Jerusalem, Israel – what is really happening
It’s raining. It’s pouring.
The sun was out for a few seconds today in Jerusalem, Israel.
But it’s been wet and cold for days.
Remember those animals from Noah’s Ark on top of Cinema City?
Noah’s animals knew to get out of winter rain.
Students had to be rescued from a school.
People had to be rescued from cars in flooded valley.
So glad weather was warm and sunny earlier in week.
But now it seems like a perfect time to stay inside.
שבת שלום
Shabbat shalom from wet and windy Jerusalem, Israel.
The Israeli Prime Minister is on his way to Moscow.
The Israeli President hosts visitors from Greece and Cyprus.
The Israeli spacecraft Beresheet is on its seven-week journey to the moon.
The privately-funded Israeli space capsule was launched from Florida.
If successful, Israel will be the fourth country to land on moon.
Back here on earth, in Jerusalem, in Israel, life is a balancing act.
On the one hand, new modern roads stretch for miles over former donkey paths and barren sand.
New lodgings in Jerusalem are too many to list now.
But on the first really cold night in awhile, this homeless man was sleeping in the underground passageway to the new Navon fast train station and Jerusalem Central Bus Station.
At the same time, on the fourth floor of the bus station, Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion was speaking at the launch of Urban Place, a new co-sharing work space for nearly 100 businesses.
Also this week, Lion hosted mayors from around the world at a conference which opened in Kikar Safra, Jerusalem’s City Council Chambers.
Around Jerusalem, construction fences surround building projects, which descend many stories down into the ground, and are covered with graffiti.
It is always exciting to see when these projects finally reach street level.
Nearby a market on Agrippas Street is busy when weather permits.
But rain or shine people come to the city center to shop.
I was on my way to hear about Arab voting patterns in the upcoming elections.
My only comment on elections, these two men from Abraham Initiatives were well prepared and extremely impressive in their presentation in English.
Also that afternoon, Elan Carr, gave his first major address after being appointed the US Special Envoy for Monitoring and Combating Antisemitism in Jerusalem.
The Jewish Agency Board of Directors also met in Jerusalem this week.
New head Isaac Herzog also spoke on countering antisemitism.
Meanwhile, a new synagogue building nearby is approaching completion.
When the sun came out after rain, so did the wild flowers in fields of green.
Around Jerusalem, the nature areas are lovely.
But I am not sure these petals will outlast the hard winds blowing up now.
At night for the Shaon Horef I was not sure what this was.
The many new street art installations are better appreciated by day.
Mamilla Mall has some new out-of-the-box, out of this world, art on display.
At least the sculpture figures are still reading books.
Real people seem to interact more with their phones these days.
The world, politics, and weather seem so uncertain one minute to next.
But, on a clear day from Jerusalem, you can see still Jordan not so far away.
I liked this poster at the end of hall of offices at Urban Place.
“Adventure begins at the end of the road you know.”
Beresheet may or not get to the moon.
But it is still a wonder.
With all the problems, from near and far, amazing what tiny Israel has been able accomplish.
Elan Carr gave such a powerful speech, I thought I would share a few minutes of it.
And to end on a high note, these young Israeli dancers with so much energy are hope for good things in the adventures ahead.
Hard to believe, but much more was happening on the Jerusalem streets this week.
Jerusalem, Israel, winter nights are long and the temperatures are low.
The old narrow streets can be dark, cold, and quiet.
To bring people to the city streets on winter nights, a street festival שאון חורף – Shaon Horef, or Winter Noise was started over seven years ago.
Shaon Horef is held in a different location each Monday night in February.
The free cultural festival features varied and often “out of the box” entertainment.
On February 11, Ben Shetach and Shlomzion Streets were featured.
Each week maps and information of the approximately twenty locations are available in Hebrew, English and Arabic.
Music and bands perform in multiple locations. An opera singer was singing in this shop.
Art was on sale at a market set up along Ben Shetach Street.
Actors in costume arrived for street performances.
At least I assumed they were entertainers, and she was not really the Iranian Ambassador from LA.
There were heaters to warm your hands, however, everyone was not outside in the cold.
This group who preregistered enjoyed a baking demonstration with special breads.
I went early to get photos before the crowds came to party until the sound curfew at 11:00 pm.
February 18, Shaon Horef moved to a new location, the Old City at Jaffa Gate.
The light projection on the Tower of David wall is called, ” The Tree of Life.”
It was inspired by Armenian ceramics, and the animation was by Yavin Ben Reshef.
Inside Jaffa Gate musical performances attracted visitors of all ages.
“Sounds from the Box” a street singer and a magical music box that plays French chansons was outside Jacob’s Pizza, near the Latin Patriarchate.
Inside the Tower of David, several venues were readied for multiple musical performances to last all night long. For this Shaon Horef, an after-party was to start at 11:00 pm!
Of the unusual off the main street events were those in this museum in the Christian Quarter.
A workshop in”slang in sign language” in Hebrew and Arabic was all set up and ready to go.
With eighteen locations on the program, there was no time to stop and sit. I went to see what was happening on the streets.
This street performer outside the Tower of David was getting ready and trying to stay warm.
This week everyone could be an artist and were invited to paint.
These festivals provide an opportunity to see Jerusalem streets from different angles and perspectives. Do you recognize the entrance to the Tower of David in this photo?
Not everyone wanted their photo taken! Not really. These actors were actually inviting people get in their act and sit at their table which was set up by Jaffa Gate.
Shaon Horef was inside the walls of the Old City near Jaffa Gate.
I think the area outside is lovely to photograph any night.
I am ending with a couple of short videos, as music is an important aspect of Shaon Horef.
From week #2 at Shlomziyon HaMalka and Ben Shetach Streets.
From week #3 at Jaffa Gate, the light projection with Armenian theme.
For the last Monday in February, Shaon Horef moves to Talpiot and HaUman Street.
Fifteen locations are on the map. Winter Noise, with an art market, loud music and entertainment, is for all those brave enough to venture out on the cold Jerusalem streets.
I won a Facebook contest and got this Shaon Horef bag.
I do not remember the last time I entered a contest and won anything.
I am one of thirty people who won this prize, so look for us out there on the Jerusalem streets.