National Library of Israel

It’s August vacation time, but never downtime in Jerusalem

Sharon A

The news cycle in Jerusalem, Israel, seems to run fast even in the summer heat.

August, though a popular time to visit, does not have as many large conferences.

It is more of a family time with school out and daycare hard to find.

Started our week with a drive out to a special family simcha in Nokdim.

The view of the sunset over Herodium was as beautiful as anticipated.

Remember when the area was empty and barren.

Now the way is lined with new Arab construction.

Glad to see family together to celebrate. It was a special bar mitzvah.

During the week, I was back at the National Library of Israel.

They were posting the new exhibit to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States.

Posters from the NLI collections were highlighted in light boxes.

The topics were related to early populations in New York.

A 1915 map of Brooklyn divided into areas according to residents’ countries of origin captured my attention.

Jewish neighborhoods are colored in pink.

In the 1920s, one quarter of New York City residents were Jewish.

We lived in Brooklyn for four years before September 11, 2001.

However, I never considered myself a New Yorker, always an “out-of-towner.”

A letter signed by President Harry Truman is on display.

“The United States recognizes the provisional government as the de facto authority of the State of Israel,” wrote Truman.

The Promised City is having its troubles.

In 1916, they printed a Ladino handbook for learning English and Yiddish. It was used to integrate the new immigrants with practical knowledge of life in America. The Ladino-speaking community numbered in the tens of thousands, but there were 1.5 million Yiddish speakers.

There is also a small alcove to sit and catch up on US literature. Books to read, not to take.

Signs are up outside the building for “Quest of Questions,” which is open until April 2027.

Also, the annual  Docu.Text Festival begins on August 16, 2026, at the NLI.

It has become a popular spot to visit.

Good air conditioning and good food add to the experience.

Coming outside and seeing all the protest tents removed from the area was even better.

The Puppet Festival begins its 35th year at the Train Theater in Liberty Bell Park.

August festivals have become less international, but still attract crowds of Israelis who did not fly away for a holiday.

Street closings for the light rail construction are announced daily.

It feels like there is construction everywhere.

However, it’s Elul, and Rosh Hashanah and the new year are approaching.

So in Jerusalem, tens of thousands filled the Kotel Western Wall last night for the first Selihot.

The next major Selihot gathering at the Western Wall Plaza is planned for Thursday | 7 Elul | August 20 at 12:15 a.m. Tens of thousands of worshippers are expected to attend.

Plus, various Selichot tours of the Old City are starting.

Will you be here this year in Jerusalem?

Another up and down July week in Jerusalem

Sharon A

In Jerusalem, Israel, as usual, it was another week with ups and downs.

The Jerusalem streets were warmer under the hot summer July sun.

The blue sky held occasional white clouds, but not enough to provide shade.

It was a good week to be inside and not out in the heat.

Monday at the Nefesh BeNefesh Campus in Jerusalem

‘On the State of the Jewish People’ was the title of a conference by the World Zionist Organization and others, including the Ministry of Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism.

OUIsrael Director Rabbi Avi Berman interviewed Rabbi Shmuel Eliahu. 

Jerusalem Post Editor-in-Chief Zvika Klein moderated several panels, including one on building bridges.

Education was a constant theme. I hope the sessions are posted online with English subtitles.

Tuesday at the Ramada Hotel

OneFamily’s annual Women’s Empowerment Day again featured Rabbanit Yemima Mizrachi. Her opening talk was a great way to start the day.

Body-language expert Maayan Bashan concluded the formal program with an interactive session encouraging participants to pay attention to “the eyes.”

I wish I had taken notes on her explanations of facial expressions after watching NY Mayor Zohan Mamdani’s mouth in his anti-Bibi video.

The day started with a dairy buffet and ended with a seated dinner for the hundreds of women whose family members have faced violence due to terror.

Wednesday morning

Back at the National Library of Israel, where this view has become iconic,

to see the preview of the new exhibition “The Quest of Questions” to open July 31, 2026, to March 2027.

Newton’s Philosophy of Mathematics was on display.

Near the exit in the second gallery was a “family tree” in a Kurdish-Ottoman manuscript tracing back in time.

During the summer months, younger visitors can enjoy To Infinity, the activity designed for families.

Wednesday night

Tisha B'Av night at Western Wall

Wednesday night was the start of Tisha B’Av with the stones and lights in Jerusalem Old City by the Western Wall.

Thursday fast day, or rather slow day; better to stay in the air conditioning.

New signs are up for the ice skating and Opera Festival, along with Tisha B’av program at the Begin Center.

Friday morning early on the Tayelet.

A busload of teens from France arrived and were singing Jerusalem of Gold.

At the same time, the results of the end-of-year exams for Jerusalem Arab schools were published, accompanied by loud fireworks as usual.

All as our family gathered for morning prayers for a special event.

Joining Yakir for a mazel tov with breakfast treats in honor of his approaching bar mitzvah.

Of course, on the Tayelet, I had to stroll down to see the setup for Auto Ochal – Food trucks.

Preparing to open evenings this week, along the Tayelet. Food. Beer. Music.

And seats with a view…

Summer time in Jerusalem, Israel.

With ups and downs, always something happening.

Hope to see you soon on the real Jerusalem streets.

Tu Bishvat on the Jerusalem Streets

Sharon A

For over 15 years, The Real Jerusalem Streets has shared Tu Bishvat posts.

Of course, each time wondering how best to spell — Tu Beshvat or Tu B’Shvat.

Some years were the simple colors of Tu B’Shvat.

Some years were much more ambitious for Tu Bishvat.

Remember those Amygdalus Communis growing in Jerusalem?

This past week, I set out to find what was new for you.

Jerusalem, Israel, and the cranes rise higher and higher into the sky.

Mountains have to be moved to install new light rail tracks.

Buildings rise above the expanded highways.

And wow, the mess as new sidewalks and bike trails are being worked on – it seems – everywhere.

But the winter green has returned to the nature spots.

And the first almond blossoms were out in time for Tu Bishvat.

The protest sites near the Knesset are still there, though the last hostage has returned.

This Knesset building opened on Tu Bishvat 60 years ago.

I went to the 50th celebration.

I went to the Knesset for the 60th celebration last week.

On Tu Bishvat this year, I did not get in.

I contacted 4 people, and a Minister tried to help. After waiting an hour, I left.

I did get to chat for an hour with a reporter I had not seen in a long time; she also did not get in.

It was a beautiful day to be in Gan Sacher. The piano is no longer yellow for the hostage return.

Had time to walk through the National Library and see all the people.

Good to see the space that was filled with chairs and books for the hostages is back to normal.

‘There are Flowers’ was the Tu Bishvat theme in the library.

Flowers were coming from the stones, as every year, as winter ebbs.

New signs for Jerusalem events have been posted.

Buds have appeared on the lemon tree.

And on Tu Bishvat, new signs went up over the Jerusalem streets for Shushan Purim.

This year’s celebration is to be on Ruppin Street on Tuesday, March 3, 2026.

The seasons are changing, and it feels like spring on the Jerusalem streets.

Hope to see you here soon, this year in Jerusalem.