It was another week of extremes on the Jerusalem streets.
Another week to decide where to begin and what to include.
Imagine that Israel ranks eighth in the world happiness index, even as Operation Roaring Lion rages on with casualties in the south and north.
While staying close to home and shelters, Jerusalem streets are under fire from Iranian cluster munitions.
After reports of an arson fire on the Gan Sacher, Sacher Park playground equipment, I ventured out of my front door. Along the way, a stop in a random building shelter due to an alert siren was required.
As you can see, the park was mostly empty soon after the siren and booms stopped. The play equipment was repaired quickly, and the families are using it again, when possible.
Remember, there has been no school for the past 3 weeks.
The Jerusalem Marathon scheduled for March 27 has been postponed to April 17, 2026.
We have been staying close to home because of the threats from Iran. During past operations, I have had to get out of a vehicle and lie on the side of the road. No desire now to be in a car along a highway during an alert.
This morning in the north, a man was killed by a direct hit while he was in his car.
However, driving to Canada House in Armon Hanetziv was not too far.
Seeing the construction towering over the Jerusalem streets is always impressive.
An assignment to see the Ulpan Etzion located in the Canada House was too good to miss.
Young people from around the globe attend the ulpan to learn Hebrew and acclimate to Israeli life.
They were lined up outside to greet President Isaac Herzog, accompanied by Doron Almog, the head of the Jewish Agency.
Together with his wife, Michal Herzog, they spoke with more participants inside.
They viewed a wall full of photos of weddings and other positive events.
They were coming from a visit to a site where a missile had hit that morning; this was an appreciated change of scenery.
The ulpan lesson was on the meaning of ruach – wind, or better, the spirit of the Israeli volunteering.
Herzog mentioned that Aliyah during wartime is the clearest answer to those who seek to undermine Israel.
In the largest meeting with those in ulpan, the Herzogs heard from one young man from Belarus who spoke in halting Hebrew, but ended in Hebrew, “he is home.”
Several other young men and women from France and the United States also spoke.
Plus, it was an Israeli program, so Israeli music was included.
What an uplifting event it was! Only sorry I did not get to speak to more participants.
So glad I changed my plans and left the Passover cleaning for the next day.
Despite the missiles and sirens, Pesach, Passover, is in 10 days. Bread products are now for the birds.
When the rains clear, the signs of spring abound on the Jerusalem streets.
The clocks are to change this weekend, as if we are not tired enough from sleep interrupted by sirens.
Chag Aviv Sameach, Happy holiday of Spring, signs are popping up.
They replace the ones for Purim.
Plans are in flux as no one knows what will happen next.
But year after year, the seder night ends with “Next year in Jerusalem.”