air-conditioned tent was erected
in the Gan Sacher, Sacher Park, basketball court.
In the past, the park has been a scene of protest tents.
But this one is a make-shift hospital for children,
complete with medical clowns.
However, there is nothing funny about the situation.
As I understand the complicated issue,
Hadassah Hospital closed their children’s cancer division
to merge it with the adult division,
and the pediatric oncologists resigned en-masse.
Some parents have given up hope for suitable treatment
for their seriously ill children in Jerusalem
and are travelling to Tel HaShomer for medical services.
Other parents want Shaare Zedek Hospital to open
a children’s oncology unit.
Doctors, parents, and politicians are involved.
Hopefully this painful situation will be resolved soon,
and I can go back to posting about
Live Music in the art gardens of the Israel Museum,
Ramadan lights lining the streets,
and the record-breaking increase in tourism
that is filling once-empty hotel rooms and lobbies.
Meanwhile refuah shelama,
thoughts and prayers for a speedy and full recovery to all the children
and for a solution to the dilemma.
12 Signs this Week in Jerusalem
This was another autumn week
filled with Jerusalem festivals and events.
Mekudeshet and Manofim,
try and keep all those arts and music programs straight.
At night the temperatures go down
and the people come out from hiding – after the hot sunny days.
Near the light rail tracks and Zion Square,
and not in New York City,
signs beckons for end-of-season sales.
As part of a cultural festival
trees were brought in and placed around Zion Square.
I am not sure I like the new look,
but loved seeing so many people out on the streets.
I was on my way to the Italian Festival.
The beautiful sanctuary of the Italian Synagogue,
off Ben Yehuda Street,
was open to the public.
The wooden benches may be authentic,
but they are not the most comfortable for long prayer services.
This was the annual festival
where pizza was available in the plaza
and old Vespas were on exhibit inside.
Italians were not the only ones featured this week.
Chinese flags were flying over the Knesset
as government officials were in Jerusalem,
joining hundreds of Chinese tourists.
When it comes to tourists,
John Hagee is back, leading over 300 people,
his banner sat in the quiet lobby as they toured the Old City.
The celebration of 50th year of Jerusalem’s reunification
brought together the builders and funders of Jerusalem,
the families who support the Jerusalem Foundation,
Their major projects are too many too mention now.
This large sign and Israeli flags greeted them at Beit Hanasi,
the Israeli President’s official residence.
Celebrations will happen throughout the year,
as Hebrew year 5777 begins next week.
Also at Beit Hanasi this week.
an emotional event was held honoring IDF soldiers
who were bone marrow donors
by grateful recipients and their families.
For the past 10 years,
IDF soldiers have undergone voluntary screening,
and their bone marrow donations have saved 1,100 lives.
From this small sign about a craft festival
on Derech Bet Lechem,
to this over-sized sign announcing that Matisyahu
is coming back for a Sultan Pool concert in October,
new signs have been posted all around Jerusalem.
Not all are in Hebrew-
sometimes the ones in English get the most attention.
Would you pay 200 shekels for destroyed jeans?
Hundreds of signs were posted for the
5000 runners who filled the Jerusalem streets
on Monday night for Jerusalem Maccabiah Night Run.
Another on sports,
signs are posted for the annual basketball shooting derby
event at Kikar Safra, Government Square.
But until the balls start flying through the air,
these safety signs were getting more attention.
Not into sport?
A Picasso exhibit is on at the Israel Museum,
and the rooms filled with hundreds of the artist’s works.
Outside. Inside. Large. Small.
Still not enough?
Our local Pillbox is to be a star
at the Houses Within annual event.
This modest sign posted on nearby trees
offers just one of dozens of options over 3 days.
It’s a great opportunity to see private homes and other buildings,
otherwise closed to the public.
Whew,
just a few signs of what is happening
in Jerusalem this week.
Now you have seen these signs,
please let me know what you would like
to see more of next time and in future.