National Library of Israel – The Real Jerusalem Streets

See this week in Jerusalem: faith, memory, and celebrations

May 25, 2025May 25, 2025Sharon A

The Jerusalem streets are getting more crowded and busier as the days grow warmer.

Conferences and meetings, and tourists are arriving daily, despite the negatives you see in the news.

The Museum of Tolerance laid out a big blue carpet for the World Jewish Congress delegates from 72 countries who met in Jerusalem, Israel, for the first time in nineteen years.

The gala opening evening began with Eden Golan singing “October Rain.”

How was she in so many places this week in such a short time?

During the program, Sylvan Adams, the new head of WJC Israel, announced he wants another 1,000,000 people to immigrate to Israel in the coming year.

I was trying to get a good shot of the front row with US Ambassador Mike Huckabee. I noticed women dressed in white, but now I also notice the cool colors of those socks.

Between the speeches of unity, action, and impact, the Israeli singer David D’Or was one of the singers.

He had most of the audience up on their feet, and some dancing to his lively musical arrangements.

In contrast, the Award of Resilience was presented to hostage survivor Tal Shalem by Ronald Lauder, the WJC President. Shalem spoke movingly about his experiences.

US Ambassador Mike Huckabee seems to be everywhere. Each time he speaks with encouraging words. His description of Iran as the kitchen from which all the terror comes, and as a tree that needs not to be trimmed but its trunk cut down, seems too good to be true.

Do his words reach Washington?

A unique event was held at the National Library of Israel on Thursday night, The Codices of Damascus.

Twelve of the ancient illuminated Bibles retrieved from Damascus synagogues in the 1990s were on display in the special exhibition space for a limited time only.

These volumes from the 13th century were considered good luck and stored away in Damascus synagogues before finding their way to Israel and the National Library for safekeeping.

The program was for the yahrzeit of Rabbi Avraham Hamra, the last Chief Rabbi of Syria, who died four years ago. It began with a memorial prayer by his son, Rabbi Benjamin Hamra.

Followed by an interview with Mossad’s Efraim Halevy, who, much to my disappointment, revealed none of the intrigue involved in rescuing the books. All he divulged was that he met the Rabbi in New York.

Besides the valuable Bibles, they helped hundreds of Syrian Jews escape from Syria to the US.

Besides the memorial for Rabbi Hamra, the evening was appropriate before Shavuot, the holiday of the giving of the Torah, the chain from generation to generation.

Also on Thursday night, the Tower of David was lit up for a special award ceremony.

Twelve veteran members of the Jerusalem community were honored for their varied accomplishments as builders of Jerusalem. Jerusalem Mayor Lion presented awards. A video interview was shown of each one.

The outdoor spaces were filled with families and friends of the distinguished twelve men and women.

Entertainment filled out the program, with the lights and sound resonating onto the Jerusalem streets.

Six of the honorees sat on each side of the stage area.

Former Deputy Supreme Court President Eliaykim Rubenstein spoke on behalf of the award winners.

More music filled out the program before the singing of “HaTikva.”

People honored as a Yakir Yerushalayim are all seniors who have helped Jerusalem in various ways.

The building goes on and on. First going down and down, before going up and up.

The programs for children keep going and growing in Jerusalem, too.

Jerusalem was divided before 1967, for 19 years, when Jews were not allowed in the Old City.

It is important to remember.

Jerusalem on Yom Yerushalayim – the night of May 25- May 26, 2025 – is a reason to celebrate.

Chag sameach!

While the war rages, antisemitic attacks are worldwide, news headlines are bleak.

I will leave you with a bit of the music of David D’Or for the World Jewish Congress.

This week in Jerusalem – Am Yisrael Chai.

In Jerusalem, echoes of the past, steps in the present

May 18, 2025May 18, 2025Sharon A

It’s that time of year again on the Jerusalem streets.

When the blazing sun and heat of summer arrive as a surprise.

The night before was cold enough to wear a warm jacket.

The green grasses of Jerusalem’s nature spots have turned dry to golden hues.

Last week, before the heat wave, a few noteworthy events were held.

The National Library of Israel (NLI) hosted an international conference on 20 years of Jewish History in journalism, beginning on Monday night in the large theater auditorium.

The National Library is usually a very busy place with people working and doing research. To get a photo like this was special because the library closed to the public at midday on Tuesday.

The chairs and posters of kidnapped Israelis were lined up neatly near the lower entrance.

President Herzog escorted German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier on a tour of the new library, part of Germany and Israel celebrating 60 years of diplomatic relations.

The tour started with a view from above the main reading research area.

A stop by the wall in the entrance lobby of the faces of the October 7 victims is projected on the wall.

Then the Presidents and their wives stopped to see various items on display. This Bünting cloverleaf map, also known as The World in a Cloverleaf, with Jerusalem in the center, was published in 1581 and has been reproduced many times over the millennia.

I was able to take multiple photos of various empty locations from new angles.

The tour was on the other side, receiving information from the NLI Director General, Oren Weinberg.

Up and then down the circular staircase of the library we went.

With a stop by the chairs, on the way out of the building.

Steinmeier was one of the first world leaders to arrive in Israel in October 2023.

Then the tour continued outside.

Finally, an explanation of the stones arranged in the garden by the artist. I have yet to be there when the sun casts good shadows for the letter shapes.

I hope they noticed the Knesset and flags in the background across the street from the NLI.

On the right side, the dark blue screen is a temporary security barrier. Security goes up and up over the years.

For previous German leaders’ visits to Jerusalem, it was possible to get into Beit Hanasi.

Not only into the President’s Residence, but also outside in the garden to see the Presidential tree.

This time, Steinmeier got a Presidential medal, but the event was closed to the press.

The international visitors for the digital journalism and other attendees were able to follow through on their 3-day conference at the NLI on Tuesday.

It concluded on Wednesday with the only session in English with international speakers.

May 14, 1948, was the date of the Israeli Declaration of Independence. Three years ago, Elana Heideman of IsraelForever Foundation began promoting Declaration Day to reaffirm Israel’s independence.

Each year has gotten bigger and better; it was held this past week at the David Citadel in Jerusalem, Israel.

A full reproduction of the New York Times from May 15, 1948, was on the table. Notice the headline –

“ZIONISTS PROCLAIM NEW STATE OF ISRAEL; TRUMAN RECOGNIZES IT AND HOPES FOR PEACE;

TEL AVIV IS BOMBED, EGYPT ORDERS INVASION” – still hoping for peace.

The next day was Lag B’Omer, with major Jerusalem bonfire spots ready for all-night fires with friends.

Jerusalem is not the main focus for this holiday, but Meron is, where the Boyaner Rebbe lit the fire.

This year, I was happy to watch online and not go out searching for new fires.

Good news – there were no reports of major fire damage this year.

The posters of lost young faces line the streets – one calling for victory as flags blow in the wind above.

Flags on cars and hanging off balconies, Yom Yerushalayim, Jerusalem Day, is on May 26, 2025.

Flag and more flags… This year in Jerusalem!

Jerusalem After Yom Kippur Getting Ready for Sukkot

October 13, 2024October 27, 2024Sharon A

Over the years “Yom Kippur is coming” has been an annual post for The Real Jerusalem Streets.

How was this year different?

I didn’t even remember to do a piece on the holiday approaching.

The umbrellas still stretch over Yoel Solomon Street, but fewer tourists walk under them.

This year the Yizkor, or remembrance of October 7 victims and hostages filled the Jerusalem streets.

Even on the poster for the various Selihot, there was one placed in the center.

On October 7, 2024, I walked into Jerusalem by the tent near the Prime Minister’s residence.

It was quiet on Day 367, but at night the area was filled with people.

Needing a bit of nature I found the new map of Geology of the Jerusalem Mountains.

You could see the large Israeli flag over the Knesset at half-mast from that vantage point.

In the outdoor garden at the National Library of Israel, the letters were impressive under the clouds.

Inside people were working as if it was a regular Monday.

But my goal was to see this video projection near the upper entrance of the new library.

To remember the murdered and fallen soldiers from October 7, too many faces.

At the lower entrance, those faces on posters on chairs with favorite books waiting for hostages to return. If you have not been – tours in English will run during Sukkot on Sunday-Tuesday (October 20-22).

Tour duration: approximately an hour and a half.
The group tour is suitable for ages 16 and up.
Price: NIS 50 per person over 5 years of age. Discounts are available for seniors, soldiers, reservists, and displaced families (identification required).
For more information about group tours in English and to buy tickets: https://www.nli.org.il/en/visit/tours/sukkot-tours

The restaurant will be open. A sukkah has been erected in the library garden for visitors.

For Sukkot “Poof Sipur” (“Bean Bag Stories”) for children ages 5 to 11 and accompanying adults is back.

Walking home on the path under the Israel Museum was a bit of hope for renewal – green growth under the trees and bushes in the seriously burnt area.

A Muslim woman walked alone along a Jerusalem street on October 7, and no one else seemed to notice.

Before Yom Kippur, the Israeli President hosted a Selihot program by the Beit Hanasi Synagogue with the musical ensemble of Yagel Haroush back again this year, coordinated by 929 organization.

In the Israeli President’s Residence back garden, the white chairs were lined up as in the past. Only the seats were filled with students and bereaved families instead of the many IDF uniforms in past years.

A bit of the powerful melodies of the Chazan during Selihot prayers.

I took a photo for you inside the Beit Hanasi Synagogue, which is not open to the public often.

However, at least one of the books on a small table looked well used.

This year the lead-up to Yom Kippur was filled with various October 7 memorial programs.

One event for fallen Israeli Police was held at the Friends of Zion Museum. In the first 50 hours of Operation Iron Swords, 59 police officers were killed.

Program moderator Dean Elsdunne, Spokesperson for Israel Police, supported and translated for the bereaved mother of Dan Ganot z”l, as she explained her new role to speak to school children about her son and the honor of police personnel.

The panel moderated by Avi Mayer with dedicated police who worked on and after October 7 was impressive. More to come on that soon, inspired by the stories they shared!