Seven New Ambassadors to Israel before Holocaust Remembrance Day

Sharon A

What a strange week this was!

Passover ended.

However, it seems like a long time ago with so much happening on the Jerusalem streets.

With Passover over, the flags are flying for the annual, emotional days of Yom Hazikaron, Memorial Day, and Yom Ha’atzmaut, Independence Day.

Flags are for sale in stores, at street corners, and popping out of car windows – as usual.

This week, 7 new Ambassadors to Israel presented their credentials at Beit Hanasi, the Israeli President’s residence, where these ceremonies are held. Such a large number at once was unusual.

I arrived as the new Ambassador from India was leaving.

The Ambassador from the Philippines wore a handmade, elegant dress, standing on the red carpet as her anthem was played and the flag from the Philippines was raised in her honor.

The Ambassador for the Dominican Republic was next to present his credentials.

I should go and check old photos, but I think President Herzog was standing on a new carpet.

Then the Ambassadors went into the official diplomatic room to exchange short remarks. Canada’s new Ambassador’s exchange was more casual, and Michal Herzog joined in.

The official handshake photo is an important step in the process, as with the Ambassador from Angola.

Keeping the red carpet clean is another important step.

The last Ambassador of the day was from the US, Michael Huckabee, with his wife Jane in the blue dress.

Look closely at her necklace, it’s a Star of David.

President Herzog’s staff lines up along the red carpet to greet each of the new Ambassadors as they arrive in the main hall. President Rivlin had his staff stand behind him. For the US ceremony, guests were on both sides of the room.

If you look closely at the back of Miriam Adelson’s dress, you will see the Hebrew writing down the back, “If I forget thee, Jerusalem .”

Of course, the media comes out more for the US Ambassadors.

The two men gave media statements after a short private meeting in the diplomatic room.

Of all the past ceremonies I attended, I do not remember an Israeli President hugging the new Ambassador after his credentials were put in his hand.

Ambassador Huckabee signs the official guest book as all the others had done.

However, Mrs. Huckabee’s small handbag got my attention while her husband wrote in the book–an Israeli flag is on one side and a US flag on the other.

And the yellow chair, not forgetting the hostages at Beit Hanasi.

If you counted and noticed there were six. The seventh was from Belarus, who was first in the morning before I arrived. At the King David Hotel, after the ceremonies, he was given a chance to speak.

That was how the week began on a high.

The house was clean. Things are back in order. And I got a ride to the King David in one of the official limos behind the four motorcycles leading the motorcade. Amazing how fast the trip was when you do not have to stop for red lights. So fast, I did not think to take a photo.

For Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day, I went to the home of Rena Quint for Zikaron BaSalon.

Her story of survival during the Holocaust is documented in “A Daughter of Many Mothers” with the help of Barbara Sofer. Each survivor’s story is shocking and unique. Rena has told her hundreds of times at home and at Yad Vashem. She even had a U.S. president bend down to her. Read the book or find a video.

Sadly, no more Dry Bones, Yaakov Kirshen passed away. I so admired his wit and wisdom.

Sadly, the signs with fallen soldiers line too many Jerusalem streets. The number since October 7 rose to 849. Together we will win. But is there unity?

New signs are up: “Until we win.”

Notice the yellow ribbon on the special poster made for Steve Linde’s 65th birthday party. Steve was an editor at Jerusalem Post and Jerusalem Report, and is now Feature Editor at JNS.

Too many ceremonies and events for Yom HaZikaron to mention. It’s hard to decide where to go.

Then the next day, starting Wednesday night, is Yom Haatzmaut! Again too many, it’s hard to decide!

The Yoms, the roller coaster emotional time of year.

Am Yisrael Chai!

See Photos of Passover, Blue & White, and Spring Colors in Jerusalem

Sharon A

Thousands of visitors arrived in Israel for the holidays.

Many families had long-awaited, anticipated reunions.

With school out for more than a week, it was a time to look for new and different activities.

Downtown Jerusalem went with a Crusader theme, remember the previous ones?

I remember this is the fifth Knight-themed night event in the past 15 years.

The nights were more colorful for a photo than in the daytime.

Jerusalem of Freedom was the theme this year. Happy Passover from Jerusalem.

Those families that did not travel north for activities in nature could use the suspension bridge and, on this clear day, see the mountains of Jordan in the distance.

The water and music were on at the fountain in Teddy Park for half an hour, much to the delight of families when there was finally a warm day.

The first days were so cold, and it rained in some locations, but the last days were warm.

Near the Teddy Park is the Artists’ Colony, and new art was on display at Kol HaOt. Arriving late in the day, I missed the activities for children, but could see the works based on the current war and hostage theme. Celebrations for the second Passover since October 7 were held, but muted.

As in the past, Bank Hapoalim provided free admission to dozens of museums. We took advantage by going to Jerusalem’s L.A. Mayer Museum for Islamic Art.

The story of the stolen watches and their return is worthy of a visit. This fan alone is a timepiece with gold, diamonds, and pearls, worth a small fortune.

But the rest of the pieces are equally amazing as their story. It is a very secure place if the Houthis’ ballistic missile interceptions set off another alarm. The room is an extremely secure vault to prevent another theft from occurring.

Upstairs is the art and the history of the development of Islam from the early days of Muhammad.

I did not remember the Harari Hoard from previous visits. Ralph Harari collected Islamic metalware. These 20 silver pieces on display are from the 11th to 12th centuries.

In another room, the gold jewelry from the Harari collection is also impressive.

The new temporary exhibit is called “Fluid Concrete.”

Seeing the photos in black and white of buildings from around the world, I now understand the sign posted on the wall outside that I shared two weeks ago.

A sign of Passover on the Jerusalem streets, shops with limited food options to purchase.

Ah, but this year, sushi was for sale on Passover. Here in Rechavia for take-out only.

Days of cooking and eating, but the only photos were from before Shabbat.

The only regret is that I have no photos of the food on Shabbat served for lunch.

Even the last pickle was gone from the jar when they all went home.

On Tuesday and Thursday morning of Passover, as on Sukkot, tens of thousands were again at the Kotel, Western Wall, for Birkat Cohanim, the Priestly Blessing.

In the afternoon, First Station, despite a construction project that had the path closed,

and a large section blocked for renovation, for a light rail station to be built at the old train station,

saw families enjoying the activities along with the Passover food and ice cream for sale.

First Station was the place to be on at least two days of Passover, for a bicycle festival held there.

It was already dressed in blue and white for the upcoming holiday season.

One could even find a small blue and white cellphone bag for sale.

Spring has come, not only at the Tower of David, but along the Jerusalem streets.

In Yemin Moshe, there were spring flowers and blue and white flags.

On the balcony at the Theatron Residences was an Israeli flag.

Israeli flags were on display at private homes,

and a large Jerusalem flag was outside the entrance to a nursery school.

From one day to the next, the flags were flying over the Jerusalem streets.

But as the memorial flame over the door at the Menachem Begin Heritage Center reminds us, along with the celebrations come the memorial days, beginning with Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day, starting on Wednesday night, April 23, 2025.

So it was – this year in Jerusalem.

Just home from Beit Hanasi, the Israeli President’s residence, where seven new Ambassadors presented their credentials. Jane Huckabee stood as her husband, US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, signed the official guest book, holding her handbag – the newest blue & white, with the US flag on the other side.

Favorites of the Popular 14th Jerusalem Marathon

Favorites of the Popular 14th Jerusalem Marathon

Sharon A

Jerusalem streets were lined with security and closed to cars and pedestrian traffic for the 14th International Jerusalem “Winner” Marathon held on Friday, April 4, 2025.

The event attracted 40,000 people from 50 countries arriving in Jerusalem from around the world.

This year’s races were opened by Karina Ariev, freed on Jan. 25 after 477 days in Hamas captivity in Gaza.

Then most of the media attention went to the full marathon and its finish line in Sacher Park.

One favorite was Yoel Levy from Manchester, UK, who ran the marathon in a Batman costume in memory of the murdered Bibas boys and for Shalva, supporting children with disabilities and their families.

Mayor Moshe Lion participated in the 5k this year. He strolled in the park with his wife and security.

All ages could be found in Gan Sacher, supporting 27 organizations with teams running.

A friend who ran to raise money for ADI posed as she neared the finish line in the 10k.

Another favorite was seeing Oma in the blue T-shirt for the Ari Fuld Project. I remember her from 15 years ago in the last half marathon, a year before the first international Jerusalem Marathon, running for Shalva.

Shalva had runners on its large team dressed in purple, as in the past.

I passed the full marathon runners near their start as I walked 1.5 km to get to Sacher Park.

And, as usual, pass the slower full marathon runners when I head home each year.

There were over 1000 full marathon runners, including those from Australia, Kenya, Morocco, and more.

And more than one Batman was running the full marathon this year.

In the park are tents for some of the organizations, in this one Ari Fuld h”yd looks over his family.

Sharsheret ran in the past, and is now in Israel. The organization originated in the US to help people facing breast and ovarian cancer, and an increased genetic risk for cancer.

The Michael Levin Base was another favorite. Many tents had food and snacks for runners.

I went back here to get a much-needed coffee after a few hours walking in the park.

The crowd was large enough to make it hard to find family and friends.

Security included the magnificent horses.

Thousands of soldiers and security personnel participated, but this was the only gun I spotted.

With 3 finish lines and 6 races of various lengths, it was impossible to be everywhere.

However, here are the 3 winners of the men’s half marathon receiving their trophies.

And I spotted Beatie Deutsch after she was awarded a trophy for the half marathon second place.

The first-place runner came in earlier than I expected this year, so I missed the ribbon breaking.

But the medical attention was right there for those who needed help.

All in all, it was a great day, with great weather, to celebrate life, freedom, and hope for the future.

But a little too close to Pesach, Passover, for some regulars to be able to participate only a week before.

Signs are up over the Jerusalem streets for new exhibits and holiday events. Museums are planning for families with special rates and activities on the intermediate days.

The Jerusalem Marathon launch with “Batman” Levy was at the Tower of David, where they will be having a long list of educational events for families.

The notes were cleaned from the Kotel, Western Wall, ready for two days of Birkat Cohanim this year.

The elevator for visitors will not be ready any time soon, but at least there are new signs.

The new large Israeli flags are going up before the spring holiday season.

While war is raging on too many fronts, the Jerusalem streets are preparing for holidays and guests.

This year in Jerusalem – Am Yisrael Chai.

Chag sameach