Online, In-Line Jerusalem

Days go by. Weeks go by.

Time during the COVID-19 pandemic has become a blur.

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Jerusalem tourism went from unprecedented highs down to zero.

Chayei Sarah in Hebron in past years became one giant Shabbat celebration with thousands crowding into the area around the Cave of the Patriarchs and Matriarchs.

This year before Shabbat, Chabad of Hebron hosted an online celebration of this week’s Torah reading marking the death and burial of Sarah in Hebron. Three men danced to a downsized band in an area near the walls.

The OUD international music festival is going on line for its 21st year.

Ethiopian Sigd holiday and women praying.

Sigd celebrations in the past years were major events with tens of thousands on the Tayelet in Jerusalem for prayers and breaking the fast.

This year there are smaller events being organized for the November 15th and 16th holiday celebration, 50 days after Yom Kippur, one which started in Ethiopia centuries ago.

One year ago, the AYLN Wheels of Love cyclists arrived in Jerusalem at the end of their annual fund-raising ride. This year riders met as a virtual group on a Zoom event and raised funds for the special rehabilitation hospital without the ride up the hills of Jerusalem.

The annual Pianos Festival at the Jerusalem Theater was held online and shown on YouTube and Facebook – for free. No lines to stand in while waiting to enter the concert halls.

Standing in line for parking stickers at the city hall is history. Those cherished parking spot stickers can be gotten from home by registering with the municipality online.

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As corona lockdown restrictions were lifted to a second stage, the areas near the Old City walls were still quiet on the sunny first Monday.

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The entrance toward Jaffa Gate not crowded as in “normal” times.

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Jaffa Gate was open, and guarded by two security women.

Standard and Poor’s, the global credit rating company, left Israel’s credit rating unchanged at its high level during the global coronavirus crisis, as reported by the Prime Minister’s Office.

Construction in Jerusalem proceeded during the novel coronavirus pandemic. Signs for Museum Lane have gone up along the renovated street by the new National Library. One of the huge cranes has been removed from the building site across the street from the Knesset, while the 6th National Library film festival was run online.

Commerce moved online and in-person shopping came to a halt for months.

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Jerusalem’s Mamilla Mall was filling with eager shoppers as stores on the street were finally allowed to open with four customers at a time.

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The longest line at Mamilla was waiting for Nespresso coffee.

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Shoe stores also had customers waiting in line.

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The store selling eyeglasses had a line. It had been allowed to be open during the lockdown and was often empty of customers.

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Walking by Kikar Safra, the Municipal Government plaza, the new landscaping was in full bloom, but the stones below were empty of people.

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However, minutes away on Jaffa Road, lines could be found outside many shops. Children need new clothing for size and season.

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The longest line award in downtown Jerusalem goes to FOX. I took a Facebook live video to show how far down the block people were waiting in line to enter on the first nice shopping day in town.

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Jerusalem’s Jaffa Road was coming back to life with stores open and people strolling in the midday sun.

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Ben Yehudah Mall looked so busy and full, I decided to go a different way.

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People ate lunches of takeaway food, sitting outside to enjoy the warmth of the sun on a November day.

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Shops on Yoel Salomon Street were open, but there were no lines when I walked by on my way home.

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The music was playing again on the oversized radio near Kikar Safra.

When the sun comes out, so do people.

Jerusalem, Israel shops and streets are slowly getting back to business and showing signs of renewed life. The youngest school students are back in class, while older students are online.

Hoping the corona numbers will stay down and we can see you soon on the Jerusalem streets.

Old and New in Jerusalem for Summer

Old and New in Jerusalem for Summer

Half of all Israelis are reported to be going overseas this summer.

At the same time, however, a record number of tourists are arriving.

Being out on the Jerusalem, Israel streets early in the morning is not my regular thing.

Jerusalem, Israel, Jaffa Street in morning

Obviously, I am not alone, as Jaffa Road before 8:00 am was a very quiet place.

Jerusalem view of Jaffa Street in morning

One lone runner came along as I stood near Kikar Zion, Zion Square.

Construction sign in Zion Square in Jerusalem Israel

Or rather what was Kikar Zion; there was a large sign and it was fenced off from view.

Jerusalem, Israel Zion Square being renovated

Inside the fence was a construction site, as the old Kikar Zion is getting a whole new look.

Jerusalem Israel Jaffa Street at night

Back on Jaffa Road after dark, a man wearing a in red shirt was running and had a hard time negotiating his way through the crowds.

Light rail on Yaffo Road at night Jerusalem Israel

The Light Rail trains blasted their horns to warn people out of the way as they slowly made their way along the tracks.

Lights on building at Zion Square at night Jerusalem Israel

The Herbert Samuel Hotel was lit with a colorful video for the Jerusalem Light Festival

Jerusalem light festival on Herbert Samuel Hotel at Kikar Zion

“I love Jerusalem” was repeated in lights, but it was hard to capture in one photograph.

Old downtown Jerusalem is getting a whole new look.

Jerusalem Israel umbrellas over street

If you can find your way past the construction site to find Yoel Salomon Street, it is once again covered with colorful umbrellas.

Umbrellas at night over Yoel Salomon Street Jerusalem Israel

Old or new, the umbrellas make interesting photos against the night sky.

Once again, the very old Tower of David Museum is offering a new exhibition for the summer.

View of Tower of David citadel and court yard for Rock Paper Scissors by Karen Sargsyan

From the museum entrance, throughout the archaeological gardens and up to the citadel ramparts, there are nine new pieces of art. These aluminum sculptures were crafted by artist Karen Sargsyan, who brought 100 kilo of aluminum and 3,000 knives from Holland to create these Jerusalem historical figures.

Jerusalem art exhibit Tower of David Rock Paper Scissors

There was a colorful King Cyrus the Great with the citadel in the background.

Queen of Sheba by Karen Sargsyan

This man was not bowing down to the Queen of Sheba, but putting finishing details to the sign before the exhibit opened to the public.

Tower of David summer art exhibit

Of course in the Tower of David Museum, you will find King David.

King David by Karen Sargsyan

King Herod, the Builder of old Jerusalem, has a whole new look.

Children’s activities in an air conditioned tent, is a new idea that sounds good, plus from middle of July to end of August children are admitted to the Tower of David without an entrance fee.

I love Jerusalem sign in Jerusalem Israel

The old “I love Jerusalem” sculpture has been moved from Kikar Zion to new location in Kikar Tzahal, Zahal Square.

Tourist information trucks #itraveljerusalem

If you want to find something old or new in Jerusalem, Israel, the new colorful #itravelJerusalem tourist information trucks are out on the streets full of information.

Fun in Jerusalem and Jerusalem City Pass Card

The trucks are distributing the new summer edition of Fun In Jerusalem. Also, selling new Jerusalem City Pass Cards, which enable tourists to ride on the Light Rail and city buses and to enter museums for the day both for free and at discount rates.

Mekudeshet festival signs in Jerusalem, Israel

Mekudeshet cultural festival starts August 8. You can count on them for creative and new.

Old and new are coming together this summer off and on the Jerusalem streets.

 

Walked Down Jerusalem’s Jaffa Road Recently?

Time to get out and walk

on a special Jerusalem, Israel street.

kids playing in water in Jerusalem

Children cool off in this water mist from an urban installation.

Remember when traffic pollution was so thick

it was hard to breathe?

Not any more, no cars allowed.

Walk further down Jaffa Road,

Kikar Zion changing new building

construction cranes rise above Ben Yehuda Street,

and off Kikar Tzion, Zion Square,

Mashbir and new hotel off Zion Square

  the new Mashbir has a new neighbor.

Its renovations completed,

the new Herbert Samuel Hotel has opened.

Near the site of the Sbarro bombing 15 years ago,

Jaffa Road near Sbarro bombing site

people have returned to city center.

After years of the Jerusalem light rail saga,

Light rail trains on Jaffa Road Jerusalem

trains are running regularly.

Walk Jaffa Road,

off Davidka Square you will see

Davika Square sign for Camera Man photo exhibit at Tower of David Museum

some of the photos from the

 Tower of David Museum great photo exhibit.

Wow, across the way,

Davidka Square in Jerusalem off Jaffa Road

look at those trees,

what a difference since the storms of January 2013

knocked out the new plantings.

A popular new night attraction at the shuk,

Machane Yehuda market,

are the shutters painted by Solomon Souza.

Machane Yehudah market shutter painted

Here one shop was closed during the day,

with the bright colors and Hebrew words visible.

Oh dear, and across Jaffa Road,

Urban Installation Warda a mess again on Jaffa Road

 was the sad looking וורדה.

I had a whole blog planned on this street installation,

called Varda, with its faded fabric, replaced multiple times,

tied for winter winds, and millions of shekels wasted since 2014.

This week one “flower” was so shredded,

it was removed – again.

Maybe more on that another time.

Jerusalem Israel Jaffa Street

The Jaffa Road area has changed drastically.

View of Jerusalem from top of Sharei Hair building Jaffa Road

Construction has begun on huge projects.

new construction from top of Jaffa Road Jerusalem

Hundreds of new apartments are going up.

The new fast train to Tel Aviv is coming–

imagine a half-an-hour from Jerusalem to Tel Aviv.

It’s really coming.

Located across from the central bus station

on Jaffa Road,

Jaffa Road new train station being built on Jaffa Road

  is Jerusalem’s newest train station.

man reading book dressed in white robes and woman on cell phone

Old and new.

Jerusalem of contrasts.

Jaffa Road has changed over the years.

Always something new to see on the Jerusalem streets.