culture

Summer in Jerusalem, Israel,

and flowers are in bloom.

Streets are quieter as families seek cooler temperatures,

US summer camps, or a day at the beach.

For those left behind this summer,

 neighborhood events in the parks for youth

and children are held in evening.

 On Jabotinsky Street, Zeev Jabotinsky Day signs are up.

A special ceremony is set for August 4th at Har Herzl.

Those signs are out for all to see;

and now for what you may not have seen.

A special panel was held at the Tzohar Conference,

at the Jerusalem International Conference Center.

Jackie Levy moderated a panel with Rav Shai Peron,

Rav Shmuel Papenheim, Rabbanit Adina Bar Shalom,

and Rabbanit Hadassah Forman.

As each told the story that changed their lives,

a talented artist illustrated as they spoke.

I had never seen that before,

the stories were interesting enough,

but the drawings were a good way to keep an after-lunch crowd

awake and attentive.

Invitations to Beit Hanasi, the Israeli President’s Residence

do not come easily and are highly valued,

so guests often linger to appreciate the gardens

before going into the reception room for an event.

This man stopped to study the informational panels

posted behind the busts of former presidents

that are lined up in the garden.

He was there for a very special ceremony.

Finally after 9 years without new appointments,

there is a new Supreme Rabbinical Court.

Here the new dayanim, rabbinical judges, posed with

the two chief rabbis, President Reuven Rivlin,

and head of the appointment committee Minster MK Yuval Steinitz.

With their varied backgrounds and experiences,

it is hoped that long overdue resolutions can be reached.

And finally,

the Olympics 2016 are starting Friday in Rio.

The largest ever Israeli Olympic team

posed outside Beit Hanasi at their official send-off.

Everyone was smiling and happy,

 I sure hope their experiences in Rio are positive,

and everyone comes back smiling for selfies.