Beit Hanasi – The Real Jerusalem Streets

See Jerusalem before the Iranian missiles of Operation Roaring Lion

March 1, 2026March 1, 2026Sharon A

What a week this was!

The warnings and sirens of Operation Roaring Lion/Epic Fury rang out on Shabbat morning.

It’s almost hard to remember what happened in Jerusalem, Israel, before the alarms sounded, sending us to the shelter in our building multiple times.

But always, things were happening on and off the Jerusalem streets you should know about.

Before the cold weather and skies raining ballistic missiles from Iran, there were important events.

President Herzog hosted the annual Iftar meal at Beit Hanasi, the President’s official residence.

Important to note that the Abraham Accords Ambassadors to Israel attended, along with Arab leaders.

The Knesset was preparing all day for the afternoon arrival of the Prime Minister of India.

Flags and banners were outside the building

and inside the Knesset building, too.

I remember when the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, was in Israel from July 4- 7, 2017.

He received lots of warm hugs from President Rivlin and media attention.

This time, besides the warm welcome, Modi also spoke at the Knesset Plenary.

I went to attend the session where US Ambassador Mike Huckabee was speaking at the Knesset Caucus for Israel–U.S. Relations, initiated by the Ruderman Family Foundation. Chaired by Knesset Member Ohad Tal, it marked the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States.

“For a $7 trillion-a-year budget, the support that goes to Israel is a tiny blip,” he said.

He mentioned that Americans don’t think about it because Iran is 8,000 miles away. Emphasizing that for over 47 years, Iran has killed thousands of Americans and is working to build a global nuclear threat.

For the distinguished guests, there was a display of Israeli antiquities along a main hall.

The Israel Museum is closed today. Important works were moved to secure locations.

I was there on Thursday to see the new exhibits to celebrate its 60th anniversary.

It was very different than the 50th big birthday bash.

The iconic Shrine of the Book is where the Dead Sea Scrolls are safeguarded.

The Israel Museum preserves and displays invaluable antiquities.

For the first time, a behind-the-scenes preservation lab is visible, enabling museum visitors to watch the work being done.

The crown jewel of the celebration is “A Voice from the Desert: The Great Isaiah Scroll,” curated by Hagit Maoz.

The story began in 1947 when a young Bedouin shepherd entered a cave near Qumran.

He found a parchment in one of the clay pots.

The exhibit shares a video of the journey of the Isaiah Scroll from the desert to Jerusalem and its current home.

For the first time since 1968, the Great Isaiah Scroll has been unrolled to its full 24-foot length.

The public can book to see it for ten minutes in groups of 25.

Hopefully, the Israel Museum will be able to open again soon.

Because of preservation precautions, this exhibition was to be for only 4 months.

Leaving the room with the real deal, a copy is on the wall. Highlighted are quotes along the text.

“Comfort, Oh comfort My people” is one.

Oh, how timely, beating “their swords into plowshares” and “The wolf shall dwell with the lamb” are two others.

Cinema City is preparing for the Jerusalem Marathon on March 27, 2026.

Shops are preparing for Purim.

What will the celebrations be this year?

No one knows for sure.

The big signs and plans are for a Shushan Purim mega event near the National Library and Museums.

“Shout for joy, you who dwell in Zion!” is another quote from Isaiah – as we take shelter from Iranian ballistic missiles – again.

When the sun came out over the Jerusalem streets

January 18, 2026January 18, 2026Sharon 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!

The unique sounds and sights in Jerusalem from Yom Kippur to Sukkot

October 5, 2025October 5, 2025Sharon A

This time of year, during the holiday season, the sounds and sights on the Jerusalem streets are unique.

Selihot at the Kotel, Western Wall, was huge many nights before Yom Kippur; more than once this year, the entrance was closed to avoid overcrowding, as seen HERE in 2017.

Beit Hanasi, the Israeli President’s official residence, has a small synagogue.

I started going to Beit Hanasi when President Rivlin began hosting a selihot service.

I enjoyed listening to various Israeli singers over the years, including those of 5779.

The program has changed over time.

Early on, President Rivlin had Yitzhak Meir lead the service inside the synagogue.

This year, the pre-selihot songs were arranged by 929, the Bible study program under Rav Benny Lau.

The synagogue was not used, President Herzog spoke outside to begin the program.

What was interesting to me was his mention of the Torah dedication that had taken place only a few hours earlier by the Hoffman family in memory of their fallen son, Yitzhar.

Rav Benny Lau also spoke at the program, which 929 has organized for President Herzog.

The crowd extended as in past years to the back of the garden area near the synagogue.

A yellow chair was placed front and center, as all wait anxiously for the hostages to return.

Yagel Haroush and Ensemble were back again this year.

Watch this short video for an example of their unique performance.

The President and Michal Herzog stayed for a short time to speak with participants.

No IDF uniforms were seen in the audience as in past years.

It was before Yom Kippur, and the Presidential sukkah was already under construction. This year, the theme is sports-related, not the usual agriculture. The Beit Hanasi gates are to be open to the public on Sunday, October 12, 2025, from 10 am to 4:00 pm.