Beit Hanasi

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

Sharon 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.

This time of year, it is not unusual to see palm branches for the top of a sukkah on top of a car.

I like to look up to see the flowers along the Jerusalem streets.

But now, if you look up, you will also see the Sukkot popping up on balconies.

From the top of apartment buildings, sukkot large and small.

Preparations were well underway for the start of the holiday of Sukkot to begin at sunset on Monday.

Colorful lights appear along some Jerusalem streets.

Our sukkah, be it ever so humble, is ready to decorate.

The Jerusalem March is to be on Thursday, October 9, with a big celebration in Gan Sacher, Sacher Park.

Thousands of visitors are arriving for the holidays.

If not this year, next year in Jerusalem, come for the unique sights and sounds.

Seven New Ambassadors to Israel before Holocaust Remembrance Day

Sharon A

What a strange week this was!

Passover ended.

However, it seems like a long time ago with so much happening on the Jerusalem streets.

With Passover over, the flags are flying for the annual, emotional days of Yom Hazikaron, Memorial Day, and Yom Ha’atzmaut, Independence Day.

Flags are for sale in stores, at street corners, and popping out of car windows – as usual.

This week, 7 new Ambassadors to Israel presented their credentials at Beit Hanasi, the Israeli President’s residence, where these ceremonies are held. Such a large number at once was unusual.

I arrived as the new Ambassador from India was leaving.

The Ambassador from the Philippines wore a handmade, elegant dress, standing on the red carpet as her anthem was played and the flag from the Philippines was raised in her honor.

The Ambassador for the Dominican Republic was next to present his credentials.

I should go and check old photos, but I think President Herzog was standing on a new carpet.

Then the Ambassadors went into the official diplomatic room to exchange short remarks. Canada’s new Ambassador’s exchange was more casual, and Michal Herzog joined in.

The official handshake photo is an important step in the process, as with the Ambassador from Angola.

Keeping the red carpet clean is another important step.

The last Ambassador of the day was from the US, Michael Huckabee, with his wife Jane in the blue dress.

Look closely at her necklace, it’s a Star of David.

President Herzog’s staff lines up along the red carpet to greet each of the new Ambassadors as they arrive in the main hall. President Rivlin had his staff stand behind him. For the US ceremony, guests were on both sides of the room.

If you look closely at the back of Miriam Adelson’s dress, you will see the Hebrew writing down the back, “If I forget thee, Jerusalem .”

Of course, the media comes out more for the US Ambassadors.

The two men gave media statements after a short private meeting in the diplomatic room.

Of all the past ceremonies I attended, I do not remember an Israeli President hugging the new Ambassador after his credentials were put in his hand.

Ambassador Huckabee signs the official guest book as all the others had done.

However, Mrs. Huckabee’s small handbag got my attention while her husband wrote in the book–an Israeli flag is on one side and a US flag on the other.

And the yellow chair, not forgetting the hostages at Beit Hanasi.

If you counted and noticed there were six. The seventh was from Belarus, who was first in the morning before I arrived. At the King David Hotel, after the ceremonies, he was given a chance to speak.

That was how the week began on a high.

The house was clean. Things are back in order. And I got a ride to the King David in one of the official limos behind the four motorcycles leading the motorcade. Amazing how fast the trip was when you do not have to stop for red lights. So fast, I did not think to take a photo.

For Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day, I went to the home of Rena Quint for Zikaron BaSalon.

Her story of survival during the Holocaust is documented in “A Daughter of Many Mothers” with the help of Barbara Sofer. Each survivor’s story is shocking and unique. Rena has told her hundreds of times at home and at Yad Vashem. She even had a U.S. president bend down to her. Read the book or find a video.

Sadly, no more Dry Bones, Yaakov Kirshen passed away. I so admired his wit and wisdom.

Sadly, the signs with fallen soldiers line too many Jerusalem streets. The number since October 7 rose to 849. Together we will win. But is there unity?

New signs are up: “Until we win.”

Notice the yellow ribbon on the special poster made for Steve Linde’s 65th birthday party. Steve was an editor at Jerusalem Post and Jerusalem Report, and is now Feature Editor at JNS.

Too many ceremonies and events for Yom HaZikaron to mention. It’s hard to decide where to go.

Then the next day, starting Wednesday night, is Yom Haatzmaut! Again too many, it’s hard to decide!

The Yoms, the roller coaster emotional time of year.

Am Yisrael Chai!

Jerusalem a City of Continuing Constant Contrasts

Sharon A

Another week in Jerusalem, Israel, filled with euphoric highs and painful lows.

Plus a few constants thrown in to keep us on track as we move forward.

Sign for Jerusalem Washington Street.

During the third week of February, the week of US President’s Day, it’s time to share a Jerusalem street sign for George Washington Street near the other US President – Abraham Lincoln Street.

Tu Bishvat was this past week, in the US it was celebrated by receiving a buksor (carob) pod. In Jerusalem, hundreds of pods littered the ground under the carob trees.

Tu Bishvat and the almond blossoms were bursting out on trees along Jerusalem streets.

It was good to get to the Botanical Gardens and the Japanese Pagoda in time to see the cherry blossoms.

A favorite sign of spring is the wildflowers popping up in nature spots.

Even better to see them in the new growth in the area below the Israel Museum destroyed by fire.

Overcast windy days are good for getting photos of the flags at the Knesset. However, there were no big celebrations for the Tu Bishvat this year. The Knesset’s first session was on Tu Bishvat and a major celebration on the 50th year at this site was nine years ago.

This year an empty chair sits in the Knesset corridor waiting for the hostages to come home.

The anguished screams of relatives who come each day are too painful to share.

In contrast, the silence next to the Knesset is the Bird Observatory still empty during the day.

By the Memorial Candle in Gan Sacher, the wreaths for the end of January commemoration of the siege of Leningrad were wilting. The world is very different than it was 5 years ago when it was dedicated.

Though Tu Bishvat is thought to be a sign of spring, much of the Jerusalem weather was wet and cold.

However, this young man seemed to enjoy the pool of water at one construction site.

So many areas are under construction for the light rail, that it is hard to walk on the Jerusalem streets.

Most seats were reserved Thursday evening at Beit Hanasi, the Israeli President’s Residence.

Supreme Court Judges and the over-filled audience in the room rose as the President entered.

President Isaac Herzog signed the document appointing the new head of the Supreme Court Yitzhak Amit, as Amit looked on from the podium to the right side of the official table.

The previous heads of the Supreme Court posed for a photo after the speeches.

All judges are sworn in at Beit Hanasi, including Shariah Law Qadis.

The audience, filled with the judiciary, was warm and receptive, and the largest in my memory.

However, outside, the protesters were loud enough to be heard during the speeches. Not everyone was pleased with the Supreme Court selection, and the Prime Minister and Justice Minister did not attend.

Have you seen the Iron Swords War Memorial in Commemoration of Jerusalem and those fallen?

It’s a new monument near the Knesset across from the National Library and has their names engraved inside.

Next to the momument to the fallen is a new children’s park.

After Shabbat, people were walking and running to prepare for the Jerusalem Marathon on 4/4/25.

Most protests speeches and gatherings with singing are in Tel Aviv all these months. A night event for the return of hostages is planned for Kikar Safra, Safra Square, on Thursday night February 20, 2025.

Jerusalem is planning to celebrate Women’s Month in Jerusalem with a list of open houses.

The days and nights with highs and lows continue.

Life continues in Jerusalem, Israel.

Hope to see you soon on The Real Jerusalem Streets.