Jerusalem Streets Go Virtual for Passover Pleasure

Jerusalem Streets Go Virtual for Passover Pleasure

Jerusalem, Israel this time of year is usually one of the busiest.

Pesach, Passover, has many other names, including the holiday of spring, and the holiday of freedom. Streets are usually full of people, rental cars, tour buses, and holiday pilgrims.

This year the yearning for freedom from home isolation was felt around the world as the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic kept people inside their homes.

This year with Pesach and Easter coinciding streets should have been packed.

Instead, they are empty.

Three years ago this was the scene at the Kotel, Western Wall for Birkat Kohanim, Priestly Blessing.

Ten men prayed together at the Kotel and recited the blessing today.

A tiny microbe has done what wars, stabbings, suicide bombers, car-rammings and other forms of terror could not accomplish.

However, if nothing else, Israelis are resilient.

Moving off the streets and online, here are five suggestions to experience Jerusalem over this holiday week.

  1.  Instead of sharing places to go and things to do in Jerusalem, Fun in Jerusalem is offering at home ideas.

2. The Tower of David Museum has virtual tours free for this week, check out one introductory tour HERE

Or take time and explore the site for other tours HERE

3. The Jerusalem Cinematheque is closed. Last month when I went to a special performance, already concerned about the virus, I heard a woman coughing. Quickly I went in ahead of and away from her. Hard to believe that was just over a month ago and one of their last events.

However, the Cinematheque is offering a wide variety of entertainment links, from first-rate old US movies to ‘Peter and the Wolf’ performed by the Royal Ballet and Metropolitan Opera mega productions: HERE

4. The Bible Lands Museum Jerusalem is also at work getting more content online: HERE you can see the video from Yemen exhibit.

5. Experience the Western Wall Tunnel Tours from home:

Sadly the exciting Jerusalem night shows are on hold.

But here is a bit of the introduction to the Tower of David Night Show.

And the City of David Sound and Light Show Finale.

Hoping all stay well, wishing you a healthy holiday.

Let’s keep in touch virtually, until we can see you again soon on the Jerusalem streets.

Jerusalem’s Israel Museum plus 4 more you should know

Jerusalem’s Israel Museum plus 4 more you should know

In Jerusalem, the barricades and barriers to keep the public away from world leaders are gone from the streets and sidewalks. People are out again on the streets when the sun appears.

When walking in Jerusalem and someone asks: “where is the museum?”

It is a safe bet to assume they mean The Israel Museum.

Israel Museum in Jerusalem, Israel

So I point to the path up the hill to Jerusalem’s largest and best known Israel Museum.

However, there are dozens of museums in Jerusalem, Israel.

In the past week, four museums opened their doors for special events.

Winter day at the Tower of David in Jerusalem Israel

It was a rainy, grey day at the Tower of David Museum.

Over the years, this ancient military fortress has become a popular cultural spot, hosting a wide variety of events, exhibitions, and nighttime shows.

In October 2017, within the ancient stone walls, looking to the future, ToD launched its Innovation Lab.

The ToD is constantly looking for new ways and technology to engage young visitors with Artificial Reality – AR and Virtual Reality – VR, and Apps. Wearing special VR googles was not to be the final answer to get everyone involved with their surroundings.

MARS launch of interactive tour option at Tower of David

The newest storytelling-videos taking AR to a new level, launched last week, come from MARS.

Co-founder and CEO Ori Noam explained how his David and Goliath video, developed at ToD Innovation Lab, make the experience unique to the user.

MARS at Jerusalem Tower of David Museum launch

At the entrance desk, for a small additional extra fee, visitors  receive a tablet and earphones. Because it was raining outside, demonstrations had to be inside.

Tower of David Museum demonstration of MARS new tourist option using AR and MR

MARS lets visitors interact with Goliath as seen on this tablet screen.

Mars at Jerusalem Tower of David using tablet for tour option

Using sub-conscience triggers, MARS creates an experience unique to each family or visitor. And these days, of course, the mandatory selfie at the end.

Did you realize last week was Israeli Space Week?

The Bloomfield Science Museum was open two evenings free of charge in honor of Space Week.

Signs at entrance to Bloomfield Science Museum in Jerusalem

Besides the currently running exhibitions on Leonardo Da Vinci and Journey to Space, Israeli Space Week attracted families with young children to the Science Museum. 

Balloon Astronaut at Jerusalem science museum entrance

A giant astronaut balloon hovered overhead at the entrance.

Leonardo Questions at Bloomfield Science Museum in Jerusalem Israel

‘Leonardo’s Questions’ were displayed and answered in the main entrance area with Leonardo’s wings hanging above.

Space week at Jerusalem science museum

Upstairs on the third floor, I was able to get one image before the room filled with excited children. Oh, to channel all that energy.

Planetarium in Jerusalem Science Museum

The planetarium required registration to enter, but for photography, I think outside was better to see the black starlit dome.

Leonardo exhibit at Jerusalem Science Museum

‘Optics and Observation’ was one of the various rooms on the current Leonardo theme.

Meteor rock from Arizona desert in Jerusalem science museum

What would be a good space exhibit without a piece of rock from outer space?

Marc, a former employee of Griffith Observatory in California, held a piece of a meteor found in an Arizona crater. Visitors were encouraged to feel a piece of material that fell from space halfway around the world, right here in Jerusalem.

Jerusalem has multiple private museums on a wide variety of topics.

Front view of Bible Lands Museum Jerusalem on cloudy day

The Bible Lands Museum Jerusalem, BLMJ, is near the Science Museum and across the street from the Israel Museum.

Entrance to YEMEN exhibition at Bible Lands Museum Jerusalem

Its new exhibit is simply called YEMEN. The historical development of South Arabia over the centuries is shown in detail to cover all the senses. I was so impressed with a tour before it opened, I had to go back on opening night to see the finished exhibit.

A woman looks at ancient artifacts from South Arabia now Yemen at Bible Lands Museum Jerusalem

First, the visitor encounters ancient statues and artifacts used for burning incense.

Bible Lands Museum Jerusalem display of three popular fragrances of ancient times.

The Jews of ancient southern Arabia traveled over long distances by camel with myrrh, frankincense, and balsam. Here one can smell the aromas so important and valuable in ancient times and compare them.

Bible Lands Museum Jerusalem traditional food from Yemen at opening of new exhibit

I said all the senses. At the opening evening was this traditional Yemenite savory biscuit. I must admit it was not to my taste.

Yemenite man reading Hebrew book upside down in Naftali Hilger photo in Bible Lands Museum Jerusalem

This is one of several powerful photographs by Naftali Hilger on display. Note the Jewish man from Sa’dah is reading a prayerbook upside down. Since books were scarce, children learned to read from multiple directions. Hilger’s photographs taken in the late 1980s add greatly to the exhibit.

Bible Lands Museum Jerusalem Yemen exhibition

Rich colors, old ritual artifacts, and scrolls,

A woman looks at wall display at Bible Lands Museum Jerusalem Yemen exhibit.

and more recent content, such as this Jerusalem Street sign, add to the scope of Yemenite history.

The father of Batya Borowski, wife of BLMJ founder Eli Borowski z”l, came from Yemen to Israel in 1907. Zacharia Jamil was a talented silversmith and jewelry-maker like his father.

The exhibit with its warm hues radiates the warmth and love Batya Borowski and her daughter,  BLMJ Director Amanda Weiss, have invested in sharing a history unfamiliar to many.

Three rings made by father of Batya Borowski iZacharia Jamil on display in the Bible Lands Museum exhibition Yemen

Three rings made by Jamil are included in the Yemen exhibition.

Fourth and last is the L A. Mayer Museum of Islamic Art, which also has a new temporary exhibition.

Trespassing exhibit at LA Mayer Museum of Islamic Art in Jerusalem Israel

Titled “Trespassing” in English, meaning stretching boundaries, here are 3 examples of works by fifteen Israeli women, coming from religious communities:

Trespassing exhibition at LA Mayer Museum of Islamic Art in Jerusalem Israel

Muslim – Fatima Abu Roomi self-portraits,

Female Druze artist with special shawel on floor LA Mayer Museum of Islamic Art in Jerusalem Israel

Druze – special shawl over a traditional home rug,

Shira Zelwer wax flowers and diorama

and Jewish -wax flowers and diorama.

The Museum of Islamic Art has historical pieces and a magnificent antique watch collection. 

Shira Zelwer wax figures from grandmother's photograph Islamic Museum

What stood out for me in the new pieces was this item. Shira Zelwer’s wax figures in the diorama are three-dimensional images reproducing a 1960’s photograph. They show her grandmother surrounded by the waiters of her catering business in Australia.

I fondly remember her grandmother in her later retirement years, still an active personality.

You never know what you will find on the Jerusalem streets or what memories in its museums.

Scene from YEMEN at the Bible Lands Museum Jerusalem Israel

From ancient artifacts to futuristic technology, from Yemen to Australia, worlds coming together on the Jerusalem streets and explored and shared in its unique museum displays.

KING DAVID: Lasers New Light from Jerusalem

KING DAVID: Lasers New Light from Jerusalem

I love going to the Tower of David.

Visits to the Tower of David Museum for fashion, photos of the old days, or the 100 years celebration of Allenby, all were fascinating.

Nothing tops the photo ops of night-time events in the citadel of the Tower of David.

Night at Tower of David Jerusalem, Israel

Waiting outside at night, dwarfed by those ancient towering stone walls, an awesome feeling to historical past, that never gets old.

Jerusalem Israel Tower of David at night

The views inside the citadel, on the platforms above Jerusalem, Israel, are amazing.

A chance to see the new night experience KING DAVID, was not one to pass up.

Jerusalem, Israel, Tower of David citadel at night

Pre-show lighting of the inside walls runs for 15 minutes, as up to 420 visitors are seated.

Modern laser technology casts words on the walls of old.

Tower of David pre-show lighting for KING DAVID

On a cool, humid night, the city lights turned the sky shades of pink, not the usual black sky, contrasting with the intricate light patterns.

One is to imagine David escaping to the oasis of Ein Gedi by the light projections all around the inside walls.

Tower of David Museum flowing waters on walls of citadel

Cascading, flowing water is yet another scene.

Introducing KING DAVID new sound and light show Tower of David

After the introduction of the evening, the sound of the musical performance surrounds, while the laser projectors illuminate with 250,000 lumens and 35 million pixels.

KING DAVID show begins with art inspired by his story Jerusalem Israel

David has inspired countless works of art by major sculptors and painters over the centuries.

In this latest creation, scenes change rapidly, going through the life story of King David.

KING DAVID scene of Ruth in fields of Bethlehem Jerusalem Israel Tower of David

The historical narrative begins with Ruth, David’s great-grandmother, gathering wheat from the fields.

Scene young David at Tower of David show Jerusalem Israel

There is David as a shepherd tending to his flock in the pasture, and here with Samuel the Prophet.

Not all is bright and cheerful.

There is the story of fighting the Philistines and David with Goliath.

Nit laser and sound show Tower of David Jerusalem Israel

Can you find what is real and what is light projected against the stone walls?

Tower of David night show scene with harp Jerusalem Israel

David the musician plays the harp for King Saul, as walls are made to resemble tents.

Scene in Tower of David 12 tribes of Israel Jerusalem

The 12 Tribes of Israel settled in Israel with Jerusalem as their capital.

Tower of David laser and light show KING DAVID Jerusalem

The Ark of the Covenant is brought to Jerusalem.

Scene of celebration Tower of David story of KING DAVID

People dance and rejoice in the streets of Jerusalem.

Tower of David light show KING DAVID Jerusalem Israel

There are so many stories of David’s life, each one famous on its own.

Scene with King playing card Tower of David show Jerusalem Israel

The Tower of David Museum ‘Night Spectacular’ centered on the building of Jerusalem over the centuries.

This new night light spectacular features, David, King of Israel, David HaMelech.

Tower of David scene of David the Poet with psalm on wall Jerusalem

You see his palace, to enter by candle light.

Besides being a warrior, David is also credited with composing the Book of Psalms.

Jerusalem rejoicing in final scene of KING DAVID at Tower of David

For the finale, after King David looks out into the starry night sky above Jerusalem, the City of David, doves fly above musicians and joyous people.

Musical ending for KING DAVID at Tower of David Jerusalem Israel

Let’s all pray for peace in Jerusalem.

The Night Spectacular has been running for ten years,

and will continue to be shown.

One of the most famous psalms, Chapter 23, “The Lord is my Shepherd” is featured in the following video.

Still not enough? The following is a two-minute video of the early action of the laser and light show which runs 31 minutes.

KING DAVID opens at the Tower of David on April 1, 2018.