Where to begin and what is most important to share?
In these difficult days, people are grasping for good news to balance daily updates of deaths, funerals, and condolence calls.
In Jerusalem, more and larger Israeli flags are unfurling each day. This one is near Jaffa Gate.
After hearing the booms and seeing the Iron Dome interceptions in the sky over Jerusalem, it took a few days to venture out to see what was happening on the Jerusalem streets.
Workers were putting up more flags and flag poles to line main roads.
At Mishkanot Shaananim, I have never before seen a shelter notice posted at the auditorium door. The gruesome ZAKA press conference was held there for international journalists.
Did you see anything about ZAKA reported in your local media?
Outside was a MDA emergency motorcycle ready, but not needed.
And very close to the Montefiore Windmill, there were people preparing for a wedding. The stories of weddings during this time could fill a book. Each day news of more engagements keeps us smiling too.
People have come through with volunteering, donating, and sharing just about everything you could imagine in Jerusalem, and throughout Israel.
One Family Fund has been working overtime, the pile of donations so large it had to be moved outside.
International media crews have parachuted in by the hundreds and are looking for stories.
Will they include young Arab families walking freely on the Jerusalem streets?
The popular Mamilla Mall was almost deserted though a few shops were open and food was available.
Friday, I felt like Noah leaving the safety of my little neighborhood and went to the Tower of David.
For years I have been watching and waiting to see the new entrance in use. The Tower of David Museum is closed.
However, I was invited to take photos of a bat mitzvah girl from the south and her family, and it was an offer too hard to resist. It was a great volunteer project, much more fun than packing sandwiches for sure.
The security was strictly enforced to enter but once I got inside the view was as impressive as ever.
From the top of the Tower of David, there is one of the best views of the Temple Mount. It was good to see it very quiet on Friday after midday prayer time.
In this upside-down world of the Jerusalem, Israel streets, I smiled all the way home from the Tower of David after meeting bat mitzvah girl Rotem and her family.
Seeing young fathers dressed in army uniforms walking with children,
and others walking with weapons slung over their shoulders has become a comforting norm.
Then I saw these two women and had to ask if they knew each other before. They did not. A woman in Jerusalem was giving a woman from the south food and games and more for Shabbat.
Two strangers coming together in time of need.
Yes, Hamas is constantly firing rockets and missiles at Israeli cities. Hezbollah on the northern border is jealous of the attention and shooting at Israeli cities now also. Red alerts come in batches – anytime.
But for the moment at least, Jerusalem is quiet, some children are back in school, at least part-time.
More signs reading “One Nation as One” and “Am Yisrael Chai!” are being posted on Jerusalem streets.
Hopefully, there will be more good news to share next time from the Jerusalem!
