Out of the Blue, Out of the Box, and Out on the Streets in Jerusalem, Israel

Out of the Blue, Out of the Box, and Out on the Streets in Jerusalem, Israel

Blue. Blue is the color of the week.

Blue is the color for good luck, and many doors and windows in Jerusalem, Israel, are painted blue.

Crayola announced it is looking to name its new special blue crayon.

Bible Lands Museum Israel Out of Blue Exhibit

The Bible Lands Museum Jerusalem (BLMJ) opened a new exhibit called “Out of the Blue.”

The Hebrew word for blue is not mentioned in the Bible.  However, tekhelet, is mentioned in Biblical literature dozens of times.

Bible Lands Museum in Jerusalem Israel

At a special press event before the exhibit officially opened at  BLMJ, there was a demonstration of dyeing tekhelet wool.

Blue takhelet dye turning blue in sun light at Bible Lands Museum demonstration by Ptil Takhelet

Exposure to sunlight and oxidation causes the wool which was dipped into the dye (which is made from the secretions of a gland in one particular snail, the murex trunculus)  to become tekhelet.

Demonstration of blue and purple dyes

This permanent blue dye and the royal purple, are the basics of a new exhibit in honor of Israeli 70th year. A variety of ancient pieces are on display.

Gold and lapis lazuli necklace from South Mesopotamia 2700-2600 BCE

Not bad looking, this blue necklace from South Mesopotamia, dated 2700- 2600 BCE, made of gold and lapis lazuli, a  semi-precious blue stone used by ancient royalty.

Blue and white Israeli flag at Bible Lands Museum Jerusalem Israel

Rounding out the exhibition is the Israeli flag, modeled on the blue stripes of the talit.

Yad Vashem also opened a new exhibit this week on theme of Israel 70 years. Not blue, but showing the longing for Zion and Jerusalem in letters and memorabilia from the 1930’s of Euroepean Jews yearning to go to Palestine.

Chris Canaan Australia Ambassador pointing to sign with International word wrong

“Thinking Out of the Box” was the theme of a special Science and Technology conference held in Jerusalem. Australian Ambassador Chris Cannan and I walked in at same time. For a photo to post on Twitter I told him not to pose so stiffly. Only later did we realize, that above the big, blue word BOX he was pointing to there was a typo which ran through the printed materials.

First International Minister level Science and Technology Conference in Jerusalem Israel opening reception

Inside the First Station hangar, once your eyes got used to the dark, was the entrance to a cocktail reception.

Demonstration of Jerusalem fusion food, at Science and Technology conference in Jerusalem Israel

At the sit down dinner for hundreds of international guests, the first course was demonstrated and explained by its celebrity chef. No printed menus, so no typos.

List of Nobel Prize winners from Israel

The Ministerial level conference featured Israeli Nobel Prize winners, many who attended the gala opening.

Head table at gala dinner opening of Thinking Out of the Box Science and Technology conference in Jerusalem Israel

This is table #1 as dinner was served.

It was fascinating speaking with science and technology officials from Belarus, Tokyo, and India.

Facebook uploaded videos Israel fourth in world

In one of the video segments, I learned that Israel is ranked number four in world in uploading of videos on to YouTube.

Ovadiah Hamama, sang Ana BeKoach, so of course, I uploaded a video to YouTube.

The “Out of the Box” conference was held at the Orient Hotel and was very exclusive.

The Wolf Prize ceremony at the Knesset, without Sir Paul McCartney, was hardly noticed, photos HERE.

But out on the Jerusalem streets the annual Israel Festival was well under way for all.

Jerusalem Israel Festival Bodies in Urban Spaces

Multiple dance, music and drama performances were held in Jerusalem venues for this cultural festival which is in its 57th year.

But one dance performance by Willi Domer, “Bodies in Urban Spaces” was not only out of the box, but out on the Jerusalem streets, and in phone booths,

Jerusalem Israel Festival Willi Dorner performance

and multiple unusual spaces for photo op stops along the way from the Ticho House to the YMCA.

Israel Festival performance on street

Not all appreciated the creativity and uniqueness of the young Israeli dance troupe from Tel Aviv.

Dancers on King David Street in Bodies in Urban Spaces

The choreographer has done performances in 100 other locations, but this was the first time in Jerusalem, Israel, on King David Street, for this pose.

More unbelievable poses and photos from “Bodies in Urban Spaces” HERE 

Jerusalem Theater

The Jerusalem Theater, with a large blue poster for the Israel Festival, held multiple music and dance events as usual, which ran from May 23 to June 9.

Jerusalem Israel Festival Ping Pong at Jerusalem Theater

Out of the box? Ping Pong was in the plaza in front of the theater.

 

Islamic Museum Hamsa exhibit Jerusalem Israel

Across the street, at the Islamic Museum a new exhibit opened. A big blue Khamsa or Hamsa, was outside on the wall, while hundreds are on display inside.

For the Muslim holiday month of Ramadan at the National Library, on display were rare copies of the Qu’ran and rare Islamic treasures.

 

Sign for stamp show in Jerusalem International Conference Center

Phew. Not enough yet? There was the international stamp exhibition last week too, and admission was free.

Jerusalem street signs for child care in summer

In Jerusalem, as soon as June comes around, it is time to worry about summer programs for children who will be out of school soon.

End of school year celebration in Gan Sacher Jerusalem Israel

For older students, there is an all night end-of-school year Summer Rave party in Gan Sacher, Sacher Park, with a huge stage, several bands and lots of beer.  It means less sleep for many tonight.

Wedding in Jerusalem, Israel evening at Mount Zion Hotel

However, after a busy day there is nothing more pleasant than to attend a beautiful June wedding in Jerusalem as the sun sets.

Takhelet wine at Bible Lands Museum in Jerusalem Israel

Unless it is with a bottle of special blue label wine.

L’chaim!

 

 

 

Inspiration for 2014 in Jerusalem

Inspiration for 2014 in Jerusalem

I was having trouble finding something positive to share,

as the clock ticked to the end of 2013 in Jerusalem, Israel.

Everyone has heard enough kvetching about the snow

and the massive clean up which is still going on.

image protest Jerusalem, Photo Israel protest, picture protest signs.

The protest against prisoner releases was sad enough,

picture protest at night, image Israel protets, photo protest banners.

but the “March with Umbrellasin the cold, wet dark night,

found many depressed by this “gesture of good will.”

The next morning the sun was shining,

image Bell Park , Jerusalem park photo, picture Jerusalem Bell Park

 and the fresh blue paint in the Liberty Bell Park looked good. 

It was interesting to see how 100 years after

 Rabbi Dr. Yitzchak Halevi Herzog z”l  wrote on his dissertation 

about Tekhelet, that maybe a “student of chemistry may be interested”

that a conference filled the auditorium at The Begin Heritage Center.

But it was still not what I wanted for an inspiring blog to end the year.

However, I was back at The Begin Center the next day,

for another conference with another long list of impressive speakers.

And then,

photo inspirtational speaker, picture Noam Gershony, image Olympic gold medal winner

 Noam Gershony stood at the podium and started to tell his story.

How he was so close to death the doctors held little hope for him.

How he lost his leg and almost his life in Second Lebanon War.

How his friend Dov next to him was killed.

How he slowly came back to life, 

to play tennis, 

image skiing one leg, photo Noam Grshony, picture disabled skier

 to ski on Mount Hermon,

image disables biker, Noam Gershony riding a bike, photo bike rider with one leg

and to ride a bike.

By the time he finished his story of winning a gold medal

at the 2012 Olympics in London with the music of Hatikvah  playing,

there was hardly a dry eye in the room.

image Noam Gershony, picture Noam Gershony, photo standing ovatiion

After he finished and received a standing ovation,

image Noam Gerhsony, photo man walking with one leg, photo Noam Gershony

Noam walked to the elevator surrounded by admirers.

That was it,

what I want to share,

what the world must see.

Certainly not everyone can win a gold medal in the Olympics,

but Noam Gershony exemplifies the Israeli spirit.

After what happened to him, 

he did not become a suicide bomber,

but he does blow people away.

He inspires them to get up and get going,

no more excuses, too tired, too busy.

Now let’s make 2014 a good and positive year for all.