One day, sirens sounded, and people headed to shelters off the Jerusalem streets.
Then, Pesach, Passover, ended with a ceasefire announcement.
Put away the Pesach pots and pans and dishes, and boom, back to normal?!
April weather had been unusually cold.
But the next day, when the sun was shining, people returned to the Jerusalem streets.
Overnight, the blue and white Israeli flags were seen flying in the breeze.
Seeing the new flag on the car mirror was a sure sign of the season of the Yoms.
For Yom Hashoah, Holocaust Martyrs’ and Remembrance Day, the official state opening at Yad Vashem on Monday night was recorded. With the constant missile attacks since Purim, Homeland Security regulations had limited the size of events and the need for adequate shelters.
Hundreds of guests outside in the Warsaw Ghetto Plaza did not happen this year.
The event was broadcast with all the annual elements, but no live audience.
Leading up to Yom HaZikaron, Memorial Day for Fallen Soldiers and Victims of Terror, President Herzog hosted families of fallen soldiers at an annual event supported by the IDF Widows and Orphans and Yad L’Banim organizations.
Fallen soldier Moti Shamir’s mother told how he would stand with his Holocaust survivor grandmother for the siren each year. Shamir’s daughter, born after he was killed on October 7, sat on her mother’s lap.
So many new stories with over 350 widows and 900 orphans since October 7, 2023.
Each of the eight families shared stories of their lost son, daughter, or sibling.
They also brought an item to share; one family showed the Herzogs a shirt.
One mother shared a story of a policewoman and a stuffed toy.
Yom HaZikaron begins tomorrow night, Monday, April 20, 2026.
The Michael Levine Base Ammunition Hill ceremony has people sitting outside. This year, it is recorded. There were doubts about the safety of 1000 people seated outside with no adequate shelter.
However, for Yom Hazikaron, there are many smaller community-centered commemorations throughout Israel.
What a week this was with the transition of going back to school after 6 weeks.
The biggest event to end the week was the 15th International Jerusalem Winner Marathon.
The races were originally planned for before Passover and then rescheduled for April 17, 2026.
Decisions were made down to the last tense minute, to run or not to run.
By Thursday evening, thousands had come to Cinema City to pick up their race kits.
Remember, people signed up to run in Jerusalem before the ceasefire was announced.
The marathon EXPO was held at Cinema City, and people were shopping.
It had one new feature this year that was popular.
All the runners’ names were posted on a sign, and they could take a selfie.
Can you see that there were fewer names at the top of the blue row for the full marathon than the other, shorter, much more popular races?
The green section is the 10-kilometer race, which had so many runners that it was divided into 3 start times.
Red was the half-marathon; all registered full runners could participate in that race.
There was no full marathon this year due to the hot weather forecast.
In previous years, the marathoners came here as I went to the starting line.
The barriers left along the street were very different this year.
All start times were moved up an hour, and the first runners took off in the dark.
The air quality did get very bad, and running later was a health hazard.
The entrance used by full marathon runners to enter the park was closed.
The full marathon finish line was empty when I got to the park.
The VIP tents on the side were not open this year.
However, the marathon finish was popular this year. Almost everyone took photos.
Only runners were allowed in the park, not their supporters, due to security.
The organizations’ booths were not allowed to set up in Sacher Park.
Homeland Security had limited numbers and encouraged runners to leave as quickly as possible after their race.
The Remember Roey running group managed to get a small table set up.
This year, many running groups were in memory of fallen soldiers.
Many of the organizational groups were smaller, with international runners unable to come.
Less celebrating, less congregating, and less music – no full marathon, but the races went on.
At the starting line for the 10-kilometer races, it was very crowded.
Thousands of runners lined up and waited for their start.
The enthusiasm was not muted by the weather or war.
Preparing for this marathon was done in a sprint.
Supporters were out at the crazy earlier hours.
All runners at the finish line were winners.
Without the booths, food, and family and friend supporters, runners were filling the park, able to rest after their race.
The 15th International Jerusalem Winner Marathon was held, with tens of thousands of runners participating in the shorter races. Only one case of heat exhaustion was reported.
On the way home, I saw this smiling duo coming toward the finish line.
Remember the first full successful marathon?
A woman was killed nearby by a bomb less than 48 hours before the start.
The same feeling this year.
Relief.
Accomplishment to start and to finish.
Winners all.
More Marathon photos on Facebook
Hope to see you next year in Jerusalem!