middle east current events – Page 2 – The Real Jerusalem Streets

In Jerusalem Transition Time and New Beginnings

September 3, 2023September 3, 2023Sharon A

It’s transition time in Jerusalem, Israel.

The calendar page has turned from a very hot August to a more temperate September.

It’s the middle of the Hebrew month of Elul and we are approaching the New Year 5784.

The nightly musical concerts in the Sultan’s Pool will soon end, with the potential of cold nights and rain.

This week saw the rise of the Blue Moon over the Jerusalem streets.

Though not blue, the full moon appeared bright pink before rising further from the horizon into the sky. The second time for a full moon in August was what qualified it as a Blue Moon.

In the past, I chased Supermoons. But I have come to think every full moon over Jerusalem is impressive.

Every week, we see new construction going down and down,

while old structures are being renovated throughout Jerusalem.

Azza Street made the headlines again when the Netanyahus got new security bollards installed in front of their private residence. As you can see from a previous photo, it is hardly palatial from the outside.

It is amazing how many times you can walk past a property and not notice unless there is a new blue sign telling its history posted in front.

The public better take notice of the parking regulation signs that have gone up along Jerusalem streets.

And the newly painted parking restrictions, where people would have used this space to park.

And watch out for those new vehicles roaming the streets at night, not sure what they are called, going through Teddy Park toward the fountain on a pedestrian walkway.

The ice rink was closed one August evening last week, but the time was been extended into September.

The Ferris Wheel in First Station was being repaired and not running that night. Usually, it’s filled with young children at the end of their summer holiday time in the evening.

Chairs were set for the End of Summer Festival at the Jerusalem Theater. A guard blocked my entrance, saying no entry without a paid-for ticket. I remembered that they were free in the past.

However, he let me go into the lobby to see the art exhibit which was to change the next day.

I will have to go back and see what new art work lines the theater lobby walls for September.

I think some of the best colors and sights are found in nature as the seasons change.

So one more view of the Blue Moon rising above the trees and Old City.

One more renovation image with a Jerusalem small store getting a major makeover.

But the biggest transition is that 2.5 million students are back to school. The signs are up as the school begins for 5784 – and without the usual teachers’ strike.

Even businesses wish good luck and success in Kitah Aleph, or first grade.

I love the huge big deal made as youngsters enter first grade!

I wish all the students and teachers well as the year begins!

The transition from the start of school to the start of the New Year Selihot and tours begins next week.

The Jerusalem Museum at the Tower of David announced a Selihot event that includes a tour of the Tower of David, connecting the new museum with the Old City, and ends with saying Selihot at the Kotel, Western Wall.

Tens of thousands will be on the Jerusalem streets late into the night for the sounds of Selihot.

Will you join us this year in Jerusalem?

See How Jerusalem is Changing From Above and Below

August 27, 2023August 27, 2023Sharon A

Oh, Jerusalem.

Besides Jerusalem of Gold, Jerusalem is said to have another 69 names.

Now maybe it’s time to add a new one Jerusalem of Change.

Oh, how the Jerusalem skyline is changing.

Those cranes seen above the Jerusalem streets rotate by day as they change structures to new heights.

Then there are the new stones constantly changed that provide employment.

And the flower beds constantly changing. Who financially benefits from all those millions of flowers?

The new pedestrian bridge over the Hinnom Valey has proved a popular end-of-summer attraction.

Not all change in Jerusalem is easily visible, such as with the new Shaare Zedek Oncology Buil

The lobby is clean and bright and new, but notice the sign is for 5 floors.

Most of the building is underground, with a green atrium space in the center of the building.

The changes in the former President Hotel on Ahad Ha’am Street are apparent.

The first floor of the Social Space with fascinating old and new miscellaneous items is changing daily.

Liberty Bell Park has been the scene of multiple nighttime events, besides regular public sports.

Loud live music at night can be heard on surrounding Jerusalem streets, plus the Skatepark has had a “facelift’ and is well used daily.

On August 22nd, the Mystorin Theatre took over sections of the Skatepark with RAAMSKATE.

I confess it took me a while to figure out what was happening, all their work is out of the box.

But this time “out of the park’ – the skatepark that is, was more accurate. RAAM = Ramesses!

The dancers, actors, and skaters merged with music and lights from many directions.

Loud and colorful with plenty of smoke and extras to entertain the public.

People came to the free event and watched from around the “stage” and were invited to join the dancing.

First Station in Jerusalem has changed over the decades, and certainly in the past ten years.

The old carousel is one visitor attraction for the younger crowd.

The market stalls and restaurants are busy, sometimes more than other times.

In this too-hot August weather, the Ice Rink at First Station was a place to cool off. Though many Israelis are less than agile on the ice, one man dressed in Haredi fashion went by too fast to capture in a photograph. I wondered where he was from originally – perhaps Canada?

The Hutzot Hayotzer Arts Festival has ended, but the live concerts in Sultan Pool change every night.

Going by in the early evening you can get a glimpse of the stars and bands rehearsing to get a preview.

In nature, the season is slowly starting to change, as the pomegranates reveal.

Finally, the August heat wave is giving way to cooler nights.

The crowds at the Kotel, Western Wall for Selihot on August 24, as seen in photos published by the Western Wall Heritage Foundation seem not to be changing until Yom Kippur.

Threats from without and within as the new year of 5784 is rapidly approaching.

But the Jerusalem streets are ready for the start of the new school year – asking, “On the way to class?”

RJS joins in wishing all a safe and good new year, to go in peace.

How to Spend Time in Jerusalem in 2020

August 30, 2020Sharon A

Time.

Time in Jerusalem, Israel, as in much of the world during the corona pandemic, has become a blur. Days have become weeks, then months and a New Year is almost here.

Since March 2020, an 8:30 backyard minyan, morning prayer service, has been one constant. No need for a watch. I could set my clock to the minute when they start.

We live in a “mixed” Jerusalem neighborhood, and there is no synagogue on our street. But starting after Purim, I have woken up to the sounds of morning prayers. As I brush my teeth or stand at the kitchen sink, I have been able to receive the Priestly Blessing from a distant voice.

The Kotel, Western Wall, in the morning, was set up for bar mitzvah groups in keeping with the latest COVID-19 regulations. This time of year the area is often packed with thousands of people.

But this year at night, there are chairs set for Selihot placed “socially distant” from each other.

The Kotel area inside Wilson’s Arch was set at night, ready for the next morning.

This screenshot of prepared prayer spots feels frozen in time.

In the past, I walked the Jerusalem streets for hours, looking for crowds, people, and interesting sites to share. Now going out means staying away from those crowds and avoiding people.

Recognizing friends at this time is not so simple. With hats, sunglasses, and masks, someone who you have not seen a few months can be difficult to recognize.

Over the summer during this coronavirus time, Jerusalem began offering park camping opportunities. Families were encouraged to come to outside green areas. A sign in Nayot Park is encouraging families to spend their holiday time in nature areas.

One image for the passing of time are grapes ripening on the vine.

No, this police vehicle was not trying to block these people. The driver was on this part of the path–with no vehicular exit–for his first and last time. He got stuck, and had to back up and try and turn around to get out of the area.

There have been eleven weeks of loud protests near the Prime Minister’s Residence and the Knesset. However, this was the first time seeing a protester near the Knesset with a Belarus flag. His aim, which is for Israelis to pay attention to the situation in Belarus, worked – the large red and white flag got me to notice.

As summer ends, new signs were up and it is time to support the Jerusalem Symphony.

At the Bible Lands Museum Jerusalem, there’s a YEMEN Fest – מופע גרוב-ג’אז-פאנק

There’s still time to book a tour in person or watch online at the Bible Lands Museum.

After many months, Yad Vashem also announced it’s opening its doors at limited times.

The summertime weather was pleasant and Jerusalem nights were cool. But now a heatwave has arrived. It’s too hot for the play equipment or midday picnics in Gan Sacher.

School is to start on September 1, 2020. It’s going to be an interesting time for all.

The usual back to “Kita Aleph” – first-grade mega productions have been toned down. With COVID-19, it’s one parent, wearing a mask, holding the hand of a small child walking into the unknown new classroom. Capsules, masks, and moving online is the pandemic era new norm.

Wishing all students and teachers a good and healthy year!

And now is the time for new Israeli recruits to the IDF to begin their army training.

Six years ago, Chazan Shai Abramson led the IDF Choir at the Jerusalem Great Synagogue.

As the Jewish holiday season with so many unknowns approaches is a good time to repeat the prayer for the Israel Defense Forces and all of Israel, and the world.

Stay safe. Stay well. Stay healthy.

Hope to see you sometime soon on the Jerusalem streets.