A Jerusalem journey from 44 Jabotinsky Street

This summer ebbs away in a time blur of heat and war, with a broken foot and hopping on one leg.

However, I remember where I was standing almost 20 years ago. Workers took down a sign in Hebrew, which read ‘Hebrew University – 44 Jabotinsky Street’ and stomped on it.

I stood watching in shock.

That was the day I started carrying a camera in my pocket instead of my backpack.

If I could not redeem that historic sign, I was going to share photos of what was happening in Jerusalem.

Since 2018, I have been documenting one piece of history as it has developed.

With recent social media sharing about Israel’s negative treatment of religions, the time finally seemed right to share the truth.

St. Antonia Convent Catholic monastery, as it was in April 2024, with nuns outside, was built in 1936.

Jerusalem church property

This was the back gate where the Hebrew University sign was removed, and much later, the cross and name were added on top of the gated fence.

Jerusalem church property where HU library was located

In 2018, the old little building in the back was one location of the Hebrew University library from 1948, when the Mount Scopus campus was forced to close.

Jerusalem sign for building British used for tribunal was HU library and now back to nuns.

The British had used the building as their Supreme Military Tribunal headquarters during the time of the British Mandate. Trials of Haganah, Irgun, and Lehi fighters were held here.

After the British army withdrew, it became a base for the fight to save Jerusalem.

Church property in Jerusalem Israel

The British took over the buildings they wanted. Israel gave Church properties back.

The little shack out back is still there.

As the main building has been redone,

the small building has been decaying over time.

Collegio Antonio, above the fence, no sign of Hebrew University remains.

This is the view from the front, which is across the street from Beit Hanasi, the Israeli President’s Residence.

The landscaping and mosaics can be seen and appreciated inside the front locked gate.

Not just properties, but also people. In 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic, while Reuven Rivlin was still president, Church leaders were hosted each year at Beit Hanasi.

Formal photo of religious leaders at Beit Hanasi

The Israel Independence Day celebrations include all the religious leaders.

President Isaac Herzog met on Monday at Beit Hanasi with a delegation of Imams and Muslim community leaders from France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Italy, and the United Kingdom.

Photo Credit: Amos Ben Gershom / GPO

The Muslim leaders’ visit included Yad Vashem, and they were welcomed in Israel.

This past Friday, tens of thousands of Muslims prayed on the Temple Mount.

So remember, not everything you see and hear on social media or the news is factual.

Not only is it how you crop the photo, but now it’s also how you clip the video.

Next year in Jerusalem, come see what’s happening for yourself.

Summer begins on the Jerusalem streets

Summer in Jerusalem, Israel.

School is out. Those never-ending graduation ceremonies have ended.

Now to figure out what to do, well, now that the Iranian ballistic missiles have stopped raining down.

Hinnom Valley Food Truck Festival in Jerusalem , Israel

In 2018, the AutoOhel, or food truck summer festival started in the Hinnom Valley.

Food Festival JLM 2025 and the light show were back this year.

However, at the improved and much more accessible venue on the Tayelet.

Each week this summer, as in the past, the menus change with various Jerusalem restaurants’ offerings.

On the opening night, the light show included a ballistic missile from Yemen.

Hopefully, that will be the last time.

The 42nd edition of the annual summer Jerusalem Film Festival is to take place July 17-26, with special guests Gal Gadot and producer Lawrence Bender.

Jerusalem Film Festival honored Dame Helen Mirren

With an opening night again in the Sultan’s Pool with a special screening on the large screen, as two years ago with Dame Helen Mirren.

In the Sultan’s Pool this week on July 8, singer Avraham Fried is back to perform a live concert.

Tower of Daivd at night

The Tower of David has plans for an unforgettable overnight camping adventure in the historic citadel, a hands-on art course, a special kids’ summer camp, and workshops for grandparents and grandkids.

All events take place inside the walls of Jerusalem’s magical Old City.

Tower of David

And of course, guided tours for all ages. For details, visit the Tower of David Museum website.

National Library of Israel outside area

The summer event “The Secret Garden” will take place from July 27 to August 12 at the National Library of Israel.

Signs were up for the Jerusalem Festival July 2-4, 2025.

The Jerusalem Theater is back for the summer season.

Of course, the other Jerusalem museums and the Train Theater offer special events for families.

Jerusalem Sacher Park lion

Much is happening on Jerusalem streets. Now, if we could have a quiet summer to hear the sounds of children playing in the parks along the Jerusalem streets.

A Jerusalem Ride to Remember: Home from Hadassah Hospital

Normal.

Back to normal.

For almost 2 weeks, the Home Front Command sent warning siren alerts of missile danger.

Then, with a flip of a switch, Jerusalem turned back to “normal” with noisy traffic and honking cars.

People came out of their homes to shop, lounge at outdoor cafes, and go to appointments again.

It was impressive to see that the light rail train to Hadassah Ein Kerem is finally up and running.

Our building’s shelter had served its purpose, but happy not to need it again.

Notice that foot in a cast at the bottom right of the photo? It’s mine.

Thursday night, we went to Hadassah Hospital Ein Kerem to see a specialist for a second opinion.

View of Jerusalem Israel from top of helicopter landing at Hadassah Ein Kerem

I had been up to the helicopter landing pad in November 2017 to take photos.

Jerusalem hospital were Australian doctors are training in pediatric emergency room procedures.

Five years ago, I was honored to take photos in the Emergency Room for a special training of Arab pediatric professionals from Gaza and Iraq, and other locations where showing their faces was not a great idea. However, the young women shared selfies with family and friends back home.

However, this was the first time I came as a patient through the main Davidson entrance in a wheelchair.

Getting to Hadassah by taxi was fine; there was less traffic than usual at night. Plus, seeing the light rail running after all these years was impressive.

But how to get home was the problem?

There is a ramp from the main lobby on the right to the elevators.

My husband asked a stranger to push me down the ramp in the wheelchair.

But the man kept going. Through the lobby, outside, to the footbridge, to the elevators, to the outside parking lot, he kept pushing with his daughter walking along with us.

Bassem from Beit Safafa has a teenage son who is disabled in a wheelchair. His white van with elevator lift was where we were headed.

Imagine my ride home in a wheelchair with my foot elevated, as his daughter wearing a hijab was on her phone, chatting and looking at fashion trends.

When we arrived, Bassem carried me and my chair up the front stairs and into my apartment.

Yes. You never know what will happen next on the Jerusalem streets!

PS. Bassem did not want anything in return for his kindness. After we insisted, he did take a box of chocolates for his children.