New Jerusalem Favorites Before Rosh Hashannah

Posted on September 28, 2016 by rjstreets • Posted in Jerusalem • Tagged attractive tourist destination, culture, Israel, Jerusalem, jerusalem israel, Jerusalem Photography, Jewish holiday celebrations, Machane Yehuda market, Solomon Souza, Yad2Live • 1 Comment

All around Israel glasses are being “raised”

as Rosh Hashannah, the new Jewish year 5777

is rapidly approaching.

My favorite was at Beit Hanasi,

the official Israeli President’s residence,

where 90 foreign countries were represented

by their ambassadors or head of mission in Israel.

Ambassadors from Jordan and Egypt were present,

as President Reuven and Nechama Rivlin

made l’chaim outside in garden reception,

Wine. Lots of wine.

Walls of wine, kosher wine,

line the walls of יין בשוק, Yayin B’Shuk.

Since 1870, the Teperberg family has been making kosher wine,

and we tasted some new favorites on a tour Sunday night.

Before Rosh Hashannah wine for gifts

and gift baskets with wine seem to be everywhere.

Chalahs will be piled high by the end of week,

but holiday cakes were ready and on display early.

Did you know Berman Bakery been baking since 1875?

Machane Yehuda market, the shuk,

not as old as the winery or bakery,

has piles of varieties of new fruits out for the holiday.

The shuk has changed greatly.

The familiar looking stalls with tea,

shops with nuts, oil and spices by day,

at night close their shutters.

Then this happened.

Graffiti appeared on the drab grey screens.

At first shop owners were not pleased.

But the works of spray painted art,

have become a favorite night attraction.

Solomon was ready to fix his Matisyahu portrait.

Since he asked not to show the old one before the do-over,

we will have to get back to the shuk at night

after the holidays to check it out.

Matisyahu is to perform again in Jerusalem on October 13th.

But Solomon Souza is not the only artist busy at night.

We found this man painting on Agrippas Street.

The night life in the area,

has continued to grow this past year,

crowds of people will fill the tables,

which fill the lanes when the shop keepers go home.

Even more popular than last year,

Selihot, special prayers leading up to Rosh Hashannah

Musical services begin late and go early.

Tours are offered for those wanting to see selihot

around the Old City and parts of Jerusalem.

Also again this year, a street festival on Emek Refaim,

with sales of used clothing, wares and musical performances.

This long table was as set ready for a holiday meal,

but provided seating for those wanting to listen to holiday music.

Not your usual Rosh Hashannah selihot venue!

Walking down Emek Refaim Street,

there was Solomon painting compost bins

to be placed in Jerusalem community gardens.

Recycle, reuse, help the environment,

and get the new year off to a good start,

this neighborhood fair hosted thousands.

Variety and diversity,

not only of fruits,

but of holiday programs all week is astounding.

New initiatives and programs,

on traditional themes for the new year.

I decided to end with the old favorite,

Shana tova,

a good and healthy year to all.

Shabbat Shalom

Posted on September 23, 2016 by rjstreets • Posted in Jerusalem, Shabbat Shalom • Tagged attractive tourist destination, Israel, Jerusalem, Jerusalem Photography, Jewish holiday celebrations, shabbat shalom, The Old City • Leave a comment

The pomegranate season is here.

‘

שבת שלום

Shabbat Shalom

Posted on September 16, 2016 by rjstreets • Posted in Jerusalem, Shabbat Shalom • Tagged culture, Israel, Jerusalem, jerusalem israel, Jerusalem Photography, Jewish holiday celebrations, Rosh Hashana, shabbat shalom • 2 Comments

In Kikar Tzion, Zion Square,

just off Jaffa Road,

at a stall in the Jerusalem Night Market,

I saw these dried pomegranates on a wooden tray.

Pomegranates are usually for Rosh Hashannah,

but since Jerusalem is gearing up for the holidays,

this seemed fine for a Shabbat Shalom greeting.

שבת שלום

Thought this looked better without words Shabbat Shalom

placed on it, do you agree?

Jerusalem Week of Lows and Highs

Posted on September 14, 2016 by rjstreets • Posted in Jerusalem • Tagged attractive tourist destination, Beit Hanasi, culture, DSI Diplomatic Spouses in Israel, Israel, Jerusalem, jerusalem israel, Jerusalem Photography, Jerusalem photos, middle east current events, politics, World Jewish Congress • 1 Comment

The news making international headlines is that

Shimon Peres, שמעון בן שרה,

is in the hospital in serious condition on a respirator.

One of my favorite photos of former President Peres

was taken at the Israel Museum 50th Birthday Bash

Who else would be presented with their own photo

taken at opening of the museum fifty years earlier?

Free entrance to the Israel Museum

is being offered this Thursday night.

I wish I could take advantage of the offer, but there are just too many

things happening in Jerusalem, Israel…again!

All the summer concerts in Jerusalem parks

and the Hansen House special children events have ended,

as it’s time to go back to school.

My favorite posters are up,

like this one of the Jerusalem municipality welcoming boys

and girls with “Hello First Graders.”

Where else is the start of school treated

as bigger deal than college graduation?

Signs are also up for Mekudeshet, a culture festival

with weeks of extensive music and arts programs.

Plus, the annual Italian Festival is also going on this week.

Signs are up as the city prepares to celebrate

50 years since the end of the Jordanian occupation

and the reunification of Jerusalem.

A new wall has been erected at Beit Hanasi,

the Israeli Presidential official residence.

However, it is a temporary barrier

as construction work for a new visitor entrance has begun.

While work proceeded behind the wall,

Beit Hanasi was busy with international visitors.

World Jewish Congress delegates came on Monday,

and posed for group photo with President Rivlin.

While on Tuesday the spouses and partners of diplomats

posted in Israel were hosted by the Rivlins.

This is one of the group’s photos,

from 80 countries, 33 nations were represented that day.

Some of those visitors had been to Jerusalem many times,

but for others it was their first visit.

How good it is when people come and see the great things

that are happening on the Jerusalem streets for themselves.

Hope to get to some of Jerusalem’s newly-opened parks,

as the countdown to Rosh Hashannah reminds us,

the new year is coming soon.

Jerusalem 9/11 Memorial: Behind the Camera

Posted on September 12, 2016 by rjstreets • Posted in Favorites, Jerusalem • Tagged culture, Israel, Jerusalem, jerusalem israel, Jerusalem park, Jerusalem Photography, Jerusalem photos, JNF Park Twin Towers memorial, middle east current events, September 11 commemoration, US Marines in Israel • 3 Comments

15 years have past

since September 11, 2001,

but I can still remember the bluest, clearest sky,

and best weather on that day in Washington, DC.

We had moved back from New York City a few days earlier.

Having a blue sky in Jerusalem, Israel, is a given all summer,

no one moves to DC for the weather.

There was a good reason that foreign diplomats stationed in DC

received hazard pay in the days before air conditioning.

But it was so nice that morning,

I went for a walk as work was being done on our new kitchen.

The destruction of the twin towers of the WTC

and with its immense loss of life

has overshadowed the loss of life at

the Pentagon, the heart of the US military command.

For those of us living in the DC area,

the attack on the Pentagon affected our family and friends

in too many ways to recount here now.

The 15th anniversary of 9/11 was remembered in Israel.

Buses took passengers from Jerusalem on a round-about route,

under the new fast-train tracks under construction

towards the JNF-KKY Jerusalem Park,

slowly and cautiously down the winding road.

After an hour on the bus

we were on the other side of the tracks

and across from the cemetery on Har Hamenuchot.

Dignitaries and guests waited in the memorial plaza for the program to begin.

The names of all 2,996 victims are listed on the wall.

The only memorial outside of US to list all the names.

The honor guard in full dress

was positioned cleverly in front of the cool air blowers

and were protected by the sun shade.

What were the Marines thinking?

Israeli families of victims placed a floral memorial wreath

as did Israeli and international dignitaries.

US Ambassador Dan Shapiro stood in respect

after placing his wreath at the base of the memorial

fashioned in the design of a US flag shaped as a flame.

A piece from the Twin Towers is encased in the base,

and can be seen through the rectangular window above those wreaths.

After the official ceremony,

with all its impressive speeches this year,

flowers were provided to those who wished to place them

on the names in memory of those who lost their lives on 9 /11.

A delegation of 50 US police officers were in attendance.

Their hats and uniforms were imprinted with US and Israeli flags.

There was a positive feeling of unity

that is not felt often enough these days.

As WJC President Ronald Lauder said,

“The pain of loss never goes away,

but happiness comes from freedom,

and free people rise over hate.

#NeverForget

More photos from ceremony

HERE

Jerusalem: Old, New, Constantly Changing

Posted on August 31, 2016 by rjstreets • Posted in Jerusalem • Tagged attractive tourist destination, construction, culture, Israel, Jerusalem, jerusalem israel, Jerusalem Photography, Jerusalem photos, Knesset Museum, middle east current events, We Work • 8 Comments

Jerusalem, old and new and constantly changing,

has been a constant theme

throughout the years at Real J Streets.

Once a derelict No Man’s Land,

a bullet-holed war zone between 1948-1967,

now Mamilla Mall is a huge success story.

Thousands of people come to shop and eat daily.

Often the parking lots are so full

that traffic backs up and honking cars are the norm.

On King George Street,

this abandoned building

has been an eyesore for years and a home to squatters.

But in Jerusalem what a difference a month makes–

now it is gone!

A white construction fence has appeared in its place,

which surrounds extensive excavation work.

From one opening,

you can see the Great Synagogue across

King George Street and the dome of Heichal Shlomo.

Work on the future Knesset Museum is

hidden behind these huge tarp coverings.

The difference that has occurred in a month

to the future We Work offices

at the old Mashbir site is obvious.

On the downtown Jerusalem streets,

change can be seen not only looking up,

but also be sure and look down.

Artists have produced new works

on mats laid down in busy plaza areas.

For the best angle from which to appreciate this street art

you have to take the time and stop.

Not enough?

Signs are up at Beit Avi Chai advertising

neighborhood tours with story-telling.

Gan Haatzmaut, Independence Park,

has been a construction site all week.

But the barriers and the large stage to be built there for

the annual Beer Festival are only temporary.

However,

as always the end of August,

the biggest deal on the Jerusalem streets

is the first day of school tomorrow.

For working parents, childcare

during the last two weeks of summer vacation

is often provided by grandparents and friends.

But, those without children also appreciate start of school,

as children were often brought to offices,

banks and many parents’ workplaces.

News outlets have started their annual interviews.

Yikes, now there are songs about school on radio.

The Prime Minister, President and mayors

will go to be photographed in a classroom.

I love how starting Kita Aleph, first grade,

is such a huge event in Israel.

Wishing all a good

and successful new school year.

Jerusalem International Arts and Crafts Fair

Posted on August 24, 2016 by rjstreets • Posted in Jerusalem • Tagged attractive tourist destination, culture, Israel, Jerusalem, Jerusalem International Arts and Crafts fair, Jerusalem Photography, Khutsot Hyoster, middle east current events, tourism • 8 Comments

No matter how you spell it,

Khutsot Hayotser or Hutzot Hayozer,

the annual Jerusalem International Arts & Crafts Festival

is a huge end-of-summer Jerusalem, Israel event.

It fills the Mitchell Garden,

with a massive stage and seating in the Sultan’s Pool,

and bustling alleyways in the Artists’ Colony.

Arriving before sunset,

the Tower of David can be seen in the background,

above the booths where 200 local artisans

display their works for sale.

For over 40 years,

a night-time Israeli family-fun tradition,

showcasing a wide variety of art forms.

At the extensive food court,

it is hard not to find some unusual and new food to sample.

Glass and wood, leather and ceramics, and metal work

are featured popular craft items.

This year, workshops were offered

by the Bezalel “White House” project,

organized by the Bezalel Academy of Art and Design,

with opportunities to learn from

talented students of the design school and purchase their handiwork.

But this festival is international too,

with exhibitors from Argentina and Armenia,

to Uzbekistan and Zimbabwe,

with Madagascar

and Mexico in between,

plus Tajikistan and Turkmenistan.

At one of several booths for Chinese wares,

there were smiles for photos,

while a llama stood on guard for Peru.

These Korean dolls were colorful and delicate.

Entertainment specially designed for children

and some shows to complicated to explain

went on after dark and well into the night.

In addition,

every night, popular Israel musical acts

filled the huge Sultan Pool stage.

Every night tens of thousands of Israelis

celebrate the end of summer in Jerusalem, Israel at the fair.

The Real Jerusalem Streets

Jerusalem, Israel – what is really happening

Tag Archives: Jerusalem

New Jerusalem Favorites Before Rosh Hashannah

Shabbat Shalom

Shabbat Shalom

Jerusalem Week of Lows and Highs

Jerusalem 9/11 Memorial: Behind the Camera

Jerusalem: Old, New, Constantly Changing

Jerusalem International Arts and Crafts Fair

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