Author: Sharon A

Jerusalem as the New Year 2026 Begins

Sharon A

Somaliland. Who knew where it was in 2025?

How many people had to look it up when hearing Israel had recognized it as a state?

Even in this fast news cycle world, this one was a winner of what’s next.

Over Shabbat, Venezuela became the latest topic on both the social and mainstream media.

The Prime Minister was in the US, and for a change, the streets of Jerusalem were quieter.

There was a full moon over the Jerusalem streets that was visible before dark.

Several days of hard rain kept me off the streets. But even with the sun shining, the cold wind keeps the usual cafe crowd away.

Tuesday was a fast day. But the days of fasting seem to go more slowly, not faster.

Asarat BeTevet history of fast day

The tenth of Tevet is remembered as when Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, began his attack to destroy Jerusalem.

At Jewish weddings, the destruction of Jerusalem is remembered by the breaking of a glass.

There have been many weddings each night despite the winter weather in Jerusalem.

My week began with a wedding, a time of joy and promise for the future. Doubly blessed, I did not need my umbrella.

As the young couple came together, so did the family and friends, bringing together people from the corners of the earth.

Besides Somaliland and Venezuela, Iran has been an important topic on the Jerusalem streets.

Over the years, many Israelis left their homeland in Iran for safety in Israel.

Reza Pahlavi at Yad Vashem

At Yad Vashem for Yom Hashoah in 2023, the arrival of Reza Pahlavi, the son of Iran’s former leader, Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, aroused media attention. Here he posed with MK Gila Gamliel, who was Minister of Intelligence at the time.

Reuven Rivlin with Reza Pahlavi

Reuven Rivlin rose from his seat in the front row to greet Pahlavi. The former Israeli president, who had met the Shah, commented on how much he looked like his father.

The protests in Iran reminded me of the Sign from Iran exhibition. It was a show of 60 Iranian posters by 27 of Iran’s leading graphic artists held at the Museum for Islamic Art in Jerusalem in 2016.

One was the poster shown here, titled “Test of Democracy,” by Behrad Javanbakht.

Also, one of the red images here is “Sara’s Paradise” by Mandana Moghaddam. Red, symbolic of blood, we were told.

Watching the news unfold, never knowing what’s next, and planning for the future, new signs for open houses for prospective first graders.

It may have been a quiet week on the streets, but the good news is that visitors are returning for their vacations.

May 2026 be a good and healthy year for all.

As December ends Jerusalem welcomes tourists

Sharon A

Hanukkah is over, and the end of December 2025 is approaching rapidly.

Winter has returned with cold and rainy weather on the Jerusalem streets.

Here’s a brief tour of some of what was happening on the Jerusalem streets.

Last week was better for tourists; the sky was blue, the flowers brilliant purple, and the grass green.

A little of what we knew as “fall colors” elsewhere in the world, much prettier photos than grey rain.

Slowly, Jerusalem streets are getting new street signs, one day at a time, it seems.

Under the blue sky, people were returning to Jaffa Gate and the Old City.

International tourists are back. Some have rebooked multiple times because flights were canceled.

In the Mamilla Mall, a line was waiting to get into a popular restaurant for lunch.

An off-duty soldier was spotted in the midday crowd.

The final sale sign that filled the eyeglass store with potential customers attracted more attention.

The Old City’s New Gate was the entrance to one of Jerusalem’s major Christmas celebrations.

Only the big event was on December 24 at night; by daytime on December 25, the decorations and booths were being taken down.

The sign for Hanukkah lighting candles at the Western Wall was still up.

The popular protest site near Balfour Street was clear. A tree is filled with yellow hearts. The names of the returned hostages are on the tree near Balfour Street.

Hamas has not released Ran Gvili as agreed in the ceasefire. A yellow chair remains for the last hostage.

All hostages, alive and dead, were to be returned to Israel before going to stage two of the plan.

Also, the yellow chair remains at Beit Hanasi, the Israeli President’s Residence.

The yellow hostage ribbon is now joined with a black ribbon after the murders in Australia.

Tuesday night was the inaugural Woman of Iron awards. Eighteen impressive women were honored.

There were smiles. Conversations. Meetings with long-time friends. Making important new connections.

Women Sharing Loss, Understanding, and Resilience. Yes, men attended also. More photos HERE

Kol Haot was one stop on the Momentum Educator’s Mission, bringing Jewish women together.

Unity. Solidarity. Expression in art. Israeli women joined the educators from Mexico and North America.

The Birthright trips have also started up again, filling the Jerusalem streets with buses of young people.

Now, to end on a sweet note. December is the start of strawberry season.

Just a taste of this past week in the Jerusalem streets. Hope to see you here soon!

#Next Year in Jerusalem

Large electric menorah by Jerusalem, Israel street

From Jerusalem streets to Galilee for Hanukkah

Sharon A

There never seems to be enough time on Hanukkah.

Even with eight days, there is so much to do in Jerusalem, Israel.

Tours fill the streets to see the lights, from the Old City to Machane Yehuda Market and beyond.

This year, on the first night, one flame, and the local Chabad was eerily quiet.

One Chanukiah in a building lobby was simple but elegant enough to stop and admire.

The second night was not quiet for the candle lighting at the Ramada Hotel.

Kesher Yehudi honored Nova survivors to light the candles as the rabbis and hundreds of guests watched.

A Torah has been dedicated in honor of the group of Nova survivors who began keeping Shabbat.

Three lights on a car for the third day of Hanukkah.

Now, time for some good news delivered on Hanukkah.

It’s been a while since I attended a press conference at the King David Hotel.

Israeli Minister of Economy and Industry Nir Barkat and German Economic Affairs and Energy Minister Katharina Reiche spoke of positive agreements between Israel and Germany.

There was time allotted for two questions.

The Israeli journalist spoke in German, as the translator concentrated on relaying his question.

An important announcement of a gas deal with Egypt also added to the positive economic news.

The King David Hotel lobby had an impressive flower arrangement, but no Chanukkah menorah near it.

Notice that across King David Street, the Christmas decorations were up at the YMCA.

On Thursday morning, I headed north to the Western Galilee with a special JNF-USA tour.

Driving two hours, with wonderful views, and beautiful green growth after the heavy rains of Storm Byron.

The idea was to learn about the Western Galilee Winter Festival, where the diversity of cultures connects.

There are impressive Muslim villages lining the roads to the North.

Our first stop was in Moreshet, where a food workshop is held in a Jewish woman’s home. She partners with a Druze woman, who is also a professional chef, delivering a fabulous dairy meal. The brownies were in the oven for dessert. Sorry, no photos, they disappeared too quickly, and we were on our way.

The view as the sun set quickly was colorful and majestic when we arrived at Mi’ilya.

The holiday lights were on in the Christian village of Mi’ilya as the sky went dark.

On our tour was Chateau du Roi – the King’s Fortress – now a restaurant, not kosher, but full of history.

An archaeological excavation was conducted at the site, finding remains of pottery from the time of the First Temple.

The owner and developer of the restaurant told of the vast quantity of wine that was produced here.

Outside, the light display was ready near the church for the holiday season.

Fascinating tour of a place I had never heard about, and certainly not been before.

It was the fifth night of Hannukkah, and the lights were lit on the security fence.

The third stop, “When Art Lights up the Night: A Celebration of Light & Movement in the International Dance Village,” was written on the schedule. We saw artistic lighting on the Kibbutz Ga’aton grounds.

Then, the Kibbutz Contemporary Dance Company, youth division dancers, performed.

I had not read to the end of the itinerary to see “with audience participation.”

I declined, but others, young and not so young, improvised and moved with the young dance troupe.

The Western Galilee has been under rocket fire for years. For the past two years, many were evacuated, and businesses and the economy suffered. The Western Galilee Now collective is encouraging people to come back, to taste, experience, and explore a beautiful part of Israel once again.

After a restful Shabbat, it was time to check out the Jerusalem streets on the next-to-last night.

Seen in windows, usually shuttered at night, were displays as this one.

Then, President Isaac and Michal Herzog lit the chanukiya at Beit Hanasi with Marc and Chantal Belzberg at a special OneFamily event, connecting the first candle victims in Sydney with Israeli victims of terror.

However, it’s time to end a long post with my new favorite this year at Jerusalem’s Nayot Park.

Chanukkiah Western Wall - Happy Hanukkah - watermarked

חנוכה שמח

Hanukkah Sameach