In Jerusalem, Israel, this past week, Presidents were in the news – in Israel and in the United States.
Some events made headlines more than others, and as usual, more happened on the Jerusalem streets than you might have heard about.
Twenty-seven world leaders were hosted in private meetings at Beit Hanasi, the Israeli President’s Residence, before and after the Fifth World Holocaust Forum (WHF).
Close to fifty world leaders converged on the Jerusalem streets for the WHF, which met for the first time in Jerusalem, to mark the 75th year since the liberation of Auschwitz and the 5th WHF.
In January 2020, the world was focused on Jerusalem to discuss antisemitism.
In Gan Sacher, preparations for the dedication of the Leningrad Memorial, in the presence of Russian President Vladimir Putin and Jerusalem and Israeli leaders, were rushing to completion.
Those memories returned as I walked through Sacher Park in the evening and noticed the lights in the monument with the Israeli Supreme Court Building in the background.
Oh, how things have changed in the past five years.
The lights were also on at Beit Hanasi in the evening for the installation ceremony of Israel’s two new Chief Rabbis.
Sephardi Chief Rabbi Dovid Yosef and Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi Kalman Ber sat next to President Isaac Herzog with Members of Knesset and other honored guests in the front of the audience.
I saw Rabbi Yosef before the ceremony, and noticed he looked similar to his father and brother who were previous Chief Rabbis,
however, he didn’t wear the same attire.
This is a favorite photo of mine, at the installation of the previous chief rabbis eleven years ago, with President Shimon Peres and Rabbis Lau, father and son. Israeli Presidents have a 7-year term, the Chief Rabbis serve for 10 years
This week’s event was not in the small diplomatic room, but in Beit Hanasi‘s main hall, with families and guests looking on.
The rabbis spoke of unity and working together, as Rav Yosef concluded his remarks in English, with “Let’s make the rabbanut great again,” a day before the US election day.
The formal diplomatic room has been remodeled recently, with a yellow chair in the corner.
Only the carpet, menorah, and state symbol look the same as when the room was yellow -as in 2017, when the room was readied for the President of the United States.
US President Donald Trump’s visit to Jerusalem on Jerusalem Day was welcomed by President Rivlin.
A favorite photo from the day at Beit Hanasi was of the audience with Ivanka and Jared Kushner.
I followed the Presidents and their wives outside to the Beit Hanasi back garden to see the “Trump Tree.”
The weather changed from hot to cold at night, but the tree now seems to have grown tall, losing its leaves in the autumn weather.
There is more than Presidents on the Jerusalem streets. It took me several minutes to understand the Hebrew in this ad for the Jerusalem Opera performance at the Jerusalem Theater – for Madame Butterfly.
Sadly, these signs are easy to understand–the frustration of over 400 days with hostages still in Gaza.
It’s much better to see, happy occasions, like new couples getting married and driving off in their decorated car.
The Piano Festival and Jerusalem Arts Festival are this month also.
Waiting to see what new flowers will go in the large flower bed near Bloomfield Park and the Montefiore Windmill as winter weather is coming in soon.
But these are appearing on the Jerusalem streets, small bits of color for you to see.
If not now, Next year in Jerusalem!
