What has been happening on the Jerusalem streets?

Sharon A

Operation Roaring Lion has roared for over a week.

What has been happening on the Jerusalem streets?

International Women’s Day is March 8.

This year, there will be no in-person large conferences or live celebrations.

The Israeli security has limited groups to 50 people until at least tomorrow night.

Very glad I went to the Israel Museum last week, before it and the other museums closed.

At the Tower of David, all museum galleries are protected spaces, with an additional shelter in the entrance pavilion.

Therefore, the museum will operate Sunday–Thursday, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm.

Each year, I try to get out and find the best Purim costumes.

There were reports of large groups on Purim in Nachalot and the Machane Yehuda Market.

They are crowded with costumed and often inebriated celebrants each year on Purim.

This year, I did not go out to explore the Jerusalem streets, but saw one man coming in.

We went into a shelter during a siren.

Then he was on his way to deliver mishloach manot, food gifts, to a friend.

By Thursday afternoon, I had to get out. Where else to go and be safe but the community shelter?

The kitchen looked well-used, but clean enough. The two toilets were ok also.

Good timing? I stayed to talk with a university student trying to study.

He was alone when I arrived.

However, after a few minutes, a siren sounded for incoming missiles. The room filled up quietly and quickly.

After being given the all clear, the crowd left. One woman remained, and the chess game was ready for the next move.

In the community shelter are two signs – no nuts, but WIFI with code.

As I walked around the corner, people were already eating and back to work.

Some of the overnight Jerusalem street construction has proceeded with new pavement and bright white lines.

Reminders of the losses on October 7 and since continue with new stickers.

The purple recycling bin was moved to work on the sidewalk. The two holes reminded me of eyes peaking over the stone wall.

Here’s looking to better days and quiet nights, to get back to more happening on the Jerusalem streets.

Meanwhile, a look back at International Women’s Day in 2020.

Before COVID, it seems like so very long ago.

See Jerusalem before the Iranian missiles of Operation Roaring Lion

Sharon A

What a week this was!

The warnings and sirens of Operation Roaring Lion/Epic Fury rang out on Shabbat morning.

It’s almost hard to remember what happened in Jerusalem, Israel, before the alarms sounded, sending us to the shelter in our building multiple times.

But always, things were happening on and off the Jerusalem streets you should know about.

Before the cold weather and skies raining ballistic missiles from Iran, there were important events.

President Herzog hosted the annual Iftar meal at Beit Hanasi, the President’s official residence.

Important to note that the Abraham Accords Ambassadors to Israel attended, along with Arab leaders.

The Knesset was preparing all day for the afternoon arrival of the Prime Minister of India.

Flags and banners were outside the building

and inside the Knesset building, too.

I remember when the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, was in Israel from July 4- 7, 2017.

He received lots of warm hugs from President Rivlin and media attention.

This time, besides the warm welcome, Modi also spoke at the Knesset Plenary.

I went to attend the session where US Ambassador Mike Huckabee was speaking at the Knesset Caucus for Israel–U.S. Relations, initiated by the Ruderman Family Foundation. Chaired by Knesset Member Ohad Tal, it marked the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States.

“For a $7 trillion-a-year budget, the support that goes to Israel is a tiny blip,” he said.

He mentioned that Americans don’t think about it because Iran is 8,000 miles away. Emphasizing that for over 47 years, Iran has killed thousands of Americans and is working to build a global nuclear threat.

For the distinguished guests, there was a display of Israeli antiquities along a main hall.

The Israel Museum is closed today. Important works were moved to secure locations.

I was there on Thursday to see the new exhibits to celebrate its 60th anniversary.

It was very different than the 50th big birthday bash.

The iconic Shrine of the Book is where the Dead Sea Scrolls are safeguarded.

The Israel Museum preserves and displays invaluable antiquities.

For the first time, a behind-the-scenes preservation lab is visible, enabling museum visitors to watch the work being done.

The crown jewel of the celebration is “A Voice from the Desert: The Great Isaiah Scroll,” curated by Hagit Maoz.

The story began in 1947 when a young Bedouin shepherd entered a cave near Qumran.

He found a parchment in one of the clay pots.

The exhibit shares a video of the journey of the Isaiah Scroll from the desert to Jerusalem and its current home.

For the first time since 1968, the Great Isaiah Scroll has been unrolled to its full 24-foot length.

The public can book to see it for ten minutes in groups of 25.

Hopefully, the Israel Museum will be able to open again soon.

Because of preservation precautions, this exhibition was to be for only 4 months.

Leaving the room with the real deal, a copy is on the wall. Highlighted are quotes along the text.

“Comfort, Oh comfort My people” is one.

Oh, how timely, beating “their swords into plowshares” and “The wolf shall dwell with the lamb” are two others.

Cinema City is preparing for the Jerusalem Marathon on March 27, 2026.

Shops are preparing for Purim.

What will the celebrations be this year?

No one knows for sure.

The big signs and plans are for a Shushan Purim mega event near the National Library and Museums.

 “Shout for joy, you who dwell in Zion!” is another quote from Isaiah – as we take shelter from Iranian ballistic missiles – again.

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.