The unique sounds and sights in Jerusalem from Yom Kippur to Sukkot

This time of year, during the holiday season, the sounds and sights on the Jerusalem streets are unique.

Selihot at the Kotel, Western Wall, was huge many nights before Yom Kippur; more than once this year, the entrance was closed to avoid overcrowding, as seen HERE in 2017.

Beit Hanasi, the Israeli President’s official residence, has a small synagogue.

I started going to Beit Hanasi when President Rivlin began hosting a selihot service.

I enjoyed listening to various Israeli singers over the years, including those of 5779.

The program has changed over time.

Early on, President Rivlin had Yitzhak Meir lead the service inside the synagogue.

This year, the pre-selihot songs were arranged by 929, the Bible study program under Rav Benny Lau.

The synagogue was not used, President Herzog spoke outside to begin the program.

What was interesting to me was his mention of the Torah dedication that had taken place only a few hours earlier by the Hoffman family in memory of their fallen son, Yitzhar.

Rav Benny Lau also spoke at the program, which 929 has organized for President Herzog.

The crowd extended as in past years to the back of the garden area near the synagogue.

A yellow chair was placed front and center, as all wait anxiously for the hostages to return.

Yagel Haroush and Ensemble were back again this year.

Watch this short video for an example of their unique performance.

The President and Michal Herzog stayed for a short time to speak with participants.

No IDF uniforms were seen in the audience as in past years.

It was before Yom Kippur, and the Presidential sukkah was already under construction. This year, the theme is sports-related, not the usual agriculture. The Beit Hanasi gates are to be open to the public on Sunday, October 12, 2025, from 10 am to 4:00 pm.

This time of year, it is not unusual to see palm branches for the top of a sukkah on top of a car.

I like to look up to see the flowers along the Jerusalem streets.

But now, if you look up, you will also see the Sukkot popping up on balconies.

From the top of apartment buildings, sukkot large and small.

Preparations were well underway for the start of the holiday of Sukkot to begin at sunset on Monday.

Colorful lights appear along some Jerusalem streets.

Our sukkah, be it ever so humble, is ready to decorate.

The Jerusalem March is to be on Thursday, October 9, with a big celebration in Gan Sacher, Sacher Park.

Thousands of visitors are arriving for the holidays.

If not this year, next year in Jerusalem, come for the unique sights and sounds.

From Rosh Hashanah to Yom Kippur on the Jerusalem streets

Just before Rosh Hashanah, Jerusalem turned into a whirlwind of activity.

It seemed as though every postponed lecture, concert, and ceremony came rushing back at once. I found myself choosing between events, racing from one to another, while noticing the first hints of autumn in the cooler air as the seasons changed and visitors arrived for the holidays.

Construction in Jerusalem, near the city entrance, is ongoing and increasing.

Actually, those construction cranes can be seen almost everywhere along the Jerusalem streets.

Buildings towering over the streets are a surprise to those who have not been around for a while.

The contrast of old and new, a constant theme in Jerusalem, is seen here on Jaffa Road.

This is a special time of year in Jerusalem, Israel, before the High Holidays.

‘Jerusalem City of Selihot’ signs are seen along Jerusalem streets. Tours wandered through the Old City night after night to the Kotel, Western Wall, for the after-midnight prayers.

However, during the day, people were out and about, no matter how late the hours the night before.

The Living Financially Smarter in Israel annual conference was held again with Nefesh BeNefesh in the Jerusalem Campus. Cinema City was not busy on the Sunday of the conference when I arrived.

Rifka Leibowitz concluded the full day of speakers with a summary of the key elements of a financially smarter life. Live within your means, plan and grow your money, and prepare for that broken appliance or unwanted but necessary expense.

At the end of the day, the participants were still around to fill the large room to hear her presentation.

The Jerusalem Post Diplomatic Conference was held in the Friends of Zion Media Center.

Not the usual hotel venue for that conference, and attendance varied for each speaker or awardee.
Among the morning highlights was the interview of Mike Huckabee, United States Ambassador to Israel, by Zvika Klein.

One of the Jerusalem Post’s 50 influential people was Sam Grundwerg, World Chairman, Keren Hayesod, who spoke and posed with editor-in-chief Zvika Klein.

Another of the 50, Amir Avivi, Founder & Chairman, Israel’s Defense and Security Forum, was interviewed by Anna Ahronheim, Editor Defense & Tech, The Jerusalem Post

Politicians included Amichai Chikli, Minister of Diaspora Affairs & Combating Antisemitism, who was interviewed by Zvika Klein.

Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion arrived and smiled before he spoke briefly.

And always everywhere and smiling was Fleur Hassan Nahoum.

One of the few diplomats this year was the Ambassador from India, J. P. Singh.

The IDF spokesperson Nadav Shoshani was another of the 50 who attended, as was Yoel Zilberman, CEO and Co-founder, Hashomer Hachadash.

An all-female panel was moderated by the new Jerusalem Report editor, Ruth Eglash.

But the program ran late, and I left before Mosab Hassan Yousef, “The Green Prince,” and Dr. Dan Diker, President and Fellow, Jerusalem Center for Security and Foreign Affairs, were on the stage.

It was more important to me to be at the Jerusalem Theater for The Michael Levin Base gala event.

Friends Carol and Mark Goldberg were being honored as The Base Volunteers of the Year.

And yes, there was Fleur again – smiling.

The Rise of Global Antisemitism Panel was moderated by Michael Dickson, StandWithUs CEO, and included former Deputy Mayor Fleur Hassan Nahoum, current Deputy Mayor Adir Schwartz, and journalist Matti Friedman.

US Ambassador Mike Huckabee was the opening keynote speaker. His patience and attention to those who stopped him on his way in the auditorium were impressive.

The Ambassador received a standing ovation as he reached the stage, and before he could say a word, affirming that the United States and Israel are more than allies – “we are partners.”

Of course, there was food and more awards that night.

Driving to Modiin on Route 443, one sees the new Arab buildings spread over the hilltops.

We went on Friday morning for a family event and service.

For a simhat bat – a celebration for a new baby girl in the family.

Celebrations continue – light and good, along with the darkness and bad of the past year.

The crowds have been large at the Kotel each night. I did not go this year, but even President Herzog went last night to support the hostages and their families.



However, the prayers at the Kotel are the same every year.

And the sounds of selihot resonate each year…differently for the Ashkenazi and Sephardi traditions. But at least in Jerusalem, the tunes and customs are beginning to merge.

Also, in Kikar Safra, the Jerusalem municipal square, there is a large gathering to celebrate the New Year.

There are traditional foods,

as that fiddler on the roof, “Tradition.”

Hatima Tova on Bus sign

Gmar Hatima Tova is the traditional greeting of the season.

And as Yom Kippur ends, “Next year in Jerusalem” is said around the world – a tradition.

And the sounds of Sukkot will fill the Jerusalem streets.

Jerusalem After Yom Kippur Getting Ready for Sukkot

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!

Walking home a new sign was up for Ushpizin Sukkot begins Wednesday night October 16 – ready or not.

The Kings Hotel’s sukkah was ready for guests,

while the restaurant next door had the frame of their sukkah up before Yom Kippur.

On the Jerusalem streets, the few alert sirens of missiles approaching have not stopped the constant building projects.

The maze of construction for the light rail continues to confuse both drivers and pedestrians.

These Jerusalem street signs wish Shana Tova Jerusalem 5785.

May all have a better year!

As the Yom Kippur prayers ended – “Next year in Jerusalem”

And now – time to get ready for Sukkot and Simhat Torah.