Leaving Jerusalem for a wedding, and waking to war

In Jerusalem, Israel, in the best of times, it is hard to keep up with what’s happening.

Who can remember last week?

It was only last week that we heard the motorcade of Argentine President Javier Milei pass by as he went to the Kotel, Western Wall, when he arrived in Jerusalem, Israel, for an official visit.

Milei met with the President and Prime Minister at their offices, then was welcomed to the Knesset plenary on Wednesday evening, where he got a standing ovation when he was called to the podium to speak. The two leaders, hugging each other and their sore throats the next day, were lost in the news cycle of war.

There was a warm welcome and praise for Milei, even from the opposition, as he was called to speak after the Prime Minister. Yair Lapid began by mentioning the hostages and also spoke in Spanish. Am Yisrael chai.

June 12th was a chance for the public to enter without charge to celebrate 60 years at the Israel Museum.

What timing – a day later, it would have been canceled like so many other long-time planned events.

Remembering the Israel Museum Big Birthday Bash at fifty years. It was quite a celebration.

Jerusalem continues to grow with construction seemingly everywhere. This main road was not busy during the rush hour because of the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha last week.

And now the streets are quiet as construction work has stopped, and people are staying close to home.

The closing of light rail lines and the narrowing of streets as construction proceeds made it a close call for all. A few bus lines are now running, but not with the usual schedules.

The Eldan Jerusalem Spinning Marathon 2025 took place June 11-12, adjacent to Alrov Mamilla Boulevard, next to the walls of the Old City of Jerusalem.

On Thursday, June 12, 2025, we left from Jerusalem for a special family event on the Kinneret.

Taking Route 90, we passed the live camel waiting for tourists near the “sea level” sign along the road.

It’s not exactly a major highway passing through an Arab village,

or the thousands of date trees that line the road.

New for this trip were the yellow flags along the way

and the construction of new neighborhoods.

We were headed for a destination wedding on Thursday night on the Kinneret.

As the sun set, all went well for a beautiful ceremony for the new couple.

The picture-perfect scene was enjoyed by all who had made the journey.

However, the mood shifted as Iran showered ballistic missiles on Israeli cities.

We could see interceptions on Friday night as we went back and forth from the dining hall to the shelter.

Finally, children slept in the big shelter as we all tried to get some rest.

It was not quite the family weekend that was planned. But the location was beautiful as always.

On Sunday morning, we safely returned to Jerusalem.

This time, by Route 6, not through the Jordan Valley.

It was good to see the Israeli flag banner on a building.

Together, we will get through this. I just wish we could get through the night without sirens and missiles.

#AmYisraelChai.