What’s considered new in Jerusalem, Israel, is a constant surprise.
Every week something new seems to grab headlines and attention.
The suspension bridge over the Hinnom Valley (shared here in May) was officially opened and caused a bit of social media discussion.
What a view from the bridge!
But is it a bridge over the valley to nowhere on Mount Zion?
A photo taken during the development of the new bridge (twice mentioned here) appears that more development of the area might be called for.
Who remembers this photo and view from October 2021?
And this photograph was taken in December 2019 BC – Before Corona.
Well, here is the same spot near the end of Jaffa Road this past week!
Oh, how the view has changed!
All around Jerusalem, one day there is a store. The next day it’s gone.
The white sign over the door of the old Shaare Zedek is for Social Space.
The same sign as over the President Hotel entrance. Making use of old Jerusalem landmark buildings as the new ones pop up around them.
On Jaffa Road outside of the building workers were busy removing red Xs, from the new stones made so they look old.
Did you notice the new buildings built across the street?
The Jerusalem Gateway Project is at street level and visible from Jaffa Road.
Note on the left how the old cemetery remains as the towers rise above,
and well above the Jerusalem streets to change the view.
At first, this view of the Machane Yehuda Market on a summer weekday appeared the same as before strolling in off of Jaffa Road.
But now covered with a new roof, it was more pleasant than outside in the sun and filled with people, tour groups and shoppers, and summer camps.
People filled some of the passageways lined with new shops.
Fascinating to see cucumbers and corn packaged in plastic.
Even some of the baked goods were wrapped in plastic and not open as in the past. Good news for some, and outrageous for others.
The Jerusalem Botanical Gardens has a new attraction for summer 2023.
Colorful inflated “monsters” are meant to provide families with an outing to view the new kid-friendly monster balloons around the gardens.
But I am waiting to view the details of the Japanese pagoda opening.
You can see it from the street, near the entrance of the Botanical Gardens next to the cherry trees and the Japanese flag.
The flag of Zambia was on view near Beit Hanasi, the President’s Residence, to welcome Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema to Jerusalem on an official state visit. The African leader had a busy schedule planned.
I assume HH missed the popup flea market in the community park nearby.
This past week was Tu B’Av.
The time after the sad day of Tisha B’Av is filled with weddings.
But at all Jewish weddings, a glass is broken to remember the Jerusalem of Tisha B’Av and the destruction and promise of rebuilding as a new couple begins building their home.
As we left the wedding, I stopped to admire the view of the full moon.
Who remembers the same Sturgeon Moon over Yemin Moshe last year?
So it’s summer in Jerusalem, and signs are up for the Thursday night concerts back again in Safra Square with live musical entertainment.
Saw this sign too late, but there are more Feel events on August 9 and 16.
And signs for even more events, to end off the summer before school starts, the Jerusalem Israel Festival, the International Puppet Festival at the Train Theater, The Tower of David Circus, and much more.
Remember the amazing views in Zedekiah Cave?
It’s to have reopened with a special video of King Solomon’s Quarries.
Enough views of above and below the Jerusalem streets for now.
Time to go and see what else is happening on the real Jerusalem streets, and to share next time what the mainstream media does not view as news.