Hanukkah is over, and the end of December 2025 is approaching rapidly.
Winter has returned with cold and rainy weather on the Jerusalem streets.
Here’s a brief tour of some of what was happening on the Jerusalem streets.
Last week was better for tourists; the sky was blue, the flowers brilliant purple, and the grass green.
A little of what we knew as “fall colors” elsewhere in the world, much prettier photos than grey rain.
Slowly, Jerusalem streets are getting new street signs, one day at a time, it seems.
Under the blue sky, people were returning to Jaffa Gate and the Old City.
International tourists are back. Some have rebooked multiple times because flights were canceled.
In the Mamilla Mall, a line was waiting to get into a popular restaurant for lunch.
An off-duty soldier was spotted in the midday crowd.
The final sale sign that filled the eyeglass store with potential customers attracted more attention.
The Old City’s New Gate was the entrance to one of Jerusalem’s major Christmas celebrations.
Only the big event was on December 24 at night; by daytime on December 25, the decorations and booths were being taken down.
The sign for Hanukkah lighting candles at the Western Wall was still up.
The popular protest site near Balfour Street was clear. A tree is filled with yellow hearts. The names of the returned hostages are on the tree near Balfour Street.
Hamas has not released Ran Gvili as agreed in the ceasefire. A yellow chair remains for the last hostage.
All hostages, alive and dead, were to be returned to Israel before going to stage two of the plan.
Also, the yellow chair remains at Beit Hanasi, the Israeli President’s Residence.
The yellow hostage ribbon is now joined with a black ribbon after the murders in Australia.
Tuesday night was the inaugural Woman of Iron awards. Eighteen impressive women were honored.
There were smiles. Conversations. Meetings with long-time friends. Making important new connections.
Women Sharing Loss, Understanding, and Resilience. Yes, men attended also. More photos HERE
Kol Haot was one stop on the Momentum Educator’s Mission, bringing Jewish women together.
Unity. Solidarity. Expression in art. Israeli women joined the educators from Mexico and North America.
The Birthright trips have also started up again, filling the Jerusalem streets with buses of young people.
Now, to end on a sweet note. December is the start of strawberry season.
Just a taste of this past week in the Jerusalem streets. Hope to see you here soon!
#Next Year in Jerusalem