Things are happening again on the Jerusalem streets.
This past week was filled with events.
Lag B’Omer started on Monday night, May 4.
All-night celebrations were lowkey this year with high winds.
Lag B’Omer came and went with parades and activities during the day in Jerusalem.
On Tuesday, daytime bonfires for children were lit in open spaces.
Always seems like a miracle that even with all the open flames, there are so few serious incidents.
A highlight of my week was a tour of Har Hazetim – The Mount of Olives, the ancient Jewish cemetery.
The views from the top of Jerusalem’s Old City are iconic.
But equally impressive was the view of Jordan, over the Dead Sea, just to our left.
The closer view of the Tiferet Israel Synagogue’s new white dome in the Old City.
One more view of the Dome of the Rock from Har Hazetim.
There is a stone memorial for victims of the Holocaust.
These stone sarcophagi, which once held bones, were collected in one area as an exhibit.
The tour down the mountain ended at the graves of Menachem and Aliza Begin.
Appropriately, the tour was sponsored by the Begin Center.
The cemetery has been improved greatly since my last tour; the International Committee for Har Hazetim’s (ICHH) work is evident.
Looking forward to seeing the ICHH information center at Har Hazetim completed.
This week began with an informative and entertaining talk by Michael Bar Zohar at the Menachem Begin Heritage Center.
His stories of experiences with Ben Gurion were fascinating.
The week ended with another interesting talk at a book launch for Rabbi Ian Pear’s new novel, “The Day the Devil went on Trial.” Amazing how the serious topic of death and dying could be made into a humorous and enjoyable evening.
Sad news of the passing of former Jerusalem Chief Rabbi Aryeh Stern z”l.
New signs for the local design fair at the Hansen House. The old Leprosy Hospital has taken on new life with imaginative events.
So here you have a brief look at the past week in Jerusalem, Israel.
Yom Yerushalayim, Jerusalem Day, starts on Thursday night, with a week of events leading up to the day 59 years ago when Jerusalem was liberated from 19 years of Jordanian occupation.
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.
After years of watching the renovation, this was in 2019. I look forward to a tour inside.
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.
What a week this was as the Jerusalem streets celebrated Israel at 78.
From Yom HaZikaron, Memorial Day, to Yom Haatzmaut, Independence Day, all three are packed, emotional, and impossible to attend all the events. It seemed more so this year, coming so soon after a ceasefire announcement.
The Israeli flags were up along with the April flowers as usual.
The building sites, under construction for many years, continue to rise over the Jerusalem streets.
Monday, April 20, 2026, was far from a usual day.
Beit Hanasi, the Israeli President’s residence, was decorated with the blue and white flags of Argentina and Israel.
President Isaac Herzog welcomed the President of the Argentine Republic, Dr.Javier Milei.
President Herzog presented the “Presidential Medal of Honor” to President Milei, in recognition of his contributions to the State of Israel.
The medal is a shiny gold. I decided to photograph myself as if it were a mirror.
Monday night was Yom Hazikron, and Beit Hanasi had faces of fallen soldiers on display.
For Yom HaZikaron, Memorial Day for Fallen Soldiers and Victims of Terror, there were numerous options for online and live commemorations.
The official state event takes place at the Western Wall Plaza with the President speaking.
This year, the annual lone soldier ceremony at Ammunition Hill was prerecorded due to the security situation.
Jerusalem’s Museum of Tolerance, with the IDF Widows and Orphans, held an emotional English program for the third year.
Among the families highlighted was that of Sgt. Maj. (res.) Yossi Hershkovitz, 44, principal of the ORT Pelech High School in Jerusalem. He was killed in battle in northern Gaza on Nov. 10. His sons sang the song composed in Gaza, along with singer Yonatan Razel.
The ceremony also featured powerful personal reflections, including those from Orit Mark and Keren Emuna Kalmanson. Mark, who was 16 when her father, Miki Mark, was killed in a 2016 terror attack, has since lost five close family members over eight years to terror and war.
People party all night long, this year with three huge events in Jerusalem.
I was satisfied with one beautiful late-night dinner hosted by long-time friends I had missed the past few years by going to Har Herzl.
Wednesday, April 22, 2026
My favorite Yom Haatzmaut event was moved from the afternoon to the morning at Beit Hanasi.
Love. Love the table with the hats.
One of the most important events gets the least coverage, the reception for Diplomats and Military attaches posted in Israel.
Important to see the Ambassadors from the Abraham Accords countries attending.
The Herzogs have showcased and supported Israeli food and wine (there was lots of it) from the north and south, which have been affected by the security situation. The items I tasted were excellent. With two BBQs, mangals, to go to that afternoon, it was hard to resist the delicacies, but I did skip the wine.
One highlight was when former hostage pianist Alon Ohel and his brother Ronen performed on stage near the end of the ceremony.
The important annual posed photo of heads of diplomatic missions in Israel,
and the military attaches, highlights that Israel is not alone.
Two Mangals – one in Modiin, another in Ramot, and then back to Jerusalem.
A day when the air is filled with the smoke of grilled meat.
In Jerusalem, cars and people surrounded Gan Sacher, Sacher Park, causing a gridlock.
But I got back in time for the event at the Friends of Zion Museum with Solomon Brothers and these dancers.
The celebration was to feature US Ambassador Mike Huckabee, but he was called back to the US and missed all the Yom Haatzmaut celebrations.
Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana was called to open the event.
The program included awards to Hillel Fuld, seen here with the ambassadors who were present.
Yoseph Haddad, an Israeli Arab who was injured while serving in the IDF in Lebanon, received recognition.
Australian Nate Buzz – Nathaniel Buzolic, who has voiced support for Israel during the Gaza war and visited more than 25 times since 2017, was the third winner and introduced Ben, an injured soldier he befriended.
