middle east current events

Have You Seen Jerusalem’s New Colors?

rjstreets

When was the last time you walked

through the Jerusalem, Israel streets?

Bigger than life,

Old Knesset building new museum

former Prime Ministers Ben-Gurion and Golda Meir

tower over King George Street.

Behind these decorated tarps,

New Knesett Museum in old building site

the old Knesset Building is getting a make-over.

Until two years ago it housed the Rabbinical Courts,

now it is to become a new Knesset Museum.

Across the street,

the Old Mashbir is also getting a total make-over,

Old Mashbir new WeWork in Jerusalem

and will be the new WeWork office space.

The colors pop out when you turn

to go up Ben Yehuda Street,

not exactly coming up daisies.

Decorated street Ben Yehuda

But with sunflowers and babushkas.

street art Jerusalem Israel Ben Yehdah

plus, colored banners

providing shade on Histadrut Street.

Street decorations Jerusalem Ben Yehuda

Bright Oriental lanterns and a dragon

hover over

Ben Yehuda Street Jerusalem Israel

Ben Yehuda and Ben Hillel Streets.

Mexican sombreros,

Sombreros on Jerusalem Street

are the next great photo op,

Color street art over Ben Yehuda streets

followed by even more color around the next corner.

Yaffo Street Jerusalem Israel

Yaffo Road has the light rail lines,

so no overhead decorations there.

Tourists are around,

tee shirt with pro Israel saying , heart is in Jerusalem

but not in the numbers the shops would like.

If you keep walking.

Umbrellas over Jerusalem street

over to Yoel Salomon Street,

Umbrellas over Yoel Salomon Street

you will find new umbrellas for summer shade.

Pink flowers,

Jerusalem street decoration

cover Shim’on Ben Shetach Street.

While nearby, the Gan Haaztzmaut,

Independence Park, is green.

Independence Park for Jerusalem Film Festival

The grounds are mowed and getting ready for

special new children’s program added this year to

the Jerusalem Film Festival.

With so many new colors on the Jerusalem, Israel streets,

when are you coming to see them?

Jerusalem Opera, Genesis Prize and More

rjstreets

Hot.

It is hot in Jerusalem, Israel.

The pool at Jerusalem Dan Hotel looked so cool.

Shrut HaDin 052b

But Sharut HaDin was having a conference inside the hotel,

so we were inside listening to experts on panels

discussing the new cyber and legal battlefields Israel is facing.

When it gets hot,

Teddy Park Mitchell Garden Jerusalem Israel

the parks are quiet by day,

Teddy Garden Mitchell Park Jerusalem Israel

but every fountain is as good as the beach.

Jerusalem Israel street graffiti

Even new graffiti was in a shady spot.

This was certainly the most random street scene,

random street scene garbage Jerusalem

getting ready for a trip to the beach,

but with a box of memorial candles?

End of June.

It is again the season,

of big people on little chairs.

end of year party Jerusalem big people on little chairs

The mandatory end of school year celebrations,

are at all hours of day and night.

But this week, there is another celebration.

Itzhak Perlman is in Jerusalem to accept the Genesis Prize.

Itzhak Perlman speaking with Uri Dromi before Genesis Priza

A gifted musician whose abilities overcame his disabilities.

Through appearances on Sesame Street

he taught important values to a whole generation.

Born in Israel,

though he has lived in New York for decades,

Itzhak Perlman Jerusalem Israel

he was surrounded by the Hebrew media and well-wishers

after a press conference at Mishkanot Sha’ananim.

Also, Dame Helen Mirren is in Israel

this week to present the Genesis Prize.

Dame Helen Mirren at JPC before Genesis Prize

She only played a Queen in the movies,

but she is a regal act in real life too.

Her stories of good times spent in Israel – priceless.

Helen Mirren Jerusalem Israel for Genesis Prize

She was evidently pleased to receive a membership card

to the Jerusalem Press Club.

Now I can say I have something in common

with Dame Helen Mirren.

But on some days,

big truck going up small street

not only on the Jerusalem streets is it hard to get by,

 but there is so much happening,

it is hard to do it all.

That night was opening of the Jerusalem Opera Week,

Italy Israel at Jerusalem Opera

with an Italian theme for Rigoletto.

People were warned to come on time.

Parking and picking up tickets for hundreds

 of opera goers required planning,

plus because of Ramadan fast ending at that time,

a shortage of taxis were anticipated.

Jerusalem Opera stage in Sultan's Pool

The huge stage was constructed in Sultan’s Pool,

with seating rising to street level.

As the sun was setting the audience

opera stage in Sultan Pool Jerusalem Opera Rigoletto

and Israeli Philharmonic prepared for the show.

Translations in Hebrew and English,

were provided on the top and sides of stage.

Rigoletto Opera in Jerusalem Sultan Pool

Magnificent music filled the air.

 Even though the story line is one of tragedy,

Cst of Rigoletto Jerusalem Opera in Sultan's Pool

it was especially exciting to see an Israel performer

excelling in the lead female role.

field of flowers, Jerusalem Israel

So everything may not always be as beautiful as a bed of flowers,

but as I walked home at night near midnight,

Shavuah Hasefer Israel Book Week at First Station

people were still at Shavuah HaSefer at First Station,

watching the football (soccer) match and drinking beer.

Hundreds more were leaving the Jerusalem Theater.

sign for Jerusalem Theater

The signs are up for the new season at the theater,

but the Genesis Prize award is there tonight.

Then we will have to wait to see what

 will be happening next on the Jerusalem streets.