Jerusalem Botanical Gardens

In Jerusalem, how to keep children busy and safe

Sharon A

Where did the days go?

It’s the beginning of the Hebrew month of Elul.

One more week in August, and all the schools start again.

water park lit at night, Jerusalem photos, Jerusalem new tourist attraction

For many years, the fountain in Teddy Park has been a popular place in Jerusalem to cool off.

Each year, as the long summer holiday draws to a close, families look for safe activities.

In Jerusalem’s Liberty Bell Park, a water slide was one attraction to cool off from the hot summer sun.

The entrance for the Train Theatre’s X- Mix was near the Liberty Bell in the park.

The X-Mix included a large variety of stations and activities as the sun set.

Inside the enclosed area were various forms of entertainment.

Some areas were simple and colorful, like these long balloons to climb on or run around.

It took me many years to learn that the reason it’s called Train Theater is that it started in an old train.

Now, in the expanded complex next to the roller blade rink in the Bell Park, there are multiple auditoriums to host the end of summer 34th International Puppet Festival.

Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion arrived for the opening on Sunday night. He was greeted by Train Theater CEO Kobi Frig, who stated, “We are always happy to create for children. We love to set a personal example and offer hope—to be an island of sanity amidst everything happening around us.”

After the opening speeches and food, there were shows, but I decided to walk home on the cool night.

There are too many construction sites to list. All the Jerusalem light rail lines are to connect one day.

Jerusalem Botanical Gardens new opening space under construction

Across the road from where that excavator was digging for the light rail, one day, is to be the new entrance to the Jerusalem Botanical Gardens.

Meanwhile, this was the current entrance on Thursday night.

Each year, a theme is chosen to attract families on summer evenings.

This time, “Circus in the Forest” was on a big welcome sign near the pond.

My idea to sit near the pond turned out not to be a good one. The area was closed off.

Since so many asked me for directions to the entrance, I assumed new families were attracted this year.

I could still get close enough to see the pond full of lilies.

And even take a few close-up images of the real flowers in the pond.

But the crowds came for the circus. This woman dressed in red rising above the pond was one act to see.

Cinema City had a “Capital of Youth” large sign, but it was not busy when we went on Wednesday.

Jerusalem museums, the Tower of David, and the Jerusalem Theater offer special end-of-summer events.

The signs are up for the opening of school in Jerusalem.

Counting down the days.

Good and safe year wishes to all!

Watch as the Pendulum Swings February Begins in Jerusalem

Sharon A

Life in Jerusalem, Israel is like a pendulum swinging between chaos and calm.

This week was another one of extremes of emotions with the return of a few hostages from Gaza.

However, there are still another 79 humans held captive in Gaza, with no one certain how many are alive.

On one quiet day, I took a walk and saw recent landscaping had revealed one Jerusalem lion’s new colors.

With a down day but good weather going to the Jerusalem Botanical Gardens is my first choice.

You can look down at the muddy pond in the winter without the lilies.

However, every photographer knows there are different angles on all occasions.

Beautiful purple irises were popping out in full bloom for a sign of spring.

A long-time favorite is seeing white roses blooming in the winter in Jerusalem, Israel, in the midday sun.

Walking the Jerusalem streets is a challenge with the construction in so many locations.

Besides the light rail track work, new bike lanes will help cyclists.

However, how will emergency vehicles manage the reduced traffic lanes during rush hours?

Beware where you walk, no worry about too many bikes now, but also take time to look up.

It’s citrus season and trees along the Jerusalem streets are full of fruit against the blue sky.

If you need more color go by the Jerusalem Theater where new art fills the lobby and walls every month.

Colorful language too this week, Tuvia Tenenbom was at the Bible Lands Museum Jerusalem with his movie, “God Speaks Yiddish.”

The same night, the Jerusalem Theater had a full house for the music of Elvis Presley.

KUMA is still on display in the Bible Lands Museum’s temporary gallery.

The area was full earlier with visitors hearing the story of the young artist who fell in the Iron Swords War.

Yellow ribbons were outside. Yellow ribbons for the hostages in Jerusalem are almost everywhere.

New to Jerusalem – The new government of Argentina is opening its official residence in Jerusalem.

While there are thousands upon thousands of professional signs I could share, sometimes the simplest ones stand out “Together thanks – this is the light of this Nation.”

In honor of Groundhog’s Day, after finally transferring to digital and uploading to YouTube, here’s a video of our prime minister, when he was the UN ambassador in 1988.

What’s different after all this time?

Just like Bill Murray, Déjà vu, or another repeat as the pendulum swings?

Along the Jerusalem streets, trying to have a nice day, while reminders of fallen soldiers and hostages are everywhere can be an emotional ride any day.

See Jerusalem December Nights with Stars and Lights

Sharon A

December has begun in Jerusalem with new lights on the Jerusalem, Israel, streets.

Beit Hanasi, the Israeli President’s Residence was lit up with purple lights on Wednesday night for the 2024 International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

The Tower of David Museum citadel was also illuminated purple that night.

The first days of December also were the beginning of the month of Kislev. The new moon aligned with the planet Venus as night fell and seasons changed.

In December, the Jerusalem Botanical Gardens opened its ‘Winter Dreams’ light festival.

The pond reflects small lights above and around the still water as visitors arrive.

Animals were the theme this year, 30 lights displays lined the path in the garden.

I try to go early to get the lights without the crowds, like here where an arch was over the path.

Red hearts are used in several designs along the route.

I never saw a live squirrel in Israel, but this giant squirrel was on display,

also a multicolored unicorn,

and the lion, the symbol of Jerusalem near the end of the route.

Animals and lights – all neutral – no Hanuka themes – unlike a giant menorah in past years.

The Nefesh BeNefesh Bonei Zion Prize ceremony for 2023/2024 was held at Beit Ha’am honoring 12 outstanding accomplished Anglo-Olim who have contributed to Israel, Israelis, and the world.

I knew Eylon Levy before he became a media star, long enough to ask him to pose in the lobby. MORE

I was running out to the Museum of Tolerance, dramatically illuminated at night.

Inside, the theater/auditorium was filled for the premiere of “The Children of October 7” and a panel discussion with three of the teen survivors of October 7 who bravely shared their testimonies.

Montana Tucker has used her star social media status to produce a 35-minute power documentary.

Back in Israel multiple times this past year, she shared her experiences on social media with the world.

Across from the Museum of Tolerance, the Friends of Zion was lit – Bring them home NOW.

The video ends with blue and white lights, alongside their Israeli flag.

The lights went on at the official opening of the Rose Garden – in Talbiyeh, not the one near the Knesset.

The sun was setting as a man carrying a child looked at the new pond at the opposite end of the completely renovated park area.

Mayor Moshe Lion arrived to speak and families gathered to hear the dignitaries.

But for me, these two women were the stars in their costumes.

Going home I passed the new buildings near the Jerusalem Theater with their lights on.

Holiday lights are turned on over Mamilla Mall Avenue.

The YMCA has new and more elaborate holiday lights this year.

Ending with long-time favorite lights from Jerusalem Jaffa Gate – Hanukka 5776.

Now it’s time to prepare for Chanukkah 5785, however, you spell חנוכה.

Hope to see you soon on the Jerusalem streets!