Rosh Hashana 5781

This year in Jerusalem, Rosh Hashana was not like in previous years. As with most of the world, the Jewish New Year was spent alone at home or in small gatherings rather than in crowded synagogues and overflow services. 

At the Kotel, the Western Wall, the usual huge crowds were missing.

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Sections were divided into small prayer groups before Rosh Hashana for late-night Selihot.

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Those smaller groups filled some of the plaza areas this year.

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And then at night after Rosh Hashana, even those small groups were gone.

Such a sorry sight, at a time usually filled with tourists and visitors. 

The Jerusalem Great Synagogue was empty for the first time in its history.

The green spaces of Jerusalem, all of its parks, were called into use.

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These signs were posted wishing park visitors’ good health and a good year.

Jerusalem Gazelle Valley opening day

A special announcement was made that the Gazelle Park would be open during the lockdown, with everyone required to wear a mask.

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Hope they turned off the water sprinklers on the holiday for Gan Sacher, Sacher Park. Extra bins for holiday trash were available. 

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The ads for juice near Gan Sacher had a happy holiday greeting.

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Almonds were ripe on the tree and falling to the ground. Only they were so hard I could not crack the ones I brought home with a hammer.

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Machane Yehuda Market, the shuk, was busy the week before the impending holiday shutdown. Shoppers were rushing to stock up with food and supplies. Supermarkets were filled to overflowing capacity. 

Display of unusual fruits for Rosh Hashana in shuk, Mahane Yehuda market

Fresh new fruits for the second night of Rosh Hashana are especially popular this time of year.

pomegrante seeds

A long time favorite, yummy pomegranate pie for the holiday. 

Family of beekeeper at Beit Hanasi before the New Year.

No little bees photo ops this year, and a very much smaller reception for beekeepers was held at Beit Hanasi, the Israeli President’s Residence. 

Tzipi Hotovely taking a photo of the food at Beit Hanasi

No big New Year event for foreign diplomats at Beit Hanasi as in the past.

Photo credit: Mark Neyman GPO

This year President Rivlin hosted a socially distanced private reception for diplomats who were seated apart and all wearing masks.

The Selihot in the Beit Hanasi Synagogue was an annual event during Rivlin’s tenure. This was the last chance as his 7-year term is up in July.

However, this year due to religious service size restrictions these will not be held during this three-week lockdown period.

For a lockdown, this new Jerusalem project in the Schneller Compound is the place to live, to enjoy parks and open spaces. It is a magazine perfect neighborhood.

From Jerusalem this past week, all eyes were watching the signing of treaties with UAE and Bahrain. Only later I noticed on the left side for Israelis, a man in the front rows got up to take a photo on his phone, as the US side sat politely.

The Old City Walls that night were illuminated with flags of Israel, the US, UAE, and Bahrain in honor of the historic occasion.

Already numerous interactions have taken place. The webinar on health and technology I listened to is worthy of sharing with you soon, it was so impressive what they have done in Abu Dhabi in the last few years.

Photo credit: Shifra

However, also on the Jerusalem streets near the Prime Minister’s Residence, the protests continue. Though there was a supposed lockdown, a large table was set for 120 people, with no distancing, no masks, and lots of noise for Rosh Hashana on the first night. Protests in democratic Israel are legal.

Sorry, but I find their behavior UNEXCEPTIBLE.

New security cameras are being installed in the area, and new security is reinforcing the regular police and border police who have had to deal with these loud mob scenes week after week.

Sweet New Year poster for Rosh Hashanah

But for now, hoping all have a sweet and healthy year.

President Reuven Rivlin gave New Year greetings in English this year.

Next year in Jerusalem!

Meanwhile, preparing for Sukkot holiday to start October 2, 2020,

We spotted the first sukka of the season!

Jerusalem After Summer, After Hours

Jerusalem After Summer, After Hours

School has started

Posters for summer events in Jerusalem Israel

but the signs for summer events are still up

along the Jerusalem streets.

One of the most popular spots,

summer or winter,

is the Machane Yehuda Market, the shuk.

Shuk closing at night, Machane Yehuda Market

As the day ends, the food stalls close

Shutters with graffiti in shuk, Jerusalem Machane Yehuda Market

and shutters come down.

Night time in shuk, Machane Yehuda Market bakery before closing

The last bits of bread are sold

Shuk Jerusalem Israel Machane Yehuda Market closed at night

and empty crates are stacked away.

Then

Man puts out water pipes on tables shuk, Jerusalem Israel Machane Yehuda Market

the tables and chairs come out,

and the loud music starts playing for the night-time crowds.

With special glasses or goggles, virtual shows

are presented at the Music Museum,

Western Wall tunnels virtual tour people in room with goggles on to see show

similar to these at the Western Wall Tunnel tours.

Five years ago, near the shuk,

Mysttorin Theater in performance near Shuk, Machane Yehuda Marker

at a Mystorin Theater performance,

I described them as “out-of-the- box.”

Now, they have gone out of this world.

Gone virtual.

Jerusalem Israel Machane Yehuda Markter shuk street sign

Meeting at night, ‘AfterShuk’

includes three stops with virtual shows.

No photos are allowed during the performances.

Scene in shuk Machane Yehuda Market of woman in virtual performance by Mystorin Theater called AfterShuk

It was painful to comply.

Such a shame.

Some scenes I really wanted to share, but I had to settle

  for the above screen-shot from a promotional video.

One of the most amazing things was,

as our group proceeded from location to location,

only the cats seemed to stop and take notice.

People went about their business,

walking, talking, or hanging laundry on a porch above.

Last week I shared creativity of the Start-Up world,

 this week is of the diverse Jerusalem cultural scene.

Sign for Piyut Festival in Jerusalem Israel

Another year of the Piyut Festival,

to be held September 24-28,

Kulanu Mekudeshet Jerusalem Season of Culture Festival

and the Jerusalem Season of Culture,

Mekudeshet, and Kulana,

 are major September events.

Around the Jerusalem streets, or in the shuk, 

so much is happening it is hard to keep up,

shuk Machane Yehuda Market Jerusalem Israel shuttered painted with women's eyes looking over display tables

 there is so much to see and do.

Jerusalem Noisy February Nights

Jerusalem Noisy February Nights

Life in Jerusalem, Israel,

is unpredictable.

No one knows for sure what will happen next.

This week, for example,

the weather changed so many times

it was impossible to keep track.

Starting on Sunday, rain was on and off.

Yafo in rain, empty and wet

 Jaffa Road was wet and deserted.

The red urban installation Varda hung deflated,

like a soggy, wilted flower.

Machane Yehuda Market closed

Inside Machane Yehuda Market, the shuk, 

there were rows of closed shutters,

but umbrellas were out for sale in many places.

A few years ago, the Municipality came up with a plan

to attract people to Jerusalem at night in the winter

with a festival called – שאון חורף – Winter Noise.

 Monday nights in February,

in a different center city location,

people watching giant game projected on wall

people were to come to fill the streets and be entertained.

Last week was the first of the series

held on Shushan and Horesh Streets.

game projected on wall for Jerusalem February Monday night festival

This was a clever projection,

the player was on the sidewalk,

but his screen was many stories high on the wall.

projected images on building at night

Can find me here on this screen?

Winter Noise starts at 7:00 pm and goes to 2:00 am.

light design on wall Jerusalem Israel festival

I like to go early before the crowds

to take photos of these light projections,

street music Jerusalem

and live music in multiple locations.

actors in store window Jerusalem

 Actors performed in this store,

while the audience watched from outside.

Across the street, a new boutique hotel called

The Post, in the old post office building,

The Post music in main room Jerusalem

had live music, food and drink,

and was a great place to sit and warm up.

But most of the Winter Noise takes place

outside on the streets,

street music Jerusalem Israel

with free concerts and entertainment.

Alcohol and food are part of the fun in most locations.

Inside Sobar music for Winter Festival

At Sobar, there was coffee and music,

since it is a new alcohol and drug-free venue.

Sobar for Jerusalem Festival

I spotted a former Jerusalem Deputy Mayor

listening in the audience.

How do I describe the way to Sobar?

Shushan Street Jerusalem Sobar entrance

Go to the end of Shushan Street,

through the gate, to the right and then left.

I often walk around Jerusalem, Israel, at night,

but never on these streets in the dark.

I was really glad I had asked a friend to come along.

black and white images of people watching

Now do you see us here?

 I never would have never ventured in alone

artist Jerusalem

and seen this art gallery and artists’ center.

The first week of Winter Noise was fun.

I discovered and saw many new locations.

But, I am glad I did not post this last week.

Winter Noise was on Shammai and Hillel Streets this week.

There were to be 6 more locations than last week,

but there seemed to be far fewer.

The “entertainment” was not good.

I could not find one thing to photograph and share.

At a conference this week,

City Councilman Aryeh King expressed disgust

with some of the “culture” and entertainment,

and how the city spends its money.

This second week of Winter Noise,

proved him to be all-too correct.

It was reported that he resigned in protest.

I have often questioned what is considered culture here.

I agree with King, this event was tacky and trashy,

and I am relieved I did not encourage anyone to go.

Only good thing I saw,

was that due to the inclement weather, fewer people came.

Each week is different,

 I hope next week Winter Noise gets back on track.

When the rain stops,

runner on Jaffa Road at night

day or night,

you will find someone running on the streets,

in training for the Jerusalem Marathon.

Jerusalem Marathon sign near Tower of David

Signs are up.

 On March 17, come rain or shine,

the streets will be filled with tens of thousands of people,

running and cheering them on.