Today, January 1, 2023, all eyes are on the best or worst of 2022.
However, I decided to post positive aspects and focus on the future as Israel is to celebrate 75 years at the end of April 2023.
No bets on when they will finally finish redoing Gan Sacher, Sacher Park, which is more torn up than last month, or the Jerusalem Gateway or Light Rail extension projects. Construction seems everywhere and endless.
The news this week is that the popular large event Sultan’s Pool near the Old City walls is getting a major makeover.
Plus, the Israel Antiquities Authority, the Israel National Parks Authority, and the City of David Foundation announced the initiation of the excavation of the historic Pool of Siloam in Jerusalem.
This photo of the uncovered steps is from a report on the earlier stage of the project. The path is now open to the public.
Last week was Hanukkah, and we needed a 9th night to get our family together. There were no candles or hanukiah on Monday night, but a big gathering of the family with food and fun and gifts.
One significant hanukiah was not mentioned last week.
The Knesset plenary is shaped like a Hanukiah, the Chanukah menorah with 4 branches over a stem, and a base. Instead of a shamash candle, the elected government sits in the center.
Israel’s 37th Government was sworn in at the Knesset and held its first cabinet meeting. That evening, the ministers arrived at Beit Hanasi, the Israeli President’s Residence, for the traditional official photograph.
I remembered attending the opening of the 20th Knesset as I arrived at Beit Hanasi at night for the official photo.
Though hours early, other photographers arrived much earlier to get a prime location, perched above the raised platform on chairs.
From my spot, seated on the bottom step and the floor, I was close enough and much safer getting a photograph.
While waiting for over two hours, I took many photos, for those interested in what happened behind the scene – a short video.
This is a favorite image I got before the President and Prime Minister arrived. One has to be careful these days saying ” I shot” about a photo.
Here is the published diagram of the new government ministers’ names.
On to other news. With travel opening up after the pandemic closures, the Fourth Jerusalem Leaders Summit met again in Jerusalem, Israel.
Joel Anand Samy was thrilled to be in Jerusalem and open the session at the Menachem Begin Heritage Center on Wednesday night.
The audience included journalists and international guests. His wife and co-founder of the International Leaders Summit, Natasha Srdoc is seen here on the far right.
Two of the international keynote speakers were Sir Ivan Lawrence and Cheryl Chumley, online opinion editor of the Washington Times.
It was good to hear Dr. Paul Ruebig, a member of the EU’s Economic and Social Committee, report on positive developments.
For those who have only seen gloom and doom predictions for Israel and its new government, I made this short video after one Summit panel. Oded Revivi and Moshe Koppel sound much more encouraging than the rhetoric of the new opposition who were voted out of office.
Also good news, Israel ranks 4th among the best-performing world economies though many prices are rising quickly.
In the two years since the Israel-Morocco normalization agreement of December 22, 2020, the Moroccan government has stepped up its national project for Moroccan Jewish life: by launching a plan.
Only 15 UN General Assembly resolutions against Israel in 2022 and at least fewer votes this time around for the recent resolution on Friday afternoon.
My friend David shared what a great year 2022 was for Israeli athletes.
Though it’s winter in Jerusalem, we had a fun Photowalk with a family from New York and would love to see you here soon to show you more good things happening.
Warm winter greetings from Jerusalem for a good year in 2023!
