culture

In Jerusalem, from around the world hundreds of women celebrate together

Sharon A

In Jerusalem, Israel, at this time of year, the weather becomes an annual topic for discussion.

When will it rain?

When will the winter weather arrive?

We had a partial answer beginning on Thursday night when the atmosphere cooled. Thunder and lightning announced the stormy weather. After intermittent deluges over Shabbat, the warmer weather is to return, for at least a week.

A week ago, the sun was setting into the clouds over the Judean Hills when I arrived at Neve Ilan for a very special event.

Nearly 800 Jewish women from around the world filled Kedma Hall on Sunday night for a gala celebration, titled “A Mother’s Heart: The Heart of a Nation.”

Momentum, formerly JWRP (so glad they rebranded, I could never get those letters straight), welcomed women from around the world to join Israeli women for a special evening event.

The hall was ready for an elaborate dinner celebration. But this was no simple mazel tov meal.

Opening speakers set the tone, with Racheli Fraenkel, Mehereta Baruch-Ron, and Batsheva Moshe sharing their inspiring personal life stories.

Momentum presented its inaugural award winners, Cheryl Wise, Pamela Claman, Tzahit Levi, Estela Goldberg, and Natalie Ciner, for their outstanding dedication over the years.

The hundreds of women included mothers of injured soldiers and women on their first trip to Israel.

From Guatemala and Ecuador, Singapore, LA, Atlanta, GA, and more, they joined in song as one.

One of the most emotional moments was when the mothers of freed hostages were on the stage.

They were awarded recognition by Momentum and cheered on by the other women in the room

Momentum founder Lori Palatnik had much to be proud of, and yes, a few men attended also.

Women who came from Maryland smiled and posed for a photo.

Women from Israel held up a flag as they appreciated the women on the stage.

The largest groups were from the US, and the enthusiasm was not muted as they came together.

(Yes, the flag was turned and correctly shown a second later.)

Momentum leaders state that a meaningful immersive experience can be difficult to translate into daily life. However, life is a journey. This was one fabulous conclusion for the recent mission trips.

Will the women return soon with their families to further explore the beauty of the Jerusalem streets?

Next year in Jerusalem has long been a statement, and hopefully for more, it will be a reality.

Watch as the Pendulum Swings February Begins in Jerusalem

Sharon A

Life in Jerusalem, Israel is like a pendulum swinging between chaos and calm.

This week was another one of extremes of emotions with the return of a few hostages from Gaza.

However, there are still another 79 humans held captive in Gaza, with no one certain how many are alive.

On one quiet day, I took a walk and saw recent landscaping had revealed one Jerusalem lion’s new colors.

With a down day but good weather going to the Jerusalem Botanical Gardens is my first choice.

You can look down at the muddy pond in the winter without the lilies.

However, every photographer knows there are different angles on all occasions.

Beautiful purple irises were popping out in full bloom for a sign of spring.

A long-time favorite is seeing white roses blooming in the winter in Jerusalem, Israel, in the midday sun.

Walking the Jerusalem streets is a challenge with the construction in so many locations.

Besides the light rail track work, new bike lanes will help cyclists.

However, how will emergency vehicles manage the reduced traffic lanes during rush hours?

Beware where you walk, no worry about too many bikes now, but also take time to look up.

It’s citrus season and trees along the Jerusalem streets are full of fruit against the blue sky.

If you need more color go by the Jerusalem Theater where new art fills the lobby and walls every month.

Colorful language too this week, Tuvia Tenenbom was at the Bible Lands Museum Jerusalem with his movie, “God Speaks Yiddish.”

The same night, the Jerusalem Theater had a full house for the music of Elvis Presley.

KUMA is still on display in the Bible Lands Museum’s temporary gallery.

The area was full earlier with visitors hearing the story of the young artist who fell in the Iron Swords War.

Yellow ribbons were outside. Yellow ribbons for the hostages in Jerusalem are almost everywhere.

New to Jerusalem – The new government of Argentina is opening its official residence in Jerusalem.

While there are thousands upon thousands of professional signs I could share, sometimes the simplest ones stand out “Together thanks – this is the light of this Nation.”

In honor of Groundhog’s Day, after finally transferring to digital and uploading to YouTube, here’s a video of our prime minister, when he was the UN ambassador in 1988.

What’s different after all this time?

Just like Bill Murray, Déjà vu, or another repeat as the pendulum swings?

Along the Jerusalem streets, trying to have a nice day, while reminders of fallen soldiers and hostages are everywhere can be an emotional ride any day.

Following the Signs of the Times on Jerusalem Streets

Sharon A

It was another one of those roller-coaster weeks.

With all the protests and bad news, good things were happening on and off the Jerusalem streets.

I found the lion! I heard it was moved to the Train Theater. Found it – on TOP of the main building.

To begin the week, I also found myself at the Yitzhak Navon Train Station.

And went inside to go to Tel Aviv University on Sunday evening.

The Nano Science Building was a construction site last visit, it is now an impressive structure.

It’s located near ANU – the Museum of the Jewish People on the Tel Aviv University Campus.

At ANU there is always something new and impressive to see.

However, I went for a special event on June 23 for International Widows Day.

At ANU, like most anywhere in Israel, October 7 is very much on people’s minds and hearts.

The entertainer arrived in his reserve duty uniform.

It was not part of his multi-costume changing performance.

New ads for summer are up on the Jerusalem streets , with ice skating returning to First Station .

Over 111 days later, the pain is no less.

But it is the end of June, and the graduation season is in full swing.

This was one of two engagements set up near the Montefiore Windmill on Thursday night,

while the music of the Jerusalem Street Orchestra performed at the On the Roof Festival nearby.

There was no water dripping from the large lion in the Lion Fountain.

First Station is going under serious changes. Looks like the early stage of the cable car is under way.

Went to check out the scene of the serious fire near the Israel Museum.

The damage was evident in the area closest to the museum.

I was going to the Bible Lands Museum Jerusalem for an event honoring teaching innovation.

Tzemach David Foundation founder David Magerman and Rav Rimon were pleased to be at the inaugural event, presenting cash awards to Israeli teachers helping children of Olim adapt more easily to the Israeli school system.

A sign of the times: the daughter of an honoree was allowed leave from the IDF to attend, and her father was taking her back to her army base.

A child with a parent with a weapon slung over their shoulder is a common sight on the Jerusalem streets.

A sign of the times.

A time filled with trepidation to open the news each morning, but balanced with the births, graduations, weddings, and sounds of music on the Jerusalem streets.