Jerusalem Theater – Page 5 – The Real Jerusalem Streets

Summer Flying in Jerusalem

August 21, 2013rjstreets

Every year as the month of August comes to an end,

there are certain signs of the end of summer,

besides the outdoor performances at the Jerusalem Theater.

Facebook is full of posts of those returning from overseas.

Another summer, time has flown by with visitors and festivals.

All over Jerusalem, Israel, as every year until school starts,

parents will call on extended family and friends or strangers,

or just make it another ‘take your kid to work’ day,

in all kind of offices, and even banks.

For those with time and energy there is the Bloomfield Science Museum.

Also, always a good venue for a day trip,

the Machane Yehuda market, the shuk,

but when it gets crowded, holding on is a great idea.

New this year, the Teddy Park fountain has proven extremely popular.

And,

the annual Kite Festival

at the Israel Museum

is an old favorite with thousands of families,

popular with all ages.

Large kites,

flown by pros were up in the afternoon breeze,

however, this little girl did a great job of keeping hers flying.

Israeli flag kites were on sale and popular.

But while some of the large professional flags got stuck in trees,

what was really impressive this year,

were the number of hand-made children’s projects that were flying high in the sky.

No matter what is happening on the ground and all around,

leave it to Israelis to love to just go fly a kite.

On Streets and in Houses: Summer Culture in Jerusalem

July 2, 2013rjstreets

US Secretary of State John Kerry traveled back and forth many times

from Jerusalem to Ramallah, but not to worry, that distance is very short.

Italian Prime Minister Enrico Letta was around this week also.

We did not hear that either man had time for leisure or culture while in Jerusalem.

But I wonder if they noticed, as their motorcades sped through the streets,

that the viewing stands of the Jerusalem Formula Peace Road Show were coming down?

Still hoping that my hearing will return,

what a noisy event that was!

School is out for the long summer holiday.

So what is happening next on the streets of Jerusalem, Israel?

The 30th Jerusalem Film Festival is to open this week.

Also, the International Writers’ Festival is in nearby Mishkenot Sha’ananim;

next year it is to be in May so take note and mark your calendars now.

The annual Season of Culture in Jerusalem (July 1 – August 23)

is trying something new, “In the House,”

where some events are held in private homes.

At First Station,

sitting in the shade, were a Savta

and her young friend.

So interesting,

that not only children stopped to respond to their street performance.

A young boy in a wheelchair danced in his seat as this street musician played,

just another of many performances in this new tourist spot.

Of course, the Jerusalem Theater is a constant venue of cultural performances.

But also the lobbies of the theater are used to showcase local artists.

Last year we knew one young artist whose work was on display,

and this week, I knew two of the artists.

The first a portrait painter, Laurel Sternberg

and Shoshana Meerkin, a favorite watercolor artist, had their work showcased.

And if these examples of culture are not serious enough,

on July 17, 2013,

Verdi’s Falstaff

with Zubin Mehta conducting the orchestra,

will be performed at the Jerusalem International Convention Center.

And these are just a few examples of what is really happening in Jerusalem.

Feeling Festive

August 24, 2011rjstreets

Over 130 missiles, rockets and grads were fired from Gaza

into southern Israel last week and major cities were hit.

People were killed, injured, shocked, and left homeless.

Meanwhile, 81 US congressmen arrived in Israel and left rather quietly.

With a Hamas request for a cease-fire came a security alert in Jerusalem.

But it is festival season in Jerusalem: how did the real streets respond?

The last night of annual wine festival at the Israel Museum was held,

though many were not in a much of party mood after hearing

that 8 Israelis were murdered in ambushes that afternoon near Eilat.

Infected Mushrooms performed on Thursday night as scheduled.

The massive stage in Gan Sacher, Sacher Park remained in place until

for a free concert for young people which lasted until midnight.

The Friday Arts and Crafts Market on Bezalel Street was open for business,

while the tent protest was nearby and the light-rail had its first public runs.

The 26th Kite Festival at the Israel Museum got off to a slow start.

At noon the water over the Dome of the Book

was the only thing that could be seen in up in the air,

but later in the afternoon breeze there were dozens of kites

and hundreds of families enjoying the annual festival.

The annual Puppet Festival is over,

but the Children’s Film Festival has just begun at the Cinemateque.

The end of August also means that it is time for

The International Arts and Crafts Fair.

The International exhibits and sales, food, music and performances

fill the area known as the Sultan’s Pool below the Old City walls

and Khutzot Hayoser, The Artists’ Colony comes to life.

It will take more than a security alert to get people to miss

this popular end of summer event

or to keep them out of Mamilla Mall.

The 5th End of Summer Celebration has begun at the Jerusalem Theater,

with various performances taking place outside on the plaza.

If these events are not enough,

the Beer Festival is to be held next week in the Old Train Station.

The security alert may not be readily perceptible on the Jerusalem streets,

but it could be felt in synagogue service this past Shabbat,

with the quiet attention of worshipers during the prayer for the State of Israel

and especially for the prayer for the safety of its soldiers,

and the loud unified response by the congregation of

“Amen.”