Beit Hanasi

Summer Days in Jerusalem: Remembering History, Inspiring the Future

Sharon A

Summer in Jerusalem, Israel, is warming up as always in the Middle Eastern sun.

The 25th Knesset concluded its term.

With 100 days to go until the new elections, the political airwaves will heat up as well.

Tisha B’Av begins on Wednesday night and continues until dark on Thursday.

Then Israelis begin the serious holiday time, with many planning to travel.

But first, it was time to remember that eventful trip 50 years ago.

An Air France plane was hijacked by terrorists; the Israelis on board were held hostage in Uganda.

The commemoration of the daring Operation Entebbe was held at Beit Hanasi, the Israeli President’s residence.

Media, videos, and photographers came in large numbers early to set up.

I took a seat where I could see survivors meet again with their rescuers.

For eight days, the world waited as the Israelis were held 4,000 kilometers from home.

Before the program began, Benjamin and Iddo Netanyahu lit a memorial candle for their fallen brother Yoni, who led the rescue mission.

The other candles were lit to remember the civilians who died during the rescue and Dora Bloch, who was murdered in a Ugandan hospital.

The short video highlighted the young children who had to be entertained under the most dire of circumstances.

The video ended with those children united again and posing with smiles.

The panel discussion included former Hamas hostage Noa Argamani and one of the IDF soldiers who rescued her from Gaza. Also on the panel were Doron Almog, chairman of the Jewish Agency and a veteran of the operation, Amos Eran, who served as director-general of Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin’s Office during those sleepless nights, and Dr. Ephraim Sneh.

From my seat, I could take that scene. Noa’s father, Yaakov, was intentionally left in the photo watching his daughter on stage.

At the 40th Entebbe commemoration, I was not seated in the center of the room. Then I was able to get to the front row of dignitaries.

Shimon Peres (center) was Israel’s Defense Minister during the July 4, 1976 Entebbe raid (Operation Entebbe / Operation Thunderbolt / Operation Jonathan.

Who else do you recognize?

Meanwhile –

On the Alon Shvut campus of Herzog College this past week, thousands of people gathered to remember and study events from long ago.

One of the hundreds of teachers, Rabbi Menachem Leibtag, spoke about when politics and religion clash – in the Bible.

Nothing new under the sun?

Rabbi Yoel Bin Nun started teaching teachers in the summer over 30 years ago.

Growing every year, locations throughout the campus were filled with men and women.

People come from across Israel and overseas to study the Bible in Hebrew, English, Spanish, and French.

The schedule is packed throughout the week, making it hard to decide which classes to attend.

And out on the Jerusalem streets, construction goes on.

The building projects rise higher.

Time to come see for yourself!

This year in Jerusalem!

Jerusalem, old and new, and inside and out

Sharon A

Jerusalem, Israel, is a city of contrasts.

A place of diversity, where the Jerusalem streets are constantly changing.

Jerusalem’s ancient Tower of David and the Old City walls are well known.

The lanes of Yemin Moshe have long been photo-worthy.

Now, with almost everyone having a camera on their smartphone, sights and scenes are widely shared.

The annual Jerusalem Unity Prize awards were presented at Beit Hanasi, the President’s residence, on May 24, 2026.

When Raviv Kaner began to sing, the phones began recording.

Awards were given to 5 communities and organizations for their efforts in promoting unity.

The last two awards were to individuals – Rabbi Yonatan Reiss, founder of the Chedvata network of haredi hesder yeshivot, was honored for advancing the integration of ultra-Orthodox young men into meaningful national service and Israeli society while maintaining strong religious observance.

The audience stood to applaud his award and work.

The final honoree, Sheikh Muwafaq Tarif, spiritual leader of Israel’s Druze community, also received a standing ovation for his longstanding efforts to strengthen relations between the Druze community and broader Israeli society and promote shared life among Israel’s diverse populations.

Also, a new book, “Heroism and Hope” by David Bryfman, was launched on Monday night.

Good to see a long-time connection doing well and launching his book on education in Jerusalem

Out on the Jerusalem streets this week, people were enjoying the weather.

Plus, the unusual quiet, with the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha, there was less traffic.

Most construction sites were not active for the holiday.

The International Writers’ Festival was less international than in the past.

But as I was going to check it out, another couple was getting engaged nearby.

Ah, the Jerusalem streets where one could find “A little light can dispel a lot of darkness.”

While much of the news is negative, here are a few of Jerusalem’s views you may not have seen.

Construction from every direction, in the distance,

and not so far away.

The light rail construction drags on, with too many images of closed roads to share.

But if you get out to walk on the Jerusalem streets, there are roses to stop and smell.

And the old lanes of Nachlaot to admire.

Hoping for you to see for yourself the real Jerusalem streets.

Not next year in Jerusalem, but soon.

See 3 days in Jerusalem – Yom HaZikaron to Yom Haatzmaut

Sharon A

What a week this was as the Jerusalem streets celebrated Israel at 78.

From Yom HaZikaron, Memorial Day, to Yom Haatzmaut, Independence Day, all three are packed, emotional, and impossible to attend all the events. It seemed more so this year, coming so soon after a ceasefire announcement.

The Israeli flags were up along with the April flowers as usual.

The building sites, under construction for many years, continue to rise over the Jerusalem streets.

Monday, April 20, 2026, was far from a usual day.

Beit Hanasi, the Israeli President’s residence, was decorated with the blue and white flags of Argentina and Israel.

President Isaac Herzog welcomed the President of the Argentine Republic, Dr. Javier Milei. 

President Herzog presented the “Presidential Medal of Honor” to President Milei, in recognition of his contributions to the State of Israel. 

The medal is a shiny gold. I decided to photograph myself as if it were a mirror.

Monday night was Yom Hazikron, and Beit Hanasi had faces of fallen soldiers on display.

For Yom HaZikaron, Memorial Day for Fallen Soldiers and Victims of Terror, there were numerous options for online and live commemorations.

The official state event takes place at the Western Wall Plaza with the President speaking.

This year, the annual lone soldier ceremony at Ammunition Hill was prerecorded due to the security situation.

Jerusalem’s Museum of Tolerance, with the IDF Widows and Orphans, held an emotional English program for the third year.

Among the families highlighted was that of Sgt. Maj. (res.) Yossi Hershkovitz, 44, principal of the ORT Pelech High School in Jerusalem. He was killed in battle in northern Gaza on Nov. 10. His sons sang the song composed in Gaza, along with singer Yonatan Razel.

The ceremony also featured powerful personal reflections, including those from Orit Mark and Keren Emuna Kalmanson. Mark, who was 16 when her father, Miki Mark, was killed in a 2016 terror attack, has since lost five close family members over eight years to terror and war.

MORE PHOTOS HERE

Tuesday, April 21, 2026, Yom HaZikaron

Grave in Israel military cemetery with seat on Har Herzl for memorial day Yom HaZikaron

The days are filled with memorials, with the main one held at the military cemetery on Mount Herzl.

One man standing by old grave in Jerusalem cemetery on Yom Hazikaron

However, fallen soldiers are mourned in cemeteries from the north to the south.

As the day ended and the sun set, people began to gather at transition events.

The musical event at Teddy Park has grown over the years, attracting thousands for the live music as Yom Haatzmaut, Independence Day, begins.

On my way to a festive Yom Haatzmaut dinner, I went past the Yemin Moshe Synagogue with its beautiful service.

MORE TRANSITION PHOTOS HERE

Yizkor, Yom Haatzmaut transition from Yom HaZikaron

At the main official event at Har Herzl, the televised program begins with Yizkor, Remember.

Three years ago, Rabbi Leo Dee offered the prayer for his murdered wife and daughters.

Yom Haatzmaut at Har Herzl, dancers, drummers and blue and white

The somber mood transitions to song, dance, and celebration, with a military performance.

People party all night long, this year with three huge events in Jerusalem.

I was satisfied with one beautiful late-night dinner hosted by long-time friends I had missed the past few years by going to Har Herzl.

Wednesday, April 22, 2026

My favorite Yom Haatzmaut event was moved from the afternoon to the morning at Beit Hanasi.

Love. Love the table with the hats.

One of the most important events gets the least coverage, the reception for Diplomats and Military attaches posted in Israel.

Important to see the Ambassadors from the Abraham Accords countries attending.

The Herzogs have showcased and supported Israeli food and wine (there was lots of it) from the north and south, which have been affected by the security situation. The items I tasted were excellent. With two BBQs, mangals, to go to that afternoon, it was hard to resist the delicacies, but I did skip the wine.

One highlight was when former hostage pianist Alon Ohel and his brother Ronen performed on stage near the end of the ceremony.

The important annual posed photo of heads of diplomatic missions in Israel,

and the military attaches, highlights that Israel is not alone.

Two Mangals – one in Modiin, another in Ramot, and then back to Jerusalem.

A day when the air is filled with the smoke of grilled meat.

In Jerusalem, cars and people surrounded Gan Sacher, Sacher Park, causing a gridlock.

But I got back in time for the event at the Friends of Zion Museum with Solomon Brothers and these dancers.

The celebration was to feature US Ambassador Mike Huckabee, but he was called back to the US and missed all the Yom Haatzmaut celebrations.

Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana was called to open the event.

The program included awards to Hillel Fuld, seen here with the ambassadors who were present.

Yoseph Haddad‎, an Israeli Arab who was injured while serving in the IDF in Lebanon, received recognition.

Australian Nate Buzz – Nathaniel Buzolic, who has voiced support for Israel during the Gaza war and visited more than 25 times since 2017, was the third winner and introduced Ben, an injured soldier he befriended.

MORE PHOTOS HERE

Of course, much more could be said about these 3 events in 3 days.

Now with the warm weather, we are back to fighting the ants invading the house.

Back to “normal” after weeks of war and days of celebrations.

Yom Haatzmaut – May tours in Jerusalem, Open Doors, next week, and more happening on the Jerusalem streets…

Hope to see you not next year, but this year in Jerusalem!