middle east current events – Page 52 – The Real Jerusalem Streets

What’s Happening on Jerusalem Streets after Holidays?

What’s Happening on Jerusalem Streets after Holidays?

October 24, 2017October 24, 2017Sharon A

After the chagim, after the holidays.

The holiday visitors have gone.

Now what? Plenty.

The universities are finally starting.

The Knesset is back in session after long break.

Way too much is happening in Jerusalem to keep up.

The imposing Tower of David (ToD)

was open for the launch of its new Innovation Lab.

These old statues were being relocated,

and over 20 technology startups in augmented reality/virtual reality,

AR/VR, were being presented.

Click and see history of 3000 years unfold!

With glasses like these,

one day you will be able sit at home

and feel as if you were in Herod’s old fortress.

And with these glasses,

eye movements can operate a robot.

Much more is happening and planned for AR/VR.

It all sounds like science fiction,

but is being developed daily to enhance the museum experience

and improve quality of life.

Oh the contrast of old and new!

Outside those walls of the Old City, near Jaffa Gate,

these Christian tourists were singing and dancing,

while across the street a woman was sorting

the olives she had just taken from this olive tree.

Olive harvesting is nearly finished for this year.

However, new festivals are beginning.

Here are 3 favorites of new Hebrew signs.

Until I saw it in English,

I had hard time understanding,

the Lev Smadar Theater is hosting “Eclectic Jerusalem” cultural films.

Then there is this sign for an illustration and poetry,

“Out-Line Festival.”

And how about an International Animation Festival

in Jerusalem, at Cinematheque?

Not enough?

Houses WithIn, now called “Open House”

starts on Thursday, with 117 interesting and free tours.

Some are fascinating sites open to public,

some are announced as free access,

others were fully booked at warp speed.

Poor Folks’ Cemetery or the Har Herzl military cemetery,

famous private homes

or the Jerusalem home of the Electric Company, are a few options.

The Pillbox in Rechavia was opened last year.

It was less than comfortable inside and a worse photo op,

but it was interesting to hear about.

Photos from the International Jerusalem

Jewish Contemporary Art Bienalle will have to wait for next time.

Oh and soon, Open Restaurants – 5 days, 100 options!

More next time,

will see how many I can get to.

So much is happening on the Jerusalem streets.

Jerusalem March on Sukkot Amazing International Event

Jerusalem March on Sukkot Amazing International Event

October 15, 2017Sharon A

The 60th International Jerusalem March

took place during the intermediate days of the Sukkot holiday,

the Feast of Tabernacles, and again this year was a huge event.

Flags from 60 countries flew from the flagpoles

and small ones were given out to spectators.

Major streets were closed for the 60,000 participants.

The starting point in Gan Sacher, Sacher Park,

was colorful, and not just because of these clowns.

Thousands of Israelis came

and gathered in the central Jerusalem park,

to join in the parade,

and to see the international visitors.

The weather was sunny and warm,

a perfect time for an ice cream treat.

Here is the banner of the United Nations for Israel.

There were shofars blowing,

matching hats,

and more distinctive headgear,

entertainment for children,

and of course, selfies.

Thousands walked and watched this March for Zion,

singing love from Philippines,

waving Israeli flags,

or carrying a Jerusalem flag as a banner.

This group from China,

besides distributing a flag or candy treat,

gave this woman a pearl necklace.

One marcher’s costume had a US-Israel theme,

while right behind him came

this woman spreading her golden wings.

The enthusiasm and colors,

the flags small and

large, were everywhere.

There were Biblical banners

and Israelis flags, from countries far and wide

including Indonesia.

The love for Yerushalayim,

50 years of a unified Jerusalem,

overflowed,

as tens of thousands marched out

of the park and through

the streets of Jerusalem, Israel, on Tuesday afternoon,

ending at First Station.

What a way to celebrate a beautiful day.

9 New Holiday Scenes in Jerusalem

October 3, 2017Sharon A

Jerusalem, Israel,

is old and new and constantly changing.

These birds flying over the ancient walls of the Old City

Jerusalem migrating birds

are migrating as they have for centuries,

though those powerful lights are new.

Waldorf Astoria Jerusalem Israel new window display

The Waldorf-Astoria has new window displays.

Jerusalem Israel sunset view

New towers are being built,

the Jerusalem skyline is changing. Mamilla Mall view at sunset from near Jaffa Gate

At the David Citadel Hotel, those white things in the distance

are balconies being prepared for Sukkot holiday meals.

View of Jaffa Gate from outside Jerusalem Israel

I was at Jaffa Gate at sunset

and looked up at the Tower of David,

Tower of David, Jerusalem Israel Old City

to see something new on top.

That is a special cork sukka designed as part of the

3rd Jerusalem Jewish Contemporary Art Biennale,

by artist Avner Sher.

At the Jaffa Gate below there is nothing new,

Keporos at Old City with live bird

just this man performing the kapparot ritual

moving around a live chicken.

Man waving bird over head of two women for Keporos at Jaffa Gate Jerusalem

These women did not look as comfortable with

the ancient custom to absolve one’s sins before Yom Kippur.

Jerusalem Old City train for tourist to Western Wall

The new Old City Train was ready bright and ready to go.

Lights of new food places above Cardo in Old City Jerusalem Israel

Here are two new bright signs above the Old Cardo.

Jerusalem Israel new sound and light show City of David

The City of David has a new sound and light show.

Jewish second temple stone found in excavation under site of new police station

This decorative stone from the Second Temple is a new find

by archaeologists near the Kotel, the Western Wall.

I went to the Old City before Yom Kippur,

Western Wall selihos booklet for late night Selihot at the Kotel.

Synagogue Old City Sephardi

While the synagogues were quiet that night,

New police station and roof of building near Kotel for selihot

from the new observation spot above the

new police station building

Western Wall Plaza full of people for sehlhos after midnight

the crowd stretched further than my lens could capture.

Kotel for Selihot 5778 Jerusalem Old City Israel

Tens of thousands of people kept arriving

though it was well after midnight.

Women at Kotel for Selichot 5778

Would selfies at the Kotel be considered new?

Jerusalem Israel Old City view of Western Wall and dome of Rock at night

The dome and wall are certainly not new,

but always impressive sight lit up at night,

so late that no transportation was in sight.

For the last time this year,

Bus from Old City with sign Gmara Hatima Tova

here is a bus with the Yom Kippur greeting,

“Gmar Hatima tova”

“May you be sealed for a good year.”

Now that is old too.

As soon as Yom Kippur ended in Jerusalem,

Jerusalem Israel sukka on a balcony

sukkot started popping up.

If you would like to not only see the Kotel scene,

but hear a bit of the selihot prayer,

I am sharing this short video:

Now it is time to prepare for new holiday and guests.

חג שמח

Chag sameach.