Author: Sharon A

From Jerusalem eyes on Davos and on new Gaza

Sharon A

The sun is shining today over the Jerusalem streets. The birds are chirping.

Only wispy white clouds are in the blue sky.

With the reports of stormy winter weather in the US, even El Al has canceled flights.

So not complaining here about the cold today.

Last week began with a special wedding, a bit far from Jerusalem, but worth the two-hour drive to be with friends and family.

There seemed to be weddings every night as people from overseas were in Israel.

Many of them are here longer than planned, with their flights to the US canceled.

The Jerusalem Theater has art on display, but also had a display supporting autism research.

Last week, the focus was not on the Jerusalem streets, but was more on the stage at Davos.

At the World Economy Conference, US President Trump announced the Board of Peace.

Qatar and Turkey were interesting additions to the countries involved in peace.

The new Gaza was presented during the official ceremony.

Only it is hard not to remember 2005.

The dream of a new Gaza to be built, starting with the Israeli greenhouses left behind.

All the Jewish settlements were destroyed for peace with Gaza.

But a terror network beyond imagination resulted in the October 7 massacre.

UNRWA “education” has poisoned their students not only in Gaza, but also of the PA.

UNRWA for social studies in middle school accuses Israel of infecting Palestinians with cancer.

In reading comprehension in Arabic, students learn to cut their enemy’s neck.

I could go on with more examples, see a post three years ago on the Elder of Ziyon.

The removal of UNRWA from Jerusalem, Israel, was long overdue.

It amazes me each week. He died over six years ago.

However, Rabbi Jonathan Sacks tz”l wrote about learning as a foundation of Judaism.

This week, he concluded in “Freedom’s Defence” about Moshe Rabbeinu,

“For it is in the arena of education that the battle for the good society is lost or won.”

If these people can take over Gaza and get rid of UNRWA, that could be a good place to start.

On the Jerusalem streets, signs are up for class registration for next year.

Tu Bishvat is on Tuesday. We started getting ready.

Hoping for spring and warm weather.

From Jerusalem, all eyes are on Iran, longing for peace in the Middle East.

The Israeli Government is to host an International Conference on Combating Antisemitism ahead of International Holocaust Remembrance Day.

The controversy from last year is missing this time, so you may not have known.

Shalom to all!

When the sun came out over the Jerusalem streets

Sharon A

It’s raining again, flooding the Jerusalem streets.

All week, there has been heavy rain, on and off, call it “cats and dogs” or plain pouring.

I lived in Vancouver, Canada, where it could rain for days and days.

I lived in Melbourne, Australia, where the weather could change in a minute and turn to rain.

I walked a mile to the synagogue on October 7, 2023, but the rain has kept me in much of this week.

Could it be a sign of becoming Israeli?

Missiles, no big deal. Rain- yikes.

However, when the sun came out, I got out.

Here are photos from days between the grey skies, with two highlights of the week:

What a view it was after heavy rain cleared the sky over the Jerusalem streets.

Look closely, and you can see the hills of Jordan over the Dead Sea in the distance.

This epic view was from the home of Walter Bingham.

I started the week by celebrating the 102nd birthday of Walter Bingham.

His life story fills volumes. You can search online for some of the details.

For his 99th birthday, President Isaac Herzog paid a visit, and the photo was on display.

For this party, US Ambassador Mike Huckabee attended.

Walter showed his wife, Janet Huckabee, the photos on his office wall of the Ambassador.

She responded, “There’s none of me.” So I took one of them to add to the wall.

Nothing like a party for an active person, the world’s oldest working journalist at 102.

The Beit Hanasi, the Israeli President’s Residence, had chairs set for official photos.

President Isaac Herzog hosted the annual civil New Year Reception for Christian leaders in the Holy Land.

Theophilos III, Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem, spoke on behalf of the religious leaders.

A father-son duo provided entertainment; their rendition of Jingle Bells was not as I remembered.

What was noticeable was the diversity of those attending.

Who knew there were so many religious sects, only distinguished by their attire?

More HERE

It was a week when days with heavy rain cleared the air for beautiful sunsets.

Life on the Jerusalem streets moved along at a fast pace (when not sitting in traffic).

Jerusalem streets, between construction and heavy rain, were driving nightmares.

The fast train ran on schedule. The stickers of fallen loved ones are posted at the Navon train station.

It is impossible to forget we are still at war, an Israeli hostage is still held in Gaza, and the regime in Iran is threatening.

“We are one nation” is lit at night on the building where the announcement of the UN resolution was made in 1947, to a joyous celebration.

Under the rainy or sunny skies, olim (immigrants like Walter) or the clergymen of many religions, we are in this together, waiting to see what will happen next.

Share RJS posts with those who would appreciate positive news to brighten their day.

Am Yisrael Chai!

Jerusalem moving on with life but remembers the past

Sharon A

IRAN.

As I write this, the situation in Iran is tumultuous after nearly two weeks.

Will the people rising against the regime succeed in their protests this time?

Is there a comparison to the Soviet Refusniks?

In recent years, the Menachem Begin Heritage Center has hosted a diverse range of programs for English speakers, including book launches.

As most were also available on Zoom, I did not attend them all in person. You can find them on YouTube.

However, a special book launch in Jerusalem, Israel, on January 5, 2026, was for “Be a Refusnik” by Izabella Tabarovsky.

Here are the four panelists sitting together before the program, with David Hazony holding the book.

“Be a Refusenik: A Jewish Student’s Survival Guide” explores how Cold War-era Jewish resistance offers a roadmap for confronting modern anti-Zionism.

Tabarovsky traced the ideological lineage between Soviet anti-Zionism and the rhetoric now commonplace on Western campuses with young leaders.

After 1967, Soviet Jews refused to accept the idea that they had to live without a connection to the Jewish people. “It became a source of inspiration far beyond the Soviet Union, galvanizing Jews worldwide to campaign for their freedom,” she stated.

If you have not heard of Izabella or Rawan Osman, who was in the audience and joined the panelists after for a photo. Look up who they are and what they are doing now to support Israel with truth against the propaganda and lies.

Jerusalem-Theater-lobby-photos-grey-clouds

The Jerusalem Theater has featured many Israeli artists’ work on the walls of its multiple lobbies, which RJS has shared over the years.

This week, a new exhibit opened with vivid pieces made by enlarging high-resolution small images.

This opening event offered wine and a lecture along with the food. Visitors wanting to escape the stormy winter weather should know that the art exhibitons on the Jerusalem Theater walls are free to view. The wine is not.

One day, the sun was shining, and I walked into town. Each time is a wonder to see the construction and building changing in Jerusalem.

Jerusalem Mamilla Pool

Remember this old photo of Solomon’s Pool?

It’s across from Gan Haatzmaut, Independence Park, next to Mamilla Cemetery. The winter rain has turned it green.

Last week, the pool had some water and wooden scaffolding.

I could not get as close as in the past, but a few workers were on site.

The stones on the walls of the pool must be secured before the area is opened to the public.

It will be interesting to see how they restore Solomon’s Pool.

Yoel Solomon Street is one area that was renovated as a tourist attraction. The tourists are slowly returning. Hopefully, the threats from Iran will not see new barrages of ballistic missiles to keep them away.

We move on to launch books, produce art, and look into schools for children for next year. However, the war is not over. The threats and losses are real and still felt daily. A rocket was launched from Gaza last week, but fell short near a Gaza hospital. New signs and initiatives emerge in memory of fallen soldiers. The wounded still endure therapies. Reserve soldier families, soldier on.

Winter plants are filling the Jerusalem street flower beds.

I continue to wonder who benefits from the repeated plantings year after year?

January 11, 2026, is the World Cancer Walk – www.worldcancerwalk.com.

Participants from over 250 cities were given a one-hour time slot to go on a walk. The combination of the hours around the world will equal one full 24-hour day. Jerusalem, Israel, was from 11:00 to noon. I missed seeing this in time. However, we know cancer has no borders.

Wishing a healthy and good year in 2026.

Not next year, but time now to say “this year in Jerusalem!”