The August heat wave on the Jerusalem streets is still going.
Daytime temperatures are soaring beyond comfortable.
Jerusalem nights are more pleasant.
By the thousands, people come out to enjoy the summer festivals and events.
On Monday morning, Beit Hanasi, the Israeli President’s Residence, rolled out the red carpet to welcome six new Ambassadors to Israel.
Nkechi Linda Ufochukwu of Nigeria presented her credentials to President Herzog, with her entourage lined up in traditional white outfits.
Her welcoming toast was with apple juice, not the traditional wine.
Each new ambassador writes a message in the official guest book.
“It’s an honour and privilege to be here and I look forward to strengthen the ties between the two Nations,” she wrote.
Honestly, I went to see Alexander Graf Lambsdorff of Germany, who had already done an impressive job introducing himself on social media.
Besides the traditional handshake, he was presented with a white hat with Israeli and German flags on the front.
On the way out of the private meeting, he was introduced to Walter Bingham. At 102 1/2, Walter is amazing and sharp with his comments.
This ambassador signed his name to the German comment in the guest book.
A surprise during the presidential welcome for Chilean Ambassador Gabriel Alejandro Zaliasnik Schilkurt was that as he presented his credentials, Zaliasnik spoke in Hebrew, not in English as most others have done.
During the meeting and handshake photo op, Zaliasnik introduced his wife, Elisheva.
I do not remember a previous ambassador carefully copying his message from a text.
The new ambassador from Chile is extremely careful to mention he represents all Chileans.
There was opposition from some Chileans to his appointment because of his leadership of the Jewish community.
And to conclude the ceremonies of the six new ambassadors was Honduran Ambassador José Luis Núñez Bennet.
His message in the guest book was only a signature. But his presence in Jerusalem is significant.
It is the first time both countries have had ambassadors in Israel since the Hamas massacre on Oct. 7, 2023.
And now with the new government in Colombia, things are looking up for Israel and South American relations.
Beka Dvali of Georgia and Saman Kumar Chandrasiri of Sri Lanka were the other two ambassadors who presented credentials before I arrived.
Only for Chilean Ambassador Gabriel Alejandro Zaliasnik Schilkurt, I followed up to get a comment at the King David Hotel. He even graciously posed with the rabbi from Chile who was at the reception that included my favorite South American Ambassadors.
Welcome to Jerusalem to these newcomers and wishing them great success.
A very different welcome was held at Har Herzl on Wednesday afternoon.
The official ceremony for the Herzl family reunion.
Security was at the highest level to enter.
The Israeli flags draped over the two caskets brought in, just like an IDF memorial service.
The remains of Shimon Leib and Rivka Herzl were exhumed from the Jewish cemetery in Zemun, Serbia, and were transferred to Israel
After 77 years, Theodor Herzl’s grandparents were welcomed to Jerusalem by the Israeli President and Prime Minister.
A parochet covered the caskets by the Herzl family graves.
President Herzog said, “In his will, Theodor Herzl wrote that he wished for his remains and those of his immediate family to be brought for burial in the Jewish state once it was established. Today, we complete the fulfillment of that wish…”
To the Ambassador of Serbia to Israel, the Prime Minister began his remarks, “I kindly request that you convey our greetings and gratitude to the President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vučić…”
The World Zionist Organization has worked on the reburial for many years.
Grandfather Shimon Leib Herzl served as the ba’al tekia, shofar blower, and gabbai at the synagogue in Zemun of Rabbi Judah Alkalai, one of the forerunners of political Zionism.
Shimon Leib and Rivka were given as close to a royal welcome as Israel provides.
Their influence on grandson Theodor can only be surmised.
But now the Herzl family is reunited on Har Herzl.
Tikvah – hope. Sometimes it takes decades to make a dream a reality.
More ceremony photos HERE
Meanwhile, the new exhibit on Shabbtai Zvi at the Islamic Museum sounds fascinating.
In the August heat, one option to cool off is the indoor water park near Malha.
Come check out what else is happening on the Jerusalem streets!
Would love to welcome you – this year in Jerusalem.