Jerusalem, Israel – what is really happening
This week, I planned to create and share a fresh Shabbat Shalom photo featuring a pomegranate I spotted on a Jerusalem street.
However, when I checked the RJS archives first, I rediscovered this image from 10 years ago.
Shabbat shalom!
Rosh Hashanah is ten days away.
May it be a good and healthy year for all.
It has been around for many years, having been established in 1974 by President Ephraim Katzir.
The Israeli President’s Volunteer Awards include both organizations and individuals.
The 2025/5785 award ceremony was held in the gardens at Beit Hanasi, the President’s residence.
A dairy buffet and comfortable weather added to Monday evening’s pleasant program.
The main hall was ready for official photos with the President after the ceremony.
The yellow chair was outside, as with all recent Beit Hanasi events, to remember the hostages.
I arrived early and went to sit down inside to wait and get a photo of the new artwork on display.
These new pieces are different from before the room was remodeled.
The room was not empty for long, as the awardees arrived, different this time – dogs with their humans.
There were more award winners this year than in past years.
Certainly, many more dogs than before.
President and Michal Herzog entered and greeted the awardees seated in the front row.
The audience saw short videos highlighting the winners’ impressive accomplishments.
Each individual was called up to receive the award for their achievements and pose for a photo.
My favorite was 91-year-old former teacher, Louisa Bergman, whose smile was so bright.
It was good to be back at Beit Hanasi and share some of the good news that gets little notice.
The protests are growing and becoming more violent. The media is looking for the negative stories.
This was the scene of the dumpster and car fire the day after. Notice how the speed sign was burnt.
The clever experts do not predict what will happen next.
I decided to end with a prayer for the safety and good health of the defense forces and all.
Am Yisrael Chai!
The last day of August is the end of the long summer school holiday in Jerusalem, Israel.
The big excitement – the Jerusalem light rail is up and running again along Jaffa Street in time for school.
As the last days of the long summer holiday came to an end, families were looking for new activities.
The Jerusalem Theater had special performances for children in the afternoon. The audience was filled with parents and grandparents for the performances of the annual end-of-summer festival.
Outside the theater, long Israeli flags were hanging, and messages to bring home the hostages.
Across the street, the Museum of Islamic Art announced a new exhibit -“Love Stories.”
Signs are up for the new September events.
It’s Elul, and the Sultan’s Pool amphitheater still fills with musical performances nightly.
School buildings are getting ready to open their doors on the morning of September 1st.
The local bookstore displayed children’s workbooks to learn English.
The new Jerusalem signs and message for this “year of hope and love” are at the school entrance.
The new look of old buildings is impressive if you have not been by lately.
This one is across from the Prime Minister’s home on a street that is often blocked to traffic.
In Israel, there were weddings and celebrations all week. We were pleased to get to celebrate with a new couple in Jerusalem one night wth long-time friends – almost family.
With all the new beginnings and good things happening, there are also signs for fallen soldiers.
A reminder that Israel may be in the top ten happiest countries, but there is a war raging on many fronts. Those Houthi early morning ballistic missile wake-up sirens have been another reminder.
Good and bad, the days are shorter and cooler as the schools open and the holiday season approaches.
Am Yisrael Chai
Hope to see you on the Jerusalem streets soon!