The smell of freshly cut grass is not one associated with Jerusalem, Israel.
But as I entered Jerusalem’s Liberty Bell Park from the shade of the Hubert Humphrey Arbor and descended the steps toward the Liberty Bell on July 4th morning, the familiar clean and fresh aroma of grass filled the air.
The Liberty Bell Park was dedicated 45 years ago to coincide with the 1976 Bicentennial celebration in the United States.
However, for Israelis, the same date July 4, 1976, was the Entebbe mission where Yoni Netanyahu fell in action saving the hijacked passengers.
In Liberty Bell Park there is a memorial garden in his name.
July 1st is Canada Day and next to the Yoni Netanyahu Garden is another memorial Canadians should appreciate.
The Terry Fox Memorial Garden was dedicated in 1985 to a special athlete who captured the imagination and respect of Canadians as he crossed the country on one leg after amputation because of cancer to raise money for cancer research.
As I reached the end of the park, classes of young students were arriving.
I wondered if they knew of the significance of climbing on the exact replica of the US Liberty Bell on July 4th, in a Jerusalem, Israel, park?
So glad it was cooler, following a very hot week of summer weather of last week.
A real conference, live and online, with programs and tags – and face masks.
Dozens of speakers on economy and education and more, but only one was wearing a watermelon shirt, a professor from Hebrew University.
With the rising corona numbers, I hope it’s not one of the last of large gatherings allowed inside.
Also exciting to be back to Beit Hanasi, the Israeli President’s Residence for the arrival of the German President. Notice the equipment to do a live stream, and the antiviral gel on the wall, both new additions since former President Joachim Gauck came in December 2015 to mark the 50th year of Israel-German diplomatic relations.
After over a year of reduced ceremonies, the IDF band was back preparing.
The military honor guard inspected before President Steinmeier arrived.
The mingling and chatting of German and Israeli military officials, in the Jerusalem garden of Beit Hanasi, something I find incredulous.
Who could ever imagine 80 years ago, German media traveling with their President to Jerusalem, Israel, and sending back the breaking story from their laptop computer?
The Presidents spoke and planted an apple tree in the Beit Hanasi yard. One of President Rivlin’s last major events. On Wednesday, July 7, 2021, Israel is to have a new President and preparations are underway for the transition.
Remembering the past and planning for the future in Jerusalem, Israel.
The past and future are reflected in these Jerusalem street signs. The small blue sign is of the combatting antisemitism mega-events held at the end of January 2019 BC (Before Corona). Not sure which election cycle the yellow Shas campaign ad was for. But below are the new signs for Mekudeshet musical events and the night of Tisha B’Av “conversations.”
There was so much more, but enough.
You never know what will be happening next on the Jerusalem streets!
