Israel – Page 16 – The Real Jerusalem Streets

Jerusalem After Yom Kippur Getting Ready for Sukkot

October 13, 2024October 27, 2024Sharon A

Over the years “Yom Kippur is coming” has been an annual post for The Real Jerusalem Streets.

How was this year different?

I didn’t even remember to do a piece on the holiday approaching.

The umbrellas still stretch over Yoel Solomon Street, but fewer tourists walk under them.

This year the Yizkor, or remembrance of October 7 victims and hostages filled the Jerusalem streets.

Even on the poster for the various Selihot, there was one placed in the center.

On October 7, 2024, I walked into Jerusalem by the tent near the Prime Minister’s residence.

It was quiet on Day 367, but at night the area was filled with people.

Needing a bit of nature I found the new map of Geology of the Jerusalem Mountains.

You could see the large Israeli flag over the Knesset at half-mast from that vantage point.

In the outdoor garden at the National Library of Israel, the letters were impressive under the clouds.

Inside people were working as if it was a regular Monday.

But my goal was to see this video projection near the upper entrance of the new library.

To remember the murdered and fallen soldiers from October 7, too many faces.

At the lower entrance, those faces on posters on chairs with favorite books waiting for hostages to return. If you have not been – tours in English will run during Sukkot on Sunday-Tuesday (October 20-22).

Tour duration: approximately an hour and a half.
The group tour is suitable for ages 16 and up.
Price: NIS 50 per person over 5 years of age. Discounts are available for seniors, soldiers, reservists, and displaced families (identification required).
For more information about group tours in English and to buy tickets: https://www.nli.org.il/en/visit/tours/sukkot-tours

The restaurant will be open. A sukkah has been erected in the library garden for visitors.

For Sukkot “Poof Sipur” (“Bean Bag Stories”) for children ages 5 to 11 and accompanying adults is back.

Walking home on the path under the Israel Museum was a bit of hope for renewal – green growth under the trees and bushes in the seriously burnt area.

A Muslim woman walked alone along a Jerusalem street on October 7, and no one else seemed to notice.

Before Yom Kippur, the Israeli President hosted a Selihot program by the Beit Hanasi Synagogue with the musical ensemble of Yagel Haroush back again this year, coordinated by 929 organization.

In the Israeli President’s Residence back garden, the white chairs were lined up as in the past. Only the seats were filled with students and bereaved families instead of the many IDF uniforms in past years.

A bit of the powerful melodies of the Chazan during Selihot prayers.

I took a photo for you inside the Beit Hanasi Synagogue, which is not open to the public often.

However, at least one of the books on a small table looked well used.

This year the lead-up to Yom Kippur was filled with various October 7 memorial programs.

One event for fallen Israeli Police was held at the Friends of Zion Museum. In the first 50 hours of Operation Iron Swords, 59 police officers were killed.

Program moderator Dean Elsdunne, Spokesperson for Israel Police, supported and translated for the bereaved mother of Dan Ganot z”l, as she explained her new role to speak to school children about her son and the honor of police personnel.

The panel moderated by Avi Mayer with dedicated police who worked on and after October 7 was impressive. More to come on that soon, inspired by the stories they shared!

Walking home a new sign was up for Ushpizin – Sukkot begins Wednesday night October 16 – ready or not.

The Kings Hotel’s sukkah was ready for guests,

while the restaurant next door had the frame of their sukkah up before Yom Kippur.

On the Jerusalem streets, the few alert sirens of missiles approaching have not stopped the constant building projects.

The maze of construction for the light rail continues to confuse both drivers and pedestrians.

These Jerusalem street signs wish Shana Tova Jerusalem 5785.

May all have a better year!

As the Yom Kippur prayers ended – “Next year in Jerusalem”

And now – time to get ready for Sukkot and Simhat Torah.

One Week into October 2024 – Looking Back from Jerusalem

October 6, 2024October 6, 2024Sharon A

Some weeks are harder than others.

Each week the goal of The Real Jerusalem Streets is to share real things you may not hear about in the mainstream media. There are many such events and usually hundreds of photos to select from.

This week even more so than usual, it was hard to get started – oh what a week it was.

As I sat down at the computer after grabbing a quick photo out the window of impressive clouds at sunset, my phone on the desk blasted a Homefront Alert to seek shelter. This was the first-ever mass warning of incoming ballistic missiles from Iran.

I may be the only person who does not have a dramatic story or a selfie to share from Tuesday night.

Much of Israel was affected, and it was a miracle that the only people killed were a Gazan in Jericho, 5 Iranians on a backfire mishap in Iran, and possibly one person in Jordan.

It was sad to see the Kotel, Western Wall empty on a night it should have been filled for prayers before Rosh Hashana. A small service was held inside Wilson’s Arch instead.

However, after Shabbat which followed the two-day Rosh Hashana holiday, the crowds were back.

A simple photo from before the holiday, with the 72-hour candle, will have to do.

It was both a long holiday and a short week.

But, how can we complain about too much holiday, when those held hostage in Gaza for a year have had so little food and no freedom?

Cleaning my desk last night I found this 1982 cartoon.

Except for Castro, it is the same as today. “I move to condemn Israel!”

Today this warning from the Homefront command for northern communities flashed on the computer screen. There have been hundreds of missiles in the past week, and over 10,000 in the past year. Over 63,000 people have been forced from their homes – Shlomi is the last on this list.

Check out Israel’s Northern Exposure from 4 years ago.

Look at those “houses” on the Israeli border in Lebanon – some of the thousands of above-ground shelters for missiles.

The sounds of shofars for Rosh Hashana filled the Jerusalem streets, and planes flew overhead day and night. However, our friends and families in the north were under the constant stream of rocket fire interrupting their holiday and trying to take their lives.

“Falling in open spaces” means more miracles, when under persistent attack.

Tomorrow is October 7, 2024, with a list of commemorative events for the murdered and hostages.

Before I could publish, a terrorist stabbing in the Beer Sheva bus station with casualties.

These messages are no longer seen on buses, but the message has become more significant – Hatima Tova, “May you be sealed for good!”

Jerusalem a Week of Color, Culture, and Contrasts

September 22, 2024September 22, 2024Sharon A

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.