Friends of Zion Museum

Jerusalem protests, beating drums but more

Sharon A

Oh, the Jerusalem streets…

Where to begin and what to share?

The shouting of protesters beating drums as they go by, or the oppressive heat wave that has lifted?

The noise has moved on to the Prime Minister’s office or the President’s Residence.

But for most of the Jerusalem streets, it’s summer and the long summer holiday time.

And as usual, more is happening than the negative headlines you see in international news sites.

The color on the umbrellas over Yoel Salomon Street is fading under the hot summer sun.

But notice, people were strolling along as the evening breeze approached.

New street signs! Ok, not headline worthy.

However interesting, the words are so small, and how King David Street is David HaMelekh Street.

When it comes to news, there was a Newsmax event on August 13, 2025. Newsmax hosted its postponed Fourth of July celebration. Jodie Cohen interviewed Ambassador Mike Huckabee.

I made sure to say hello to Mrs. Janet Huckabee, who found the best seat at the Waldorf.

The reception went on outside while the seated room was readied for the Prime Minister.

The audience was welcomed, as Prime Minister Netanyahu was late to arrive.

I was able to get my photos before having to leave. The speech is on YouTube, so I did not miss it.

However, the next night was a highlight of the week I want to share with you.

The Good Medicine experience was indeed interesting and positive.

At the Friends of Zion, FoZ, the main program featured Chief Joseph and Dr. Laralyn RiverWind, founders of FireKeepers International, a Native American charitable organization.

Ateret Shmuel of Indigenous Bridges introduced and organized the evening.

The exchange of a Meaningful gift was symbolic of shared ideas and love.

Former Deputy Jerusalem Mayor Fleur Hassan Nahoum showed the gift she had received from the RiverWinds. She emphasized indigenous rights as Jerusalem was founded by King David.

Yes, everyone needs love and encouragement with all the negative news. Daniel Voiczek of FoZ offered thanks to the RiverWinds for their time in Israel supporting IDF soldiers.

Their presentation blended storytelling, traditional music, and cultural wisdom.

Offering hope, warrior to warrior, this was an evening of positive thoughts and feelings.

Of course, there is more on the Jerusalem streets. The National Library of Israel has its annual documentary festival from August 17 to 21, 2025.

And off soon to the Train Theater for the opening of the annual Puppet Festival.

It’s summer in Jerusalem. On and off the Jerusalem streets, it’s festival season.

Hard to believe next week is Rosh Chodesh Elul.

Time is flying.

Watch as Jerusalem Streets fill with flags, festivals and flowers

Sharon A

May in Jerusalem, Israel, is when the weather goes from winter to summer, seemingly overnight.

One day you need boots and the next sandals and a hat to protect you from the sun.

The universities announce their honorees as their boards arrive for meetings.

Even with the war for over a year and a half, these annual events seem to be happening.

It’s “back to normal.”

For the arrival of US Ambassador Mike Huckabee, many mega-welcome events have taken place.

One was at the Friends of Zion Museum on Tuesday night, with Israeli flags lining the way for guests.

The FoZ Media Center was packed as Ambassador Huckabee received the Friend of Zion award menorah.

He ended his remarks – “After being in Israel so many times and going home, this time I am home.”

He also complimented his US Embassy staff, who have kept things going with multiple ambassadors, especially Deputy Head of Mission Stephanie Hallett, who was in the audience with her husband.

Omer Shem Tov and his family were also smiling. Omer, kidnapped on October 7, shared his ordeal: “I was 505 days in Gaza in captivity. When I was there, my belief in G-D came so strong, every day I woke up and thanked G-D that I have air in my lungs, a little food on my plate, and that my family is safe in Israel.”

However, also speaking at the event was Ilan Dalal, the father of Guy Gilboa Dalal, who was kidnapped from the Nova festival. He is still being held captive by Hamas, and his parents fight on for his release.

“Free the hostages now,” is hard to ignore on many Jerusalem streets.

But at the same time, signs are up for Education Week in Jerusalem, May 18-22, 2025.

The Jerusalem International Writers Festival and Book Forum is set for May 19-22.

Outside the new National Library of Israel

And first, this week is the National Library of Israel’s Conference: Marking 20 Years of the Historical Jewish Press Project, held over three days at the new campus.

Declaration Day - May 15 at the David Citadel Hotel

On May 14, Israel Forever Foundation is to host a ‘Declaration Day’ celebration in Jerusalem.

Large flags are still flying from private buildings as Jerusalem Day is to be celebrated on May 26th.

Some flags this year have a yellow ribbon in the blue star.

In Jerusalem, one has to move mountains of stone to build roads and the light rail.

It is good to see the May flowers along the Jerusalem streets to brighten the days.

But beware, with Lag B’Omer this week, the risk for fires from uncontrolled bonfires is huge.

Next year in Jerusalem.

Am Yisrael Chai!

Oh What a Week in the Warm Jerusalem January

Sharon A

What did you hear happened on the Jerusalem streets this week?

Always something happening on the Real Jerusalem Streets that you might have missed.

It’s the end of Tevet. Tu Beshvat is over two weeks from now. But along the Jerusalem streets, the almond trees are blooming. It has been one warm and dry winter.

The dry weather has been bad for farmers but is good for road construction.

To and from Jerusalem, one must move mountains to make room for new roads.

In Gan Sacher, Sacher Park, a group of new young IDF soldiers were sitting in the midday sun.

I was walking home from the Gevura Tent or Tent of Heroes.

Families of fallen soldiers want their children not to have fallen in vain and be forgotten.

Many families came to Israel for the US Jewish school Yeshiva Week. Talks in English were scheduled from Sunday to Thursday night by widows and parents of fallen soldiers. I would have liked to have time to attend them all. But got to the first one on Zechariah Haber Hy”d – a young father of three who was extremely accomplished in Jewish and academic studies.

And on Thursday evening, Roey Weiser Hy”d was remembered by his parents. Roey was one of the first known causalities on October 7. He was killed defending Erez Crossing Base with too little ammunition against the hordes attacking from Gaza.

January 20, 2025, was Martin Luther King Junior Day in the US. Each year we acknowledge the Jerusalem street named for MLK. However, this year the US inauguration received much more attention.

The Friends of Zion hosted a mega-event to congratulate Donald Trump, with huge signs outside.

People lined up and crowded in before the announced opening time.

American-style food was served, including giant hotdogs and burgers, ending with donuts and waffles.

A few South American Ambassadors were seated in the front row.

In the main hall, the huge screen was ready for a live broadcast, after Emily Schrader interviewed Sharren Haskel, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Trump was sworn in as the 47th US President. We saw the ceremony and his talk but missed all the music.

There was a panel discussion and then the live music started with the Solomon Brothers doing US songs.

The crowds had filled every spot inside, the red hats and pins were long gone but the lights stayed on.

On the Jerusalem streets this week the hostage situation overshadowed most events.

However, one could only smile with the birthday boy Walter Bingham celebrating his 101 birthday. When you get to 101, one starts over with a ‘one’ balloon and friends and food.

I am not sure ‘until 120’ is appropriate – Walter is still working as a journalist.

This week in the sunshine and warm weather Gan Sacher was popular with young children.

Next week for the older young at heart, the Shaon Horef, Winter Noise Festival, is back on the Jerusalem streets on February Monday nights starting on Shushan Street.

Flights are to start and more tourists were around this week.

Are you coming soon to Jerusalem?

The time is good to book a Jerusalem Photo Walk.