One Week into October 2024 – Looking Back from Jerusalem

Some weeks are harder than others.

Each week the goal of The Real Jerusalem Streets is to share real things you may not hear about in the mainstream media. There are many such events and usually hundreds of photos to select from.

This week even more so than usual, it was hard to get started – oh what a week it was.

As I sat down at the computer after grabbing a quick photo out the window of impressive clouds at sunset, my phone on the desk blasted a Homefront Alert to seek shelter. This was the first-ever mass warning of incoming ballistic missiles from Iran.

I may be the only person who does not have a dramatic story or a selfie to share from Tuesday night.

Much of Israel was affected, and it was a miracle that the only people killed were a Gazan in Jericho, 5 Iranians on a backfire mishap in Iran, and possibly one person in Jordan.

It was sad to see the Kotel, Western Wall empty on a night it should have been filled for prayers before Rosh Hashana. A small service was held inside Wilson’s Arch instead.

However, after Shabbat which followed the two-day Rosh Hashana holiday, the crowds were back.

A simple photo from before the holiday, with the 72-hour candle, will have to do.

It was both a long holiday and a short week.

But, how can we complain about too much holiday, when those held hostage in Gaza for a year have had so little food and no freedom?

Cleaning my desk last night I found this 1982 cartoon.

Except for Castro, it is the same as today. “I move to condemn Israel!”

Today this warning from the Homefront command for northern communities flashed on the computer screen. There have been hundreds of missiles in the past week, and over 10,000 in the past year. Over 63,000 people have been forced from their homes – Shlomi is the last on this list.

Check out Israel’s Northern Exposure from 4 years ago.

Buildings near Lebanon border Blue LIne

Look at those “houses” on the Israeli border in Lebanon – some of the thousands of above-ground shelters for missiles.

The sounds of shofars for Rosh Hashana filled the Jerusalem streets, and planes flew overhead day and night. However, our friends and families in the north were under the constant stream of rocket fire interrupting their holiday and trying to take their lives.

“Falling in open spaces” means more miracles, when under persistent attack.

Tomorrow is October 7, 2024, with a list of commemorative events for the murdered and hostages.

Before I could publish, a terrorist stabbing in the Beer Sheva bus station with casualties.

These messages are no longer seen on buses, but the message has become more significant – Hatima Tova, “May you be sealed for good!”