Conference of Presidents

If it’s February,

it’s time for Presidents again.

In the United States, February means a long holiday weekend

in honor of the birthdays of President George Washington

and President Abraham Lincoln.

Since I have used these Jerusalem streets signs often,

I went to find something new.

I went looking for the sign where the two streets meet,

only to find, there is no sign on that Jerusalem corner.

Over 6,000 people came from around the world

for the OurCrowd Global Summit last week.

with Elli Q, one of hundreds of amazing Israeli innovations.

Presidents of companies and leaders of the Startup Nation

networked and shared their ideas and talents.

At another venue, the annual Conference of Presidents

of Major American Jewish Organizations met again this year

in Jerusalem, Israel, after a kosher dinner in the royal palace in Morocco

and a stopover in Cairo to meet President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi.

President Reuven Rivlin was the first speaker,

and no, the President was not so excited to see me.

The former President of Bulgaria Rosen Plevneliev

was in the banquet hall for the opening dinner.

He really is a friendly person.

On his way to visit President Rivlin at Beit Hanasi,

the official residence of the Israeli President,

the former President of Bulgaria and his team,

stopped, said hello, smiled and posed for photos.

But as usual in February,

most people are not thinking about all these Presidents,

they are busy thinking about

costumes, candy for gifts, and meals fit for a king,

Machane Yehudah Market, the shuk, has been ready for weeks.

No matter the weather,

colorful fabric for costumes lines the sidewalks on Jaffa Road.

Purim is coming.

Helicopters hovering above the Jerusalem, Israel, streets

are usually a sign of bad news.

But during the third week in February,

it could be anything or anyone,

with so many presidents and dignitaries visiting.

In the US, Monday’s Presidents Day combines honoring

George Washington,

and Abraham Lincoln.

The two Jerusalem streets honoring them are next to each other,

but note that in Hebrew ‘Lincoln’ is pronounced, Link-o-lin.

As usual, there were many more presidents here during Presidents week.

The American Conference of Presidents Leadership

Mission to Israel is being briefed by a whole range of speakers.

The sessions on threats and security are very daunting,

with Iran, ISIS, Hezbollah, Syria, PA and Hamas at our doors,

but just read if you can this telegram from August 1914.

It begins, “Palestinian Jews facing terrible crisis.”

‘Nothing new under the sun’ might be the best response.

However, this was a good week

to get out of the hotels and houses.

With sun shining and warm temperatures,

it was a great time to walk

in Gan Ha’atzmaut, Independence Park,

although not many people took advantage,

which could be even better for the few who did.

While there were few roses in bloom,

the almond tree blossoms burst forth this week.

I now appreciate the Tu B’Shevat children’s holiday song.

From not seeing any blossoms for the Tu B’Shevat holiday,

starting Friday they seem to have popped out all over.

Rain and now shine,

runners have taken to the streets.

The Jerusalem Marathon is a month away,

and those seriously participating are seriously training.

Finally,

I am sharing again,

in case you missed this double rainbow from last week.

Until the next rainbow, it will be a favorite photo,

even though the real thing was so much more impressive.

Now off on a photo walk, to show tourists,

some of what is really happening off the Jerusalem streets.

Always different, as you never know what you will find.

The Real Jerusalem Streets

President Time in Jerusalem

Another Week of Presidents in Jerusalem