Jerusalem, old and new, and inside and out

Sharon A

Jerusalem, Israel, is a city of contrasts.

A place of diversity, where the Jerusalem streets are constantly changing.

Jerusalem’s ancient Tower of David and the Old City walls are well known.

The lanes of Yemin Moshe have long been photo-worthy.

Now, with almost everyone having a camera on their smartphone, sights and scenes are widely shared.

The annual Jerusalem Unity Prize awards were presented at Beit Hanasi, the President’s residence, on May 24, 2026.

When Raviv Kaner began to sing, the phones began recording.

Awards were given to 5 communities and organizations for their efforts in promoting unity.

The last two awards were to individuals – Rabbi Yonatan Reiss, founder of the Chedvata network of haredi hesder yeshivot, was honored for advancing the integration of ultra-Orthodox young men into meaningful national service and Israeli society while maintaining strong religious observance.

The audience stood to applaud his award and work.

The final honoree, Sheikh Muwafaq Tarif, spiritual leader of Israel’s Druze community, also received a standing ovation for his longstanding efforts to strengthen relations between the Druze community and broader Israeli society and promote shared life among Israel’s diverse populations.

Also, a new book, “Heroism and Hope” by David Bryfman, was launched on Monday night.

Good to see a long-time connection doing well and launching his book on education in Jerusalem

Out on the Jerusalem streets this week, people were enjoying the weather.

Plus, the unusual quiet, with the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha, there was less traffic.

Most construction sites were not active for the holiday.

The International Writers’ Festival was less international than in the past.

But as I was going to check it out, another couple was getting engaged nearby.

Ah, the Jerusalem streets where one could find “A little light can dispel a lot of darkness.”

While much of the news is negative, here are a few of Jerusalem’s views you may not have seen.

Construction from every direction, in the distance,

and not so far away.

The light rail construction drags on, with too many images of closed roads to share.

But if you get out to walk on the Jerusalem streets, there are roses to stop and smell.

And the old lanes of Nachlaot to admire.

Hoping for you to see for yourself the real Jerusalem streets.

Not next year in Jerusalem, but soon.

Shavuot in Jerusalem, cheesecake and more

Sharon A

Tourists were back in Jerusalem, Israel, in large numbers for the holiday weekend.

The colourful umbrellas were back too, casting shadows over Yoel Salomon Street.

New decorations were near Ben Yehuda Street for the holiday season.

Oh, how I wish I had a camera for Shabbat and Jewish holidays.

The crowds at the Kotel, Western Wall, were huge as tens of thousands walked to the early morning services on Shavuot. The night before, the learning programs were too many to mention.

A map of sites was even available, with a list of speakers and their locations on the other side.

My week began on Monday morning at the Jerusalem Waldorf Hotel.

The lobby and flowers are worth a visit.

However, the Waldorf, with its Cheesecake Collection, was the first stop of the day.

With five kinds of cheesecake, it was hard to find a favorite.

Milk chocolate with sauce was good, as was the chocolate leaf I grabbed as we left.

On the Cheesecake Crawl, we had 7 stops ending at the Machane Yehuda Market.

The skyline has changed there in the past few years, drastically; it goes up and up.

One “Cheese cake – New York” – not quite as I remembered.

The Marzipan Bakery cheesecake looked like the one I had seconds of at the shul kiddush. Much better soft than frozen from the display case.

Before Shavuot, it was an honor and so much fun to join Jamie Geller, who led the Cheesecake Crawl.

One of the stops had been at the Moulin Dore, a new dairy restaurant.

The cheesecake there was good enough to want to come back on Wednesday evening for the restaurant opening and tasting – and wine.

The food was good. But the lines for the wine were too long as the garden filled.

We walked home to prepare for the Shavuot holiday, followed by Shabbat.

Israelis prepared for Shavuot with cheesecake and dairy meals.

Meanwhile, the US Embassy had a delivery of new shelters.

In Jerusalem, we do not know what will happen next.

But I am sure the Waldorf and the other Jerusalem hotels that were booked solid for the holiday were happy.

Hope to see you next year in Jerusalem!

Too much cheesecake should be our biggest problem.

A full week celebrating Jerusalem 59

Sharon A

Yom Yerushalayim, Jerusalem Day, was May 14, 2026, until Friday evening, May 15.

Jerusalem Day is the Israeli national holiday commemorating the reunification of Jerusalem following the Six-Day War in 1967. 

This year, with a full week of celebrations, it was hard to keep up.

A large banner was posted – ‘Jerusalem 59 – Happy Holiday’ near the walls of the Old City, by Jaffa Gate.

Flags were blowing in the breeze, lining the street by the Tower of David.

For the second year, the Tower of David hosted a Jerusalem Quiz for middle school students.

During an interlude from the questions about Jerusalem, the Montefiores stopped by.

One of the questions was where the Tower of David is cited in sources. Did you know?

The organizers want to make this an annual international event.

I thought I knew a lot about Jerusalem, but these young people knew a lot more.

Interestingly, the winner does not live in Jerusalem; she attends a secular girls’ school in Jerusalem.

To say her teacher was proud would be an understatement.

Also, in the lead-up to Jerusalem Day, an event was held at the Jerusalem International Conference Center led by President Isaac Herzog. “Time to Talk” to build hope for the future was the theme.

Actress Gal Gadot was one of the featured participants.

However, there were many impressive presenters from a wide variety of fields, including sports. Moran Samuel, the Israeli Paralympic basketball player and world champion rower, was one sporting hero.

More photos HERE

For Yom Yerushalayim 59, the Old City Walls were lit with a happy holiday greeting with flags.

The Knesset was covered with blue and white lights as the Israeli flags flew above.

The official celebrations in Yerushalayim begin in the morning, with the Prime Minister and President speaking at the State Memorial Ceremony for Ethiopian Jews who perished on their journey to Israel.

At nightfall, the President and Prime Minister spoke at the state ceremony marking 59 years since the liberation and unification of Jerusalem at Ammunition Hill.

However, the major event was on Thursday during the day.

Tens of thousands of people came from the north and south to celebrate.

Every inch of King George Street fills with crowds, singing and dancing before walking to the Kotel, the Western Wall.

Gan Haatzmaut, Independence Park, was filled with young families in the afternoon.

The crowd at Damascus Gate was large and mostly male teens.

Schools had buses bring their teachers and students.

The media were positioned on both sides of the plaza at Damascus Gate.

Senior police were let through to observe.

Current Israeli ministers marched with their flags and supporters.

Political hopefuls also had their party flags and supporters.

Security was on the lookout throughout the route.

The beautiful horses were also patrolling.

Thouands came and went from Damascus Gate without incident.

Outside the walls of the Old City, in what was No Man’s Land from 1948-1967, it was easy to find the direction for afternoon prayers.

Musicians were performing loudly at Tzahal Square.

As usual, the crowds of tens of thousands of people do not make headlines.

This woman was slowly walking toward Damascus Gate, late in the afternoon.

The crowd did not let up; people kept coming.

So this year, I did not take the route through the Old City.

It gets difficult to walk the narrow Via Dolorosa to the Kotel, Western Wall, because of the number of people.

My big complaint was the mess left behind on Agron Street.

Many synagogues throughout Jerusalem had musical evening services.

Ohel Nechama Synagogue had the Leviim Choir on Thursday night for Yom Yerushalayim.

Come and see Jerusalem Day for yourself.

Experience. Music. Prayer. Dancing. Singing.

I stayed away for the first few years after making aliyah. What a mistake.

I started The Real Jerusalem Streets because what I was seeing was not what the media shared.

Share what is really happening.

I have a hundred more photos I could show you, but for now – More photos HERE

The annual International Writers’ Festival at Mishkanot Shaanamim is scheduled for May 25-28.

Wall mural of ten commandments in Jerusalem Cinema City

Shavuot begins Thursday night, so onto the next days of celebrations.

Chag Sameach!