Sigd – The Real Jerusalem Streets

3 things you should know happened in Jerusalem

November 23, 2025November 23, 2025Sharon A

Three events from the third week of November in Jerusalem, Israel, are highlighted in this post.

As the Jerusalem skyline above us constantly changes, things are happening on the streets, conference halls and theaters. As always, there is more happening than makes the headlines.

ONE

Monday night, nine women took to a Jerusalem stage to perform “Heroines” for an audience of women.

In July 2023, inspired by a video of Rachel Goldberg-Polin speaking at Kever Rachel, Shayna Levine-Hefetz sat down at the piano. As she played, music flowed through her, imagining Rachel in conversation with her Biblical namesake. That was when the concept of “Heroines” was born.

The monologues are presented in a Reader’s Theatre style: an open-book dramatic performance.

The opening scene relates the story of Adi Vital-Kaploun, of Holit, who was murdered in her home in front of her 4-year-old and 4.5-month-old sons. The boys were then taken captive on October 7, 2023, but miraculously released. Each story is encapsulated in a short presentation of a dynamic event.

The open-book dramatic performance requires no memorization, and the costumes are simple.

Performers use voice and facial expressions to bring the words to the audience.

Not always seated for the solemn and sad stories, they were up and active in some of the scenes.

Plus, a few gestures and scenes were included, providing humorous relief from the tragic stories.

‘Heroines” is a tribute to the women who died and survived during the Swords of Iron War.

“Our nation’s history seems to repeat itself, but so do our nation’s qualities of unbridled bravery, leadership, faith, and hope,” said Toby Klein Greenwald, who has led the women of “Raise Your Spirits” Theatre shows with Biblical themes to women-only audiences for the past 24 years.

TWO

All day Wednesday at Nefesh BeNefesh, the 4th Jerusalem Business Conference was held.

Organized by Lesley Kaplan and the Israel Networking Hub in partnership with the Association of Americans and Canadians in Israel (AACI) and Nefesh B’Nefesh, the event theme was “Own Your Voice.”

Hillel Fuld was opening keynote speaker, with advice based on his experiences in tech and social media.

Joseph Gitler of Leket Israel was another important speaker in conversation with Lesley Kaplan.

The panel moderated by Heather Dean included Debbie Sassen, Fleur Hassan Nahoum, and Zev Levi.

The participants filled the room, including one fitness expert who brought along his own ball to sit on.

Most stayed for the speaker and special networking session late in the afternoon, and the prize raffle.

THREE

According to their tradition, Ethiopian Jews, also known as Beta Israel, are descended from emigrants from the tribe of Dan in the Land of Israel during the time of King Solomon. Each year on Sigd, they went to a mountain top in Ethiopia and prayed to return to Zion, to Jerusalem.

Ethiopian religious leaders Kessim in Jerusalem for Sigd

Sigd was declared a national holiday in Israel in 2008. Some members of the Ethiopian Jewish community fast and recite prayers. Tens of thousands come to Jerusalem each year, 50 days after Yom Kippur, for the services led by Kessim, their religious leaders.

I say each year, these were the original Zionists.

Woman praying at Sigd event in Jerusalem Israel

Thursday, November 20, in the morning, Sigd was celebrated on the Tayelet, with prayers and celebration.

Special this year, former long-time hostage Avera Manfisto attended Sigd for the first time.

Traffic was still blocked as people were leaving in the afternoon.

And at night, it was Rosh Chodesh Kislev.

Chanukah is coming.

Festivals and culture are returning to the Jerusalem streets.

As the war in Gaza drags on, with three hostages still held captive, Jerusalem is building, bigger and better, like the new entrance to the Jerusalem Botanical Gardens seen here.

Next year in Jerusalem, or will we see you here sooner to see for yourselves?

Colorful Week in Jerusalem

November 22, 2020November 22, 2020Sharon A

Will it rain tomorrow?

How cold will it be today?

In Jerusalem, Israel, the weather is a constant topic of conversation.

Last week was unusual, with pleasant weather, not too hot, not too cold.

A great week to get out and get some sun before the winter rains return.

My colorful week with good weather began with one of the best views of the Jerusalem Old City from the Tayelet.

Sigd this year was downsized to a few “capsules” with three Kessim at the dais to lead the traditional prayer service which was broadcast live.

Seated a few meters away was “capsule 3” Kessim in a group, socially distanced sitting under their colorful umbrellas. The annual observance in other years attracted thousands for prayers and after the fast a major party, but due to corona restrictions, it was extremely limited this year.

This woman was keeping her distance as she faced Jerusalem’s Old City, but I noticed her cell phone.

This man sat on a wall at the Tayelet, but without the view.

Was he watching the prayers broadcast on his phone?

Security was in place. However, sadly due to COVID-19 few people came.

These new buildings sprung up near the Tayelet and they are part of the change in the neighborhood.

Ahdeya Ahmad Al-Sayed, President of the Bahraini Journalists Association, said she will never forget the photos from Jerusalem of Israel and Bahrain.

The red and white flags of Bahrain were at Beit Hanasi, the Israeli President’s residence, as the Foreign Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain, His Excellency Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Alzayani, signed the official guest book before meeting with President Rivlin.

The King David Hotel was open, but King David Street was closed.

I got a photo of the Bahrain and United States flags on the hotel with the Israeli flags as official state meetings were held inside.

The real streets were not involved with meetings unless the drivers were stuck in traffic, which was an all too common occurrence before the coronavirus pandemic.

Now is the time for fall colors – rare and appreciated in Jerusalem.

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is Knesset-building-garden-outside.jpg

The garden outside the Knesset was more colorful than usual this week.

The flower bed on Herzog Street had reached peak color.

The floral butterfly near Gan Sacher, Sacher Park was past prime time.

It’s time to pick those olives, otherwise, they end up on the ground under the trees, and turn into squashed overripe purple globs. Plenty of photos of those streets, but not such a pretty sight.

Blue skies and white clouds were great for walking this past week.

This path, empty in the past, became so popular I went off to look in different directions.

Groups of children were in parks taking advantage of the sun.

Jerusalem parks were green and filled with student groups.

Jerusalem green spaces were alive with the sounds of children’s voices.

In Nahlaot, where space is dear, green vines grew on and over the streets,

and flower beds add color along the walls in the old narrow lanes.

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is Jerusalem-synagogue-sets-up-area-outside.jpg

Coronavirus has moved synagogue prayers outside to the Jerusalem streets,

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is Jerusalem-Israel-tent-outside-of-yeshiva-building.jpg

and study centers out of the buildings into covered open shelters.

Communal street lending libraries were open when other public ones were closed for browsing due to virus limiting restrictions.

Gan Sacher was green and full of life, as couples strolled in the midday sun, taking advantage of days without rain.

It was a colorful week, with people taking the time to get away from their screens and go outside, from the Tayelet to the Jerusalem Rose Garden where before corona I led nature photo walks.

But I will save those many photos, and share one of my favorite sights this past week before I close.

A woman taking her youngsters out for a walk using one of those rolling pens. The old ones from kibbutz days were made of wood, but this one was made from light metal. They were such a cute sight on their outing.

The Jerusalem new winter signs are up, for “a warm winter and health – because in Jerusalem winter is winter.”

So when the weather is good, it’s good to get out and see the autumn colors.

Take care everyone and stay well.

As November Ends in Jerusalem Photos of 9 Happenings

November 27, 2019Sharon A

Jerusalem, Israel, was warmer than usual this fall.

The usual complaints of bone-chilling cold winter weather have been missing.

My third growth of roses was impressive enough to share.

The Knesset entrance looked nicely kept with green landscaped welcome.

What’s happening–or not happening–inside appears to be a mess.

But, across the street from the Knesset, the Israel Museum entrance has a clean new look.

Do you think this time of year, from “after the holidays” until Hanukkah, it’s quiet on the Jerusalem, Israel, streets?

Not at all, some evenings there are multiple events at the same time!

At Beit Hanasi, President Rivlin hosted a press conference to launch an international conference on antisemitism at Yad Vashem at the end of January.

2. At the Jerusalem Post Diplomatic Conference, Chief strategist and Foreign Ministry PMO spokesperson Ben Moore, during an interview with Steve Linde, pointed to recently published antisemitic cartoons.

The results of his research have confirmed that the BDS movement has succeeded in mainstreaming and desensitizing the West to antisemitism in the Israel context.

Another international panel discussed antisemitism. Paul Packer from the US Commission for the Preservation of America’s Heritage Abroad expressed US support for Israel.

Ambassador Mario Bucaro of Guatemala (third from left) was one of the foreign dignitaries attending.

There was more than antisemitism, politicians, and journalists. Tourism was the topic of Ilanit Melchior’s TEDTalk.

With 2.5 million visitors to Jerusalem over the holiday season, sustainability and accessibility are important topics. The traffic from tourist buses and rental cars can be felt on the streets.

A very different conference that did not receive as much media attention was held in the Jerusalem International Convention Center.

3. The tenth Temech Conference for Israeli businesswomen and female entrepreneurs attracted 1000 women from the north and south to Jerusalem.

Networking is a very important feature of this event run by women for women.

The English track was smaller than in the past, but the Hebrew-speaking program has grown.

The theme ‘Unlock the Wealth’ had panels and speakers appreciated by women aspiring to grow their various endeavors.

4. The 2019 Elimination of Violence against Women’s Day was marked at Beit Hanasi.

It’s 50 days after Yom Kippur when the national holiday of Sigd is celebrated.

5. Sigd was a holiday in Ethiopia when prayers were offered for the return to Zion and Jerusalem.

Sigd means ‘prostration’ and marks a reaffirmation to Jewish heritage.

Here the religious leaders called Kessim in their white robes led services in Jerusalem.

Tens of thousands annually gather on the Tayelet with its view of the Old City.

6. Jerusalem Biennale ‘For Heaven’s Sake!‘ 2019 ends November 28, but the Street Art Festival pieces will be up longer at First Station, adding color to the tourist area.

7. Time to remember Kaf Tet November, the date the UN accepted the partition plan to establish the State of Israel.

8. With Rosh Chodesh Kislev, strawberry season is approaching.

With sufganiyot, donuts of all sizes, shapes, and flavors – everywhere –

9. Hannukkah or Hanuka or Chanukah will be here before we know it.

No. No downtime, something is always happening on these Jerusalem streets.