current-events

From Yom Kippur to Sukkot on the Jerusalem streets

Sharon A

Yom Kippur in Jerusalem, Israel, is a quiet and solemn time.

The traffic lights flash yellow, and all traffic stops.

This year, the number of children on scooters seemed to grow over those on bicycles filling the Jerusalem streets.

The RJS camera is stashed away. I have no photos of the people dressed in white flowing along the Jerusalem streets or inside during the long day of prayers and fasting. Then the shrill sounds of the shofar break the silence as night begins and preparations for Sukkot start.

The day after Yom Kippur, a favorite sukkah was back on a Jerusalem street.

Plenty of strings, ropes, and ties were for sale for building a sukkah.

Major markets for the etrog and lulavim were established, but simple tables also popped up on the streets.

Sukkot were being put up in open areas all around Jerusalem.

Patience was required as sanitation workers disposed of mountains of excess packaging.

These Zaka vehicles were on the Jerusalem streets the day after Yom Kippur near the Israeli President’s Residence.

However, no terrible emergency was involved.

President Herzog was honoring their service at Beit Hanasi at a special event. He described ZAKA’s work as a form of “continuous duty” that begins when the work of other emergency responders ends. “You always arrive after the storm, always to a place where there is already nothing left to save.”

Another special event was held in the Mekor Chaim neighborhood, a groundbreaking for a new synagogue building.

Construction in this area has started for several new buildings.

Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion joined the supporters and well-wishers for the event.

He spoke and joined the synagogue rabbi and congregants to honor the donors involved.

Then, on Thursday morning, the day before Sukkot, the 7th Jerusalem Biennale had a media tour of one of its 22 sites, at the old National Library.

I like media tours to get photos to share before the crowds at the opening night event.

American artist Richard McBee posed for me in front of his paintings as we toured the contemporary art exhibition.

In its 13th year, this Jerusalem Biennale 2026 filled the former library space.

Not all of the over 200 artists are Jewish; this featured work is by an Arab artist.

From Portland Art/Lab, from the US, a first-time participant, a pile of dirt to shovel into bags,

and next to it, walls of ‘Meuzzah to the Moon.’

Curators Porat Solomon and Daniel Sperber shared information on “Or Chozer: An Active Vision.”

I had seen this and been impressed over the years, but had not appreciated the artist’s story. Mordechai Ardon, a European secular artist, incorporated Hebrew and biblical texts into his masterpiece.

In the upper right corner, his vision of weapons turned into plowshares.

There’s much more, so I recommend the Jerusalem Biennale 2026. It runs until November 12, and this venue is free of charge, located on the Givat Ram Campus of Hebrew University.

Hebrew is often hard to translate.

מתעמקים – de Profundis is what Ram Ozeri decided worked better than ‘From the Depths’ as this year’s theme.

More photos of the Biennale HERE

To round off the four days between Yom Kippur and Sukkot, a new Torah was dedicated Thursday night- just in time for Simchat Torah.

Friday, it was time to get back in the kitchen and prepare for dinner in the sukkah.

Glad to go out for lunch with family and friends!

The streets are full of tourists for this holiday season – this year in Jerusalem, with an endless list of events.

Check back next week to see what is happening on the real Jerusalem streets!

Moadim l’simcha!

Jerusalem streets fill with people and music before Yom Kippur

Sharon A

The Jerusalem streets have been crowded each night, with tens of thousands heading to the Kotel, the Western Wall, for selihot. These middle-of-the-night prayers before Yom Kippur have become a “thing.”

People, especially young people from all over, secular and religious, at the Kotel and flowing into the surrounding area after 1 a.m. have become the new norm.

Buses, light rail trains, and Jerusalem streets were packed with people on Thursday night.

One special event was held in the old Shaare Zedek Hospital building on Jaffa Street.

Organizations supporting lone soldiers and B’not Sherut national service volunteers came together under the leadership of ImpactIL®, founded by Lesley Kaplan, partnering with The Michael Levin Base. Booths, business owners, and mentors offered support and guidance for soldiers at this event, especially the lone soldiers and lone B’not Sherut participants, either after service or as their service neared its end.

Yeshiva University was one of many educational options to explore.

Inside, mentors were available for young people to meet and connect.

Inside and outside, people at stations were available to help.

Most of the 150 soldiers were not in uniform, and only a few had weapons.

It was an opportunity for those who finished their service to become financially smarter.

Soft music was played throughout the evening event.

It was wonderful to see so many worthwhile organizations working together.

Another less publicized event was held at Beit Hanasi, the Israeli President’s Residence.

President Herzog hosted a selihot music program organized by Rabbi Benny Lau’s 929 bible study organization.

This year the theme was “Gates”; opening the gates was on the program and on these magnets.

For this musical-based event, photos did not suffice, so please enjoy these short videos:

A beautiful rendition of “Who By Fire ” by the Yagel Haroush Ensemble.

More music from the Yagel Haroush Ensemble for Selihot 5787.

Yagel Haroush Ensemble posed with President Isaac and Michal Herzog after the performance.

The young people invited each year are treated to a unique experience initiated by President Reuven Rivlin.

One memory from when President Rivlin got involved with Selihot is still a favorite.

Not sure how to spell it in English, but David D’Or’s version was a highlight at musical selihot events this year, so I’m sharing one from almost a decade ago.

May you hear the music yourself: “Next year in Jerusalem!”

Even before Yom Kippur, signs were up for the Sukkot Jerusalem Parade on September 28, 2026, with family events planned for Gan Sacher, Sacher Park.

Always something happening on the Real Jerusalem Streets.

This time of year, it’s hard to keep up and impossible to be everywhere.

Shana tova, gmar hatima tova

Three highlights from a Jerusalem week like no other

Sharon A

Was it a whiplash/12-hour/one-day/or annual June War?

Anyway, the past week was more of an unamusing amusement-park ride than the usual roller coaster of the Jerusalem streets.

Sunday threats turned to Monday morning siren alerts of incoming Iranian ballistic missiles.

Events were canceled. Some were postponed due to security situations. Reservists were called back into uniform.

Children on school trips in the north were brought home in the middle of the night.

And BOOM. The next day, it was over and back to regular programming.

It was nice to relax on Tuesday night at the Tower of David Jerusalem Museum.

The weather was perfect. Whatever was going to happen had happened.

Now it was time for – Lights. Action. Music.

The featured performer was Assaf Amdursky, one of Israel’s leading contemporary musicians.

The temporary galleries for the past year have had an exhibit on the life and music of Yehoram Gaon.

On Tuesday night, the exhibition came to life with a special concert.

With Gaon called to the stage, the cell phones came out to record him.

On the stage for one classic song – here’s one minute of the performance.

The citadel courtyard was filled with music for an appreciative audience, with the colorful lighting on the stone walls adding to the experience.

I walked home past Gan Haatzmaut, Independence Park. The construction fencing contained a picture of the future Mamilla Pool project.

Most of Gan Haatzmaut’s green area is also surrounded by construction fencing.

Construction fencing is showing future development projects near Zion Square.

At least some renovation projects are announcing completion, as seen here next to the Mamilla Hotel.

The annual Hebrew Book Week opened at Kikar Safra.

Hundreds of people, of all ages, come each night.

This statue was an interesting feature and was accepting donations.

The Hebrew books are from a long list of varied sellers and publishers.

Marking 100 years from its inception, celebrating Hebrew books in Israel.

My favorite was seeing the generations together, families, with 3 generations, grandparents bringing their grandchildren.

The Hebrew Book Week moved to Kikar Safra last year, due to the light rail construction at First Station.

The light rail tracks have made some progress, but walking, not only driving, can be complicated.

Traffic lights have disappeared. New signs pop up every day.

Another of the series on Prime Ministers was held at the Begin Center.

I recommend the talk about Golda from Meron Medzini. I found it fascinating.

Medzini was born in Jerusalem in 1932. He knew all the Prime Ministers and was her spokesperson. He spoke well, very well. Fascinating bits of history.

What a week it was on the Jerusalem streets!

President Herzog welcomed the President of Somaliland on His First State Visit to Israel this morning. It is a Muslim country with 6 million people, so the l’chaim was with orange juice, not wine.

Now we go on to see what will happen next.