See 3 highlights of the beginning of November in Jerusalem

Sharon A

November–it feels like winter has arrived in Jerusalem, Israel.

Rain on Shabbat kept many people off the Jerusalem streets.

Three highlights to brighten and warm your day.

Boy George at Beit Hanasi

British rock star Boy George was in Israel for a week, which began with a warm welcome at Beit Hanasi, the Israeli President’s Residence.

The 65-year-old, 6-foot-tall singer received a symbolic gift from President Herzog.

He spoke of how he lost many friends by “standing with the Jews” in his song We Will Dance Again.

The audience appreciated Boy George coming and standing “with humanity.”

If you want to hear a bit of Boy George’s remarks on YouTube, HERE

Elkana Bohbot, kidnapped from the Nova music festival and held in Hamas captivity for 738 days before his release, responded that he appreciated the song and Boy George’s coming to Israel.

Video of Bohbot’s 2-minute speech HERE

Photographers came out and popped up to capture the event.

When the President’s photographer gets a photo, you know it’s special.

“Presented to George O’Dowd (Boy George) by the President of the State of Israel, Isaac Herzog, in appreciation of your unwavering support for Israel and the Jewish people and your inspiring music and artistry, which remind us all that WE WILL DANCE AGAIN.

With two concerts in Tel Aviv, a trip to the Nova site, and a stop in Ofakim to meet the “cookie” lady Rachel Idri, Boy George was warmly received

Black Christian leaders at King David Hotel

Did you know that Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., along with the Southern Christian Leadership Conference,
was planning the first-ever mass Holy Land pilgrimage of hundreds, possibly thousands of Black Americans?

The trip was scheduled for November 1967.

On Wednesday, a press conference was held at the King David Hotel.

Dr. King and Israeli Prime Minister Levi Eshkol, as well as then-former Israeli Prime Minister David Ben Gurion, exchanged correspondence between January and May of 1967.
However, in June 1967, Israel fought its third battle for its existence since independence in 1948.

Dr. King continued to support Israel, but postponed the Holy Land pilgrimage until 1968. He was assassinated on April 4th of that year.

Shared are Dumisani Washington’s remarks on the MLK Pilgrimage on the 59th anniversary.

This pilgrimage brought 500 Black leaders from the US and Africa.

Next year they want 5,000 participants for the 60th anniversary.

Council leaders honored Daniel Lischinsky, father of Yaron Lischinsky, the Israeli Embassy employee murdered alongside Sarah Milgrim outside Washington’s Capital Jewish Museum on May 21, 2025.

Elkana Bohbot was one of the three recognized with a special certificate as well.

Bohbot was separated from his wife, Rivka, and their young son; however, recently the family has welcomed a daughter and has reason to celebrate.

Hila Abir, whose brother Lotan was murdered by Hamas terrorists at the Nova music festival, was also presented with a certificate.

For the first time, her father attended an event in memory of his murdered son.

The Black Christian Leadership Council on Israel Relations: Pastor Dumisani Washington, Dr. Michael Anthony Stevens, Sr., Rev. Reginald W. Gibson, Dr. Brandy Frances Gibson, and Pastor Roger Cheeks.

More photos HERE

Looking forward to more groups here with their leadership missions.

I could not leave the King David Hotel without admiring the floral display in the lobby.

Elections at Beit Hanasi

Most of the news has been about the Israeli election results.

The olive harvest this week was not a headliner.

There are 60 olive trees on the Beit Hanasi grounds. I hope they got them harvested before the rain.

Hanasi Street was lined with more security barriers than usual.

At the main entrance, the small area for media near the red carpet was clearly marked.

The media reporting area seemed the same as in the past elections.

The main waiting area is what I went to see. This time there was less furniture and more food on the buffet table.

The big difference in this election at Beit Hanasi and the past?

Four years ago, when the Raam party arrived to meet the President, it was the last to arrive.

I was still there, as was an Arabic reporter. But Mansour Abbas went mostly unnoticed.

The protests across from Beit Hanasi were small and quiet this time.

So, as always, more than makes the headlines is happening in Jerusalem.

November signs are up for events. The annual OUD festival and a night of music at the Israel Museum.

Also this week, there is an international education conference, and more.

Hope to see you soon on the Jerusalem streets!

In Jerusalem, more is happening than elections

Sharon A

For the Israeli elections, the campaigning is over. Phone calls have stopped.

The President will meet with the official parties to try to put together a coalition government.

However, other things were happening on the Jerusalem streets besides politics.

On a sunny, quiet afternoon, I walked to the Jerusalem Theater.

The vast lobbies were empty, and it was easy to view the art in the various galleries.

Large pieces were on display here,

and on the other side of the main lobby were Helmets 4 Chayalim.

I had missed the opening of this exhibit in September, but got there just in time before it was removed.

The galleries are rotated regularly, and this one was already being prepared for a November opening.

There is no fee to enter and wander around to see the art. A perfect location for a quiet day.

What a contrast to the loud events on the night before the October 27 elections.

No, not campaigning on the Jerusalem streets

But rather two Torah dedications in the same location.

One Hachnasat Sefer Torah was in memory of fallen soldiers Ben Zussman, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Aner Shapira, Yitzhar Hoffman, Michael Gal-David, Elyashiv Eitan Wieder, Eitan Oster, Yuval Shoham, and Hagai Lev HYD.

 The Children’s Flag Parade went from the corner of Tchernichovsky and Rav Chen Streets to Luria School in Katamon, Jerusalem.

Family members and friends carried the Torah under the talit canopy, walking to music and a drum.

Young families and supporters proceeded up the stairs to the school where the newly dedicated Torah would be read in their Shabbat services. Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion arrived near the end of the celebration to speak.

And right across the street, the doors of Chabad were wide open for their new Torah dedication.

The scribe carefully finished off the last letters.

The sponsoring family gathered around the table where the silver crown and new mantle (cover) were waiting.

For this one, the celebration van was lit up and led the Torah procession.

Carrying the Torah under the canopy to the Chabad synagogue.

Not alone, the two Torahs came out to greet the new one.

Shofars joined the procession as it proceeded inside.

Here’s a short video that photos could not capture.

Torah dedications often take place on the streets of Jerusalem.

However, two in the same location, at the same time, was a first.

The new signs are up for the November events.

From a Jerusalem International Animation Festival to a pop-up on Shushan Street.

You never know what will happen next on the Jerusalem streets.

October 12-16: see what was happening on the Jerusalem streets

Sharon A

The Jerusalem streets are constantly changing.

The old and new blend and contrast throughout the city.

It had been 5 years since seeing the Schneller Compound in May 2021.

Finally returned to the area and marveled at the changes.

New buildings were still going up in the compound.

Sadly, we went to pay a shiva visit to a dear friend’s family.

With memories of good times shared, we headed home.

As before, archaeologists check the sites before the new construction begins.

So many awards in only a few days!

Israel Bonds received a Presidential Medal in honor of its 75th anniversary.

The event was at Beit Hanasi, the Israeli President’s Residence.

International leaders of Israel Bonds were present.

Did you know that, in 75 years and with so many challenges, Israel Bonds has never defaulted?

They are an investment, not a donation. I remember getting them as a child in the US.

It was a much quieter event than the civilian awards to the six flydubai heroes with so much media.

 Israel Bonds Global President and CEO Dani Naveh and U.S. and International Chairman Andrew M. Hutter received the award from President Isaac Herzog.

Another award ceremony was held at the Jerusalem Theater for the Global Jewish Educators Summit.

Eight international educators received certificates and monetary prizes.

The Jerusalem Theater was filled with international delegates along with friends and families of the winners.

The event was hosted by Minister of Diaspora Affairs Amichi Chickli.

President Isaac Herzog attended and spoke.

But of all the speakers, Miriam Perez gave the most moving and powerful remarks.

Then Friday morning it was back to Beit Hanasi for another awards ceremony.

I passed a bride out for wedding photos on a Jerusalem street near the shopping area.

You never know what’s next on the Jerusalem streets.

At Beit Hanasi was the Save a Child’s Heart (SACH) award ceremony.

Imagine having to wait in a long security line and finding people you know.

Finding out they were involved 30 years ago when SACH began!

The SACH leaders and doctors posed for photos before the ceremony.

This beautiful 7-month-old baby received treatment in Israel and is ready to return home.

Her mother does not speak English or Hebrew and was accompanied by a translator.

SACH children and volunteers were prepared to pose with the Herzogs.

African Ambassadors attended and were welcomed by the President and his wife, Michal.

However, my favorite photos were the ones with the children and the Herzogs interacting.

Another special award ceremony with a different guest list of sponsors and friends.

The President spoke, and when the program ended, it was time to get home to prepare for Shabbat.

Jerusalem signs are up to prepare for winter.

But the temperatures have been warm, and the flowers along Jerusalem streets are colorful.

What a week it was, with so many awards for good people doing good things.

Hope to see you soon on the Jerusalem streets!