Jerusalem Photography

New February Flowers and Flying Flags in Jerusalem

Sharon A

Another week wondering where to begin and what to include in what’s happening in Jerusalem, Israel.

When the rain stopped the clouds were impressive over the Israel Museum and the valley below. After the rain, green grass and wildflowers pop up from the ground to bask in the sunlight.

It’s always a good idea to take a moment to see the latest at the Jerusalem Botanical Gardens.

The pink cherry tree blossoms burst out last week.

New Israeli flags were posted on the fence around the soon-to-open Japanese Pagoda.

New flags line many Jerusalem streets.

Some new flags and a sign for a fallen soldier were put up across from his former home.

Sadly, too many new flags with the loss of another soldier, killed in the October 7 War.

Finally construction work is slowly resuming on the Jerusalem streets. The new path to the starting line of the Jerusalem Marathon has to be completed before the March 8 starting time.

The 13th Jerusalem Marathon will be held during these challenging times, “based on the spirit of struggle, perseverance, determination, and the victory of the human spirit, especially in times of war.”

On a visit to the Bible Lands Museum Jerusalem this past week, under this large welcome sign were smaller posters of hostages kidnapped on October 7.

Inside on the second level is a new exhibit ‘Splinter From the Storm’ where contemporary art is interspersed with ancient artifacts.

Jerusalem has creative works found both inside museums and along the Jerusalem streets.

The juxtaposition of old and new is constantly changing as new buildings tower over the old.

Some things in the Machane Yehuda Market, the shuk, appear the same and constant.

However, seeing bread and rolls packaged in plastic and not in the open is relatively new.

It’s time to sign up for next year in schools as signs along a busy Jerusalem street remind us.

No need for “Bring them home now” signs as a reminder, but they are posted in many windows.

Tens of thousands were at the Kotel, Western Wall on Thursday afternoon, before Rosh Chodesh Adar to pray for the return of hostages. It got less media coverage than other rallies even with both chief rabbis participating in the prayer service.

Some relatives were there also, Bring Him/Them Home Now! can be seen almost wherever you go.

As sad as much of the past four difficult winter months have been, the first lupins have appeared as another sign of spring, new growth, and hope as the days get warmer.

New Am Yisrael Chai banners have appeared on some Jerusalem streets.

It is a good time to get up and go out and appreciate the sunshine.

Seeing what’s new and what else is happening on Jerusalem streets can help improve your mood any day.

In Jerusalem one November week with highs and lows

Sharon A

In Jerusalem, Israel, the last week of November 2023 began with an important visitor.

Beit Hanasi, the Israeli President’s Residence, was open, but with less of the usual formality: no red carpets and no flowers decorated the stage in the main hall, just flags and two podiums.

The President of Germany Frank-Walter Steinmeier was met outside and escorted in by the President of Israel Isaac Herzog as the media and staff watched.

The cameras were ready early, and I made sure to get a good seat.

Their speeches were broadcast live and are available to the public.

The large delegation that came from Germany was warmly greeted, but more importantly, the solidarity visit included traveling south to see the destruction of the Simhat Torah Massacre firsthand.

I wondered if they noticed the memorial candles for a fallen soldier, the son of Beit Hanasi staff member.

The yellow ribbons are still out.

The dog tags – “Bring them home – now” – are becoming more popular.

While some are so happy to take down the posters of the returned hostages,

the faces of the too many who are still held captive in Gaza are seen as life goes on slowly in Jerusalem.

After its grand opening, the Bezalel building is only open to students.

Haneviim Street was strangely lacking traffic, but the new buildings behind were easily visible over the old, showing the contrast on this old Jerusalem street.

People were on Ben Yehudah Streets and Zion Square, an interesting diversity of people as usual.

HaBoydem was open with their recycled fashions, it seems with all the donations to help southern families, the donated clothing for this charity keeps arriving in the original Talpiot branch.

The Farmer’s Markets keep popping up in various Jerusalem locations. I should have bought those orchids on the right when I saw them, as they were gone when I came back a few minutes later.

Perhaps fewer, but the young hijab-wearing women were also walking on Jaffa Road.

And as always, at Israeli medical facilities, Arabs both work and receive treatment.

Kikar Safra is the home of the Jerusalem municipality that has been working overtime to serve Jerusalem residents and the thousands of people from around the country who had to leave their homes under threat.

It was good to see tour groups as I walked around on a sunny weather day. Things are not always as they seem, as the sign warns that those cushions that look so inviting are made of cement.

Near Tzahal Square there was much less congestion than usual.

I had time to notice the Jerusalem lion on the bollards for the first time.

The view on the way to Jaffa Gate is an old photo favorite as usual.

This man sitting in his usual spot collected charity, a sign of returning to normal.

Traffic below coming and going from Jerusalem, who would have thought it a positive sight?

By Jaffa Gate, the tourists and birds were missing, but, as usual, a Muslim family walked by.

A week, that featured an emotional roller coaster of nights waiting to see which hostages would be released, ended with a Friday Fair at the Tower of David with no entrance fee.

An arts and crafts sale to aid southern businesses, at a time when culture is not seen as a priority.

In a city with too few tourists, there was live music at the popular tourist sight,

sweet treats to be designed and made,

and beer was sold, as well as food, at the Tower of David before Shabbat.

The flags were up on the JVP Margalit campus of Startup City Jerusalem, only I arrived after the Hackathon was over. It was hard to keep up with everything that was happening this past week.

However, from there I could see the sign announcing the Jewish Film Week at the Cinematheque, December 9 – 14, 2023.

Donuts. So hard to believe it will be Hanuka in a few days, as the past 2 months are a blur.

Jerusalem, Israel on Hanukkah 5778

Today the traditional menorah, made entirely of bronze, standing over 2 meters tall and 2 meters wide, was placed in the Kotel, Western Wall Plaza, a popular sight year after year.

The Bible Lands Museum Jerusalem had a poster up along a Jerusalem street. Most museums have special activities planned for the week of Hanuka, especially for children.

Hannukah events in Jerusalem, many in libraries in various neighborhoods, already have begun,

December 2-15, 2023, check the link for registration information on Lights from Jerusalem events.

No idea what will be this year, but here’s a favorite from the past to brighten and lighten the mood.

Hope to see you soon on the Jerusalem streets!

The contrast of the tragic and good fills Jerusalem’s streets

Sharon A

One day at a time. One step at a time.

The Real Jerusalem Streets was initiated years ago to convey the reality of life in Jerusalem, Israel, with photographs because the negative media was not sharing with the world what was really happening.

Finally, 30 days after the October 7 massacre when Hamas invaded southern Israel from Gaza, it was time to venture out again at night and see what was really happening on the Jerusalem streets

Near Jaffa Gate, at night the Tower of David was lit up and a large Israel flag was unfurled.

The over 200 faces of those kidnapped and held in Gaza were projected on the wall of the Old City.

Over 30 days, no visit by the International Red Cross, and the UN agencies still do not care about Israeli civilians held hostage, a war crime and humanitarian crisis they ignore.

There were not many people out, but the night was quiet, perhaps too quiet.

Jerusalem was slowly coming back to life, good to see a long-time souvenir shop was open.

People were out strolling on Jaffa Road again at night.

New Israel flags were visible, these were electronic and appeared with movement as in a video.

The sounds of music were not heard in the popular Music Square.

However, a new kosher dairy restaurant was preparing to open,

and so good again people were back to eating in outdoor cafes.

Amazing, Mamilla Mall was quiet at night, but still there was a line waiting to enter Cafe Rimon.

A few minutes away another meat restaurant served their customers.

Walking along Jaffa Road near Safra Square more blue and white, and a few girls sitting on a bench.

Bright colorful butterfly lights over Jerusalem streets

in contrast to the sad memorial lights being lit on the Jerusalem streets near Safra Square.

During the day, the Israel Museum was not open for visitors, only for a few scheduled classes.

But across the road, the Bible Lands Museum was open and displayed a big yellow ribbon.

While at Cinema City the lion was tied with a much smaller yellow ribbons.

Israeli blue and white flags lined the perimeter of the new National Library of Israel.

The grand public opening street parties have been put on hold for now.

However, it is open and people have been coming to sit and do work and research.

Israel at 75 now is certainly not how anyone would have imagined it during the Sukkot holiday.

But in Jerusalem, Muslim women still can walk freely on the Jerusalem streets.

Construction on the new government center is proceeding.

After years, the building can be seen at street level with workers doing complicated infrastructure.

Volunteers of all types and efforts have come out to support the soldiers. Here at The Base students are baking brownies for lone soldiers. The list grows of supporters for Hamal HaMatok. The Jerusalem Baking Battalion is part of the effort that sent home-baked challah and cakes to 3,800 soldiers last week.

This Jerusalem bake shop is open again with a “Bring Them Home Now” sign in the window.

The world ignores the plight of those kidnapped on October 7, of many nationalities, held in Gaza.

Meanwhile, life moves on in Jerusalem, however, slower and sadder.

We do not forget those hostages. The light projection on the Jewish Agency Building on King George Street ‘Bring them home’ is highlighted with their faces at night.

The terrible tragedy has brought good in the most unbelievable positive ways, as the names of new fallen soldiers are acknowledged. The Jerusalem streets are full of contrast. Will conclude this week, as in the short video projection –

Am Yisrael Chai.