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.
