Jerusalem One Week in July – 9 Events and Fireworks

Jerusalem One Week in July – 9 Events and Fireworks

Once again it was a busy week in Jerusalem, Israel,

a week filled with events I am compelled to share with you.

Let’s see how many of these you heard about.

  1. Last night was another ‘pitch night’ for Jerusalem Biotech startups.

Jerusalem Deputy mayor at JlmBiomed meeting at Azerili college

There are so many innovative new biomedical and tech companies it is hard to keep up. Deputy Mayor Fleur Hassan-Nahoum is a regular speaker at Azrieli College for Engineering for JLM-BIOCITY pitch nights.  However, last night twenty Chinese visitors attended this meetup on their last night in Israel before returning home to cities throughout China.

Did they understand all the English?

No, but they took plenty of photos on their phones.

Israeli President Volunteer Awards at Beit Hanasi 2019

2. President Rivlin hosted an awards ceremony to honor twelve volunteers, individuals, and organizations.

singers at Israeli President Volunteer Awards at Beit Hanasi in Jerusalem Israel

While most of the Israeli media was out looking for riots, these young people were singing in the gardens for the Israeli President and invited guests.

President Rivlin and winners of volunteer awards at ceremony in garden of Beit Hanasi

The years of volunteerism and the diversity of projects of this honored group filled a souvenir book.

Photo for Jerusalem Unity Prize 2019 at Israel President's Residence

3. Again yesterday at Beit Hanasi, but inside this time, the Jerusalem Unity Prize was given to four groups. Three Israeli projects that promote unity and Moishe House for the diaspora. The award was started 5 years ago by then-Mayor Nir Barkat and the Fraenkel, Shaer, and Ifrach families in memory of their 3 murdered teens to promote the unity the families felt in their time of stress and mourning.

But there were more awards.

Diaspora journalism award in Jerusalem to Antonia Yamin

4. For journalism, one to Antonia Yamin for reporting for KAN broadcast media from Europe.

Zivla Klein award ceremony in Jerusalem Israel for journalism diaspora reporting

For print media, Tvika Klein won for his work with Diaspora reporting.

Dr Deborah Lipstadt speaking in Jerusalem Israel on antisemitism for Bnai Brith

The keynote speaker was Dr. Deborah Lipstadt who spoke on antisemitism.

Family of Deborah Lipstadt pose after her lecture on antisemitism in Jerusalem

She had support in the audience from family members. However, it was a shame many people were afraid to come because of the traffic delays the previous day. Seats were empty in what would have been a standing room only event.

Road construction can cause traffic to stop, but on that night there were no riots or serious delays.

US Embassy Jerusalem and IDI talk on religious freedom with Islamic sheikh speaking

5. The Israel Democracy Institute discussed the US Freedom of Religion report.

Who knew the US State Department has been issuing this report since 1998?

Jerusalem street signs for summer of 2019

Summer on the streets of Jerusalem, Israel and there are new signs.

6. The “Windows” exhibit in Gan Hasoos, Horse Park is causing buzz way before the Mekudeshet Festival begins in September.

Jerusalem Israel Hansen House entrance from outside gate

7. Hansen House hosts part of the Outline Festival events.

View of gallery at Hansen House for illustration festival

On July 4th which was advertised as opening day; this was the entrance to an exhibit.

view of one exhibit at Hansen House in Jerusalem Israel

Outline, illustration and poetry, and this was a speaker set up inside an audio offering.

Man looking at exhibit in Hansen House for an illustration festival called Outline

By night, this room was set up, during the day I was not allowed in.

Outline 2019 festival opening at Hansen House in Jerusalem

The courtyard was filled with music and people at night for the festival opening events.

During the day the guard did not know what I was looking for.

Jerusalem summer activities for children Hebrew street sign

Keeping children out of school safe and busy was high on families’ lists.

Jerusalem Israel First Station Hangar IDF exhibit

8. The IDF exhibit at First Station is an option. It is not busy in the morning, and you can get a security bracelet to enter on-site, not just online. However, I was not going to stand and wait for ten minutes in the midday sun to go inside when a guard at the door told me I was not allowed to take photos.

Jerusalem Israel Bell Park in summer

9. July 4th was a good time to go to Liberty Bell Park.

Jerusalem Israel Liberty Bell Park

The park was dedicated 43 years ago on the 200th-anniversary celebration of the United States Independence Day.

Liberty Bell in Jerusalem Park Gan Paamon

An exact replica of the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia is in the center of this Jerusalem park. Yes, with the crack.

This blog is getting too long to share more photos of the Terry Fox and Billy Graham memorial gardens and the many other sections of the Liberty Bell Park.

But in Israel on July 4th, one remembers that forty-three years ago was also Operation Jonathan at Entebbe.

Memorial in Jerusalem Israel Liberty Bell Park for Jonathan Netanayhu Yoni Park

The Yonatan Netanyahu Garden was quiet this year, while a bar mitzvah celebration was held nearby. For the 40th anniversary, there was a major event at the Jerusalem Theater.

What a week it was in Jerusalem, Israel.

Now for the fireworks which you have been waiting for.

For a first, the US Embassy Jerusalem had 4th of July fireworks at its celebration (on July 2nd).

My video on Facebook has had 45 shares and over 8,000 views.

The event was at the International Conference Center, the fireworks could be seen over the Knesset with the Israeli flag in view.

So much happened this week on and over the Jerusalem, Israel streets.