In Jerusalem new Conference, Annual Memorial and Independence Day

Sharon A

‘Tis the season of the Yoms.

After Yom HaShoah, before you know it, comes Yom HaZikaron and Yom Haatmaut.

From the mourning for those lost in the Holocaust and the fallen soldiers and victims of terror,

we turn to the celebrations of Israel’s Independence Day.

Israel at 77

began with fires out of control and missile attacks from Yemen.

The decorative lights over the Jerusalem streets were changed to blue for the season.

This week began with a new conference meeting in Jerusalem, Israel.

The Jewish News Syndicate JNS had its first International Policy Summit at the Waldorf Hotel.

There were panels of experts,

many panels, with dozens of names and faces you should recognize.

JNS has a new studio, but also used this set in the hotel to interview politicians during the conference.

There was a powerful musical performance of “October Rain” on the first day.

The Ambassadors to Israel attended, along with hundreds of participants.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Gideon Saar was one of many interviewees.

Barrister Natasha Hausdorff was as impressive a speaker in person as she is when interviewed on TV.

The keynote speaker for Day One was Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

On Day 2, the panels were not as large, but again, they had politicians and CEO leaders.

‘The Quad’ is a popular video segment on JNS, with Shoshanna Keats Jaskol, Fleur Hassan Nahoum, and Emily Schrader, with a guest panelist.

The second night keynote was US Ambassador Mike Huckabee.

He had a full house, even as the program was running late.

This being the ‘real’ streets, outside the hotel was a small but loud protest against Ron Dermer, who was the next speaker that night before the conference closed.

Wednesday at 8 pm, the siren sounded to begin Yom HaZikaron, Memorial Day for fallen soldiers and victims of terror. There were multiple ceremonies in English this year. I attended the one organized by The Michael Levin Base at Ammunition Hill.

Ammunition Hill is the site of one of the most important battles for Jerusalem in 1967, during the Six-Day War, and the way the Israeli soldiers broke through the Jordanian forces to get to the Old City.

In the middle of this photo is Sid Rosenberg, his first time in Israel for Yom HaZikaron. The Host of “New York’s #1 morning talk show @sidandfriends77 on WABC radio and “Unapologetic Warrior for Truth!” He spoke at the JNS conference and made news by his recent nomination for the US Holocaust Museum board.

Israel’s former Ambassador to the US, Michael Oren, was a lone soldier, and as always, spoke well.

The mothers of Yotam Haim and Yosef Guedalia also spoke. Their sons both fell. Yosef was fighting at Kfar Aza on October 7, and Yotam was kidnapped from Kfar Aza. He escaped captivity before he was tragically killed.

Following the mourning of Yom Hazikaron, despite wildfires and the cancellation of the live ceremony at Har Herzl, on Thursday, the annual Yom Haatzmaut events went on as scheduled.

First, the President honored 120 outstanding soldiers at Beit Hanasi in the morning.

Then, the annual International Bible Quiz for Youth filled the auditorium at the Jerusalem Theater.

The second-place winner was from the US this year. It was good to see the camaraderie of the contestants. The event is broadcast live and viewed by many Israelis each year.

From the Jerusalem Theater, I walked around the corner to Beit Hanasi for the annual Independence Day Diplomatic reception.

Unique this year were the lines of yellow chairs the dignitaries had to walk through to get to the reception in the back garden.

The garden setting was casual this year, not the usual lines of chairs.

There was wine,

cheese and food, from businesses affected by the war.

Diplomats walked and talked,

and mingled as usual.

The hats on the table were piled up, almost as usual. I was not sure about the upside-down striped one.

US Ambassador Mike Huckabee posed with the new Canadian Ambassador and the Herzogs.

As the dignitaries sat and stood around the garden, the President and Minister of Foreign Affairs spoke.

Rachel Goldberg-Polin gave the closing, powerful address, calling those in the audience to act, to do something to release the remaining hostages.

The official photos went on as usual, with the heads of missions

and military attachés.

Yom Haatzmaut started with fires out of control, not in a way anyone planned or wanted.

It ended with a fiery colored sunset as we enjoyed a family dinner. One with a newly engaged couple.

There is no way to change the past, but many weddings are being planned – and that is the future.

The hope for the future is the way to proceed – Next year in Jerusalem!

Seven New Ambassadors to Israel before Holocaust Remembrance Day

Sharon A

What a strange week this was!

Passover ended.

However, it seems like a long time ago with so much happening on the Jerusalem streets.

With Passover over, the flags are flying for the annual, emotional days of Yom Hazikaron, Memorial Day, and Yom Ha’atzmaut, Independence Day.

Flags are for sale in stores, at street corners, and popping out of car windows – as usual.

This week, 7 new Ambassadors to Israel presented their credentials at Beit Hanasi, the Israeli President’s residence, where these ceremonies are held. Such a large number at once was unusual.

I arrived as the new Ambassador from India was leaving.

The Ambassador from the Philippines wore a handmade, elegant dress, standing on the red carpet as her anthem was played and the flag from the Philippines was raised in her honor.

The Ambassador for the Dominican Republic was next to present his credentials.

I should go and check old photos, but I think President Herzog was standing on a new carpet.

Then the Ambassadors went into the official diplomatic room to exchange short remarks. Canada’s new Ambassador’s exchange was more casual, and Michal Herzog joined in.

The official handshake photo is an important step in the process, as with the Ambassador from Angola.

Keeping the red carpet clean is another important step.

The last Ambassador of the day was from the US, Michael Huckabee, with his wife Jane in the blue dress.

Look closely at her necklace, it’s a Star of David.

President Herzog’s staff lines up along the red carpet to greet each of the new Ambassadors as they arrive in the main hall. President Rivlin had his staff stand behind him. For the US ceremony, guests were on both sides of the room.

If you look closely at the back of Miriam Adelson’s dress, you will see the Hebrew writing down the back, “If I forget thee, Jerusalem .”

Of course, the media comes out more for the US Ambassadors.

The two men gave media statements after a short private meeting in the diplomatic room.

Of all the past ceremonies I attended, I do not remember an Israeli President hugging the new Ambassador after his credentials were put in his hand.

Ambassador Huckabee signs the official guest book as all the others had done.

However, Mrs. Huckabee’s small handbag got my attention while her husband wrote in the book–an Israeli flag is on one side and a US flag on the other.

And the yellow chair, not forgetting the hostages at Beit Hanasi.

If you counted and noticed there were six. The seventh was from Belarus, who was first in the morning before I arrived. At the King David Hotel, after the ceremonies, he was given a chance to speak.

That was how the week began on a high.

The house was clean. Things are back in order. And I got a ride to the King David in one of the official limos behind the four motorcycles leading the motorcade. Amazing how fast the trip was when you do not have to stop for red lights. So fast, I did not think to take a photo.

For Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day, I went to the home of Rena Quint for Zikaron BaSalon.

Her story of survival during the Holocaust is documented in “A Daughter of Many Mothers” with the help of Barbara Sofer. Each survivor’s story is shocking and unique. Rena has told her hundreds of times at home and at Yad Vashem. She even had a U.S. president bend down to her. Read the book or find a video.

Sadly, no more Dry Bones, Yaakov Kirshen passed away. I so admired his wit and wisdom.

Sadly, the signs with fallen soldiers line too many Jerusalem streets. The number since October 7 rose to 849. Together we will win. But is there unity?

New signs are up: “Until we win.”

Notice the yellow ribbon on the special poster made for Steve Linde’s 65th birthday party. Steve was an editor at Jerusalem Post and Jerusalem Report, and is now Feature Editor at JNS.

Too many ceremonies and events for Yom HaZikaron to mention. It’s hard to decide where to go.

Then the next day, starting Wednesday night, is Yom Haatzmaut! Again too many, it’s hard to decide!

The Yoms, the roller coaster emotional time of year.

Am Yisrael Chai!