Tower of David

May in Jerusalem back to normal seesaw of life

Sharon A

Are we really back to “normal” or just a lull until the next round of fighting?

The sounds of planes flying over have become a norm.

The weather was pleasant, and people returned to the streets of Jerusalem, Israel.

It was time to be back again in Jerusalem’s Old City to see what’s happening.

Entering through the Jaffa Gate, it was good to see people walking into the Old City.

Flags are still flying between Yom Hazikaron, Memorial Day, Yom Haatzmaut, Independence Day, and Yom Yerushalayim, Jerusalem Day.

The Tower of David Citadel rises iconically above the walls.

However, the old entrance inside Jaffa Gate is also impressive.

The columns of the ancient Cardo, a Roman-era street, stand tall in the Jewish Quarter.

There was a new water fountain for anyone who needed a drink on their way.

I was going to a special ceremony at the Kotel, Western Wall Plaza.

New soldiers were inducted into the Israel Defense Force, with thousands of family and close friends in attendance.

From my vantage point with the Kotel in the distance, there was another, much smaller, brief ceremony.

Under the white tallit, young children were blessed as the new soldiers fell into formation.

It was hard to find family in the large crowd. I tried many times.

The ceremony opens with lighting a memorial flame.

A few short speeches and Biblical readings, and each unit swears allegiance.

The ceremony ends with a prayer for safety and Hatikvah.

Hours of standing, waiting for a short ceremony, with pride and concern at the same time.

As the ceremony ended, the weapons were secured and not taken home.

Young women were also volunteering for combat duty.

I go out of my way now not to show their young, beautiful faces

One face in the crowd I knew well over the years, Chazan Shai Abramson.

He was the chief Chazan in the IDF, and now, in reserve duty, sings at special events.

(I have no idea who this other man is; he was standing nearby.)

On the way home, out of the Rova, Jewish Quarter, I noticed the construction fencing of the Tiferet Israel Synagogue had been removed. The last of the Old City synagogues destroyed in 1948 was nearing completion.

Inside Tiferet Yisrael Synagogue as rebuilding begins

After years of watching the renovation, this was in 2019. I look forward to a tour inside.

Two white domes seen from the roof of Tower of David the Hurva Synagogue and the Tiferet Israel newly rebuilt

Its white dome is higher than the more well-known Hurva Synagogue on the right.

As we approach Jerusalem Day, this year on May 15, 2026, the Jerusalem decorative street lights are ready in blue and white.

Shai Abramson led the IDF choir in the prayer for the IDF at the Great Synagogue. It was years ago, at the memorial service for the three boys. Israeli teenagers abducted and murdered by Hamas terrorists in June 2014: Eyal Yifrach (19), Gilad Shaar (16), and Naftali Frenkel (16).

Hoping it does not take another tragedy for Israel to unite again.

Jerusalem celebrates Israel at 78

So back to normal. The regular seesaw of life

Please keep sharing what’s really happening.

Hope to see you soon on the Jerusalem streets.

See Jerusalem December Nights with Stars and Lights

Sharon A

December has begun in Jerusalem with new lights on the Jerusalem, Israel, streets.

Beit Hanasi, the Israeli President’s Residence was lit up with purple lights on Wednesday night for the 2024 International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

The Tower of David Museum citadel was also illuminated purple that night.

The first days of December also were the beginning of the month of Kislev. The new moon aligned with the planet Venus as night fell and seasons changed.

In December, the Jerusalem Botanical Gardens opened its ‘Winter Dreams’ light festival.

The pond reflects small lights above and around the still water as visitors arrive.

Animals were the theme this year, 30 lights displays lined the path in the garden.

I try to go early to get the lights without the crowds, like here where an arch was over the path.

Red hearts are used in several designs along the route.

I never saw a live squirrel in Israel, but this giant squirrel was on display,

also a multicolored unicorn,

and the lion, the symbol of Jerusalem near the end of the route.

Animals and lights – all neutral – no Hanuka themes – unlike a giant menorah in past years.

The Nefesh BeNefesh Bonei Zion Prize ceremony for 2023/2024 was held at Beit Ha’am honoring 12 outstanding accomplished Anglo-Olim who have contributed to Israel, Israelis, and the world.

I knew Eylon Levy before he became a media star, long enough to ask him to pose in the lobby. MORE

I was running out to the Museum of Tolerance, dramatically illuminated at night.

Inside, the theater/auditorium was filled for the premiere of “The Children of October 7” and a panel discussion with three of the teen survivors of October 7 who bravely shared their testimonies.

Montana Tucker has used her star social media status to produce a 35-minute power documentary.

Back in Israel multiple times this past year, she shared her experiences on social media with the world.

Across from the Museum of Tolerance, the Friends of Zion was lit – Bring them home NOW.

The video ends with blue and white lights, alongside their Israeli flag.

The lights went on at the official opening of the Rose Garden – in Talbiyeh, not the one near the Knesset.

The sun was setting as a man carrying a child looked at the new pond at the opposite end of the completely renovated park area.

Mayor Moshe Lion arrived to speak and families gathered to hear the dignitaries.

But for me, these two women were the stars in their costumes.

Going home I passed the new buildings near the Jerusalem Theater with their lights on.

Holiday lights are turned on over Mamilla Mall Avenue.

The YMCA has new and more elaborate holiday lights this year.

Ending with long-time favorite lights from Jerusalem Jaffa Gate – Hanukka 5776.

Now it’s time to prepare for Chanukkah 5785, however, you spell חנוכה.

Hope to see you soon on the Jerusalem streets!

10 New Things to See in Jerusalem

Sharon A

As usual, there is too much happening to share in one Real Jerusalem Streets photo essay.

This week it was again hard to cut down, but here are highlights of just 10 new events that may have not made your regular media headlines.

  1. The first of two Jerusalem Marathon 2024 finish lines is up over the Jerusalem street for all to see.

The Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organization’s annual National Leadership Mission, February 18-22, began with Minister Benny Gantz speaking to delegates at the Inbal Hotel.

2. The mission concluded at the StandWithUs Center with Michael Dickson moderating a panel on social media featuring the new success in numbers of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Digital Diplomacy.

Check out them out, trying to combat the billions of hate posts out there.

It is worth a visit to the Jerusalem Shalva Center if only for the writings on the walls.

3. But this time a new sign was also worth noticing, happy that one of the hostages has returned home.

4. The Taub Center Conference at Shalva focused on municipal elections, with more women on a panel of experts than men.

5. New advertising boards are showing election posters for the February 27th Jerusalem municipal elections.

6. The new entrance to the Tower of David Jerusalem Museum is to open soon to the public.

7. Also new, is a public area to sit and enjoy the view outside. Notice the entrance is intentionally not visible from the street. The new modern look respects the old stones of the ancient walls.

On a personal note, I was surprised to see my photo in the informative session for media before the tour of the new entrance and Tower of David’s historic galleries.

The Tower of David is an iconic symbol of Jerusalem – used on everything, including cheese.

8. The new technology used in the exhibits could fill a book and fill the galleries.

Of course, a favorite when visiting the Tower of David is to climb to the top for the views.

Especially on a clear day after a few days of rain, the scenes are amazing.

9. But new to the view is the white Dome of the Tiferet Israel Synagogue nearing completion. The Hurva Synagogue is closer on the right side. In the distance, you see the mountains in Jordan over the Dead Sea.

The Tower of David Museum finished its accessible entrance near Jaffa Gate, and now plans are underway for the area revealed under the plaza outside of Jaffa Gate.

Some southern families are returning home, however, there are still thousands of evacuated people living in various hotels in Jerusalem and throughout the country.

An opportunity to be on the roof of the Aish Center Building in the Old City is hard to pass up.

In the dark is the model of the Temple shines, with the Dome of the Rock in the background.

10. New is the gold lighting on the Al-Aqsa Mosque at night, in contrast to how it looks during the day.

Rabbi Eitiel Goldwicht was inspiring a solidarity mission from the West Side Institutional Synagogue. 

11. Nearby on a rooftop, a new couple was posing for photos and video – mazel tov.

Akiva Turgeman and Ishay Ribo were at Aish for a benefit concert for soldiers and evacuated Israelis.

I didn’t get a video of their performance, but I did get a short video of one of the exhibits at the entrance of the Tower of David Jerusalem Museum.

And it was good just to have a chance to walk through the Rova, Jewish Quarter, and see the golden menorah outside the Hurva Synagogue at night.

New things are happening on the Jerusalem streets,

hope you can come soon to see for yourself.