What’s new in Jerusalem for February?

Sharon A

Things in Jerusalem, Israel, are hard to predict and can change in a minute.

In February, we had winter days in Jerusalem.

Jerusalem street covered with snow

In February 2021, the Jerusalem streets and trees were covered with snow.

Other years, we also had summerlike weather.

Oh, the rain and sandstorms come and go with the season.

Abundant sunshine predicted? But, not so much today.

It is much easier to report on what’s new and the colors on the Jerusalem streets.

The cherry trees near the Japanese Pagoda were filled with pink blossoms in the Jerusalem Botanical Gardens.

Blue lights colored the Jerusalem Theater at night.

Some of the new buildings are also impressively lit up at night.

New buildings and construction are seen everywhere.

New government buildings have gone up near the entrance to Jerusalem.

The Givat Ram Stadium was again the launch site for the Jerusalem Marathon.

The 15th Jerusalem Winner Marathon is set for Friday, March 27, 2026.

The Jerusalem Mayor, Moshe Lion, posed with his new shirt, along with city sports officials and marathon sponsors.

The stadium is located not far from the new Iron Swords Monument

and the new children’s playground near the memorial site is open.

In February in Jerusalem, the flowers pop out of the ancient stones.

I so much prefer seeing the white roses blooming to shoveling snow.

The third Monday in February is when the US celebrates the birthdays of Presidents Lincoln and Washington.

I have looked forward to the annual Conference of Presidents of American Jewish Organizations’ leadership missions in February for many years. The Prime Minister was again the key speaker at the opening gala.

Conference of Presidents Chair Betsy Berns Korn,  CEO William Daroff, and Executive Vice Chair Emeritus Malcolm Hoenlein welcomed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the 51st annual conference.

The Inbal Hotel was filled with delegates and special guests on Sunday night.

This was the only session I was able to attend this year.

The BeSheva media group held its 23rd Jerusalem Conference on Monday and Tuesday at the Vert Hotel.

One thing new this year was Cow Free milk to go with the coffee.

It was not cold, but it did taste like milk.

One of the dozen honorees of the Jerusalem Prize was Rabbanit Esti Rozenberg of Migdal Oz for women’s education.

A highlight of the week was Ambassador Mike Huckabee at a special town hall-style conversation with Paul Gross at the Menachem Begin Heritage Center.

After brief words, the Ambassador sat and answered questions from the audience. The session was available online.

However many times I hear Mike Huckabee, I marvel at his composure and presentations without notes.

I started taking short videos to remember accurately what he said.

So I will leave you this unpredictable February with his concluding remarks.

At the end of the evening, Huckabee cited hope for the future from the Bible.

Interesting that the following day, at the BeSheva Jerusalem Conference, one speaker’s comments in Hebrew were so similar.

So in English or Hebrew, day by day, hope is key, and we hope to see you soon on the Jerusalem streets.

February on Jerusalem streets is time of change

Sharon A

In February, in Jerusalem, Israel, the seasons change.

The weather is unpredictable.

What will happen next is also hard to predict.

New street signs are appearing in Jerusalem, Israel. This one is for Abraham Lincoln Street. US Presidents’ Day is celebrated on the third Monday of February in honor of Lincoln and George Washington’s birthdays. Washington Street had no signs last week, so Lincoln will have to do it this year.

Main streets like Keren Hayesod are ripped up for the light rail tracks. Getting to Lincoln or Washington Street is a challenge, whether by car or on foot.

Restoration of old buildings too often starts and stops. US security people moved out of here years ago.

The construction at the International Conference Center in Jerusalem has disrupted the area.

However, the Jerusalem Gateway buildings are impressive.

I was at the ICC for the Business & Mindset Conference — Ascend 2026  on Monday.

The panel discussion was moderated by Shanna Fuld, CEO of Israel Daily News. Joining her onstage were Omer Eliaz, Director of Organic Growth at Fiverr; Miriam Schwab, Director of WordPress at Elementor; and Moe Mernick, tech entrepreneur speaking here on the importance of storytelling.

As always, the weather in February is important and of concern.

When it’s warm and sunny, people fill the Jerusalem streets.

The Jerusalem cats take time to lounge midday on a bench.

On Friday, reserve soldiers can be spotted heading home for a rest as well.

Studio of Her Own, a platform for religious women artists in Jerusalem, was established around 2009–2010. It moved into its permanent, renovated location at 29 November St, the former home of painter Pinhas Litwinowsky, in 2019. 

It has held various exhibitions over the years. Now it is a site for two artists with the Jerusalem Biennale.

Rachel Rotenberg, with her husband, painter Jean-Pierre Weill, watching, explains her work, Dream Catchers, to guests at the opening on Friday.

Zenab Garbia was in another room showing her ceramic pieces.

The weather is constantly changing. Sand blew in from Egypt in record amounts on Shabbat.

The large signs are up for Purim celebrations.

Rosh Chodesh Adar is tomorrow night – so Chodesh Tov!

Plenty to complain about on the Jerusalem streets as the seasons change.

However, the almond blossoms have burst forth on the trees.

Time to leave you with a pleasant image before the petals fall.

Hope you will see this year in Jerusalem.

Tu Bishvat on the Jerusalem Streets

Sharon A

For over 15 years, The Real Jerusalem Streets has shared Tu Bishvat posts.

Of course, each time wondering how best to spell — Tu Beshvat or Tu B’Shvat.

Some years were the simple colors of Tu B’Shvat.

Some years were much more ambitious for Tu Bishvat.

Remember those Amygdalus Communis growing in Jerusalem?

This past week, I set out to find what was new for you.

Jerusalem, Israel, and the cranes rise higher and higher into the sky.

Mountains have to be moved to install new light rail tracks.

Buildings rise above the expanded highways.

And wow, the mess as new sidewalks and bike trails are being worked on – it seems – everywhere.

But the winter green has returned to the nature spots.

And the first almond blossoms were out in time for Tu Bishvat.

The protest sites near the Knesset are still there, though the last hostage has returned.

This Knesset building opened on Tu Bishvat 60 years ago.

I went to the 50th celebration.

I went to the Knesset for the 60th celebration last week.

On Tu Bishvat this year, I did not get in.

I contacted 4 people, and a Minister tried to help. After waiting an hour, I left.

I did get to chat for an hour with a reporter I had not seen in a long time; she also did not get in.

It was a beautiful day to be in Gan Sacher. The piano is no longer yellow for the hostage return.

Had time to walk through the National Library and see all the people.

Good to see the space that was filled with chairs and books for the hostages is back to normal.

‘There are Flowers’ was the Tu Bishvat theme in the library.

Flowers were coming from the stones, as every year, as winter ebbs.

New signs for Jerusalem events have been posted.

Buds have appeared on the lemon tree.

And on Tu Bishvat, new signs went up over the Jerusalem streets for Shushan Purim.

This year’s celebration is to be on Ruppin Street on Tuesday, March 3, 2026.

The seasons are changing, and it feels like spring on the Jerusalem streets.

Hope to see you here soon, this year in Jerusalem.