attractive tourist destination – The Real Jerusalem Streets

A big day for diplomacy, but a slow day for the Jerusalem streets

December 7, 2025December 7, 2025Sharon A

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is in Jerusalem on his first visit to Israel as Chancellor of Germany.

Across Israel, on December 3, the International Day of Persons with Disabilities was marked with conferences, accessibility campaigns, and some Jerusalem public buildings lit in purple.

The Tower of David, including the walls, was lit purple at night.

I was disappointed that Beit Hanasi was not purple like last year as I walked by on my way home from a special event at the Friends of Zion Museum (FoZ).

Every event at FoZ has been a unique experience. I never know what to expect.

However, the music was often provided by The Solomon Brothers. They opened the VIP event of the Ambassador Summit 2025. One thousand pastors and influencers came to Israel for a week-long special mission under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Mike Evans’ FoZ

President Isaac Herzog received a warm welcome upon arriving in the FoZ Media Center.

The Israeli President was the opening speaker, welcoming the leaders of the 1000-strong Ambassador Summit 2025. “In the city of faith, it means so much,” he told them in his remarks.

U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee spoke brilliantly to the mission initiated by Dr. Mike Evans, a Christian leader and influencer, in cooperation with the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Ambassador Huckabee emphasized the importance of the friendship between Israel and the United States and the moral responsibility of the evangelical community to stand with Israel in its time of crisis.

“Come and see it for yourselves…my opinions don’t matter…land of Israel dry bones come to life, I have seen it in my own life…God keeps every promise he makes to us, even when we do not keep the promises we make to Him…faith… I’m giving you a place – Israel – a people, a place, and purpose… Without the Jewish faith, there would be no Christian faith.”

Immediately after the Ambassador spoke, the President left for his next scheduled appearance.

Well, after the official photo of the five leaders together. I stayed upstairs for a better, less crowded view.

Their buses traveled around Israel this week to see the truth for themselves and go back to share with their communities. Amb. Huckabee told them to come back and to bring a group with them.

On a pleasant day, there was time to take a walk and see the stalls along the Old Train Track.

With access to the businesses along Emek Refaim Street almost impossible to access because of light rail construction, they were put up as alternative venues to buy food.

The First Station has a new bike path, but much is also closed off because of construction.

Most everywhere in Jerusalem, if you dig down, you will find something. Archaeologists are examining the site before the new light rail station construction proceeds.

The Tuesday farmers’ market at First Station has had fresh produce for the past two years.

However, these stalls were without merchandise or sellers.

It was sad to take a photo with more cats than people on a nice afternoon.

Hopefully, the tourists will return soon as we enter the holiday season.

The Jerusalem Hanukkah lights above the streets were turned on.

One store window was ready for the holiday early.

Things are slowly returning to normal on the Jerusalem streets, despite all the construction and war.

However, there are still thousands of reserve soldiers on duty protecting our borders.

And still, one Israeli, Ran Gvili, a policeman murdered on October 7, is held hostage in Gaza.

Remember, ALL the hostages were to be returned in the first phase of the Trump 20-point ceasefire deal, before going on to the second phase.

Hopefully, the 1,000 members of the Ambassador Mission will go home and spread the truth of what’s really happening on the Jerusalem streets and all over Israel.

Hope to see you soon on the Jerusalem streets.

See what’s happening this August in Jerusalem

August 10, 2025August 10, 2025Sharon A

The end of August in Jerusalem, Israel, is not a favorite season.

Though it usually cools off at night, the days are often too hot for comfort.

Good for drying clothes outside, but the heat wave this week is not fun.

Jerusalem Teddy Park Fountain during day

That is, unless you are young or young at heart and head for one of Jerusalem’s water fountains.

The fountain at Teddy Park, located across from the Old City walls, has become a favorite.

Day or night, when the music plays and the water shoots up, it is a sight to see, if not to jump in.

Children playing in Jerusalem Lion's Fountain

The water at the Lion’s Fountain in Bloomfield Park has been reduced over the years.

Signs warn not to enter the water, but that does not stop everyone on a very hot day.

Workers are out, summer sun or not, as endless road work goes on.

Light rail construction also goes on and on with constant changes to traffic and neighborhoods.

Now that Tisha B’Av is over, the weddings are back, their music filling the summer nights.

The music from the annual Wine Festival at the Israel Museum filled three nights over the Jerusalem streets with different bands playing, while people wandered around trying samples from over 20 wineries.

At Yad Vashem, the crowd was seated in the Warsaw Plaza to appreciate Klezmer music.

Not sure how the long-planned Grand Slam at Givat Ram Stadium will be this week in the heat.

But the 34th International Puppet Festival is back next week at the new Train Davidson Theater with air-conditioned spaces.

School is out, and families once again look for child activities.

The summer weather has turned the green to dried weeds.

But the pomegranates are on the trees, a sign that autumn, Elul, is coming, and the fall holiday season.

A new season, but one remembering too many lost in the past two years.

And those who are still held captive in Gaza, not forgotten, even in a Jerusalem hospital.

Meanwhile, the music goes on on the Jerusalem streets.

Concerts and performances are scheduled for the Sultan’s Pool amphitheater.

Jerusalem is sponsoring a hip-hop Block Party on Jaffa Street on August 21, 2025.

Hard to predict what will happen next on the Jerusalem streets.

But the annual End of Summer Festival is planned for the Jerusalem Theater Plaza.

I can only share what happened and what is planned, and try to stay cool until the heat wave passes.

Just a bit of what’s happening on the Jerusalem Streets.

Now to go get a large Iced Tea.

Hope to see you soon again on the Jerusalem streets!

Watch as Jerusalem Streets fill with flags, festivals and flowers

May 11, 2025May 11, 2025Sharon A

May in Jerusalem, Israel, is when the weather goes from winter to summer, seemingly overnight.

One day you need boots and the next sandals and a hat to protect you from the sun.

The universities announce their honorees as their boards arrive for meetings.

Even with the war for over a year and a half, these annual events seem to be happening.

It’s “back to normal.”

For the arrival of US Ambassador Mike Huckabee, many mega-welcome events have taken place.

One was at the Friends of Zion Museum on Tuesday night, with Israeli flags lining the way for guests.

The FoZ Media Center was packed as Ambassador Huckabee received the Friend of Zion award menorah.

He ended his remarks – “After being in Israel so many times and going home, this time I am home.”

He also complimented his US Embassy staff, who have kept things going with multiple ambassadors, especially Deputy Head of Mission Stephanie Hallett, who was in the audience with her husband.

Omer Shem Tov and his family were also smiling. Omer, kidnapped on October 7, shared his ordeal: “I was 505 days in Gaza in captivity. When I was there, my belief in G-D came so strong, every day I woke up and thanked G-D that I have air in my lungs, a little food on my plate, and that my family is safe in Israel.”

However, also speaking at the event was Ilan Dalal, the father of Guy Gilboa Dalal, who was kidnapped from the Nova festival. He is still being held captive by Hamas, and his parents fight on for his release.

“Free the hostages now,” is hard to ignore on many Jerusalem streets.

But at the same time, signs are up for Education Week in Jerusalem, May 18-22, 2025.

The Jerusalem International Writers Festival and Book Forum is set for May 19-22.

Outside the new National Library of Israel

And first, this week is the National Library of Israel’s Conference: Marking 20 Years of the Historical Jewish Press Project, held over three days at the new campus.