Three events from the third week of November in Jerusalem, Israel, are highlighted in this post.
As the Jerusalem skyline above us constantly changes, things are happening on the streets, conference halls and theaters. As always, there is more happening than makes the headlines.
ONE
Monday night, nine women took to a Jerusalem stage to perform “Heroines” for an audience of women.
In July 2023, inspired by a video of Rachel Goldberg-Polin speaking at Kever Rachel, Shayna Levine-Hefetz sat down at the piano. As she played, music flowed through her, imagining Rachel in conversation with her Biblical namesake. That was when the concept of “Heroines” was born.
The monologues are presented in a Reader’s Theatre style: an open-book dramatic performance.
The opening scene relates the story of Adi Vital-Kaploun, of Holit, who was murdered in her home in front of her 4-year-old and 4.5-month-old sons. The boys were then taken captive on October 7, 2023, but miraculously released. Each story is encapsulated in a short presentation of a dynamic event.
The open-book dramatic performance requires no memorization, and the costumes are simple.
Performers use voice and facial expressions to bring the words to the audience.
Not always seated for the solemn and sad stories, they were up and active in some of the scenes.
Plus, a few gestures and scenes were included, providing humorous relief from the tragic stories.
‘Heroines” is a tribute to the women who died and survived during the Swords of Iron War.
“Our nation’s history seems to repeat itself, but so do our nation’s qualities of unbridled bravery, leadership, faith, and hope,” said Toby Klein Greenwald, who has led the women of “Raise Your Spirits” Theatre shows with Biblical themes to women-only audiences for the past 24 years.
TWO
All day Wednesday at Nefesh BeNefesh, the 4th Jerusalem Business Conference was held.
Organized by Lesley Kaplan and the Israel Networking Hub in partnership with the Association of Americans and Canadians in Israel (AACI) and Nefesh B’Nefesh, the event theme was “Own Your Voice.”
Hillel Fuld was opening keynote speaker, with advice based on his experiences in tech and social media.
Joseph Gitler of Leket Israel was another important speaker in conversation with Lesley Kaplan.
The panel moderated by Heather Dean included Debbie Sassen, Fleur Hassan Nahoum, and Zev Levi.
The participants filled the room, including one fitness expert who brought along his own ball to sit on.
Most stayed for the speaker and special networking session late in the afternoon, and the prize raffle.
THREE
According to their tradition, Ethiopian Jews, also known as Beta Israel, are descended from emigrants from the tribe of Dan in the Land of Israel during the time of King Solomon. Each year on Sigd, they went to a mountain top in Ethiopia and prayed to return to Zion, to Jerusalem.
Sigd was declared a national holiday in Israel in 2008. Some members of the Ethiopian Jewish community fast and recite prayers. Tens of thousands come to Jerusalem each year, 50 days after Yom Kippur, for the services led by Kessim, their religious leaders.
I say each year, these were the original Zionists.
Thursday, November 20, in the morning, Sigd was celebrated on the Tayelet, with prayers and celebration.
Special this year, former long-time hostage Avera Manfisto attended Sigd for the first time.
Traffic was still blocked as people were leaving in the afternoon.
And at night, it was Rosh Chodesh Kislev.
Chanukah is coming.
Festivals and culture are returning to the Jerusalem streets.
As the war in Gaza drags on, with three hostages still held captive, Jerusalem is building, bigger and better, like the new entrance to the Jerusalem Botanical Gardens seen here.
Next year in Jerusalem, or will we see you here sooner to see for yourselves?
