Exciting times in Jerusalem on Chol Hamoed Sukkot

Sharon A

The Sukkot holiday is always a busy time of year, with many activities and events held not only on the Jerusalem streets, but all over Israel.

This year was almost back to normal with international visitors arriving to celebrate.

Adding to the excitement on Chol Hamoed, the intermediate days of Sukkot marked the announcement of the ceasefire and end of war. The Chord Bridge was lit with US and Israeli flags.

The Knesset was also lit in red, white, and blue to honor the US.

My week started with a special event at the Alyn Hospital for the Gilat Foundation with Yishay Ribo!

The audience appreciated the music, and so did the Dutch family’s organization, which provides entertainment to children who are in hospitals for treatment.

Flags for the United States were raised over the Jerusalem streets to welcome US President Trump tomorrow morning, who is to speak at the Knesset.

Sukkot is a school vacation time each year, and families are looking for activities.

In Jerusalem, Gan Sacher, Sacher Park had entertainers on Thursday for families.

The Jerusalem Municipality also provided colorful activities for free.

However, many Israelis found the International Jerusalem March to be the best entertainment.

Starting in the afternoon, people from over 70 countries walked around the park, some in costumes.

All were smiling and interacting with the spectators under colorful international flags.

Children received small flags from the marchers. Not sure who enjoyed the interactions more.

Security was relaxed, and a good time was had by all involved.

Brazil was near the end of the march, with a smaller group than in past years, but as always, enthusiastic.

The positive interactions between locals and the love displayed for Israel from the visitors were impressive. In a time when the international media was so negative, the march was full of music and song, and positive vibes were felt by all.

At the entrance to Gan Sacher, there is a piano with a “You are not alone” yellow sign on top. The hostages are impossible to forget – even in the best of times and celebrations.

Optimism for their return was a theme of the annual Sukkot United Hatazalah Gala after Shabbat at the Jerusalem International Conference Center.

Lights, music, special guests, and MC Elon Gold filled the auditorium stage

Backstage before the show began, UH President Eli Beer met with influencer Lizzy Savetsky, who has been working overtime to promote Israel and is here from New York for the holidays.

Popular singer Avraham Fried was a main attraction as usual.

However, it was the US Ambassadors to Israel who got a standing ovation when introduced.

David Friedman was a UH supporter long before he became ambassador. Current Ambassador Mike Huckabee was not only present but also up dancing with Eli Beer to Avraham Fried’s niggun.

The highlight of this UH event was near the end when the Ambassadors got on stage to perform.

Joined by Avraham Fried at the end, the full-house crowd rose in appreciation.

It was an impressive and amazing evening, glad I was able to attend.

There were fewer people on Sunday morning at the Kotel, Western Wall, for Birkat Cohanim.

The large broadcasted Priestly Blessing was done twice this year, the first time on Thursday morning drew a huge crowd.

The tens of thousands included the Ethiopian leaders, Kezim, under their colorful umbrellas.

I did not go this year; however, the Blessing is the same as last year and the years before.

The sukkot lit at night were found on and off Jerusalem streets as every year.

Now, we prepare for the end of the holiday week and Simhat Torah.

All are hoping for a day filled with joy for the holiday.

But first tonight, many will stay up learning Torah all night on Hashanna Raba.

חג שמח

Chag sameach!

The unique sounds and sights in Jerusalem from Yom Kippur to Sukkot

Sharon A

This time of year, during the holiday season, the sounds and sights on the Jerusalem streets are unique.

Selihot at the Kotel, Western Wall, was huge many nights before Yom Kippur; more than once this year, the entrance was closed to avoid overcrowding, as seen HERE in 2017.

Beit Hanasi, the Israeli President’s official residence, has a small synagogue.

I started going to Beit Hanasi when President Rivlin began hosting a selihot service.

I enjoyed listening to various Israeli singers over the years, including those of 5779.

The program has changed over time.

Early on, President Rivlin had Yitzhak Meir lead the service inside the synagogue.

This year, the pre-selihot songs were arranged by 929, the Bible study program under Rav Benny Lau.

The synagogue was not used, President Herzog spoke outside to begin the program.

What was interesting to me was his mention of the Torah dedication that had taken place only a few hours earlier by the Hoffman family in memory of their fallen son, Yitzhar.

Rav Benny Lau also spoke at the program, which 929 has organized for President Herzog.

The crowd extended as in past years to the back of the garden area near the synagogue.

A yellow chair was placed front and center, as all wait anxiously for the hostages to return.

Yagel Haroush and Ensemble were back again this year.

Watch this short video for an example of their unique performance.

The President and Michal Herzog stayed for a short time to speak with participants.

No IDF uniforms were seen in the audience as in past years.

It was before Yom Kippur, and the Presidential sukkah was already under construction. This year, the theme is sports-related, not the usual agriculture. The Beit Hanasi gates are to be open to the public on Sunday, October 12, 2025, from 10 am to 4:00 pm.

This time of year, it is not unusual to see palm branches for the top of a sukkah on top of a car.

I like to look up to see the flowers along the Jerusalem streets.

But now, if you look up, you will also see the Sukkot popping up on balconies.

From the top of apartment buildings, sukkot large and small.

Preparations were well underway for the start of the holiday of Sukkot to begin at sunset on Monday.

Colorful lights appear along some Jerusalem streets.

Our sukkah, be it ever so humble, is ready to decorate.

The Jerusalem March is to be on Thursday, October 9, with a big celebration in Gan Sacher, Sacher Park.

Thousands of visitors are arriving for the holidays.

If not this year, next year in Jerusalem, come for the unique sights and sounds.

From Rosh Hashanah to Yom Kippur on the Jerusalem streets

Sharon A

Just before Rosh Hashanah, Jerusalem turned into a whirlwind of activity.

It seemed as though every postponed lecture, concert, and ceremony came rushing back at once. I found myself choosing between events, racing from one to another, while noticing the first hints of autumn in the cooler air as the seasons changed and visitors arrived for the holidays.

Construction in Jerusalem, near the city entrance, is ongoing and increasing.

Actually, those construction cranes can be seen almost everywhere along the Jerusalem streets.

Buildings towering over the streets are a surprise to those who have not been around for a while.

The contrast of old and new, a constant theme in Jerusalem, is seen here on Jaffa Road.

This is a special time of year in Jerusalem, Israel, before the High Holidays.

‘Jerusalem City of Selihot’ signs are seen along Jerusalem streets. Tours wandered through the Old City night after night to the Kotel, Western Wall, for the after-midnight prayers.

However, during the day, people were out and about, no matter how late the hours the night before.

The Living Financially Smarter in Israel annual conference was held again with Nefesh BeNefesh in the Jerusalem Campus. Cinema City was not busy on the Sunday of the conference when I arrived.

Rifka Leibowitz concluded the full day of speakers with a summary of the key elements of a financially smarter life. Live within your means, plan and grow your money, and prepare for that broken appliance or unwanted but necessary expense.

At the end of the day, the participants were still around to fill the large room to hear her presentation.

The Jerusalem Post Diplomatic Conference was held in the Friends of Zion Media Center.

Not the usual hotel venue for that conference, and attendance varied for each speaker or awardee.
Among the morning highlights was the interview of Mike Huckabee, United States Ambassador to Israel, by Zvika Klein.

One of the Jerusalem Post’s 50 influential people was Sam Grundwerg, World Chairman, Keren Hayesod, who spoke and posed with editor-in-chief Zvika Klein.

Another of the 50, Amir Avivi, Founder & Chairman, Israel’s Defense and Security Forum, was interviewed by Anna Ahronheim, Editor Defense & Tech, The Jerusalem Post

Politicians included Amichai Chikli, Minister of Diaspora Affairs & Combating Antisemitism, who was interviewed by Zvika Klein.

Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion arrived and smiled before he spoke briefly.

And always everywhere and smiling was Fleur Hassan Nahoum.

One of the few diplomats this year was the Ambassador from India, J. P. Singh.

The IDF spokesperson Nadav Shoshani was another of the 50 who attended, as was Yoel Zilberman, CEO and Co-founder, Hashomer Hachadash.

An all-female panel was moderated by the new Jerusalem Report editor, Ruth Eglash.

But the program ran late, and I left before Mosab Hassan Yousef, “The Green Prince,” and Dr. Dan Diker, President and Fellow, Jerusalem Center for Security and Foreign Affairs, were on the stage.

It was more important to me to be at the Jerusalem Theater for The Michael Levin Base gala event.

Friends Carol and Mark Goldberg were being honored as The Base Volunteers of the Year.

And yes, there was Fleur again – smiling.

The Rise of Global Antisemitism Panel was moderated by Michael Dickson, StandWithUs CEO, and included former Deputy Mayor Fleur Hassan Nahoum, current Deputy Mayor Adir Schwartz, and journalist Matti Friedman.

US Ambassador Mike Huckabee was the opening keynote speaker. His patience and attention to those who stopped him on his way in the auditorium were impressive.

The Ambassador received a standing ovation as he reached the stage, and before he could say a word, affirming that the United States and Israel are more than allies – “we are partners.”

Of course, there was food and more awards that night.

Driving to Modiin on Route 443, one sees the new Arab buildings spread over the hilltops.

We went on Friday morning for a family event and service.

For a simhat bat – a celebration for a new baby girl in the family.

Celebrations continue – light and good, along with the darkness and bad of the past year.

The crowds have been large at the Kotel each night. I did not go this year, but even President Herzog went last night to support the hostages and their families.



However, the prayers at the Kotel are the same every year.

And the sounds of selihot resonate each year…differently for the Ashkenazi and Sephardi traditions. But at least in Jerusalem, the tunes and customs are beginning to merge.

Also, in Kikar Safra, the Jerusalem municipal square, there is a large gathering to celebrate the New Year.

There are traditional foods,

as that fiddler on the roof, “Tradition.”

Hatima Tova on Bus sign

Gmar Hatima Tova is the traditional greeting of the season.

And as Yom Kippur ends, “Next year in Jerusalem” is said around the world – a tradition.

And the sounds of Sukkot will fill the Jerusalem streets.