After Yom Kippur War 40 Years in Jerusalem

The official memorial for those fallen in

the Yom Kippur War 40 years ago

is being broadcast live on the radio.

Memorial for dead

This photo was taken at a private ceremony,

the young man was speaking in honor of his grandfather.

I think it is fitting image to remember those fallen during the Yom Kippur War

even though the grandfather was not directly involved.

Also, on this 20th anniversary of Oslo Accord

to remember how many of Israel’s best have died.

But, there is little time for sadness,

 Sukkot is coming.

Sukkot preparations in Jerusalem.

All around Jerusalem, Israel, preparations have begun.

Sukah on porch

Look up on balconies, 

sukkah in Jerusalem

around in backyards,

Sukkot preparations in Jerusalem  photo

in front gardens, 

Sukkot in Jerusalem, Israel photo

and on top of cars;

 there are signs of the Sukkot holiday. 

After Yom Kippur, 

Jerusalem school is out.

it is a busy time getting ready for more holidays.

Schools are out,

 a good time for grandparents to give a helping hand. 

Jerusalem: More than Riots

The Shavuot holiday as celebrated in Jerusalem, Israel,

is so different from anywhere else in the world.

Tens of thousands of people went to the Kotel, the Western Wall,

 to pray at sunrise, after a night-long marathon 

of classes, lectures and programs that were

truly amazing and mind-boggling.

Ads posted image, J Street

 These posted ads are for only a few such learning events.

There was one thing very different this year – it rained at 8:30 am!

There have been protests against the new budget,

Jerusalem photo, image protest Israel

and new taxes have made for some very angry citizens.

protest poster image, JSTreet

New social protest signs can still be found in the city center

after last weekend’s demonstrations.

The Israeli Prime Minister is back from China

and a very quick visit to Russia to meet with Mr. Putin.

And I assume that most people have no idea that

the Foreign Minister of Finland Erkki Tuomioja and

  Foreign Minister of Lithuania Lianas Linkevicius are in Jerusalem.

Also, who heard that at the Hebrew University

there is a conference being held called

Canada and Israel in a Changing World, New Trends and Directions?

When the Shavuot holiday is over,

on the real streets, it is wedding season.

decorated car and couple taking weddnig photos

Brides posing in parks for photos and decorated rental cars

are normal sights, though it will be hard to come close

to the traffic-stopping Belz wedding with 50,000 guests. 

Wonder if any of their international guests will go into town?

If they do, they would see, 

photo King George Street

there is a sign for traffic changes on King George Street.

One big surprise, I found a moment with no buses or taxis.

Jaffa Street photo

For years, this large mural on Jaffa Street showed

the light rail train of the future.

photo light rail train on Jaffa Raod

Well the future is now, 

and the train is running and people are returning to the city center.

The media always reports Arab and Haredi riots in great detail.

But there was no sign of trouble today or any sign of Apartheid 

photo Israeli and Arab

as this Muslim woman and Haredi Israeli man crossed Jaffa street,

Muslim women Israel image

and these women were sitting off Ben Yehuda Street in the afternoon sun.

Summer is finally here, 

Muslim family Israel, Arabs walking .in Jerusalem, J Street photo,

and it is time to head outside and to the parks.

Poster for Israel Festival

It is also the time for the month-long Israel Festival Jerusalem,

with so many cultural programs, some in new exciting venues,

enough to keep everyone busy.

And my favorite festival, Light in Jerusalem is coming soon.

Remember last year?

There is so much to see and do in Jerusalem, 

but what did you hear about? 

Favorite Sukkot of Sukkot

The Sukkot holiday is over and as the tourists are heading home,

 I would like share a few favorite Sukkot from this year.

warning sign

In some neighborhoods there were so many visitors

that warning signs were posted asking for quiet.

In the Nachlaot neighborhood, 

Sukka

I found this tiny sukkah down a narrow lane

Sukka

and another one almost hidden up on a roof top.

sukkah

At the Kotel, the Western Wall Plaza, where there was a large sukkah 

as well as smaller ones for the huge crowds of visitors.

peres

The public was invited one morning to visit the sukkah at Beit Hanasi,

the official residence of Israeli President Shimon Peres.

Arriving inside the building after a long wait outside,

Israel president

 many stopped to peak in 

to the President’s Official State receiving room,

sukkah

before passing through to the sukkah.

sukka

As usual the President’s sukkah was not designed for eating,

but rather for showcasing the fruit and agricultural wonders of Israel. 

sukka

Many hotels had large sukkot, where thousands of visitors ate.

large sukkah

The large sukkah at Kikar Safra, Safra Square,

looked the same as in recent years, but

sukkah decoration

inside it was decorated with unique decorations using recycled plastic.

sukka

Sukkot ranged from the most simple,

sukka

to a ‘political’ sukkah on poles,

sukka

to this colorful beer bottle decorated bar sukkah.

Perhaps the biggest difference from last year was Jaffa Road.

Jaffa Street

Jaffa Road was lined with sukkot and crowded.

The Jerusalem light rail trains were running and filled with people,

last year they were going, but filled with sand bags on trial runs.

Jaffa Road

The city center was busy day and night.

sukkah

Our sukkah was a busy place too, I just wish it hadn’t rained

so hard during the main course at dinner the first night. 

sukkah

It was indeed a very happy Sukkot holiday in Jerusalem, Israel.

If you missed it perhaps, next year in Jerusalem?