current-events

Nothing Keeps the Conference of Presidents from Jerusalem Streets

Sharon A

There is a common adage that despite missiles, blasts, and attacks the Jerusalem streets keep going.

But the threat of snow in Jerusalem, Israel, shuts them down.

On the morning of October 7, 2023, my son was to be honored in a synagogue a mile from where I live. During the loud siren warnings along the way, I stopped and waited.

I got there only to be told, services were canceled – “We are at war.”

During the “stabbing intifada,” I was out and about without pepper spray.

However, last week in the cold rain and today with the threat of snow, I am at home.

Of course, the weather in Jerusalem would be considered spring-like compared to some places we lived, but those grey clouds are enough to curb my enthusiasm for walking on the streets that are always under construction.

This past week was the 50th mission of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations which has been going for 70 years as the united voice for American Jewry.

These missions have come to Israel during wartimes and COVID-19 during the third week of February.

Stephanie L. Hallett serves as the Chargé d’Affaires again at the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem. A career member of the Senior Foreign Service with the rank of Minister-Counselor, she has filled in over the past few years as the US Ambassador to Israel has changed. She spoke to the opening dinner.

Security was at a new high level for the Prime Minister to arrive and speak to the delegation.

Ofir Akunis the Israeli Consul General in New York since May 2024 was in Jerusalem, Israel, for the dinner. He posed with two of my friends who have been attending this event for many years.

The session I feel is important was open to media this year. Did you see it covered anywhere?

This year the startups and innovation session was under the “Resilience Panel” led by AMIT staff.

From virtual reality group therapy sessions

to an innovative system for sleep apnea,

the new ideas to help those with PTSD after these long days were fascinating.

The mission spent little time in the Inbal Hotel with private visits to the Knesset and trips north and south.

Reuven Rivlin at 50th mission of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish

However, former President Ruvi Rivlin was a special guest on Tuesday night.

One noticeable difference, the number of female US leaders was much larger than in the past.

Parents of Avera Mengistu at dinner CoP to raise awareness of their son held captive 3 years by Hamas

Remembering the family of Avera Mengistu who came in 2018 to appeal for their son’s release from Hamas in Gaza. They finally got their prayers answered, after not 505 days, but over 10 years.

With new signs posted on the Jerusalem streets for March events and the new month of Adar and Purim, hope it’s a good time to get out again to share what’s new and happening on the Jerusalem streets.

January 2025 Hanukkah and New Beginnings in Jerusalem

Sharon A

For 2025, I saw a cartoon with two doors.

The one on the left says, “Disengage and hope it turns out ok for you.”

The one on the right says, “Fight for what’s right.”

RJS plans to keep engaging for 2025, as it has over the past years.

There were lovely days and nights over Hanukkah, with warm sunny days and cool nights.

So many lights lit up the Jerusalem streets for eight nights.

Crowd at Mamilla Mall for candlelight on Hanukkah

Crowds filled Mamilla Mall for live music, dancing, and donuts almost every night.

Programs for children were held in small venues and

Jerusalem Cinema City had special activities in addition to the regular holiday movies.

However, on the sixth night, it rained.

Rain poured down most of the day. Jerusalem managed ballistic missile attacks in the middle of the night better than the flooded roads and gridlocked traffic with cars and buses full of Hanukkah partygoers.

We finally got through the traffic congestion and arrived at Hadassah Hospital Mount Scopus –

but oops, we found the wrong Hanukkah celebration, in the wrong building.

Instead, our party was in the new Gandel Rehabilitation Center, for wounded soldiers and their families and the OneFamily volunteers who come each week to help from their war injuries.

Only in Israel? The basements of hospitals are ready for attack with underground emergency units.

Activities, good food, and music filled part of the lower level for the special Hanukkah celebration.

Nefesh Be’Nefesh held a special family celebration for Hanukkah.

When I saw this man at the party I thought he was an actor. When I saw him leaving, I decided to snap a photo of the best Hanukkah costume of the year.

There are still no nature photo walks at the still-shuttered Wohl Rose Garden near the Knesset.

“Bring them home now” signs line the Rose Garden and many Jerusalem streets.

Celebrations private and public, the war on many fronts, and the 100 hostages are always in mind.

The fallen Israeli heroes, over 825, include 85 since Sinwar was eliminated in Gaza.

Sitting home, reading the news, or scrolling on social media, the UN agencies’ lies and obsession against Israel are appalling. For over a year, the Red Cross has not helped Israeli hostages including children.

The clear weather is not good for farmers, but great to get out and walk and see what’s new.

Gan Sacher, Sacher Park has new information signs.

Old City walls near Jaffa Gate for second night of Hanukkah

Jerusalem Old City walls were illuminated with projections the same as two years ago.

“Hanukkah of gold and of light” was Jerusalem’s new Hanukkah message this year.

The Outline Festival 2024 is continuing into 2025. “Unknown” is what is ahead for the new year.

However, new buildings have risen above the Jerusalem streets.

Too many Jerusalem streets are dug up for construction and the future light rail tracks.

New bus stops are going up in new locations to add to the construction confusion.

The Real Jerusalem Streets aims to keep sharing what’s real, what’s happening in Jerusalem, Israel.

Not all is good, but with the sun shining and days getting longer, there is hope for better days.

If you want only good news, go to my friend Michael’s Only Good News Israel

However, to end with one good thing – the views and positive comments on this simple video from Sukkot Birkat Cohanim, keep coming.

May 2025 and 5785 bring blessings for all.

Jerusalem Botanical Gardens pond in fall

Check out Jerusalem’s Week of Ups and Downs

Sharon A

On the Jerusalem streets it was another week of a prolonged war that no one wanted.

The number of fallen has sadly gone up to almost 800, and the injured are too many to count accurately.

When there is a short time to “get away from it all” the Jerusalem Botanical Gardens is a favorite destination to check out the change of seasons.

Every autumn the pond is cleared of the end-of-season lilies.

These remains on the top of the surface, this caught my eye for a close-up.

Friends in the Northeastern United States are sharing amazing fall colors photos, this is the best I could find at the end of the season in Jerusalem, Israel.

The lookout at the Bird Sanctuary has a new big sign, but bird migration season is ending. If you look up through the trees, you will see the new Jerusalem skyline is filling with towers over the Jerusalem streets.

And oh those streets! You better look down as you walk. Digging and changing in too many locations to share – sometimes fixing them and then changing them a month later.

I am certain the driver of this car was not happy to end up on top of the flower bed.

At Cinema City if you look up above the Israel flag, the white umbrellas have hostage posters on them.

I have avoided the hostage protests on the Jerusalem streets, however, this week there were four of them.

One across from Cinema City has been featured here before with the faces of fallen soldiers at night.

Across from the Knesset, this has been going on for a year, against the government’s handling of the war.

This one near Paris Fountain has counted the days as they advocate for the hostages to be released.

A new one this week on Rechov Azza, not far from the Prime Minister’s home, blocked the street with white umbrellas and people wearing white clothing.

Everyone is war-weary and worried about the hostage situation. I was glad I wore black clothing that day so police let me walk by the barricades.

Our municipal bomb shelter is getting an upgrade and the door was open. Happily, it was not needed.

Meanwhile, groups are arriving and being welcomed. Supporters, families, and volunteers are here.

New signs are up for Jerusalem events. The Piano and Arts Festivals took place this week.

And a new sign with sadly familiar faces, Iris Haim and her fallen son Yotam- “Together we will be heroes.”

As the full moon wanes and the calendar looks to the month of Kislev, the Hanuka donut season has arrived and the calorie counts go up, as the waistline grows.

And yes they were as good as they look.

It was a week of lows and highs, and time goes on…

as we wait to see what will happen next on the Jerusalem streets.