From Jerusalem, Education Uniting and Empowering

Another incredible week in Jerusalem, Israel, as tens of thousands filled hotels and their buses made their way through the Jerusalem streets.

Unity Prize Awards at Beit Hanasi in Jerusalem Israel

The Unity Prizes were awarded at Beit Hanasi, the Israeli President’s Residence. With the Gesher Foundation and Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat, the Fraenkel, Ifrach and Shaar families initiated these awards four years ago.

The families of the three murdered teens Eyal, Yifrach, and Naftali z”l wanted to find a meaningful way to express their appreciation for the unity and support they felt during those difficult days.

Unity Prize founders three families Fraenkel, Ifrach and Shaar at Beit Hanasi for Unity Awards Ceremony

The program was held in the main hall and included music and entertainment, with the families and prize winners filling the room.

Boca Florida winner of Unity Prize in Jerusalem Israel at Israeli President House

Boca Florida won a prize for Jewish Engagement, unity in Jewish education. Representatives from Florida came to Jerusalem to receive their award.

Unity Prize winners.

Other winners were Runners without Borders, TEC Center, Koolulam, and a special Global life achievement went to Birthright.

Three video clips were included in last week’s Shabbat Shalom greeting. They can be seen HERE.  

Soon after I left Beit Hanasi, there was another event in the gardens of OneFamily.

One Family hosts Rudy Giuliani in Jerusalem Israel

Photo ops with former NYC Mayor Rudy Giuliani were popular that night.

OneFamily guest Rudy Giuliani poses for photo on way out of One Family dinner event

Giuliani was mayor at the time of September 11 terror attack. He spoke of dealing with victims of terror in the aftermath and emphasized the good and important work of OneFamily helping victims of terror in Israel.

Not all of his remarks would be considered politically correct, but here is one short clip on Arafat and the PLO.

Jerusalem Israel, President's house garden with busts of former presidents and Theodore Herzl

Beit Hanasi, as usual, was a busy place all week. The presidential gardens were ready for numerous international guests.

AJC Board of Governors line up to enter Beit Hanasi in Jerusalem Israel

The leadership of American Jewish Committee (AJC) lined up so politely to enter. Should I confess that I smiled and went in the other door to bypass the line?

Bedouin Ahlam Alsana speaking at ICC for AJC in Jerusalem Israel

At AJC closing plenary, one of the many faces of Israel, Ahlam Alsana, stressed the importance of education in her remarks.

Shavuah HaSefer at First Station Jerusalem Israel

For locals, it was the annual Shavuah Hasefer, Hebrew Book Week, again held in First Station. As every year, thousands of volumes were for sale, attracting young and old.

Jerusalem Israel actors at First Station

A volunteer student theater group performed as families gathered before the entry gate opened.

Jerusalem Israel First Station

After their performance, confetti covered the ground and the actor/painter was back at his easel at work.

Another “you never know what you will find” scene for sure.

School end of year performance in Jerusalem Israel

You never know what you will find at those end of school year performances filling schedules in June. Mega events, with professional staging and lights, lasting well into the night – for elementary school. Interesting, as college graduations in Israel are so low key compared to US.

Jerusalem Israel Orient Isrotel

The new Orient Hotel was the scene of a gala dinner celebrating the 80th year of Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz and Steinsaltz Center contribution to education.

Books of Adin Steinsaltz

What other dinner gala featured a wall of impressive books, under the authorship of one person?

Rav Adin Steinsaltz with son and grandson enter gala tribute for his 80th birthday in Jerusalem Israel

Rabbi Steinsaltz was escorted into the full banquet hall by his son and grandson.

Singer Avraham Fried in Jerusalem, Israel for Steinsaltz Gala in honor of Rav Adin 80th birthday

Popular singer Avraham Fried gave a powerful performance.

Eightieth birthday Rav Adin Steinsaltz in Jerusalem Israel

The key note speaker was Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks, who spoke about power and knowledge.

To end with some inspiration, take two minutes and listen to a brief clip from his insightful remarks.

So much is happening in Jerusalem.

Israel Festival has ended. Jerusalem Design Week has begun.

Then on June 27, begins another week of the annual Light Festival in the Old City.

But for this week if there was one overshadowing theme, it was that education is the key.

Education should be everyone’s birthright, not only the privileged.

Am Yisrael Chai.

9 thoughts on “From Jerusalem, Education Uniting and Empowering

  • June 13, 2018 at 12:05 pm
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    Amazing, thank you for sharing such a smile-filled week in Jerusalem, and the inspirational videos.
    Shabbat Shalom!

    Reply
  • June 13, 2018 at 5:40 pm
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    Thank you for the Gesher plug.We do great work.Guiliani is a nasty ,gross ,thrice divorced man who was saved by 9-11. To his credit he rose to that horrendous event and did a really good job keeping the calm and consoling the victims.As Mayor he wrote off the minority communities since they don’t vote for him anyway( a quote) and as US Attorney arrested some elderly white collar executives who had agreed to turn themselves in ,by having a large group of Police come to their office and handcuff them.All for a photo op.

    Reply
    • June 13, 2018 at 6:20 pm
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      Agreed, Gesher does good work, as does OneFamily. Giuliani made controversial statements, and certainly has faults, however, his actions cleaning up NYC, and after 9/11, and against terrorists, I think are positive enough to mention.

      Reply
  • Pingback: Aus Jerusalem: Bildung eint und stärkt | abseits vom mainstream - heplev

  • June 19, 2018 at 9:44 am
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    Sharon, great job, I always look forward to your wonderful posts. Hope the whole family is well.
    Best regards,
    Marc & Diane

    Reply
    • June 19, 2018 at 11:22 am
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      Thank you! Glad to hear efforts are appreciated. All ok. Hope yours are well too.

      Reply
  • August 9, 2020 at 12:05 pm
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    Thank you for the ‘clip’ on Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sack’s address. I so enjoy his writings, especially his writings on the weekly torah portion. You share SO many interesting and insightful things with us, Sharon. I feel blessed.

    Reply
    • August 9, 2020 at 12:10 pm
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      Wow thank you so much! Your comments are greatly appreciated!

      Reply
  • Pingback: Remembering Rabbi Adin Even-Israel Steinsaltz z”l – The Real Jerusalem Streets

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