Beit Hanasi

In Jerusalem, the National Library of Israel and the Paris Olympics offer Relief to the War News

Sharon A

Summertime on the Jerusalem streets, though too warm for comfort, is usually filled with tourists. Not so this year, as most visitors were arriving to “volunteer” or to support family and friends.

No one was playing on the piano in the plaza by the Central Bus Station under the watchful eye of the Hamsa on Sunday, often a busy day in Jerusalem, Israel.

The daytime temperatures kept me inside with the air conditioning going, but after dark, despite the humidity, it was crucial to get out and walk for at least a short distance.

The National Library of Israel has a special summer exhibit for children, featuring nine oversized pillows.

Children’s books are on display along the new corridor.

The idea is storytelling, text, and tactile stimulation to engage young readers with oversized themed floor pillows.

These two children jumped right into one colorful “Poof Sipur” pillow.

Keeping children busy and safe under the threat of war adds a layer to the usual summer plans. Entertainment was set up outside the library for the early evening as the sun was going down.

More photos of the pillows on Facebook HERE

Summertime and the living is easy…

Nope. Not in our house, no lounging around – it was time to bake again for HaHamal HaMatok. For over 39 weeks, thousands of Israelis wanting “to do something” have baked challot and cakes and cookies to send to soldiers on the northern and southern borders.

Many Israelis are looking for news, good news, anything other than war news and terror attacks.

They have turned to Paris for the Olympic reports of Israeli success.

The Israeli Olympic team send-off was held at Beit Hanasi in June. Since October 7 the athletes have trained and performed under additional pressures.

Medal winner Raz Hershko said: “Thank you. This is our goal, to come and represent the country in the most correct, clean, and best way possible and to show everyone how strong we are and what an amazing people we are and nothing can bring us down. This medal is mine but in effect, it belongs to us all. I really love our country and there is nobody like us, and thank you for calling to offer congratulations.”

On August 16, 2021, medal winners from the Tokyo Olympics posed with President Herzog in the garden.

Artem Dolgopyat won a gold last time and now silver. He was popular for selfies then, and more so now, as he is the first Israeli to win back-to-back Olympics medals, and plans to go again next time.

Everyone wanted a photo with the gold medals even the President’s photographer. Makes me the only one there that day who missed out on getting a selfie.

Looking through the photos from the last Olympics in 2021, I had forgotten COVID-19 and the masks.

Now the war and hostages held for over 300 days are hard to forget.

In the National Library, the chairs and books for the remaining hostages are still on display.

August 5, 2024, is Ariel Bibas’ 5th birthday.

Hard to believe that despite the video showing the family’s abduction there are still those who deny the October 7 atrocities happened.

And the fallen soldiers and their families, the list grows, as Israel tries to carefully get rid of threats north and south.

The seasons change and hopefully, we can all walk safely on the Jerusalem streets again.

Three Under-Reported Events in Jerusalem You Should Know

Sharon A

Schools are out for the long summer holidays.

The temperatures have risen to uncomfortable highs.

Things feel almost “normal” on the Jerusalem streets.

There is less traffic during the usual rush hour times, but you never know when there will be delays.

The changing season is evident in the pomegranates growing in the garden at Beit Hanasi, the Israeli President’s Residence front garden near Theodore Herzl.

I was at Beit Hanasi twice for events that did not make headlines.

First, the swearing-in ceremony for new Israeli Labor Court Judges, where the diversity was apparent.

Of the seventeen new judges, 13 are women, not only Jewish women.

All the families in the audience were proud to record the moments.

Many sectors of Israeli society were included in this ceremony.

There were more children than usual for official events, and not all appreciated the speeches.

With the controversy around the Supreme Court this year, Uzi Fogelman is “acting” President, not the official head of the Court. But you know I was in the perfect spot to get his photo when the government photographer popped in front.

They all posed for the official photo at the end of the ceremony as usual.

Also this week at Beit Hanasi was an event attended by many rabbis. The Chief Rabbis have finished their official 10-year terms, but new elections have not been held. So they really represent themselves.

The morning was the launch of the publication of the English translation of the works of the former Chief Rabbi Herzog. I think the current President Herzog resembles the grandfather he is named for.

As in the video shown, the photos of the older rabbinic figure were the images most familiar.

As I left Beit Hanasi, a large white truck arrived with a police motorcycle in front and behind. Hot, tired, and wanting to get home, I had to stop and see what happened when they opened the back. No arrest drama, rather, they were just unloading the barriers in preparation for another night of protests.

Most photos from Thursday night were of protests, but in Baka, a new Torah was dedicated.

Hundreds of friends and supporters followed the Goldberg-Polins to the Baka Community Center.

Waiting traditionally were others to welcome them.

But this was not a traditional joyous dedication. The Torah was dedicated to the merit of their kidnapped hostage son Hersh and the other 119 hostages as part of their Week of Goodness.

The ‘Week of Goodness’ is universal and the activities are broad enough that both Jews and non-Jews all over the world were urged to join. Certainly, in Baka, hundreds came in person to join and support. The crowd spilled out from the Baka Community Center into the surrounding Jerusalem streets.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s meeting with US President Joe Biden is to take place on Tuesday afternoon; the Prime Minister’s flight will depart tomorrow morning.

May there be respectful events on the Jerusalem streets and beyond…

5 Positive Things from Jerusalem You Should Know

Sharon A

High temperatures, weariness from war in the south and north, and too many funerals made last week difficult. However, as always positive things were happening on the Jerusalem streets.

Five years ago, Urban Place opened with a grand event on the fourth floor of the Jerusalem Central Bus Station with the Jerusalem Mayor and crowds of interested people.

The saying, “Adventure begins at the end of the road you know” is still at the end of the hall.

I was back again this week and pleased to see it filled with offices and people.

Looking out a window from Urban Place, I wondered what was that across the way. At home, I realized it was the Jerusalem International Conference Center windows reflecting the bus station. The Israeli flags were blowing in the breeze and other flags lined the booths in front of the main entrance.

The Israeli athletes of the Israeli Olympic and Paralympic delegations for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, were hosted by President Isaac Herzog on the grounds of Beit Hanasi, the Israeli President’s Residence.

There were sports dignitaries including the Israeli Minister of Sports, but it was very hot by midday.

I left before the posed photos, with a yellow chair that was added to the usual formal photographs.

Back in the evening at Beit Hanasi on Wednesday, for the President’s Award for Volunteerism. It is an annual initiative that began 50 years ago, founded by Israel’s fourth president, the late Ephraim Katzir, in cooperation with the President’s Residence and the Israeli Volunteering Council.

One of my favorite events honoring volunteers, and finding people I know as a pleasant surprise.

Seeing people again with connections years ago though we have lost contact, doing good things.

The Shvuah HaSefer HaIvri – Hebrew Book Week – is back at First Station from June 18 – 29, 2024.

On the night I went it was filled with people as usual, with many families with young children.

Diverse populations arrive and stroll, pushing babies and older folks in wheelchairs.

Different this year there was a booth to purchase yellow ribbons and more, and not only young soldiers walked around with their weapons, but also more mature men out of uniform.

Security was evident, but so were the Arab women who strolled on the Train Track Path as usual.

This and similar signs have brightened Jerusalem streets announcing the Week for Disablities, honoring other Israeli soldiers, and those with disabilities who volunteer their service to the IDF.

A special project was initiated for women aged 25 or over, certified in professions useful to the army, who did national service, but not military service, and who can enlist in shortened boot camps and thus join the reserve army.

Hundreds of new young soldiers affirming service in the IDF were at the Kotel Plaza, Western Wall as their families stood for hours to get a glimpse of them at the ceremony.

May all the soldiers be safe, the hostages return, and the Jerusalem streets again be lined with colorful flowers instead of yellow ribbons.