Season of Culture – The Real Jerusalem Streets

Jerusalem: Good & Bad, Hot & Running

Jerusalem: Good & Bad, Hot & Running

September 13, 2017Sharon A

Jerusalem is having a September heat wave.

Not so good for me,

I complain a lot and slow down.

But things are still going strong,

and Jerusalem is busier than ever.

Not sure if these raised arrangements like the heat

or if they are good or bad,

but this new flower display is near the Montefiore Windmill.

I passed it on my way to the Jerusalem Press Club to hear

Dr. Michael Borchard, the Director of the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung,

who reported on a survey of Israelis’ opinions of the EU.

The conclusion:

good news and bad news, but pretty much the same.

Economic missions, trade missions, and overseas delegations

seem to be everywhere, all the time.

US Congressmen were at the King David Hotel recently,

and this week the Governor of Iowa Kay Reynolds

led an Economic Development Authority mission to Israel.

Iowans really are some of the nicest people,

here a group met to hear about Jerusalem based bio-startups.

The amazing innovations seek US collaboration to grow.

But besides back to school,

there is much more happening on the streets.

Another Second Hand Fair was on Emek Refaim St.

Kulna, part of Mekudeshet, a festival of varied events

of the Jerusalem Season of Culture,

was set up in Mitchell Gardens.

Those who came early to the had the option of seats

and food and drink to buy,

with the walls of the Old City across the street in the background.

One Arab family came early to get a good spot,

and much of the program featured Arab music.

Amman is 71 kilometers from us, one slide informed us.

As always, emergency medical care was on site.

But though there were hundreds, maybe 2000 people,

there were no reports of injuries or emergencies in the crowd.

Signs were up all along the way to the park for

a first-ever Jerusalem Run for Women,

but not everyone saw those warnings of major streets to be closed.

Security checked out their locations

for the 5k and 10k races.

Women and girls came from all over to run.

I tried to take one of those water bottles,

but it felt so hot, I put it back.

After dark the women, and a few men,

started running.

Here goes the winner of the 10K

and my friend who won the 5k

was already smiling on the way to starting line.

I love when people race by and scream out “Sharon.”

If you know who is waving please let me know.

One of my favorite runners

was this cute little guy.

His father was right behind with the stroller making a video.

These posters tell of events in parks with live music,

and special musical nights in the Municipal Square,

Opening the Gates Of Prayer,

with seasonal High Holy days songs.

So much is happening on the Jerusalem streets,

now if would just cool off a bit so we can enjoy it.

But at least no one is complaining about no rain this year.

and I guess that also could be good.

Jerusalem After Summer, After Hours

Jerusalem After Summer, After Hours

September 6, 2017Sharon A

School has started

but the signs for summer events are still up

along the Jerusalem streets.

One of the most popular spots,

summer or winter,

is the Machane Yehuda Market, the shuk.

As the day ends, the food stalls close

and shutters come down.

The last bits of bread are sold

and empty crates are stacked away.

Then

the tables and chairs come out,

and the loud music starts playing for the night-time crowds.

With special glasses or goggles, virtual shows

are presented at the Music Museum,

similar to these at the Western Wall Tunnel tours.

Five years ago, near the shuk,

at a Mystorin Theater performance,

I described them as “out-of-the- box.”

Now, they have gone out of this world.

Gone virtual.

Meeting at night, ‘AfterShuk’

includes three stops with virtual shows.

No photos are allowed during the performances.

It was painful to comply.

Such a shame.

Some scenes I really wanted to share, but I had to settle

for the above screen-shot from a promotional video.

One of the most amazing things was,

as our group proceeded from location to location,

only the cats seemed to stop and take notice.

People went about their business,

walking, talking, or hanging laundry on a porch above.

Last week I shared creativity of the Start-Up world,

this week is of the diverse Jerusalem cultural scene.

Another year of the Piyut Festival,

to be held September 24-28,

and the Jerusalem Season of Culture,

Mekudeshet, and Kulana,

are major September events.

Around the Jerusalem streets, or in the shuk,

so much is happening it is hard to keep up,

there is so much to see and do.

Watch Out Katy Perry and Justin Bieber

July 10, 2012rjstreets

I am often asked how I decide what to write about.

Some weeks it is easy.

Last week was the funeral of former Prime Minister Yitzhak Shamir.

The public is seldom invited into the Knesset Building,

so if you missed the last post check it out.

The problem is there is too much to do in the summer.

It is the Season of Culture in Jerusalem.

The Israel Museum’s popular new exhibit,

‘Chasidim, not all black and white’, has attracted thousands of visitors.

The Jerusalem Film Festival opened with a big event at the Sultan’s Pool.

Plus there were several professional music events held

in outdoor locations around Jerusalem that attracted thousands of fans.

But if you look around the Jerusalem streets as the summer starts,

you will find colorful hand-made signs.

They welcome crowds to end-of-school year events organized by

various Youth movements.

One group in the Talpiot neighborhood, after opening speeches,

featured a girls’ act with colorful hats and ties.

Of course, there were plenty of cameras on hand to record the show.

This Snif Ezra (chapter of the Ezra movement) was celebrating its 30th year,

and there were even more cameras poised for the boys’ turn to perform.

Boys on bicycles showed some of their dare-devil moves.

Mandatory at such an extravaganza are loud music,

a burning sign,

a power-point presentation,

and Israeli flags.

Countless hours of preparation went into this and other such evenings.

The choreography, costumes and music were suitable

for this far, far, far off-Broadway production.

One has to be impressed with the enthusiasm and dedication

of the youth group leaders and their young members.

Ok, Katy Perry and Justin Bieber do not have to worry

about any competition from here yet,

but from the energy and ideas of these young people and others

like Tzofim, Israeli scouts, will come future leaders.