middle east current events

What’s new as Jerusalem returns to the streets?

Sharon A

Over and over.

The Real Jerusalem Streets has used the expressions “roller coaster” and “highs and lows” to describe the emotional changes that happen in Jerusalem, Israel.

This week, a new word was repeated over and over: “whiplash.”

It was used to describe the extremes of war one day and back to “normal” the next.

One day, life was filled with the beautiful flowers and meals of Passover.

Shelters were needed much too often because of Iranian and Hezbollah missiles and rockets.

And the next day, we could again walk and appreciate nature without looking out for sirens or falling missile fragments.

One day, the doors were locked at the Museum for Islamic Art. The gates were chained shut.

The next day, after 6 weeks, schools in Jerusalem were to open again.

On Friday, after baking challah, it was time to walk again to see what was happening on the Jerusalem streets.

One back-to-normal street scene was flowers being sold for Shabbat.

Young people were riding bikes in Gan Sacher, Sacher Park, in the afternoon sun.

Picnics and families were at the Gan Sacher children’s play area.

A new sign was up for the Jerusalem Winner Marathon, rescheduled for Friday, April 17, 202.

The security fencing around the park was going up.

The finish line for shorter races was up over the Jerusalem street.

People were walking and running again. Training preparations for this marathon are more like a sprint than the usual long marathon prep.

Around the Knesset, Israeli flags usually go up after Pesach, the Passover holiday.

This year, marathon posters and flags are also on the Jerusalem streets.

President Herzog speaking at Yad Vashem

Tomorrow night is Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Martyrs’ and Heroes’ Remembrance Day. This year, April 13-14, 2026. The program was recorded, so no question about whether to go to Yad Vashem this year – it will be closed on Monday night.

Next week is Yom HaZikaron, Memorial Day, followed by Yom Haatzmaut, Independence Day on April 20- 21, when the annual extremes of mourning and celebration become a rollercoaster of emotions. What will be with the fragile 12-day ceasefire by then is anyone’s guess.

The Yom HaZikaron ceremony I usually attend on Ammunition Hill is also being recorded. No one wanted to be responsible for 1,000 people out in the open with not enough time to find shelter if this fragile ceasefire fails.

However, the first spotting of flags on a car as Israel approaches 78 years.

Meanwhile, Jerusalem is preparing Gan Sacher for thousands of people on Friday.

Not sure how many will come from overseas this year. But if it rains, the new walkway will be appreciated.

The Passover seder ends with’ Next Year in Jerusalem’.

Hope to see everyone soon in Jerusalem.

What has been happening on the Jerusalem streets?

Sharon A

Operation Roaring Lion has roared for over a week.

What has been happening on the Jerusalem streets?

International Women’s Day is March 8.

This year, there will be no in-person large conferences or live celebrations.

The Israeli security has limited groups to 50 people until at least tomorrow night.

Very glad I went to the Israel Museum last week, before it and the other museums closed.

At the Tower of David, all museum galleries are protected spaces, with an additional shelter in the entrance pavilion.

Therefore, the museum will operate Sunday–Thursday, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm.

Each year, I try to get out and find the best Purim costumes.

There were reports of large groups on Purim in Nachalot and the Machane Yehuda Market.

They are crowded with costumed and often inebriated celebrants each year on Purim.

This year, I did not go out to explore the Jerusalem streets, but saw one man coming in.

We went into a shelter during a siren.

Then he was on his way to deliver mishloach manot, food gifts, to a friend.

By Thursday afternoon, I had to get out. Where else to go and be safe but the community shelter?

The kitchen looked well-used, but clean enough. The two toilets were ok also.

Good timing? I stayed to talk with a university student trying to study.

He was alone when I arrived.

However, after a few minutes, a siren sounded for incoming missiles. The room filled up quietly and quickly.

After being given the all clear, the crowd left. One woman remained, and the chess game was ready for the next move.

In the community shelter are two signs – no nuts, but WIFI with code.

As I walked around the corner, people were already eating and back to work.

Some of the overnight Jerusalem street construction has proceeded with new pavement and bright white lines.

Reminders of the losses on October 7 and since continue with new stickers.

The purple recycling bin was moved to work on the sidewalk. The two holes reminded me of eyes peaking over the stone wall.

Here’s looking to better days and quiet nights, to get back to more happening on the Jerusalem streets.

Meanwhile, a look back at International Women’s Day in 2020.

Before COVID, it seems like so very long ago.

What’s new in Jerusalem for February?

Sharon A

Things in Jerusalem, Israel, are hard to predict and can change in a minute.

In February, we had winter days in Jerusalem.

Jerusalem street covered with snow

In February 2021, the Jerusalem streets and trees were covered with snow.

Other years, we also had summerlike weather.

Oh, the rain and sandstorms come and go with the season.

Abundant sunshine predicted? But, not so much today.

It is much easier to report on what’s new and the colors on the Jerusalem streets.

The cherry trees near the Japanese Pagoda were filled with pink blossoms in the Jerusalem Botanical Gardens.

Blue lights colored the Jerusalem Theater at night.

Some of the new buildings are also impressively lit up at night.

New buildings and construction are seen everywhere.

New government buildings have gone up near the entrance to Jerusalem.

The Givat Ram Stadium was again the launch site for the Jerusalem Marathon.

The 15th Jerusalem Winner Marathon is set for Friday, March 27, 2026.

The Jerusalem Mayor, Moshe Lion, posed with his new shirt, along with city sports officials and marathon sponsors.

The stadium is located not far from the new Iron Swords Monument

and the new children’s playground near the memorial site is open.

In February in Jerusalem, the flowers pop out of the ancient stones.

I so much prefer seeing the white roses blooming to shoveling snow.

The third Monday in February is when the US celebrates the birthdays of Presidents Lincoln and Washington.

I have looked forward to the annual Conference of Presidents of American Jewish Organizations’ leadership missions in February for many years. The Prime Minister was again the key speaker at the opening gala.

Conference of Presidents Chair Betsy Berns Korn,  CEO William Daroff, and Executive Vice Chair Emeritus Malcolm Hoenlein welcomed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the 51st annual conference.

The Inbal Hotel was filled with delegates and special guests on Sunday night.

This was the only session I was able to attend this year.

The BeSheva media group held its 23rd Jerusalem Conference on Monday and Tuesday at the Vert Hotel.

One thing new this year was Cow Free milk to go with the coffee.

It was not cold, but it did taste like milk.

One of the dozen honorees of the Jerusalem Prize was Rabbanit Esti Rozenberg of Migdal Oz for women’s education.

A highlight of the week was Ambassador Mike Huckabee at a special town hall-style conversation with Paul Gross at the Menachem Begin Heritage Center.

After brief words, the Ambassador sat and answered questions from the audience. The session was available online.

However many times I hear Mike Huckabee, I marvel at his composure and presentations without notes.

I started taking short videos to remember accurately what he said.

So I will leave you this unpredictable February with his concluding remarks.

At the end of the evening, Huckabee cited hope for the future from the Bible.

Interesting that the following day, at the BeSheva Jerusalem Conference, one speaker’s comments in Hebrew were so similar.

So in English or Hebrew, day by day, hope is key, and we hope to see you soon on the Jerusalem streets.