Tower of David – Page 8 – The Real Jerusalem Streets

Hebrew sign on bus in Jerusalem Israel Old City for Hanukkah

Eight Days of Hanukkah: Not Enough in Jerusalem

December 13, 2017Sharon A

Hanukkah time in Jerusalem, Israel,

is always a busy time of year.

This past week the world has had Jerusalem

in its headlines after US President Trump acknowledged

Jerusalem as the capital of the State of Israel.

US, Israeli and Jerusalem flags

were flying on Agron Road

along the street of the US consulate building.

No photos are allowed of that building,

so this corner view of the

Jerusalem Waldorf Astoria will have to do.

The Israeli, US, and EU flags were on display behind

the King David Hotel with

the walls of Old City in the background.

Hanukkah menorahs are placed in hundreds of locations.

Thousands of school performances

large, and not-so-epic, have been held.

So what about the “tense” situation?

Those red signs and IDF security posts

are the norm for the outskirts of Bethlehem.

Parks may be a little less crowded,

but I did not find the that the “situation”

was much different than usual.

There are neighborhoods of New York,

Washington, DC, and Chicago,

I would never walk through,

and where driving can be dangerous.

The Tower of David Museum opened a new exhibit,

A General and a Gentleman

Allenby at the Gates of Jerusalem;

there was no way I was going to miss this event in the Old City.

Since the viewing Balfour-Allenby Exhibit

at the Israel National Library,

I have anxiously awaited December 11, 2017.

December is an important month for religious holidays.

Hanukiot are on display,

this photo has the explanation.

There are dozens of original photos.

Keep in mind that World War I was first time soldiers

had cameras on the battlefield.

Not exactly Facebook live, but they captured memories

now frozen in time for over 100 years.

The collection of authentic items and research is impressive.

Three official photos from the series are missing;

they were destroyed as they did not fit the British war narrative.

The exhibit runs until the fall of 2018,

but on December 11, 1917,

General Edmund Allenby entered through Jaffa Gate

to an impoverished Jerusalem.

Actors recreated the event,

and thousands of spectators, local and international,

crowded in to watch the reenactment of the original ceremony.

‘General Allenby’ spoke, and his heirs who came from England

joined local dignitaries, past and present.

Thousands were in the streets of the Old City,

without violence – so not news.

But about that rusty key of the city,

Mayor Nir Barkat did not keep it.

Allenby took it out of his pocket as he spoke to

Lawrence of Arabia after the program

inside Tower of David.

Facebook photos of A General and A Gentleman

Here’s hoping people will not miss the multitude of events

planned this week in Jerusalem.

School is out.

Museums are free for children.

Too many events to list, but here is a link

to some of the Jerusalem Hanukkah events.

From Cinema City to Safra Sqaure to Yes Planet,

look up and look around.

There is, as usual, too much to do on Hanukkah.

In Jerusalem, eight days are not enough.

חנוכה שמח

Happy Hannukah!

Time to get going,

the first day is almost over.

What’s Happening on Jerusalem Streets after Holidays?

October 24, 2017October 24, 2017Sharon A

After the chagim, after the holidays.

The holiday visitors have gone.

Now what? Plenty.

The universities are finally starting.

The Knesset is back in session after long break.

Way too much is happening in Jerusalem to keep up.

The imposing Tower of David (ToD)

was open for the launch of its new Innovation Lab.

These old statues were being relocated,

and over 20 technology startups in augmented reality/virtual reality,

AR/VR, were being presented.

Click and see history of 3000 years unfold!

With glasses like these,

one day you will be able sit at home

and feel as if you were in Herod’s old fortress.

And with these glasses,

eye movements can operate a robot.

Much more is happening and planned for AR/VR.

It all sounds like science fiction,

but is being developed daily to enhance the museum experience

and improve quality of life.

Oh the contrast of old and new!

Outside those walls of the Old City, near Jaffa Gate,

these Christian tourists were singing and dancing,

while across the street a woman was sorting

the olives she had just taken from this olive tree.

Olive harvesting is nearly finished for this year.

However, new festivals are beginning.

Here are 3 favorites of new Hebrew signs.

Until I saw it in English,

I had hard time understanding,

the Lev Smadar Theater is hosting “Eclectic Jerusalem” cultural films.

Then there is this sign for an illustration and poetry,

“Out-Line Festival.”

And how about an International Animation Festival

in Jerusalem, at Cinematheque?

Not enough?

Houses WithIn, now called “Open House”

starts on Thursday, with 117 interesting and free tours.

Some are fascinating sites open to public,

some are announced as free access,

others were fully booked at warp speed.

Poor Folks’ Cemetery or the Har Herzl military cemetery,

famous private homes

or the Jerusalem home of the Electric Company, are a few options.

The Pillbox in Rechavia was opened last year.

It was less than comfortable inside and a worse photo op,

but it was interesting to hear about.

Photos from the International Jerusalem

Jewish Contemporary Art Bienalle will have to wait for next time.

Oh and soon, Open Restaurants – 5 days, 100 options!

More next time,

will see how many I can get to.

So much is happening on the Jerusalem streets.

Jerusalem Israel performance near Windmill

Jerusalem in August, Everything but Singing in Rain

August 15, 2017August 15, 2017Sharon A

Jerusalem, Israel in August.

While it does not rain in Israel,

the humidity makes for interesting colors at sunset.

Of course, some sights are colorful at any hour.

Four new Ambassadors to Israel presented their credentials

this past week at Beit Hanasi, to the Israeli president.

The IDF band plays the national anthems of each country.

Time for one last minute rehearsal, before

the new Ambassador from Australia arrived.

Chris Cannan brought along his two sons.

The King David Hotel was also busy with international visitors,

US Congressmen and the head of the Organization of American States,

joined the ranks of thousands of summer tourists.

Out in back of the hotel behind the pool,

in the Bloomfield Gardens,

you will find the annual Shakespeare in Motion.

Taming of the Shrew is being performed in English,

August evenings before the sun goes down.

I still have not found the story behind this song and dance,

happening in Yemin Moshe,

near the Montefiore Windmill.

As the sun was setting,

I was walking through Yemin Moshe,

to see the International Arts & Crafts fair.

The set-up for international booths

seems to be the same as usual.

Fewer people seemed to be on the main path,

yet tens of thousands attend this annual end of summer event.

During holiday time, Jerusalem parks are popular.

As the sunset sets on Teddy Park,

with the walls of the Old City and Tower of David in the background,

the park fills with families on outings.

Segways have become a common sight.

But watch out in Mamilla Mall,

for these contraptions racing through

the hundreds of people walking and shopping.

Musical events in Kikar Safra, Municipal Square.

are held every summer,

but this year in honor of 50 years of Jerusalem unification

3 major musical events are set for August 17, 28 and 31.

Then, there is the Oud Festival

and Mekudeshet, which starts in August and ends September 15,

and there is dancing at the Jerusalem Theater,

plus Hansen House has evening events.

Festivals, singing and dancing…but no rain.

When you see security out dressed in heavy protection,

a reminder that singing and dancing in the rain

was only found in old movies.

Meanwhile, there is so

much great stuff happening in Jerusalem,

I will have to save more for next time.