Beit Hanasi – The Real Jerusalem Streets

Anwar Sadat Historic Visit to Jerusalem 40 Years Ago Remembered

November 22, 2017Sharon A

There is a joke that they tell

that really has much truth to it:

Israelis endure stresses and wars

and still carry on, but when it rains,

that’s a whole other story.

Finally,

the first much-needed winter rain came down yesterday.

The Jerusalem skies were grey and streets were wet.

I was happy to be dry and inside the Knesset.

There have been ‘100-years’ celebrations,

‘50-year’ celebrations,

and this week a ’40-year’ celebration.

Forty years ago Egyptian President Anwar Sadat

made his historic trip to Jerusalem and spoke in the Knesset.

Panels with distinguished Israelis,

like former Defense Minister Moshe Arens and

recently-retired Deputy President of the Supreme Court Elyakim Rubenstein,

talked about events and memories of forty years ago.

This event took place in the Knesset Auditorium

and was open to the public.

At another panel former Israeli Ambassador to Egypt

Zvi Mazel talked about the peace agreement.

Following the next panel, on looking forward,

with MK Yisrael Katz and Dore Gold,

former Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,

the Prime Minister spoke at a special Knesset session.

The turnout was disappointing;

I think there were more photographers present

in the plenum than members of Knesset.

As Benjamin Netenyahu gave his address,

MK Yisrael Katz sat alone in the center of the room.

It was dark and wet when I left,

but at least this weather is good for photos of the flags.

Then in the morning,

more rain and another event,

this time at at Beit Hanasi, the Israeli President’s residence.

Umbrellas were piled up high and

the newly renovated floors were hard to keep clean

as international diplomats gathered.

Historic photos were again on display,

like this one of the First Ladies, Aliza Begin and Jihan Sadat.

Ambassadors exchanged greetings,

before sitting down to see a slide presentation

and speeches highlighting moments from 40 years ago.

Cordial and friendly smiles today

contrast with situation over 40 years ago.

Egyptian Ambassador to Israel Hazem Khairat

was the last speaker of the day.

Sadat and Begin did the unimaginable

forty years ago.

It was said at the time

that the peace treaty would be worthwhile

if there would be no wars for even 15 years.

So today,

Egypt and Israel

came together again to celebrate,

and hope for continued peace in the future.

Sukkot Surprise in Jerusalem

October 11, 2017Sharon A

The Bible Marathon was held October 6.

People raced from Rosh Ha’ayin to site of ancient Shilo,

a distance of 42 kilometers, a full marathon track.

I did not have time to go,

I was on a personal marathon,

racing through a packed holiday season.

So much happening in Jerusalem,

it is really hard to keep up.

For the first day of Sukkot lunch, we were 22 people,

from US, Mexico, USSR, Australia, France, South Africa

and more, all gathered in our sukkah for a meal.

Amazing if you take time stop and think about it.

President Rivlin honored a long-time tradition

and opened the gates of Beit Hanasi,

the Israeli President’s official residence, to the public.

As usual the Presidential sukkah featured

Israeli grown agricultural products,

this year a map of world was unusual and special.

From Beit Hanasi in the morning,

I had planned on walking into town to attend a bar mitzvah.

But also special on that day, was the weather.

Sure they had called for rain in the morning.

But first rain usually is a few drops of wet dirt.

But, surprise!

Thankfully, I made it to a bus stop,

before the heavens opened up.

Below is one of several videos,

in case you think I am overstating.

I made it to the bar mitzvah.

It had moved inside from the sukkah,

but cleared enough to come out again for dessert.

So much more, but for now here is

one special photo from Beit Hanasi Sukkah Open House

“Happy Holiday”

Check back next week for holiday highlights,

Jerusalem March, Kites at Israel Museum, sukkot, etc.

Now back to kitchen to prepare for end of holiday week.

חג שמח

Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah, Raise Your Glass

September 19, 2017Sharon A

In Jerusalem, Israel, it seems everyone is

is getting into the holiday mood,

as Rosh Hashanah,

the Jewish New Year, approaches.

Finally on Sunday, it felt cooler, as

I was at Beit Hanasi, the Israeli President’s Residence

and noticed this new arrangement in the front garden.

Major renovations have been underway for months,

both outside and inside the building.

But the mess of construction has not interrupted

holiday preparations or official receptions.

The flower arrangements included a fake pomegranate,

as the First Lady and the wife of Chief of Staff of the IDF

hosted 30 lone soldiers.

It was a rather modest event,

with the highlights of the day being Walter’s outfit

and this box for soldiers’ cell phones to be deposited during the program.

The program was held in the formal meeting room,

with a group photo at its conclusion.

Then on Monday, it was back to Beit Hanasi again

where glass pieces had completed this design.

At the President’s reception for foreign Ambassadors

business cards were exchanged and

newly arrived diplomats from around the world met.

There was no comparison to the simple food served the day before.

It was disappointing that the US Ambassador was back in the US,

but Egyptian Ambassador Hazem Khairat

and Jordanian Ambassador Walid Obeidat

were seated in the front row

and greeted me later with “Shanah tovah.”

The holiday treats were impressive

enough for Deputy Foreign Minister Tzipi Hotovely

to take a photo of them on her cell phone.

Israelis do take “raising a glass’ seriously,

from lone soldiers to diplomats,

businesses and organizations,

reception after reception,

l’Chaim,

to celebrate Jewish New Year.

I finally got used to year 5777,

and now it’s changing to 5778

Shanah tovah

Good New Year to all.