Knesset Museum – The Real Jerusalem Streets

Tu Bishvat: See Rhythm of Life & New in Jerusalem

February 12, 2023February 12, 2023Sharon A

With political polarization, stormy weather, earthquakes, deaths from car rammings, and threats of terror from the streets of Jerusalem to Israeli rescue teams in Turkey, some weeks are harder than others to find the positive moments.

However, Tu BiShvat is a time of renewal, in nature we saw the blossoms of the almond trees and colorful flowers early this year.

The Knesset’s birthday is celebrated on Tu Bishvat. Remember in January 2016, the Knesset held a major celebration with an open house?

And Keren Kayemet/JNF gave away plants and herbs to everyone,

and there was a service in the Knesset Synagogue and much more.

No big Tu Bishvat open houses at the Knesset this year.

However, I did see people actually working in the future Knesset Museum.

January 2016 old Knesset site to be museum

This old photo from the original Knesset Building in 2016 shows little progress after so many years to develop it as a Knesset Museum.

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Meanwhile, on Tu Bishvat i24 News got a look into the Knesset’s storeroom, which houses the gifts presented by foreign dignitaries to Israeli leaders.

Reuven and Nechama Rivlin Tu B'Shevat sedar at BEit Hanasi for One Family and agriculture growers

The Rivlins hosted a Tu Bishvat seder for agricultural growers at Beit Hanasi in 2017. Then as President, Reuven Rivlin hosted various other events for Tu Bishvat in the following years.

The Herzogs did not host a Tu Bishvat event.

Bible Lands Museum Jerusalem hosts Melida Tu Bishvat seder

A favorite celebration was the Malida at the Bible Lands Museum for Tu Bishvat in January 2020. Just before the world shut down we learned of the fascinating customs and beautiful Tu Bishvat customs from India.

But new this year in time for Tu Bishvat, with dried fruits for the centerpieces, was a major (to be annual) event for OU Israel at the Psagot Winery.

Whenever I got invited to Psagot I make an effort to attend, not only are the wine and food good, but the view I try and update, remembering when those hills were barren and the Winery was alone in the area.

Jerusalem’s Deputy Mayor Fleur Hassan Nahoum was called to give a Tu Bishvat message at the Menachem Begin Heritage Center before the panel discussion on Judaism and Zionism.

And to conclude with one more unique invitation I received this year:

We pray for a refuah shleima of Rafael Moshe Tzvi Hirsh ben Shayna Chavah and all the sick and injured in Jerusalem, and around the world.

At this Tu Bishvat Seder along with the dried fruit and wine and juices were hamentashen, the first of the Purim treats I have seen served this year.

So with earthquakes, protests, terror attacks, and threats, the seasons roll around again, as the sun rises and a new week begins.

In spite of some of the Tu Bishvat events of previous years not happening, this year was so eventful that I never shared one of my favorite images for this time of year. This is an original mural in the Jerusalem Cinema City that I made as a Shabbat Shalom poster years ago.

Much more is happening this week ahead on the Jerusalem streets, with the February international conferences returning.

Hope to see you soon on the Jerusalem streets.

What’s New in Jerusalem?

January 23, 2019Sharon A

I am always looking for something new to share.

Jerusalem, Israel has new buildings towering over the old.

These old houses are in Nachlaot near the Machane Yehuda Market, the shuk.

The new tower on Jaffa Road rises above in the distance.

This photo looking towards the Old City was taken from the center of town.

A new view for me, how about you?

Look closely on the top right, after the snow and rain, the air was clear enough to see Jordan.

The official opening ceremony for the new Ramon Airport outside of Eilat was held this week. The airport control tower was already visible from the road in January 2016.

I have shared many photos of construction at the new WeWork building on King George Street.

WeWork opened in October as announced and has been busy since.

But a block away on King George Street another landmark building has also been under construction.

In January 2016, the old Knesset building on King George Street began renovations.

When panels went up in May 2016, people stopped to look at the historical scenes depicted on them.

On the right, a sign announced the future Knesset Museum.

The large tarp with larger than life Golda covering the building was removed. The panels have faded. However, the new Knesset Museum is far from completion.

The park off of Rachel Imenu Street has been hidden behind construction fencing for a while.

This week it was announced what was happening behind those walls.

On the surface it does not look impressive, but underground, an historic grotto was found.

Years ago a simple playground was located near the entrance to the Liberty Bell Park. It was demolished and the spot left vacant. Now after weeks of construction, Mayor Moshe Lion dedicated the new “Royal Playground” designed by Sue Ela.

The garden at Beit Hanasi, the Israeli President’s residence, looked green and new in the midday sun.

Inside the main hall baskets of fresh fruits decorated the table for a Tu Bishvat seder.

Invited guests came from the agriculture and farming communities throughout Israel.

In the center of the hall was a display of ‘Seeds of Heritage’ ceramic plates by artist Orna Tamir Shestovich, with designs of plants and fruits of Israel.

The seder included four glasses of wine, from red to white, and samples of the Biblical “Seven Species” connected to the land of Israel.

Getting away towards the Talpiot neighborhood, new colorful paintings have appeared on the sides of buildings.

Along the main road across from Hadar Mall is a red structure designed as an outdoor eating area,

and another one nearby for playing games.

These flags outside Beit Hanasi are not new.

However, these near the Prime Minister’s Residence are new. Last week workers were putting up new light poles from which these banners are hung. The Israeli and Jerusalem flags are the same, but note that the PM state flags are white with a blue symbol, the Presidential ones the opposite.

The sun rises over quiet Zion Square to start a new day.

In the afternoon after the snow and rain had cleared, the sky was bright blue. The strong light from the sun created reflections of palm trees on the walls of Old City.

New flowers were forming in Jerusalem gardens and parks.

As usual a new demonstration was held near the Prime Minister’s residence.

And as usual, Jerusalem cats will pose for photos, or rather will stare you down in the warm sun and not be bothered enough to move. Nothing new in that.

So much more old and new on the Jerusalem streets.

So much more happening to share next time.

Jerusalem: Old, New, Constantly Changing

August 31, 2016rjstreets

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.