Yom Kippur

Jerusalem After Yom Kippur Getting Ready for Sukkot

Sharon A

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.

Sounds of Selihot for Erev Yom Kippur

Sharon A

Musical Selihot, the late-night prayers before the Jewish New Year Holidays, have become increasingly popular in Jerusalem, Israel.

The Great Synagogue had a televised service mentioned two weeks ago in Getting Ready for New Season and New Year.

Also broadcast live on social media channels was the Selihot from the Synagogue at Beit Hanasi, the Israeli President’s Residence on Tuesday night. Rav Benny Lau’s Bible study program 929 again coordinated with President Isaac Herzog’s staff to combine Ashkenazi and Sefardi tunes in one program.

The Yagel Harousch Ensemble was so impressive, here is a longer version, 20 minutes of music for Erev Yom Kippur. Photos are HERE.

Over 2 million people participated in Selihot at the Kotel, Western Wall during the month of Elul and the Ten Days of Repentance. The Kotel had Selihot for 18 nights this year to try and accommodate the people who wanted to come to Jerusalem for the special prayers.

At midnight Erev Yom Kippur, at the Kotel beginning with Hatarat Nedarim, the annulment of vows, followed by the recitation of the traditional Selihot led by Cantor Moshe Havusha, with Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion, and also the Chief Rabbis of Israel. Tens of thousands more filled the entire Plaza area and Old City, plus thousands more watched the live broadcast.

Driving in some areas of Jerusalem, such as near the Kotel is impossible on these nights, and difficult on a good day. It’s amazing to see the crowds returning to the Jerusalem streets.

Of course, more was happening this week with seven new Ambassadors presenting their credentials and the holiday season of Sukkot preparations beginning as soon as Yom Kippur ends.

I decided to keep this short on this short day, and wish all a Gmar Hatima Tova,

May you be sealed for a good and healthy year and enjoy the music.

Next year in Jerusalem!

Top 10 Old and New Happenings This Week in Jerusalem

Sharon A

Jerusalem, Israel, this holiday season is missing the usual annual mega-events.

However, even with the corona pandemic limiting activities, and Yom Kippur mostly in small groups outside, things are still happening on the Jerusalem streets.

Here are 10 favorites from this past week:

  1. Old – but still special, the Walls of the Old City at Jaffa Gate, lit up at night, always an impressive sight.

2. New – Lior Haiat · Spokesperson of the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs conducted a record-breaking marathon of 99 interviews over 15 hours. Here he was “talking peace” with an interviewer in Turkey.

3. At the same time, at Beit Hanasi, the Israeli President’s Residence, a smaller, socially distanced honor guard stood by the red carpet reception for six new Ambassadors to Israel.

The IDF band was in the distance in the garden and played the anthems.

With a new President, a new lineup procedure with the executive staff.

Signing the Beit Hanasi guest book is routine, but note the new guest book.

Greeting the new Ambassadors, with masks, but also without them.

The first Ambassador from Bahrain, Khaled Yusuf Al Jalahma, carefully copied his message from a piece of paper. While he was copying, President Herzog had an opportunity to explain the ceiling and the artwork in the main hall to the Ambassador’s wife.

I tried, but I could not get a clear image of his message, though I noticed that the last word before the signature was “peace.”

President Herzog also received the credentials of the new ambassadors of Mexico, Estonia, Spain, Greece, and Vatican City.

Contrast this with the page from the new Greek Ambassador.

Guest book of Israel President signed by HRH Prince William in Jerusalem Israel

But Prince William still remains the most concise message I have seen.

It was almost like old times when I returned to Beit Hanasi in the afternoon.

4. The new medalists and Tokyo 2020 Paralympic athletes were hosted by the Herzogs at a special session.

Speeches were inside in an interesting setup of the room and a video recap,

and outside for multiple photos with these 33 Paralympic athletes.

While it seemed everyone wanted their hands on the gold, I think all these athletes are special and winners.

5. There were new venues for the old Yom Kippur prayers, like this one on Charlap Street outside the synagogue.

A local park where I stood on Rosh Hashana looked so nice without the flies.

6. This is the new playground under construction in Gan Sacher, Sacker Park. It was to be ready in May but still needs work. The new children’s playground will be very different than the old one.

7. The cooler weather is lovely for walking in the evening under the new lights off Ben Yehuda Street.

8. When tourists return they will be amazed by the number of new hotels waiting for them, like this one on Ben Yehuda Street,

New Building on Bezalel Street

and new impressive buildings along many old Jerusalem streets.

9. Safra Square was set up each night for large crowds before Yom Kippur.

Special musical Selihot programs combined new and old melodies.

10. The first new sukkah I spotted before Yom Kippur was in Mamilla Mall. Now there are thousands. Shortly after the Yom Kippur fast was broken, the sounds of hammers could be heard all around town. One after another, the sukkot popped up around the Jerusalem streets. Just look up or behind apartment buildings, the best of them for next week.

Happy Holiday sign at Israeli President's house on Sukkot 5778 - 70 years.

Not quite back to normal, Beit Hanasi will not be open to the public again this year on the intermediate days of Sukkot. The Herzogs have invited only Shalva and its founder Kalman Samuels, with no media access either.

Huge events like the Jerusalem March also are not happening. But I plan to be back next week with the new event planned for here in the neighborhood.

Chag sameach!