Zion Square – The Real Jerusalem Streets

Old and New in Jerusalem for Summer

July 11, 2018July 11, 2018Sharon A

Half of all Israelis are reported to be going overseas this summer.

At the same time, however, a record number of tourists are arriving.

Being out on the Jerusalem, Israel streets early in the morning is not my regular thing.

Obviously, I am not alone, as Jaffa Road before 8:00 am was a very quiet place.

One lone runner came along as I stood near Kikar Zion, Zion Square.

Or rather what was Kikar Zion; there was a large sign and it was fenced off from view.

Inside the fence was a construction site, as the old Kikar Zion is getting a whole new look.

Back on Jaffa Road after dark, a man wearing a in red shirt was running and had a hard time negotiating his way through the crowds.

The Light Rail trains blasted their horns to warn people out of the way as they slowly made their way along the tracks.

The Herbert Samuel Hotel was lit with a colorful video for the Jerusalem Light Festival

“I love Jerusalem” was repeated in lights, but it was hard to capture in one photograph.

Old downtown Jerusalem is getting a whole new look.

If you can find your way past the construction site to find Yoel Salomon Street, it is once again covered with colorful umbrellas.

Old or new, the umbrellas make interesting photos against the night sky.

Once again, the very old Tower of David Museum is offering a new exhibition for the summer.

From the museum entrance, throughout the archaeological gardens and up to the citadel ramparts, there are nine new pieces of art. These aluminum sculptures were crafted by artist Karen Sargsyan, who brought 100 kilo of aluminum and 3,000 knives from Holland to create these Jerusalem historical figures.

There was a colorful King Cyrus the Great with the citadel in the background.

This man was not bowing down to the Queen of Sheba, but putting finishing details to the sign before the exhibit opened to the public.

Of course in the Tower of David Museum, you will find King David.

King Herod, the Builder of old Jerusalem, has a whole new look.

Children’s activities in an air conditioned tent, is a new idea that sounds good, plus from middle of July to end of August children are admitted to the Tower of David without an entrance fee.

The old “I love Jerusalem” sculpture has been moved from Kikar Zion to new location in Kikar Tzahal, Zahal Square.

If you want to find something old or new in Jerusalem, Israel, the new colorful #itravelJerusalem tourist information trucks are out on the streets full of information.

The trucks are distributing the new summer edition of Fun In Jerusalem. Also, selling new Jerusalem City Pass Cards, which enable tourists to ride on the Light Rail and city buses and to enter museums for the day both for free and at discount rates.

Mekudeshet cultural festival starts August 8. You can count on them for creative and new.

Old and new are coming together this summer off and on the Jerusalem streets.

10 Special Smiles in Sukkot Holiday Crowds

October 11, 2012rjstreets

While the mainstream media did an extensive job of covering

the “riots on the Temple Mount,” there was far less coverage of how

Jerusalem, Israel, was crowded with visitors for the Sukkot holiday.

It was impossible to count the huge numbers in the Old City,

as Birchat Kohanim attracted crushing crowds.

This Arab woman may not have smiled,

but she did not fear revenge as she tried to pass through the crowd.

Beit Hanasi, the Israeli President’s residence, held a sukkah open house.

Thousands of people waited in long lines to see dancers and singers

perform in the outside gardens,

while Israeli President Shimon Peres sat and smiled on stage.

Thousands and thousands of visitors were on the Jerusalem streets,

but this stunning beauty made me think to share a few of the faces

and smiles that stood out in the crowd.

For the Jerusalem Parade over 6000 people from all over Israel

and from 60 countries marched through the center of town.

There were only two participants from India,

but many countries had very large delegations.

Spectators, including many young children, were excited

to see the costumes and receive small flags from around the world.

This young woman offering a snack to marchers

received many smiles and thanks.

For more parade photos see The Real Jerusalem Streets Facebook page.

As usual there were countless meetings with friends

and family reunions during the holiday vacation week.

How special to be able to smile when organizing a group

that does not show at the right place or the right time.

Many people stopped and smiled in the Kikar Zion, Zion Square,

as Chabad had young boys offering lulav and etrog to those who passed by.

There were so many smiling faces of children on family outings.

This mime on a street corner got attention, a smile and money.

There were too many concerts and musical events to mention,

but one of the last ones was Hakafot Hasheniot, the second Hakafot.

For the 31st year, live music and dancing

energized Gan Hapa’amon, the Liberty Bell Park.

Hundreds without tickets had to stand in the back,

but some were still able to smile at the end of a long holiday week.

Both of Israel’s Chief Rabbis addressed the gathering,

as did Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat.

Seven times men were called to the stage to dance with the Torah scrolls

and women were dancing and smiling too.

More photos in The Real Jerusalem Streets Facebook Hakafot album.

There were colorful characters

even clowns on the streets,

but I especially liked the many families with big smiles.

That is it.

Holiday time is over.

Now it is back to school and back to work.

Jerusalem as August Ends

August 28, 2012rjstreets

Did you hear a loud noise on Monday morning?

It was the collective sighs of relief filling the streets –

the long summer holiday was over

and over 2 million Israeli children went back to school.

Trips to museums for water play were replaced with starting Kita alef,

which in Israel is a more exciting event than many university graduations.

The school children living in the southern Israel town of Sderot

had another rocket fired at them from Gaza as they started to go to class.

More than 440 rockets have been fired into Israel from Gaza

since the year began, averaging around two a day!

Last week Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing,

was performed in English in Jerusalem, Israel’s Bloomfield Park.

The shows were free and open to the public.

Shakespeare, widely agreed to be perhaps the most clever writer ever,

could he have imagined what is happening now?

Arab families were seated on the grass to watch.

A few meters away on the plaza, Muslim women sat on a bench

and then followed to see the photos of a beautiful bride in white,

as a Jewish couple were preparing to get married.

While hundreds are killed each day in Syria,

this was the scene in the Jerusalem park.

School has started, however university does not begin until October.

Arab girls in Israel will be attending classes,

not banned from an education like in Iran.

And of course, they can drive themselves to the park or to school,

not like the women living in Saudi Arabia.

Kikar Zion, Zion Square, is still a safe place to walk during the day.

It was a long hot summer,

but the evenings are now cool for the late night summer music programs.

Last week the music and lights were at the Jerusalem Theater,

and this week Gan Sacher, Sacher Park, will showcase Reggae Music

and Safra Square will host the last August free public concert.

First there was the Wine Festival, then Beer Festival,

and now this week for the first time an Ice Cream Festival.

Always something happening on the Jerusalem streets.