Beit Hanasi

See 3 highlights of the beginning of November in Jerusalem

Sharon A

November–it feels like winter has arrived in Jerusalem, Israel.

Rain on Shabbat kept many people off the Jerusalem streets.

Three highlights to brighten and warm your day.

Boy George at Beit Hanasi

British rock star Boy George was in Israel for a week, which began with a warm welcome at Beit Hanasi, the Israeli President’s Residence.

The 65-year-old, 6-foot-tall singer received a symbolic gift from President Herzog.

He spoke of how he lost many friends by “standing with the Jews” in his song We Will Dance Again.

The audience appreciated Boy George coming and standing “with humanity.”

If you want to hear a bit of Boy George’s remarks on YouTube, HERE

Elkana Bohbot, kidnapped from the Nova music festival and held in Hamas captivity for 738 days before his release, responded that he appreciated the song and Boy George’s coming to Israel.

Video of Bohbot’s 2-minute speech HERE

Photographers came out and popped up to capture the event.

When the President’s photographer gets a photo, you know it’s special.

“Presented to George O’Dowd (Boy George) by the President of the State of Israel, Isaac Herzog, in appreciation of your unwavering support for Israel and the Jewish people and your inspiring music and artistry, which remind us all that WE WILL DANCE AGAIN.

With two concerts in Tel Aviv, a trip to the Nova site, and a stop in Ofakim to meet the “cookie” lady Rachel Idri, Boy George was warmly received

Black Christian leaders at King David Hotel

Did you know that Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., along with the Southern Christian Leadership Conference,
was planning the first-ever mass Holy Land pilgrimage of hundreds, possibly thousands of Black Americans?

The trip was scheduled for November 1967.

On Wednesday, a press conference was held at the King David Hotel.

Dr. King and Israeli Prime Minister Levi Eshkol, as well as then-former Israeli Prime Minister David Ben Gurion, exchanged correspondence between January and May of 1967.
However, in June 1967, Israel fought its third battle for its existence since independence in 1948.

Dr. King continued to support Israel, but postponed the Holy Land pilgrimage until 1968. He was assassinated on April 4th of that year.

Shared are Dumisani Washington’s remarks on the MLK Pilgrimage on the 59th anniversary.

This pilgrimage brought 500 Black leaders from the US and Africa.

Next year they want 5,000 participants for the 60th anniversary.

Council leaders honored Daniel Lischinsky, father of Yaron Lischinsky, the Israeli Embassy employee murdered alongside Sarah Milgrim outside Washington’s Capital Jewish Museum on May 21, 2025.

Elkana Bohbot was one of the three recognized with a special certificate as well.

Bohbot was separated from his wife, Rivka, and their young son; however, recently the family has welcomed a daughter and has reason to celebrate.

Hila Abir, whose brother Lotan was murdered by Hamas terrorists at the Nova music festival, was also presented with a certificate.

For the first time, her father attended an event in memory of his murdered son.

The Black Christian Leadership Council on Israel Relations: Pastor Dumisani Washington, Dr. Michael Anthony Stevens, Sr., Rev. Reginald W. Gibson, Dr. Brandy Frances Gibson, and Pastor Roger Cheeks.

More photos HERE

Looking forward to more groups here with their leadership missions.

I could not leave the King David Hotel without admiring the floral display in the lobby.

Elections at Beit Hanasi

Most of the news has been about the Israeli election results.

The olive harvest this week was not a headliner.

There are 60 olive trees on the Beit Hanasi grounds. I hope they got them harvested before the rain.

Hanasi Street was lined with more security barriers than usual.

At the main entrance, the small area for media near the red carpet was clearly marked.

The media reporting area seemed the same as in the past elections.

The main waiting area is what I went to see. This time there was less furniture and more food on the buffet table.

The big difference in this election at Beit Hanasi and the past?

Four years ago, when the Raam party arrived to meet the President, it was the last to arrive.

I was still there, as was an Arabic reporter. But Mansour Abbas went mostly unnoticed.

The protests across from Beit Hanasi were small and quiet this time.

So, as always, more than makes the headlines is happening in Jerusalem.

November signs are up for events. The annual OUD festival and a night of music at the Israel Museum.

Also this week, there is an international education conference, and more.

Hope to see you soon on the Jerusalem streets!

October 12-16: see what was happening on the Jerusalem streets

Sharon A

The Jerusalem streets are constantly changing.

The old and new blend and contrast throughout the city.

It had been 5 years since seeing the Schneller Compound in May 2021.

Finally returned to the area and marveled at the changes.

New buildings were still going up in the compound.

Sadly, we went to pay a shiva visit to a dear friend’s family.

With memories of good times shared, we headed home.

As before, archaeologists check the sites before the new construction begins.

So many awards in only a few days!

Israel Bonds received a Presidential Medal in honor of its 75th anniversary.

The event was at Beit Hanasi, the Israeli President’s Residence.

International leaders of Israel Bonds were present.

Did you know that, in 75 years and with so many challenges, Israel Bonds has never defaulted?

They are an investment, not a donation. I remember getting them as a child in the US.

It was a much quieter event than the civilian awards to the six flydubai heroes with so much media.

 Israel Bonds Global President and CEO Dani Naveh and U.S. and International Chairman Andrew M. Hutter received the award from President Isaac Herzog.

Another award ceremony was held at the Jerusalem Theater for the Global Jewish Educators Summit.

Eight international educators received certificates and monetary prizes.

The Jerusalem Theater was filled with international delegates along with friends and families of the winners.

The event was hosted by Minister of Diaspora Affairs Amichi Chickli.

President Isaac Herzog attended and spoke.

But of all the speakers, Miriam Perez gave the most moving and powerful remarks.

Then Friday morning it was back to Beit Hanasi for another awards ceremony.

I passed a bride out for wedding photos on a Jerusalem street near the shopping area.

You never know what’s next on the Jerusalem streets.

At Beit Hanasi was the Save a Child’s Heart (SACH) award ceremony.

Imagine having to wait in a long security line and finding people you know.

Finding out they were involved 30 years ago when SACH began!

The SACH leaders and doctors posed for photos before the ceremony.

This beautiful 7-month-old baby received treatment in Israel and is ready to return home.

Her mother does not speak English or Hebrew and was accompanied by a translator.

SACH children and volunteers were prepared to pose with the Herzogs.

African Ambassadors attended and were welcomed by the President and his wife, Michal.

However, my favorite photos were the ones with the children and the Herzogs interacting.

Another special award ceremony with a different guest list of sponsors and friends.

The President spoke, and when the program ended, it was time to get home to prepare for Shabbat.

Jerusalem signs are up to prepare for winter.

But the temperatures have been warm, and the flowers along Jerusalem streets are colorful.

What a week it was, with so many awards for good people doing good things.

Hope to see you soon on the Jerusalem streets!

In Jerusalem, after the holidays is conference time

Sharon A

It’s that time of year Israelis have been talking about for weeks, some even for months.

It’s “achrei hachagim” – after the holidays.

The holiday meal planning takes a break until Hanukkah.

The nights in Jerusalem are cooler.

The autumn sunsets are colorful wonders of nature.

On the Jerusalem streets, the Sukkot palm branches are out to be collected.

This year, adding to the busy conference and event season, the Israeli elections are scheduled for October 27.

October 4

A full house attended the Israel365 News Conference – Knesset Elections Town Hall at the Menachem Begin Heritage Center.

Rabbi Pesach Wolicki, Editorial Director and Senior Political Analyst for Israel 365 News, moderated the event.

Two panels of English-speaking candidates for the 26th Knesset represented their parties.

Each of the ten spoke passionately for their varied positions.

Were they able to influence the audience to change their minds and vote for them?

I think many voters are still having a hard time deciding. I know I am. More photos HERE

One thing for certain: don’t take walking or driving on Jerusalem streets for granted.

Changes seem to happen overnight. Get to a corner you know, and where to go?

October 7

Ceremonies started on Monday, with major events held north and south.

Sharing memories RJS –100 Days from Jerusalem to the South and North.

October 8

On Thursday, a special event at Beit Hanasi, the Israeli President’s Residence, honored flydubai’s flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv heroes.

President Issac Herzog honored six Israeli heroes who saved the flight from catastrophe.

The honorees and their wives, seated in the front row, rose as the President and his wife Michal entered.

One of dozens of hugs at that feel-good event was the President with Asaf Rajuan.

Justice Elyakim Rubinstein, chairman of the award advisory board, said “mazel tov.”

Matan Hasan provided the musical entertainment.

Or Bardilov was the sixth awardee who helped to stop the Omani co-pilot from crashing the plane into Ben Gurion Airport.

The dentist Dr. Shota Musayev has become well known for helping the injured captain stop bleeding.

The couple Tali Manes and Zvika Manes received the award together.

Their daughter, who was in the right place at the right time, received special attention.

And of course, Yaniv Hayoun, the plumber from Ness Ziona, became a celebrity overnight for his actions in the cockpit.

I don’t remember so much media, so many photographers present for recent events.

Not everyone with a camera phone was a pro. This over six-foot-tall guy was often in my way.

Camera. Selfies. Smiles and hugs galore. More photos HERE


President Isaac Herzog mentioned Indian Captain Smit Machchhar, expressing the deep gratitude of the State of Israel for his exceptional courage and determination in steering the flydubai aircraft to safety and averting catastrophe for the 174 passengers.

When Smit is well enough to come to Jerusalem, he is also to receive the Presidential Civilian Hero Award.

Three years since October 7, where are we today?

That was the theme of the Michael Levin Base Gala, which was held that night at the Jerusalem Theater.

Former IDF spokesperson Jonathan Cornicus was a featured speaker.

The first panel was with Tila Falic Levi, Yaakov Katz, and Joseph Cohen.

The second panel, led by Michael Dickson, was with Diane Neal, Fleur Hassan Nahoum, Adir Schwartz, and Nitza Darshani-Leitner.

Richard Corman was awarded the Outstanding Achievement Award.

There were more speakers, special mentions, and awards.

But I want to highlight Panama’s Ambassador Ezra Cohen and his wife. They attend so many events, always with a smile and a positive message.

I told him I had seen him in the livestream from the Davidson Center in the Old City the night before.

The Eagles Wings and Ambassador Program, with over 1,200 Christian leaders, community leaders, and influencers from over 115 countries, participated in the Friends of Zion Ambassador Summit. Their buses were on the Jerusalem streets and toured north and south.

Oh, these Jerusalem streets. Can you imagine King George Street being closed?

The old and new coming together in Jerusalem: the old #1 police station and new light rail on Jaffa Street.

I took time to walk to Beit Hanasi.

I stopped and admired these flowers on the way.

With multiple conferences all week, it was impossible to be everywhere. Here was only a brief taste of what was happening.

This coming week, there are more conferences and events at the same time.

It’s after the chagim!

Things are happening on the Jerusalem streets.