Nine Days

18 Colors and Sounds: Summer in Jerusalem

Sharon A

Not the usual week on the Jerusalem, Israel, streets.

The period before Tisha B’Av is known as the Nine Days.

Each year RJS is here to share something new along with the old.

In Jerusalem, it is a time for a colorful sky in the evening as the sun sets.

Building construction is often halted during the Nine Days.

Street construction continued, and Ramban Street was closed for repaving.

Finally, the long-delayed Knesset Museum is showing some progress.

If taking out windows and putting up new signs are signs of progress.

photo credit: Amos Ben-Gershom (GPO)

President Isaac Herzog held a diplomatic work meeting with President Ratu Wiliame M. Katonivere of the Republic of Fiji this week.

Wonder if the official motorcade noticed the colors of the Jerusalem streets?

The brilliant reds in the hot midday sun,

or the bright whites in the evening hours.

The flowers were blooming off of Ben Yehudah Street.

But I went out from my airconditioned space to see the new street installations off Ben Yehudah in town.

There were birds,

balloons,

and colorful clothing over the streets.

Some refrain from shopping for clothing during the Nine Days,

but tourists are here and the shops had signs to welcome the teen tourists.

The water was off from this installation but it has been painted in new pastel colors.

And then there were these big balloons over the street to entice youngsters.

The colorful lion at Kikar Safra stands across from the I Love JLM display.

Not all is as it appears at Safra Square, these colorful pillows are cement.

A reminder that not all coloring is considered a good idea.

The colorful crowds were back at Jaffa Gate of the Old City.

With a large family outing, matching colored tee shirts are a good idea.

And ice cream is a good idea any time in Jerusalem in the summer.

As Tisha B’Av ends, the end of summer festivals begin,

International Klezemer is 8-14, and Jerusalem Puppets at Train Theater,

the long-running Arts Festival with musical performances each night,

and the Dinosaurs at the Botanical Gardens.

The ads are up again for a variety of events,

including a Festival with books and music, and food in the neighborhoods.

The Summer marathon in Jerusalem is splashed at a Jerusalem bus stop.

The pomegranates are reminding us of summer’s end approaching.

But it is still hot enough during the day for Jerusalem cats to do nothing.

In Jerusalem, as the Nine Days and Tisha B’Av come to an end the crowds assemble at the Kotel, Western Wall. At night the scene can be a surprise. Thousands of people sing slow sad songs, while others appear to be at a massive party.

All prayers conclude with the blessing of peace in Jerusalem.

Multiple Views of Jerusalem

Sharon A

The views of Jerusalem are many and varied, nothing is simple or straight. Its politics is as complicated and twisted as its streets.

There is no grid or plan, but rather growth appears random.

The old and new mingle and mix.

The view from Hebrew University on Mount Scopus is familiar to many. The two towers in Arnona, are new on the horizon.

The view of the iconic Tower of David is a familiar one also. But even that well-known citadel is getting a facelift.

The view from Jerusalem to Jordan across the Dead Sea is less well-known but at sunset often dramatic and photo-worthy.

This week the sight of groups of young people touring again in Jerusalem was a pleasure to view. Unless you were trying to drive or walk as they crowded excitedly and noisily onto Jerusalem street corners trying to get across the Jerusalem streets.

Jerusalem panoramic view from Nefesh Benefesh porch

From the new Nefesh BeNefesh building at Cinema City, the panoramic view of the city includes the Israeli Supreme Court on the far right, well over Sacher Park and beyond, and toward the Nachlaot neighborhood.

Inside Cinema City, the center area was preparing for a summer indoor Ninja activity center

and the original fountain was gone.

This is a new view from The Valley of the Cross, the stone wall destroyed by flooding water four years ago near the Monastery is finally being repaired.

This is the summer of the food trucks – in Jerusalem again and areas around have proven to be a popular destination for families in the evening.

Jerusalem Food Truck Festival in Hinnon Valley at night with full moon

The views in the Hinnom Valley at night are captivating, as people try and decide which meal they will enjoy.

New to the Jerusalem streets is this green bike path. These old narrow streets are now less convenient for parking on the sidewalk with these lanes.

But it is where you look up, not down, that the most prominent difference is apparent.

These are not the familiar buildings in view of Jerusalem. The Vert Hotel on the far right started off as the Hilton and was the only tall building. Now with construction, the skyline is constantly changing as towers go higher.

And the Har Hamenuchot cemetery over the new Highway #1, grows up and out with new “residents” arriving regularly.

It has been a while since I was on the way out of Jerusalem to Tel Aviv.

The towers and skyline of Tel Aviv constantly amaze.

I went to attend the Jerusalem Post Women’s Entrepreneurship Summit led by Tamar Uriel-Beeri Managing Editor, and by Maayan Hoffman, Head of Conferences for Jerusalem Post.

Jerusalem Deputy Mayor Fleur Hassan Nahoum was the opening speaker.

It was exciting to attend a live event again after so long, to see friends and meet new people.

There were multiple panels and fireside chats, and speakers.

The legendary Israeli entrepreneur Yossi Vardi said he has been involved in startups since 1969, but judged by body language, Vardi was not used to being the only male on a long program with a list of female participants.

Tel Aviv was warmer and humid, and a different venue than usual.

However, the view at night of the lights was impressive.

Back to Jerusalem and the start of the Hebrew month of Av and the Nine Days. Time to remember the destruction in the past leading up to Tisha b’Av.

The view of the Temple stones remains as a physical reminder.

As Jerusalem grows higher and larger and more modern, the connection to the past and history of the old is constantly in our minds, even if our views are from different angles and lenses.

Hope you can come and see for yourself what’s new and the old in Jerusalem and on the Jerusalem streets on a photo walk.