Favorites – Page 4 – The Real Jerusalem Streets

Israelis and Druze coming together in good times and bad

July 20, 2025July 20, 2025Sharon A

Summer and the Jerusalem streets are hot during the day.

On weekdays, the Municipality tempts tourists with price cuts and deals. Residents try their best to get away from the city. Now, with the skies opening, Cyprus and Azerbaijan are two popular destinations this summer. However, because of recent news, the Druze and their relationship to Israel have become important to share.

It was quite a beautiful sight. Druze women from the north came by the hundreds in October 2010. Wearing their white head coverings to participate in the Komen Race for the Cure. Walking from Gan Sacher, Sacher Park, toward the Old City walls under white umbrellas to rest in the shade. That was the day I started a Facebook page because I had so many photos.

Israel President, Head of Labor Court, Supreme Court and Minister of Justice pose with Druze female judge

This photo is from last year on July 20th, the Israeli President, the Head of the Labor Court, the Supreme Court, and the Minister of Justice posed with Israel’s first Druze female judge.

Israel President, Head of Labor Court, Supreme Court and Minister of Justice pose with Druze female judge speaks

She spoke as family and friends with phone cameras recorded the historic message.

Today, President Isaac Herzog announced the second group of 15 recipients of the new annual “Presidential Medal for Civil Valor.” Included was Milhem Asaad, a Druze citizen from Maccasra-Samie, a Maccabi Tel Aviv fan who flew to a game in Amsterdam. When the pogrom began on the streets of Amsterdam at a Maccabi Tel Aviv game, he took advantage of the fact that he spoke Arabic to mislead the rioters, thus saving many fans and warning other fans of the danger.

Yom Haatzmaut Druze leaders at Har Herzl

On Yom Haatzmaut, Israel Independence Day, these Druze leaders were honored guests at the televised Har Herzl ceremony with front row seats.

Jerusalem Marathon Druze families with OneFamily group

At the Jerusalem Marathon, Druze women participated with the OneFamily Together Organization.

Israelis and Druze come together in good times and mourning. The Israeli and Druze flags were flying together on July 19, 2017.

Men mourning Kamil Shnaan in Horfeish who was murdered by terrorist near Temple Mount

At the time, we traveled far north to pay a condolence call to the two Druze families whose sons were the policemen killed in Jerusalem near Lions Gate on July 14.

Druze female mourners dressed in black with white scarves

The women sat together outside, across the street.

A bereaved mother with a photo of their son supported by his sisters.

Mourners of Kamil Shnaan policeman who was shot by terrorists

Mourning another Druze policeman who fell in the line of duty.

Another stop for this bereaved father – the women asked that their photos not be taken.

Picture of Haiel Sitawe from women's mourning room, one of several located behind where they sat

However, they had this photo of Haiel Sitawe smiling down above where the women sat.

More of that day was posted from Maalot to Hamamish – Jews and Druze bound together in mourning

It was last July when a rocket hit a football pitch in Majdal Shams, killing 12 Druze children.

I remember my first time at the Knesset sitting across from a Druze Member of Knesset in the dairy lunch room. He spoke of the long and sometimes difficult tradition of Druze support of Israel.

Israel is coming to the aid of Druze being attacked and murdered nearby in Syria while the world watches.

Here were only a few examples of Israel and Druze coming together in good times and bad.

A Jerusalem journey from 44 Jabotinsky Street

July 13, 2025July 13, 2025Sharon A

This summer ebbs away in a time blur of heat and war, with a broken foot and hopping on one leg.

However, I remember where I was standing almost 20 years ago. Workers took down a sign in Hebrew, which read ‘Hebrew University – 44 Jabotinsky Street’ and stomped on it.

I stood watching in shock.

That was the day I started carrying a camera in my pocket instead of my backpack.

If I could not redeem that historic sign, I was going to share photos of what was happening in Jerusalem.

Since 2018, I have been documenting one piece of history as it has developed.

With recent social media sharing about Israel’s negative treatment of religions, the time finally seemed right to share the truth.

St. Antonia Convent Catholic monastery, as it was in April 2024, with nuns outside, was built in 1936.

This was the back gate where the Hebrew University sign was removed, and much later, the cross and name were added on top of the gated fence.

Jerusalem church property where HU library was located

In 2018, the old little building in the back was one location of the Hebrew University library from 1948, when the Mount Scopus campus was forced to close.

Jerusalem sign for building British used for tribunal was HU library and now back to nuns.

The British had used the building as their Supreme Military Tribunal headquarters during the time of the British Mandate. Trials of Haganah, Irgun, and Lehi fighters were held here.

After the British army withdrew, it became a base for the fight to save Jerusalem.

The British took over the buildings they wanted. Israel gave Church properties back.

The little shack out back is still there.

As the main building has been redone,

the small building has been decaying over time.

Collegio Antonio, above the fence, no sign of Hebrew University remains.

This is the view from the front, which is across the street from Beit Hanasi, the Israeli President’s Residence.

The landscaping and mosaics can be seen and appreciated inside the front locked gate.

Not just properties, but also people. In 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic, while Reuven Rivlin was still president, Church leaders were hosted each year at Beit Hanasi.

Formal photo of religious leaders at Beit Hanasi

The Israel Independence Day celebrations include all the religious leaders.

President Isaac Herzog met on Monday at Beit Hanasi with a delegation of Imams and Muslim community leaders from France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Italy, and the United Kingdom.

Photo Credit: Amos Ben Gershom / GPO

The Muslim leaders’ visit included Yad Vashem, and they were welcomed in Israel.

This past Friday, tens of thousands of Muslims prayed on the Temple Mount.

So remember, not everything you see and hear on social media or the news is factual.

Not only is it how you crop the photo, but now it’s also how you clip the video.

Next year in Jerusalem, come see what’s happening for yourself.

Summer begins on the Jerusalem streets

July 6, 2025July 6, 2025Sharon A

Summer in Jerusalem, Israel.

School is out. Those never-ending graduation ceremonies have ended.

Now to figure out what to do, well, now that the Iranian ballistic missiles have stopped raining down.

Hinnom Valley Food Truck Festival in Jerusalem , Israel

In 2018, the AutoOhel, or food truck summer festival started in the Hinnom Valley.

Food Festival JLM 2025 and the light show were back this year.

However, at the improved and much more accessible venue on the Tayelet.

Each week this summer, as in the past, the menus change with various Jerusalem restaurants’ offerings.

On the opening night, the light show included a ballistic missile from Yemen.

Hopefully, that will be the last time.

The 42nd edition of the annual summer Jerusalem Film Festival is to take place July 17-26, with special guests Gal Gadot and producer Lawrence Bender.

Jerusalem Film Festival honored Dame Helen Mirren

With an opening night again in the Sultan’s Pool with a special screening on the large screen, as two years ago with Dame Helen Mirren.

In the Sultan’s Pool this week on July 8, singer Avraham Fried is back to perform a live concert.

The Tower of David has plans for an unforgettable overnight camping adventure in the historic citadel, a hands-on art course, a special kids’ summer camp, and workshops for grandparents and grandkids.

All events take place inside the walls of Jerusalem’s magical Old City.

Tower of David

And of course, guided tours for all ages. For details, visit the Tower of David Museum website.

The summer event “The Secret Garden” will take place from July 27 to August 12 at the National Library of Israel.

Signs were up for the Jerusalem Festival July 2-4, 2025.

The Jerusalem Theater is back for the summer season.

Of course, the other Jerusalem museums and the Train Theater offer special events for families.

Much is happening on Jerusalem streets. Now, if we could have a quiet summer to hear the sounds of children playing in the parks along the Jerusalem streets.