September in Jerusalem started off with volunteer awards, but what now?

Sharon A

It has been around for many years, having been established in 1974 by President Ephraim Katzir.

The Israeli President’s Volunteer Awards include both organizations and individuals.

The 2025/5785 award ceremony was held in the gardens at Beit Hanasi, the President’s residence.

A dairy buffet and comfortable weather added to Monday evening’s pleasant program.

The main hall was ready for official photos with the President after the ceremony.

The yellow chair was outside, as with all recent Beit Hanasi events, to remember the hostages.

I arrived early and went to sit down inside to wait and get a photo of the new artwork on display.

These new pieces are different from before the room was remodeled.

The room was not empty for long, as the awardees arrived, different this time – dogs with their humans.

There were more award winners this year than in past years.

Certainly, many more dogs than before.

President and Michal Herzog entered and greeted the awardees seated in the front row.

The audience saw short videos highlighting the winners’ impressive accomplishments.

Each individual was called up to receive the award for their achievements and pose for a photo.

My favorite was 91-year-old former teacher, Louisa Bergman, whose smile was so bright.

It was good to be back at Beit Hanasi and share some of the good news that gets little notice.

The protests are growing and becoming more violent. The media is looking for the negative stories.

This was the scene of the dumpster and car fire the day after. Notice how the speed sign was burnt.

The clever experts do not predict what will happen next.

I decided to end with a prayer for the safety and good health of the defense forces and all.

Am Yisrael Chai!

How to mark end of summer holidays in Jerusalem

Sharon A

The last day of August is the end of the long summer school holiday in Jerusalem, Israel.

Light rail train and people out in Jerusalem on Jaffa Street near Zion Square

The big excitement – the Jerusalem light rail is up and running again along Jaffa Street in time for school.

As the last days of the long summer holiday came to an end, families were looking for new activities.

The Jerusalem Theater had special performances for children in the afternoon. The audience was filled with parents and grandparents for the performances of the annual end-of-summer festival.

Outside the theater, long Israeli flags were hanging, and messages to bring home the hostages.

Across the street, the Museum of Islamic Art announced a new exhibit -“Love Stories.”

Signs are up for the new September events.

It’s Elul, and the Sultan’s Pool amphitheater still fills with musical performances nightly.

School buildings are getting ready to open their doors on the morning of September 1st.

The local bookstore displayed children’s workbooks to learn English.

The new Jerusalem signs and message for this “year of hope and love” are at the school entrance.

The new look of old buildings is impressive if you have not been by lately.

This one is across from the Prime Minister’s home on a street that is often blocked to traffic.

In Israel, there were weddings and celebrations all week. We were pleased to get to celebrate with a new couple in Jerusalem one night wth long-time friends – almost family.

With all the new beginnings and good things happening, there are also signs for fallen soldiers.

A reminder that Israel may be in the top ten happiest countries, but there is a war raging on many fronts. Those Houthi early morning ballistic missile wake-up sirens have been another reminder.

Good and bad, the days are shorter and cooler as the schools open and the holiday season approaches.

Am Yisrael Chai

Hope to see you on the Jerusalem streets soon!

In Jerusalem, how to keep children busy and safe

Sharon A

Where did the days go?

It’s the beginning of the Hebrew month of Elul.

One more week in August, and all the schools start again.

water park lit at night, Jerusalem photos, Jerusalem new tourist attraction

For many years, the fountain in Teddy Park has been a popular place in Jerusalem to cool off.

Each year, as the long summer holiday draws to a close, families look for safe activities.

In Jerusalem’s Liberty Bell Park, a water slide was one attraction to cool off from the hot summer sun.

The entrance for the Train Theatre’s X- Mix was near the Liberty Bell in the park.

The X-Mix included a large variety of stations and activities as the sun set.

Inside the enclosed area were various forms of entertainment.

Some areas were simple and colorful, like these long balloons to climb on or run around.

It took me many years to learn that the reason it’s called Train Theater is that it started in an old train.

Now, in the expanded complex next to the roller blade rink in the Bell Park, there are multiple auditoriums to host the end of summer 34th International Puppet Festival.

Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion arrived for the opening on Sunday night. He was greeted by Train Theater CEO Kobi Frig, who stated, “We are always happy to create for children. We love to set a personal example and offer hope—to be an island of sanity amidst everything happening around us.”

After the opening speeches and food, there were shows, but I decided to walk home on the cool night.

There are too many construction sites to list. All the Jerusalem light rail lines are to connect one day.

Jerusalem Botanical Gardens new opening space under construction

Across the road from where that excavator was digging for the light rail, one day, is to be the new entrance to the Jerusalem Botanical Gardens.

Meanwhile, this was the current entrance on Thursday night.

Each year, a theme is chosen to attract families on summer evenings.

This time, “Circus in the Forest” was on a big welcome sign near the pond.

My idea to sit near the pond turned out not to be a good one. The area was closed off.

Since so many asked me for directions to the entrance, I assumed new families were attracted this year.

I could still get close enough to see the pond full of lilies.

And even take a few close-up images of the real flowers in the pond.

But the crowds came for the circus. This woman dressed in red rising above the pond was one act to see.

Cinema City had a “Capital of Youth” large sign, but it was not busy when we went on Wednesday.

Jerusalem museums, the Tower of David, and the Jerusalem Theater offer special end-of-summer events.

The signs are up for the opening of school in Jerusalem.

Counting down the days.

Good and safe year wishes to all!