The struggle to rise from the ruins of death and destruction of October 7 is real and ongoing.
Since October 7th, for over a year, week after week, it has not always been easy, but there are positive images and stories to share of resilience and building a better future.
‘From the Ruins to a Shared Israeli Future’ is the title of the newest photo exhibit outside of Beit Hanasi, the Israeli President’s residence.
The new photos show scenes of resilience and work since the start of the October Iron Swords War.
Meanwhile, on the Jerusalem streets, there were other new signs of progress.
The symbol and sign for the Knesset Museum was posted on the building on King George Street.
The Froumine House was where the Knesset met from March 13, 1950, until moving to the current location in 1966.
Remember RJS in 2019 – What’s New in Jerusalem?
This photo of the King George Street site was taken in January 2016. The letters above the front door, which are now gone, said it was the site of the Israeli Knesset. Then, the building was used for the Rabbinical Court before being abandoned.
The renovation has stretched for over a decade, but the museum is finally closer to completion.
This Jerusalem site has been abandoned for decades. I saw the workers take down the sign that said ‘Hebrew University – 44 Jabotinsky Street’ – and crush it with their feet.
That was the day I started carrying a camera in my pocket, and not in a backpack.
When Hebrew University on Mount Scopus was not accessible from 1948-1967, the library was dispersed to other locations in Jerusalem. This one had been on the site of the British Tribunal. Israel gave the property back to the church.
The old library was left to disintegrate over the years after the books were removed.
A bench near the Jerusalem Theater has the hostage poster for Shlomo Mantzur h”yd. He was the oldest person kidnapped on October 7, taken hostage to Gaza, murdered, and returned home to be buried today.
President Isaac Herzog spoke at this funeral: “representing the entire State of Israel, I ask you, Shlomo, for forgiveness. Forgiveness for our failure to protect you in the very place that was meant to be your fortress. Forgiveness from you, from your family, from the members of Kissufim, and from all the residents of the western Negev—for not saving you on that bitter, terrible day.”
Orange and black balloons filled the streets for the Bibas family’s funeral, which got much more attention.
Under the photo of Shiri Bibas, “slicha -sorry” is written in Hebrew by hand on a piece of orange paper.
While Shlomo was 86 years old, the Bibas children were the youngest hostages taken from their homes on October 7 – and murdered in Gaza along with their mother, Shiri h”yd.
There are still 59 hostages held in Gaza.
When the sun was shining, people were out on the Jerusalem streets, working, shopping, and living.
The new sign, “You Must Choose Life -That is Art,” is appropriate this week.
Many Jerusalem streets are in ruins as the new light-rail train extensions are being built.
Traffic patterns are changing to add bike lanes. From these current ruins, it is hard to see the future.
But the work goes on late into the night.
The Jerusalem Marathon launch is this week, preparing for the races on Friday, April 4, 2025.
Structures around the world were lit orange this week in memory of the murdered Bibas family.
The Jerusalem Chord Bridge was lit as the blue and white Israeli flag.
Am Yisrael Chai – hope – to build back better in the future.
