Favorites – The Real Jerusalem Streets

See Photos of Passover, Blue & White, and Spring Colors in Jerusalem

April 21, 2025April 21, 2025Sharon A

Thousands of visitors arrived in Israel for the holidays.

Many families had long-awaited, anticipated reunions.

With school out for more than a week, it was a time to look for new and different activities.

Downtown Jerusalem went with a Crusader theme, remember the previous ones?

I remember this is the fifth Knight-themed night event in the past 15 years.

The nights were more colorful for a photo than in the daytime.

Jerusalem of Freedom was the theme this year. Happy Passover from Jerusalem.

Those families that did not travel north for activities in nature could use the suspension bridge and, on this clear day, see the mountains of Jordan in the distance.

The water and music were on at the fountain in Teddy Park for half an hour, much to the delight of families when there was finally a warm day.

The first days were so cold, and it rained in some locations, but the last days were warm.

Near the Teddy Park is the Artists’ Colony, and new art was on display at Kol HaOt. Arriving late in the day, I missed the activities for children, but could see the works based on the current war and hostage theme. Celebrations for the second Passover since October 7 were held, but muted.

As in the past, Bank Hapoalim provided free admission to dozens of museums. We took advantage by going to Jerusalem’s L.A. Mayer Museum for Islamic Art.

The story of the stolen watches and their return is worthy of a visit. This fan alone is a timepiece with gold, diamonds, and pearls, worth a small fortune.

But the rest of the pieces are equally amazing as their story. It is a very secure place if the Houthis’ ballistic missile interceptions set off another alarm. The room is an extremely secure vault to prevent another theft from occurring.

Upstairs is the art and the history of the development of Islam from the early days of Muhammad.

I did not remember the Harari Hoard from previous visits. Ralph Harari collected Islamic metalware. These 20 silver pieces on display are from the 11th to 12th centuries.

In another room, the gold jewelry from the Harari collection is also impressive.

The new temporary exhibit is called “Fluid Concrete.”

Seeing the photos in black and white of buildings from around the world, I now understand the sign posted on the wall outside that I shared two weeks ago.

A sign of Passover on the Jerusalem streets, shops with limited food options to purchase.

Ah, but this year, sushi was for sale on Passover. Here in Rechavia for take-out only.

Days of cooking and eating, but the only photos were from before Shabbat.

The only regret is that I have no photos of the food on Shabbat served for lunch.

Even the last pickle was gone from the jar when they all went home.

On Tuesday and Thursday morning of Passover, as on Sukkot, tens of thousands were again at the Kotel, Western Wall, for Birkat Cohanim, the Priestly Blessing.

In the afternoon, First Station, despite a construction project that had the path closed,

and a large section blocked for renovation, for a light rail station to be built at the old train station,

saw families enjoying the activities along with the Passover food and ice cream for sale.

First Station was the place to be on at least two days of Passover, for a bicycle festival held there.

It was already dressed in blue and white for the upcoming holiday season.

One could even find a small blue and white cellphone bag for sale.

Spring has come, not only at the Tower of David, but along the Jerusalem streets.

In Yemin Moshe, there were spring flowers and blue and white flags.

On the balcony at the Theatron Residences was an Israeli flag.

Israeli flags were on display at private homes,

and a large Jerusalem flag was outside the entrance to a nursery school.

From one day to the next, the flags were flying over the Jerusalem streets.

But as the memorial flame over the door at the Menachem Begin Heritage Center reminds us, along with the celebrations come the memorial days, beginning with Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day, starting on Wednesday night, April 23, 2025.

So it was – this year in Jerusalem.

Just home from Beit Hanasi, the Israeli President’s residence, where seven new Ambassadors presented their credentials. Jane Huckabee stood as her husband, US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, signed the official guest book, holding her handbag – the newest blue & white, with the US flag on the other side.

Favorites of the Popular 14th Jerusalem Marathon

April 6, 2025April 6, 2025Sharon A

Jerusalem streets were lined with security and closed to cars and pedestrian traffic for the 14th International Jerusalem “Winner” Marathon held on Friday, April 4, 2025.

The event attracted 40,000 people from 50 countries arriving in Jerusalem from around the world.

This year’s races were opened by Karina Ariev, freed on Jan. 25 after 477 days in Hamas captivity in Gaza.

Then most of the media attention went to the full marathon and its finish line in Sacher Park.

One favorite was Yoel Levy from Manchester, UK, who ran the marathon in a Batman costume in memory of the murdered Bibas boys and for Shalva, supporting children with disabilities and their families.

Mayor Moshe Lion participated in the 5k this year. He strolled in the park with his wife and security.

All ages could be found in Gan Sacher, supporting 27 organizations with teams running.

A friend who ran to raise money for ADI posed as she neared the finish line in the 10k.

Another favorite was seeing Oma in the blue T-shirt for the Ari Fuld Project. I remember her from 15 years ago in the last half marathon, a year before the first international Jerusalem Marathon, running for Shalva.

Shalva had runners on its large team dressed in purple, as in the past.

I passed the full marathon runners near their start as I walked 1.5 km to get to Sacher Park.

And, as usual, pass the slower full marathon runners when I head home each year.

There were over 1000 full marathon runners, including those from Australia, Kenya, Morocco, and more.

And more than one Batman was running the full marathon this year.

In the park are tents for some of the organizations, in this one Ari Fuld h”yd looks over his family.

Sharsheret ran in the past, and is now in Israel. The organization originated in the US to help people facing breast and ovarian cancer, and an increased genetic risk for cancer.

The Michael Levin Base was another favorite. Many tents had food and snacks for runners.

I went back here to get a much-needed coffee after a few hours walking in the park.

The crowd was large enough to make it hard to find family and friends.

Security included the magnificent horses.

Thousands of soldiers and security personnel participated, but this was the only gun I spotted.

With 3 finish lines and 6 races of various lengths, it was impossible to be everywhere.

However, here are the 3 winners of the men’s half marathon receiving their trophies.

And I spotted Beatie Deutsch after she was awarded a trophy for the half marathon second place.

The first-place runner came in earlier than I expected this year, so I missed the ribbon breaking.

But the medical attention was right there for those who needed help.

All in all, it was a great day, with great weather, to celebrate life, freedom, and hope for the future.

But a little too close to Pesach, Passover, for some regulars to be able to participate only a week before.

Signs are up over the Jerusalem streets for new exhibits and holiday events. Museums are planning for families with special rates and activities on the intermediate days.

The Jerusalem Marathon launch with “Batman” Levy was at the Tower of David, where they will be having a long list of educational events for families.

The notes were cleaned from the Kotel, Western Wall, ready for two days of Birkat Cohanim this year.

The elevator for visitors will not be ready any time soon, but at least there are new signs.

The new large Israeli flags are going up before the spring holiday season.

While war is raging on too many fronts, the Jerusalem streets are preparing for holidays and guests.

This year in Jerusalem – Am Yisrael Chai.

Chag sameach

See the Faces of the Ambassadors of Truth

March 30, 2025March 30, 2025Sharon A

When moving to Jerusalem, Israel, almost 19 years ago, many things were new and different.

On a spring-like day, a favorite sign that winter is over is the colors of the flowers blooming in the Jerusalem Botanical Gardens, surrounded by the green new growth.

Also, seeing the white roses blooming in winter rather than the white snow is a Jerusalem favorite.

But this week I was not out every day enjoying the weather when it was warm.

Thursday at the Jerusalem International Conference Center was a conference “Ambassadors of Truth.”

You may have heard of this almost annual Jerusalem Conference Combatting Antisemitism this year.

I have gone in the past. This one was different, besides the calls to boycott it from a few Europeans and US “leaders,” which gave it more media attention.

There was the yellow chair empty – a symbol of remembering hostages and wanting their return.

Amichai Chikli, the Minister of Diaspora Affairs, was criticized for not consulting Diaspora leaders about who should be invited to the conference in Jerusalem.

The media paid close attention to who was invited to the conference, including Jordan Bardella, president of the French National Rally party, who came to Jerusalem and spoke.

He blamed rising antisemitism in Europe on migration and Islamism and stated support for Israel.

The panels included leading defenders of Israel on multiple international stages and media. If you do not know these names, please look them up and learn about their important work sharing the truth.

One national leader was the former President of the Republic of Paraguay, Horacio Cartes.

He was pleased to stop and let me take his photo after he finished his address, translated from Spanish.

Perhaps at these events, what happens in the halls is more important than the main stage.

For example, Lizzy Savetsky has spent countless hours defending Israel since October 7 and stayed around after the morning session with social media influencers to speak to attendees.

Several Ambassadors to Israel attended, notably the South Americans, Guatemala, Panama, and Paraguay.

My friend tells me I take it for granted that others know things when they do not. I have known Shawn Eni for a long time, before he became a media star with his fake Mossad posts on Twitter. On the right, I met “I’m That Jew” Eitan Chitayat for the first time after following his work for years.

The leaders of the Government Press Office were there, however, I only saw a few Knesset Members.

The US Ambassador’s residence is empty, waiting for the newest appointment to arrive.

But former Ambassador David Friedman was on stage for a one-on-one interview.

I am dropping all these names to share some of the people who came, like me, despite calls for a boycott.

The room, which was used in the past for this conference with tables as at a fancy dinner, was packed with chairs and people.

David Collier did important work to expose BBC failures in journalism and reporting. Sadly, they gave him an honored spot, but spelled his name wrong.

Sylvan Adams also spoke strongly about the importance of attending and not boycotting.

The security had been at a high level for the attendance of the Prime Minister, who came to speak.

Crowds and cameras came for Netanyahu and the list of foreign speakers.

My problem was keeping my phone charged to record it all.

I wanted to stay for the evening program, and that is what I feel is most important to share with you.

Before the program began, this was the message projected on the background screen: “If you receive an alert during an event, stay seated, bend over as much as possible, and protect your head with your hands for 10 MInutes. it is important to stay where you are to avoid injury.”

My going to the conference earlier in the day was delayed by an alert siren as I was leaving the house. I was very happy to be home and not outside on the street. The Houtis make sure we don’t forget there is a war raging around us. Again today, there was a ballistic missile aimed at Israel from Yemen and an alert.

A beautiful version of “October Rain” was part of the entertainment with dancers.

The main reason I wanted to come was to hear Ayaan Hirsi Ali. I first heard her speak at a Peres Tomorrow Conference years ago and have been a fan since. It was concerning when, over 10 years ago, Brandeis University withdrew her honorary degree.

Australian journalist Erin Molan received a special award, Beacon of Truth, from Minister Chikli.

What a world where a special award is given for speaking the truth.

There were protests against this conference by old voices in the US and Europe.

However, what I found the most impressive part of a very long day was the US university students who came. Their articulate voices are encouraging and the hope for the future.