Online, In-Line Jerusalem

Days go by. Weeks go by.

Time during the COVID-19 pandemic has become a blur.

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Jerusalem tourism went from unprecedented highs down to zero.

Chayei Sarah in Hebron in past years became one giant Shabbat celebration with thousands crowding into the area around the Cave of the Patriarchs and Matriarchs.

This year before Shabbat, Chabad of Hebron hosted an online celebration of this week’s Torah reading marking the death and burial of Sarah in Hebron. Three men danced to a downsized band in an area near the walls.

The OUD international music festival is going on line for its 21st year.

Ethiopian Sigd holiday and women praying.

Sigd celebrations in the past years were major events with tens of thousands on the Tayelet in Jerusalem for prayers and breaking the fast.

This year there are smaller events being organized for the November 15th and 16th holiday celebration, 50 days after Yom Kippur, one which started in Ethiopia centuries ago.

One year ago, the AYLN Wheels of Love cyclists arrived in Jerusalem at the end of their annual fund-raising ride. This year riders met as a virtual group on a Zoom event and raised funds for the special rehabilitation hospital without the ride up the hills of Jerusalem.

The annual Pianos Festival at the Jerusalem Theater was held online and shown on YouTube and Facebook – for free. No lines to stand in while waiting to enter the concert halls.

Standing in line for parking stickers at the city hall is history. Those cherished parking spot stickers can be gotten from home by registering with the municipality online.

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As corona lockdown restrictions were lifted to a second stage, the areas near the Old City walls were still quiet on the sunny first Monday.

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The entrance toward Jaffa Gate not crowded as in “normal” times.

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Jaffa Gate was open, and guarded by two security women.

Standard and Poor’s, the global credit rating company, left Israel’s credit rating unchanged at its high level during the global coronavirus crisis, as reported by the Prime Minister’s Office.

Construction in Jerusalem proceeded during the novel coronavirus pandemic. Signs for Museum Lane have gone up along the renovated street by the new National Library. One of the huge cranes has been removed from the building site across the street from the Knesset, while the 6th National Library film festival was run online.

Commerce moved online and in-person shopping came to a halt for months.

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Jerusalem’s Mamilla Mall was filling with eager shoppers as stores on the street were finally allowed to open with four customers at a time.

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The longest line at Mamilla was waiting for Nespresso coffee.

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Shoe stores also had customers waiting in line.

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The store selling eyeglasses had a line. It had been allowed to be open during the lockdown and was often empty of customers.

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Walking by Kikar Safra, the Municipal Government plaza, the new landscaping was in full bloom, but the stones below were empty of people.

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However, minutes away on Jaffa Road, lines could be found outside many shops. Children need new clothing for size and season.

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The longest line award in downtown Jerusalem goes to FOX. I took a Facebook live video to show how far down the block people were waiting in line to enter on the first nice shopping day in town.

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Jerusalem’s Jaffa Road was coming back to life with stores open and people strolling in the midday sun.

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Ben Yehudah Mall looked so busy and full, I decided to go a different way.

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People ate lunches of takeaway food, sitting outside to enjoy the warmth of the sun on a November day.

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Shops on Yoel Salomon Street were open, but there were no lines when I walked by on my way home.

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The music was playing again on the oversized radio near Kikar Safra.

When the sun comes out, so do people.

Jerusalem, Israel shops and streets are slowly getting back to business and showing signs of renewed life. The youngest school students are back in class, while older students are online.

Hoping the corona numbers will stay down and we can see you soon on the Jerusalem streets.

Jerusalem Municipal Election – Update

In Jerusalem, Israel, nothing is simple.

Jerusalem municipal elections are set for next week.

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Campaign signs are plastered everywhere.

Jerusalem elections image, Mosh Lion

Moshe Lion is running for mayor

poster for Nir Barkat, Jerusalem mayor, Israeli flag

against current Mayor Nir Barkat.

Not sure what it signifies, but these Barkat 2013  banners

were hanging next to large Israeli flags in more than one place.

The mayoral race is fairly simple with two main contenders.

But there is also a campaign for City Council,

and that is where things get confusing.

sign political elections

If you look up there are signs.

Election banner Jerusalem picture

It seems that everywhere there are signs.

Jerusalem election sign

However, this one put up near the Prime Minister’s Residence

did not stay up for long.

Nir Barkat workers in campaign tee shirts have been out for weeks.

But now on the streets one can find

Jerusalem election image

 campaign workers holding large banners at Paris Square,

Simple so far?

Now, this is where things get confusing.

Jerusalem elections image

National political parties are also involved.

At one pre-election event at the OU Center

image Naftali Bennett Jerusalem

Bayit Yehudi Head Naftali Bennett

Jerusalem elections Bayit hayehudi Aylet Shaked

and MK Ayelet Shaked showed up in person.

They came late, stayed for a few minutes and took no questions,

Image Jerusalem elections

but showed support for their slate of Jerusalem candidates.

There have been constant parlor meetings and information nights.

I will not answer my home phone in the evening until after October 22, 

there have been so many evening campaign calls.

Calls from machines are easy to hang up on, 

but last night there was a personal campaign call on my cell phone.

I suppose these are the blessings of the democratic process.

Naomi Tsur image,

Deputy Mayor Naomi Tsur, left, started Ometz Lev, a mainly female party.

Will she help small business owners in Jerusalem,

some of whom are still complaining of losses because of Formula One street closings?

photo poster marked, Jerusalem elections poster

Rachel Azzaria, another female who once served with the mayor, 

is also running again.

Someone drew a mustache on this larger than life photo poster,

and no, it was not in a religious neighborhood.

There are lots of photos of other small parties who have candidates,

but if you are not confused now,

then you surely would be and bored too, if I posted them all.

Jerusalem elections image, Israel elections

Trucks are out on Jerusalem, Israel, streets to encourage voting.

I think it is a safe bet to say, most residents of Jerusalem,

many intelligent, educated people,

have no idea who ALL the candidates are or care.

They just want their rubbish picked up on time and the streets clean,

and affordable housing would be nice too.

And Arab voters?

Summed up best as usual by Khaled Abu Toameh,

their leadership as usual loses no opportunity to lose an opportunity.

 Updated October 21:

On Shabbat I saw a full list of campaigns and those running posted,

the one and only such list I have seen anywhere.

Israel municipal elections image

I went back today to take a photo of the tiny print and found this.

If this party will be good for Jerusalem, I do not know,.

But even though this was a short election season by US standards,

everyone is sick of the campaigns here.

Police are ready.

But the public seems to know less everyday,

and also pollsters, as people will say anything to get them off the phone.

At least I answered a private number on my cell phone this am,

almost missed an important call.

 AFTER the Jerusalem, Israel municipal elections tomorrow,

then I hope to have something to say.

Just wish I knew who really were the best to vote for.

8 Things that Won’t Make Headlines

Everyone loves pictures of Jerusalem covered in white, 

but there was no snow today, even though

refrigerator thermometer

 it was cold enough to use a refrigerator thermometer inside.

When the sun shines…it is time to go outside and warm up.

While walking around Jerusalem today, I found 8 things 

that won’t make the headlines.

1. Bikur Cholim Hospital did not close as was threatened

and babies are delivered there by the thousands.

Mea Shearim Street, Jerusalem

2. On Mea Shearim Street,

there were puddles on the sidewalks, but buses were running in the streets.

3. Traffic backed up on this side street long enough

for people to stop honking and  get out of their cars to look.

The problem…a delivery of toilet paper around the corner.

Segway

Perhaps the guys on the Segway have a good idea?

Mea Shearim Street, Jerusalem

4. There was no sign of separate 

sidewalks,

for anyone,

but some signs were gone.

5. Pink laundry was hanging out to dry,

 demonstrating that not all Mea Shearim clothing is black.

However, long black clothing can be attention grabbing too.

Arab women

6. It’s sale time in Mamilla Mall

Arab Women shopping

and as always…Muslim women shop.

7. Small children still walk home from school alone.

birds

8. Flocks of birds enjoy Jerusalem everyday.

But one thing sure to make headlines…

new bus routes in Jerusalem

  the new bus routes that begin on Friday the 13th.