The Real Jerusalem Streets – Jerusalem, Israel

Summer nights in Jerusalem when the streets come alive

August 2, 2026August 2, 2026Sharon A

Israel is in the midst of a heat wave.

During the Middle Eastern summers, Jerusalem is usually cooler at night.

Staying in during the day and venturing out at night is how I see the Jerusalem streets.

The lights of the Old City illuminated in the distance over the Sultan’s Pool are a favorite.

Turn around on the footbridge over Hevron Road and see

the lights of the Scottish St. Andrew’s Church towering over the Menachem Begin Heritage Center.

Another interesting interview in the Begin Center Prime Ministers series was held Sunday night.

Herzl Makov not only worked with Begin but also served as the Center’s founder and CEO.

Look for the recorded informative series online.

Summer in Jerusalem and it’s festival season again. Too many events to attend them all!

Leaving the Wolt delivery motorcycle in the photo of the construction on the new entrance to the Jerusalem Botanical Gardens.

As slow as the construction seems, that is how fast and frequent those food deliveries are.

The Botanical Gardens is hosting another summer-themed event for families – Magic in the Forest.

The pond is filled with lilies,

and as temperatures rise, even the birds are slowing down.

The Jerusalem Botanical Garden has expanded greatly over the years.

Another location that has changed over the years is the old Shaare Zedek Hospital on Jaffa Road.

Not in use as a hospital for decades, it has now temporarily become a home for the Jerusalem Biennale art exhibits.

Wednesday was opening night for “Only Briefly.” Mindy Weisel is curator of the solo exhibition by Amy Gelb.

This piece with three layers of soft fabric hangs close to the wall, so it was difficult to photograph.

People gathered to support the American artist with her show in Jerusalem.

I had not been back in a while and also noted the restored ceiling of the former synagogue of the hospital, which has been given new life as a cultural center.

The highlight of the week was our family celebration of 20 years in Israel at the Shalva National Center.

The Shalva entrance lobby is full of color, butterflies, hearts, and messages.

“You don’t have to see the whole staircase. Just take the first step.”

Our excellent dairy dinner did not disappoint; everything was spotless and spot-on.

“Memory and hope light the way” – Lianne, Noiya, and Yahel Sharabi – new in the lobby, where Eli Shrabi participated in the dedication.

Shalva is one example of improving the world from a personal challenge.

Written on the walls are words of wisdom: When you love what you have, you have everything you need.

When nothing goes right… go left.

Good things take time.

Do not judge my story by the chapter you walked in on.

I caught one little guy in the hallway.

They all have a long way to go.

May they and we all go, building better and stronger, in good health.

Another up and down July week in Jerusalem

July 26, 2026July 26, 2026Sharon A

In Jerusalem, Israel, as usual, it was another week with ups and downs.

The Jerusalem streets were warmer under the hot summer July sun.

The blue sky held occasional white clouds, but not enough to provide shade.

It was a good week to be inside and not out in the heat.

Monday at the Nefesh BeNefesh Campus in Jerusalem

‘On the State of the Jewish People’ was the title of a conference by the World Zionist Organization and others, including the Ministry of Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism.

OUIsrael Director Rabbi Avi Berman interviewed Rabbi Shmuel Eliahu.

Jerusalem Post Editor-in-Chief Zvika Klein moderated several panels, including one on building bridges.

Education was a constant theme. I hope the sessions are posted online with English subtitles.

Tuesday at the Ramada Hotel

OneFamily’s annual Women’s Empowerment Day again featured Rabbanit Yemima Mizrachi. Her opening talk was a great way to start the day.

Body-language expert Maayan Bashan concluded the formal program with an interactive session encouraging participants to pay attention to “the eyes.”

I wish I had taken notes on her explanations of facial expressions after watching NY Mayor Zohan Mamdani’s mouth in his anti-Bibi video.

The day started with a dairy buffet and ended with a seated dinner for the hundreds of women whose family members have faced violence due to terror.

Wednesday morning

Back at the National Library of Israel, where this view has become iconic,

to see the preview of the new exhibition “The Quest of Questions” to open July 31, 2026, to March 2027.

Newton’s Philosophy of Mathematics was on display.

Near the exit in the second gallery was a “family tree” in a Kurdish-Ottoman manuscript tracing back in time.

During the summer months, younger visitors can enjoy To Infinity, the activity designed for families.

Wednesday night

Wednesday night was the start of Tisha B’Av with the stones and lights in Jerusalem Old City by the Western Wall.

Thursday fast day, or rather slow day; better to stay in the air conditioning.

New signs are up for the ice skating and Opera Festival, along with Tisha B’av program at the Begin Center.

Friday morning early on the Tayelet.

A busload of teens from France arrived and were singing Jerusalem of Gold.

At the same time, the results of the end-of-year exams for Jerusalem Arab schools were published, accompanied by loud fireworks as usual.

All as our family gathered for morning prayers for a special event.

Joining Yakir for a mazel tov with breakfast treats in honor of his approaching bar mitzvah.

Of course, on the Tayelet, I had to stroll down to see the setup for Auto Ochal – Food trucks.

Preparing to open evenings this week, along the Tayelet. Food. Beer. Music.

And seats with a view…

Summer time in Jerusalem, Israel.

With ups and downs, always something happening.

Hope to see you soon on the real Jerusalem streets.

Summer Days in Jerusalem: Remembering History, Inspiring the Future

July 19, 2026July 19, 2026Sharon A

Summer in Jerusalem, Israel, is warming up as always in the Middle Eastern sun.

The 25th Knesset concluded its term.

With 100 days to go until the new elections, the political airwaves will heat up as well.

Tisha B’Av begins on Wednesday night and continues until dark on Thursday.

Then Israelis begin the serious holiday time, with many planning to travel.

But first, it was time to remember that eventful trip 50 years ago.

An Air France plane was hijacked by terrorists; the Israelis on board were held hostage in Uganda.

The commemoration of the daring Operation Entebbe was held at Beit Hanasi, the Israeli President’s residence.

Media, videos, and photographers came in large numbers early to set up.

I took a seat where I could see survivors meet again with their rescuers.

For eight days, the world waited as the Israelis were held 4,000 kilometers from home.

Before the program began, Benjamin and Iddo Netanyahu lit a memorial candle for their fallen brother Yoni, who led the rescue mission.

The other candles were lit to remember the civilians who died during the rescue and Dora Bloch, who was murdered in a Ugandan hospital.

The short video highlighted the young children who had to be entertained under the most dire of circumstances.

The video ended with those children united again and posing with smiles.

The panel discussion included former Hamas hostage Noa Argamani and one of the IDF soldiers who rescued her from Gaza. Also on the panel were Doron Almog, chairman of the Jewish Agency and a veteran of the operation, Amos Eran, who served as director-general of Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin’s Office during those sleepless nights, and Dr. Ephraim Sneh.

From my seat, I could take that scene. Noa’s father, Yaakov, was intentionally left in the photo watching his daughter on stage.

At the 40th Entebbe commemoration, I was not seated in the center of the room. Then I was able to get to the front row of dignitaries.

Shimon Peres (center) was Israel’s Defense Minister during the July 4, 1976 Entebbe raid (Operation Entebbe / Operation Thunderbolt / Operation Jonathan.

Who else do you recognize?

Meanwhile –