See Photos of Passover, Blue & White, and Spring Colors in Jerusalem

Thousands of visitors arrived in Israel for the holidays.

Many families had long-awaited, anticipated reunions.

With school out for more than a week, it was a time to look for new and different activities.

Downtown Jerusalem went with a Crusader theme, remember the previous ones?

I remember this is the fifth Knight-themed night event in the past 15 years.

The nights were more colorful for a photo than in the daytime.

Jerusalem of Freedom was the theme this year. Happy Passover from Jerusalem.

Those families that did not travel north for activities in nature could use the suspension bridge and, on this clear day, see the mountains of Jordan in the distance.

The water and music were on at the fountain in Teddy Park for half an hour, much to the delight of families when there was finally a warm day.

The first days were so cold, and it rained in some locations, but the last days were warm.

Near the Teddy Park is the Artists’ Colony, and new art was on display at Kol HaOt. Arriving late in the day, I missed the activities for children, but could see the works based on the current war and hostage theme. Celebrations for the second Passover since October 7 were held, but muted.

As in the past, Bank Hapoalim provided free admission to dozens of museums. We took advantage by going to Jerusalem’s L.A. Mayer Museum for Islamic Art.

The story of the stolen watches and their return is worthy of a visit. This fan alone is a timepiece with gold, diamonds, and pearls, worth a small fortune.

But the rest of the pieces are equally amazing as their story. It is a very secure place if the Houthis’ ballistic missile interceptions set off another alarm. The room is an extremely secure vault to prevent another theft from occurring.

Upstairs is the art and the history of the development of Islam from the early days of Muhammad.

I did not remember the Harari Hoard from previous visits. Ralph Harari collected Islamic metalware. These 20 silver pieces on display are from the 11th to 12th centuries.

In another room, the gold jewelry from the Harari collection is also impressive.

The new temporary exhibit is called “Fluid Concrete.”

Seeing the photos in black and white of buildings from around the world, I now understand the sign posted on the wall outside that I shared two weeks ago.

A sign of Passover on the Jerusalem streets, shops with limited food options to purchase.

Ah, but this year, sushi was for sale on Passover. Here in Rechavia for take-out only.

Days of cooking and eating, but the only photos were from before Shabbat.

The only regret is that I have no photos of the food on Shabbat served for lunch.

Even the last pickle was gone from the jar when they all went home.

On Tuesday and Thursday morning of Passover, as on Sukkot, tens of thousands were again at the Kotel, Western Wall, for Birkat Cohanim, the Priestly Blessing.

In the afternoon, First Station, despite a construction project that had the path closed,

and a large section blocked for renovation, for a light rail station to be built at the old train station,

saw families enjoying the activities along with the Passover food and ice cream for sale.

First Station was the place to be on at least two days of Passover, for a bicycle festival held there.

It was already dressed in blue and white for the upcoming holiday season.

One could even find a small blue and white cellphone bag for sale.

Spring has come, not only at the Tower of David, but along the Jerusalem streets.

In Yemin Moshe, there were spring flowers and blue and white flags.

On the balcony at the Theatron Residences was an Israeli flag.

Israeli flags were on display at private homes,

and a large Jerusalem flag was outside the entrance to a nursery school.

From one day to the next, the flags were flying over the Jerusalem streets.

But as the memorial flame over the door at the Menachem Begin Heritage Center reminds us, along with the celebrations come the memorial days, beginning with Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day, starting on Wednesday night, April 23, 2025.

So it was – this year in Jerusalem.

Just home from Beit Hanasi, the Israeli President’s residence, where seven new Ambassadors presented their credentials. Jane Huckabee stood as her husband, US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, signed the official guest book, holding her handbag – the newest blue & white, with the US flag on the other side.

How is this Passover Different than all others?

Passover, Pesach how is this Passover holiday 5784/2024 different from all others?

The new National Library of Israel was open and offered organized tours. This room is filled with unique volumes and ancient works in a modern technological setting.

There is an old colorful illuminated Haggadah used for Passover in the past.

This is the only surviving copy of the first Haggadah printed, in Spain in 1482.

There are also on display two printed in 1952 for the IDF. After 10,000 copies were printed, this secular version which removed Divine deliverance was suppressed at the last minute. Prime Minister Ben Gurion had them collected and destroyed, with only 20 copies surviving.

The National Library was not the only busy place over the holiday time, Mamilla Mall had new art pieces.

Extra security was visible in Mamilla Mall and at other popular tourist locations.

The sign near Jaffa Gate welcomed all with greetings for a Happy Passover.

Once again dozens of museums throughout Israel were open, including the Tower of David Jerusalem.

The Burnt House Museum in the Old City was also one open without an entrance fee.

It was good to be inside on the extremely hot intermediate days of Passover this year.

Despite the intense heat and security concerns, tens of thousands of people arrived Thursday morning for the Birkat Cohanim, Priestly Blessing at the Kotel, Western Wall.

The Kessim, Ethiopian religious leaders were easily spotted standing under their colorful umbrellas with a crowd of followers around them near the live cameramen and the stand for emergency medical care.

The women’s section was especially crowded in the few shaded areas.

However, people were standing in the sun on the rooftops all around the Western Wall plaza for the view.

One man found a quiet spot from the Aish building for a few minutes of private introspection and prayer.

The Chief Rabbis and dignitaries had their vantage point above the crowd.

This year at the end of the morning service with the Birkat Cohanim, special prayers were added for the safe return of the hostages and security in all of Israel.

The family of hostage Eliya Cohen had attended the service at the Kotel and were leaving as more people arrived by way of Jaffa Gate.

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Thousands of people kept coming and going all day and most of the night to the Old City of Jerusalem.

What was different this year was that the crowds were somewhat smaller. Some families who usually come did not. However, other families were in Israel many times, but their first time for Pesach!

This year a cloud hung over the festivities, wanting the hostages to be returned to their families so they too could enjoy the holiday of Pesach, of freedom from bondage.

Everyone is concerned for the safety of soldiers and civilians both north and south and civilians, under constant rocket fire.

More images posted on Facebook HERE

The Haggadah reminds us each year, that enemies arise, but ends with “Next year in Jerusalem!”

Hoping next year to welcome you all to the Jerusalem streets.

How many empty chairs for Passover seder this year?

Passover 2024 or Pesach 5784, will be different from last year on the Jerusalem streets.

The Chag Aviv, or the Holiday of Spring, can be seen in nature as the bees have returned.

As usual, baskets for unopened bread products can be found on the Jerusalem streets,

plus special bins to burn the bits of bread and crumbs on Monday morning before the holiday begins.

However, this year there will be thousands of empty seats at the Seder table on Monday night.

National Library of Israel entrance with faces of the murdered

The faces of the 1,200 murdered in the October 7 Massacre were illuminated in the new National Library.

At Beit Hanasi, the Israeli President’s residence a ceremonial presentation of certificates was held.

The families of the three young Israelis who escaped from their Hamas captivity in Gaza, only to be shot by friendly fire were acknowledged.

Iris Haim mother of Yotam Haim, posed and smiled for a photo. There were more than the usual amount of hugs and tears that day. I refrained from photographing the most powerful scenes.

The next day back at Beit Hanasi, 30 nurses were honored in advance of International Nurses Day. Even though the audience was asked not to photograph, phone cameras were used repeatedly by family members and friends. Each nurse was called up by name and her story was briefly recounted. One was the nurse in Beeri on October 7. One had been taken captive to Gaza on October 7. The hospitals mentioned were from the north to the south of Israel.

One of the nurses was Talya Slotki, the Nursing Coordinator in the Pain Clinic at Shaare Zedek Hospital in Jerusalem, Israel, who was awarded an Honorable Distinction for Bravery and Heroism.

Her husband, Rabbi Shmuel Slotki shared their story with our solidarity mission at the beginning of January along with a video of his sons and family.

On the morning of October 7th, their two sons, Noam and Yishai, left their home when the attack began and traveled south to join in the brave defense of the besieged communities along the border. Both sons fought heroically before falling in battle.

For the next week, their exact whereabouts and fate were unknown, before the family was informed that both sons had been killed.

Following the completion of the shiva, Talya continued to work to provide critical medical care in addressing and alleviating pain. Among many of her patients have been soldiers evacuated from the fields of battle who were treated for a wide range of injuries – many included painful orthopedic wounds and burns that have required intensive attention and care.

As I read about the commendation that Talya Slotki received, I remembered when Rabbi Slotki entered the room to speak to our group. Rabbi Doron Perez left his spot at the front of the room and went to hug him.

At 97 days from October 7, Rabbi Perez and supporters completed a Torah in the merit of the return of the members of the Perez tank crew missing since the day Hamas started the war by invading Israel.

A month ago the Perez family had a funeral to bury a bloody shirt after a video was found showing that the young soldier who held off the invasion was not only injured but killed. He was no longer counted among the 133 hostages still possibly alive in Gaza.

As we approach 200 days from the Shabbat Simhat Torah massacre and anticipate Passover the remaining hostage’s fates are unknown.

Table set for Passover meal

Passover tables are being prepared for the seder meal and retelling of the story of freedom from Egypt. The freedom of Israeli hostages and the many empty chairs at the seder are very much in mind.

In addition, the tens of thousands from north and south are still under constant rocket fire and unable to be home for all these months, as well as the soldiers on duty to protect against further attacks.

But to end on a brighter note, the colorful spring flowers are as usual lining the Jerusalem streets.

Now it’s time to finish preparing for Passover.

Hebrew sign Happy Passover, bus sign in Hewbrew

Passover Kosher and Happy

Remember, the Hagaddah ends with “Next year in Jerusalem!” Let’s hope we can all celebrate once again joyfully on the Jerusalem streets!