See 3 days in Jerusalem – Yom HaZikaron to Yom Haatzmaut

Sharon A

What a week this was as the Jerusalem streets celebrated Israel at 78.

From Yom HaZikaron, Memorial Day, to Yom Haatzmaut, Independence Day, all three are packed, emotional, and impossible to attend all the events. It seemed more so this year, coming so soon after a ceasefire announcement.

The Israeli flags were up along with the April flowers as usual.

The building sites, under construction for many years, continue to rise over the Jerusalem streets.

Monday, April 20, 2026, was far from a usual day.

Beit Hanasi, the Israeli President’s residence, was decorated with the blue and white flags of Argentina and Israel.

President Isaac Herzog welcomed the President of the Argentine Republic, Dr. Javier Milei. 

President Herzog presented the “Presidential Medal of Honor” to President Milei, in recognition of his contributions to the State of Israel. 

The medal is a shiny gold. I decided to photograph myself as if it were a mirror.

Monday night was Yom Hazikron, and Beit Hanasi had faces of fallen soldiers on display.

For Yom HaZikaron, Memorial Day for Fallen Soldiers and Victims of Terror, there were numerous options for online and live commemorations.

The official state event takes place at the Western Wall Plaza with the President speaking.

This year, the annual lone soldier ceremony at Ammunition Hill was prerecorded due to the security situation.

Jerusalem’s Museum of Tolerance, with the IDF Widows and Orphans, held an emotional English program for the third year.

Among the families highlighted was that of Sgt. Maj. (res.) Yossi Hershkovitz, 44, principal of the ORT Pelech High School in Jerusalem. He was killed in battle in northern Gaza on Nov. 10. His sons sang the song composed in Gaza, along with singer Yonatan Razel.

The ceremony also featured powerful personal reflections, including those from Orit Mark and Keren Emuna Kalmanson. Mark, who was 16 when her father, Miki Mark, was killed in a 2016 terror attack, has since lost five close family members over eight years to terror and war.

MORE PHOTOS HERE

Tuesday, April 21, 2026, Yom HaZikaron

Grave in Israel military cemetery with seat on Har Herzl for memorial day Yom HaZikaron

The days are filled with memorials, with the main one held at the military cemetery on Mount Herzl.

One man standing by old grave in Jerusalem cemetery on Yom Hazikaron

However, fallen soldiers are mourned in cemeteries from the north to the south.

As the day ended and the sun set, people began to gather at transition events.

The musical event at Teddy Park has grown over the years, attracting thousands for the live music as Yom Haatzmaut, Independence Day, begins.

On my way to a festive Yom Haatzmaut dinner, I went past the Yemin Moshe Synagogue with its beautiful service.

MORE TRANSITION PHOTOS HERE

Yizkor, Yom Haatzmaut transition from Yom HaZikaron

At the main official event at Har Herzl, the televised program begins with Yizkor, Remember.

Three years ago, Rabbi Leo Dee offered the prayer for his murdered wife and daughters.

Yom Haatzmaut at Har Herzl, dancers, drummers and blue and white

The somber mood transitions to song, dance, and celebration, with a military performance.

People party all night long, this year with three huge events in Jerusalem.

I was satisfied with one beautiful late-night dinner hosted by long-time friends I had missed the past few years by going to Har Herzl.

Wednesday, April 22, 2026

My favorite Yom Haatzmaut event was moved from the afternoon to the morning at Beit Hanasi.

Love. Love the table with the hats.

One of the most important events gets the least coverage, the reception for Diplomats and Military attaches posted in Israel.

Important to see the Ambassadors from the Abraham Accords countries attending.

The Herzogs have showcased and supported Israeli food and wine (there was lots of it) from the north and south, which have been affected by the security situation. The items I tasted were excellent. With two BBQs, mangals, to go to that afternoon, it was hard to resist the delicacies, but I did skip the wine.

One highlight was when former hostage pianist Alon Ohel and his brother Ronen performed on stage near the end of the ceremony.

The important annual posed photo of heads of diplomatic missions in Israel,

and the military attaches, highlights that Israel is not alone.

Two Mangals – one in Modiin, another in Ramot, and then back to Jerusalem.

A day when the air is filled with the smoke of grilled meat.

In Jerusalem, cars and people surrounded Gan Sacher, Sacher Park, causing a gridlock.

But I got back in time for the event at the Friends of Zion Museum with Solomon Brothers and these dancers.

The celebration was to feature US Ambassador Mike Huckabee, but he was called back to the US and missed all the Yom Haatzmaut celebrations.

Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana was called to open the event.

The program included awards to Hillel Fuld, seen here with the ambassadors who were present.

Yoseph Haddad‎, an Israeli Arab who was injured while serving in the IDF in Lebanon, received recognition.

Australian Nate Buzz – Nathaniel Buzolic, who has voiced support for Israel during the Gaza war and visited more than 25 times since 2017, was the third winner and introduced Ben, an injured soldier he befriended.

MORE PHOTOS HERE

Of course, much more could be said about these 3 events in 3 days.

Now with the warm weather, we are back to fighting the ants invading the house.

Back to “normal” after weeks of war and days of celebrations.

Yom Haatzmaut – May tours in Jerusalem, Open Doors, next week, and more happening on the Jerusalem streets…

Hope to see you not next year, but this year in Jerusalem!

Did you see another International Jerusalem Winner Marathon?

Sharon A

One day, sirens sounded, and people headed to shelters off the Jerusalem streets.

Then, Pesach, Passover, ended with a ceasefire announcement.

Put away the Pesach pots and pans and dishes, and boom, back to normal?!

April weather had been unusually cold.

But the next day, when the sun was shining, people returned to the Jerusalem streets.

Overnight, the blue and white Israeli flags were seen flying in the breeze.

Seeing the new flag on the car mirror was a sure sign of the season of the Yoms.

For Yom Hashoah, Holocaust Martyrs’ and Remembrance Day, the official state opening at Yad Vashem on Monday night was recorded. With the constant missile attacks since Purim, Homeland Security regulations had limited the size of events and the need for adequate shelters.

President Herzog speaking at Yad Vashem

Hundreds of guests outside in the Warsaw Ghetto Plaza did not happen this year.

The event was broadcast with all the annual elements, but no live audience.

Leading up to Yom HaZikaron, Memorial Day for Fallen Soldiers and Victims of Terror, President Herzog hosted families of fallen soldiers at an annual event supported by the IDF Widows and Orphans and Yad L’Banim organizations.

Fallen soldier Moti Shamir’s mother told how he would stand with his Holocaust survivor grandmother for the siren each year. Shamir’s daughter, born after he was killed on October 7, sat on her mother’s lap.

So many new stories with over 350 widows and 900 orphans since October 7, 2023.

Each of the eight families shared stories of their lost son, daughter, or sibling.

They also brought an item to share; one family showed the Herzogs a shirt.

One mother shared a story of a policewoman and a stuffed toy.

Yom HaZikaron begins tomorrow night, Monday, April 20, 2026.

The Michael Levine Base Ammunition Hill ceremony has people sitting outside. This year, it is recorded. There were doubts about the safety of 1000 people seated outside with no adequate shelter.

However, for Yom Hazikaron, there are many smaller community-centered commemorations throughout Israel.

What a week this was with the transition of going back to school after 6 weeks.

The biggest event to end the week was the 15th International Jerusalem Winner Marathon.

The races were originally planned for before Passover and then rescheduled for April 17, 2026.

Decisions were made down to the last tense minute, to run or not to run.

By Thursday evening, thousands had come to Cinema City to pick up their race kits.

Remember, people signed up to run in Jerusalem before the ceasefire was announced.

The marathon EXPO was held at Cinema City, and people were shopping.

It had one new feature this year that was popular.

All the runners’ names were posted on a sign, and they could take a selfie.

Can you see that there were fewer names at the top of the blue row for the full marathon than the other, shorter, much more popular races?

The green section is the 10-kilometer race, which had so many runners that it was divided into 3 start times.

Red was the half-marathon; all registered full runners could participate in that race.

There was no full marathon this year due to the hot weather forecast.

In previous years, the marathoners came here as I went to the starting line.

The barriers left along the street were very different this year.

All start times were moved up an hour, and the first runners took off in the dark.

The air quality did get very bad, and running later was a health hazard.

The entrance used by full marathon runners to enter the park was closed.

The full marathon finish line was empty when I got to the park.

The VIP tents on the side were not open this year.

However, the marathon finish was popular this year. Almost everyone took photos.

Only runners were allowed in the park, not their supporters, due to security.

The organizations’ booths were not allowed to set up in Sacher Park.

Homeland Security had limited numbers and encouraged runners to leave as quickly as possible after their race.

The Remember Roey running group managed to get a small table set up.

This year, many running groups were in memory of fallen soldiers.

Many of the organizational groups were smaller, with international runners unable to come.

Less celebrating, less congregating, and less music – no full marathon, but the races went on.

At the starting line for the 10-kilometer races, it was very crowded.

Thousands of runners lined up and waited for their start.

The enthusiasm was not muted by the weather or war.

Preparing for this marathon was done in a sprint.

Supporters were out at the crazy earlier hours.

All runners at the finish line were winners.

Without the booths, food, and family and friend supporters, runners were filling the park, able to rest after their race.

The 15th International Jerusalem Winner Marathon was held, with tens of thousands of runners participating in the shorter races. Only one case of heat exhaustion was reported.

On the way home, I saw this smiling duo coming toward the finish line.

Remember the first full successful marathon?

A woman was killed nearby by a bomb less than 48 hours before the start.

The same feeling this year.

Relief.

Accomplishment to start and to finish.

Winners all.

More Marathon photos on Facebook

Hope to see you next year in Jerusalem!

What’s new as Jerusalem returns to the streets?

Sharon A

Over and over.

The Real Jerusalem Streets has used the expressions “roller coaster” and “highs and lows” to describe the emotional changes that happen in Jerusalem, Israel.

This week, a new word was repeated over and over: “whiplash.”

It was used to describe the extremes of war one day and back to “normal” the next.

One day, life was filled with the beautiful flowers and meals of Passover.

Shelters were needed much too often because of Iranian and Hezbollah missiles and rockets.

And the next day, we could again walk and appreciate nature without looking out for sirens or falling missile fragments.

One day, the doors were locked at the Museum for Islamic Art. The gates were chained shut.

The next day, after 6 weeks, schools in Jerusalem were to open again.

On Friday, after baking challah, it was time to walk again to see what was happening on the Jerusalem streets.

One back-to-normal street scene was flowers being sold for Shabbat.

Young people were riding bikes in Gan Sacher, Sacher Park, in the afternoon sun.

Picnics and families were at the Gan Sacher children’s play area.

A new sign was up for the Jerusalem Winner Marathon, rescheduled for Friday, April 17, 202.

The security fencing around the park was going up.

The finish line for shorter races was up over the Jerusalem street.

People were walking and running again. Training preparations for this marathon are more like a sprint than the usual long marathon prep.

Around the Knesset, Israeli flags usually go up after Pesach, the Passover holiday.

This year, marathon posters and flags are also on the Jerusalem streets.

President Herzog speaking at Yad Vashem

Tomorrow night is Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Martyrs’ and Heroes’ Remembrance Day. This year, April 13-14, 2026. The program was recorded, so no question about whether to go to Yad Vashem this year – it will be closed on Monday night.

Next week is Yom HaZikaron, Memorial Day, followed by Yom Haatzmaut, Independence Day on April 20- 21, when the annual extremes of mourning and celebration become a rollercoaster of emotions. What will be with the fragile 12-day ceasefire by then is anyone’s guess.

The Yom HaZikaron ceremony I usually attend on Ammunition Hill is also being recorded. No one wanted to be responsible for 1,000 people out in the open with not enough time to find shelter if this fragile ceasefire fails.

However, the first spotting of flags on a car as Israel approaches 78 years.

Meanwhile, Jerusalem is preparing Gan Sacher for thousands of people on Friday.

Not sure how many will come from overseas this year. But if it rains, the new walkway will be appreciated.

The Passover seder ends with’ Next Year in Jerusalem’.

Hope to see everyone soon in Jerusalem.