November–it feels like winter has arrived in Jerusalem, Israel.
Rain on Shabbat kept many people off the Jerusalem streets.
Three highlights to brighten and warm your day.
Boy George at Beit Hanasi
British rock star Boy George was in Israel for a week, which began with a warm welcome at Beit Hanasi, the Israeli President’s Residence.
The 65-year-old, 6-foot-tall singer received a symbolic gift from President Herzog.
He spoke of how he lost many friends by “standing with the Jews” in his song We Will Dance Again.
The audience appreciated Boy George coming and standing “with humanity.”
If you want to hear a bit of Boy George’s remarks on YouTube, HERE
Elkana Bohbot, kidnapped from the Nova music festival and held in Hamas captivity for 738 days before his release, responded that he appreciated the song and Boy George’s coming to Israel.
Video of Bohbot’s 2-minute speech HERE
Photographers came out and popped up to capture the event.
When the President’s photographer gets a photo, you know it’s special.
“Presented to George O’Dowd (Boy George) by the President of the State of Israel, Isaac Herzog, in appreciation of your unwavering support for Israel and the Jewish people and your inspiring music and artistry, which remind us all that WE WILL DANCE AGAIN.
With two concerts in Tel Aviv, a trip to the Nova site, and a stop in Ofakim to meet the “cookie” lady Rachel Idri, Boy George was warmly received
Black Christian leaders at King David Hotel
Did you know that Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., along with the Southern Christian Leadership Conference,
was planning the first-ever mass Holy Land pilgrimage of hundreds, possibly thousands of Black Americans?
The trip was scheduled for November 1967.
On Wednesday, a press conference was held at the King David Hotel.
Dr. King and Israeli Prime Minister Levi Eshkol, as well as then-former Israeli Prime Minister David Ben Gurion, exchanged correspondence between January and May of 1967.
However, in June 1967, Israel fought its third battle for its existence since independence in 1948.
Dr. King continued to support Israel, but postponed the Holy Land pilgrimage until 1968. He was assassinated on April 4th of that year.
Shared are Dumisani Washington’s remarks on the MLK Pilgrimage on the 59th anniversary.
This pilgrimage brought 500 Black leaders from the US and Africa.
Next year they want 5,000 participants for the 60th anniversary.
Council leaders honored Daniel Lischinsky, father of Yaron Lischinsky, the Israeli Embassy employee murdered alongside Sarah Milgrim outside Washington’s Capital Jewish Museum on May 21, 2025.
Elkana Bohbot was one of the three recognized with a special certificate as well.
Bohbot was separated from his wife, Rivka, and their young son; however, recently the family has welcomed a daughter and has reason to celebrate.
Hila Abir, whose brother Lotan was murdered by Hamas terrorists at the Nova music festival, was also presented with a certificate.
For the first time, her father attended an event in memory of his murdered son.
The Black Christian Leadership Council on Israel Relations: Pastor Dumisani Washington, Dr. Michael Anthony Stevens, Sr., Rev. Reginald W. Gibson, Dr. Brandy Frances Gibson, and Pastor Roger Cheeks.
More photos HERE
Looking forward to more groups here with their leadership missions.
I could not leave the King David Hotel without admiring the floral display in the lobby.
Elections at Beit Hanasi
Most of the news has been about the Israeli election results.
The olive harvest this week was not a headliner.
There are 60 olive trees on the Beit Hanasi grounds. I hope they got them harvested before the rain.
Hanasi Street was lined with more security barriers than usual.
At the main entrance, the small area for media near the red carpet was clearly marked.
The media reporting area seemed the same as in the past elections.
The main waiting area is what I went to see. This time there was less furniture and more food on the buffet table.
The big difference in this election at Beit Hanasi and the past?
Four years ago, when the Raam party arrived to meet the President, it was the last to arrive.
I was still there, as was an Arabic reporter. But Mansour Abbas went mostly unnoticed.
The protests across from Beit Hanasi were small and quiet this time.
So, as always, more than makes the headlines is happening in Jerusalem.
November signs are up for events. The annual OUD festival and a night of music at the Israel Museum.
Also this week, there is an international education conference, and more.
Hope to see you soon on the Jerusalem streets!