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.

Favorite photos from one busy week in Jerusalem

Sharon A

You may see headlines of impending doom and gloom, but the real Jerusalem streets have not been this busy in a long time.

Things are so busy that I had to select multiple times where to go and what to do.

Sharing a very brief wrap-up with only some highlights, favorite faces, and photos.

Monday morning – Knesset

The Knesset on Monday morning was full of activity.

The red carpet and flags were to welcome the Prime Minister of Albania, Edi Rama.

At the entrance security, I met Alan Clemmons and Natasha Hausdorff, two advocates who support Israel in legal matters.

They were also on the way to the Official Parliamentary Opening Plenary led by MK Amichai Chikli and Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana.

The 2026 International Conference on Combating Antisemitism- Official Parliamentary opening Plenary was the forum for international delegates to speak.

One dramatic presentation was by Christian Terhes, Member of the European Parliament, when he showed the glorification of martyrdom in the UNRWA text.

The man Chikli was pleased to shake hands with when he entered the room was Flavio Bolsonaro. His name card read: Senator, Pre-candidate for the Presidency, Brazil. He did not speak at this session. But at the main event, he was given the keynote position and launched his campaign. Let’s hope he wins.

The opening conference gala entrance was on Monday night, at the same time as the Jabotinsky lecture at the Israeli President’s Residence. I had to pass on the gala.

Monday evening – Beit Hanasi

US Ambassador Mike Huckabee was the featured speaker, and fans surrounded him before the event started.

The Ze’ev Jabotinsky Lecture is an annual event that was postponed from its earlier date.

The main room was full.

The yellow chair, which had been at all the Beit Hanasi events for two years, was in place.

However, with the announcement that the last hostage was retrieved from Gaza, the Ambassador helped President Herzog remove the chair.

Huckabee gave a proper talk about Jabotinsky; however, removing the yellow chair and his yellow pin stole the show.

I was on my way out to attend a special dinner with long-time friends, as astronauts were waiting to enter to meet the President.

Tuesday morning, Jerusalem International Convention Center, Binyunei Hauma

The full-day conference “Generation Truth” was held at the Jerusalem ICC.

Rabbi Yehoram Ulman of Bondi Beach, Australia, gave one keynote in the morning.

Social media stars participated in a morning panel discussion on antisemitism.

At these events, it is hard to stay inside listening and not go outside to see who is attending.

I first became a fan of Fiamma Nirenstein at a Jerusalem hotel many years ago, where she was featured at an event about antisemitism. I told her I remembered where she was sitting on the panel when the late Robert Wistrich warned of antisemitism becoming mainstream in Britain.

Gad Saad and his wife, I saw at Beit Hanasi. I was glad to be at his keynote talk as I had followed him as a fan online.

Flavio Bosonaro from Brazil gave his talk in English, but it seemed aimed more at the Brazilian presidential campaign.

The panel ‘Algorithms of Hate’ focused on social media.

The Mike Huckabee interview with Alex Traiman, JNS Jerusalem editor, was another favorite.

Dinesh D’Souza, on the left, and his wife were also at the Knesset.

Dumisani Washington, Lee Trink, Seth Dillon, Karyes Rhea, and Ruben Baumgarten are just a few names of impressive guests.

Not an internet or international star, but the man who gave me his chair at the crowded buffet lunch.

There could be much more about the conference.

Wednesday was a day focused on the funeral of Ran Gvili

Thursday night – Friends of Zion

I want to end with a special event at the Friends of Zion, where President Herzog opened with a video to commemorate the International Holocaust Remembrance Day. There were 6 candles for 6 million Jews murdered.

But also the movie ‘Quezon’s Game’ with the Philippine Embassy and Ambassador Aileen S. Mendiola.

Mike Huckabee was a guest, not a speaker. He rose to greet George Lewenstein, one of the Jews saved by Quezon, who spoke.

The story of how Manuel Quezon rescued 1200 Jews from Germany was new to me.

For those of you who are still reading here. Look it up, Manuel Quezon.

The movie is parallel with history. Not sure how comfortable the US staff were with how the US immigration policy worked to keep Jews out. The Philippines was a US territory at the time. Quezon went into exile in the US.

He had wanted to save 10,000 Jews, but only managed to get 1200 Jews to safety before the Japanese took over the Island. That is another chapter, and this is getting too long.

“He who saves one life saves the world entire.” Am Yisrael Chai