For 2025, I saw a cartoon with two doors.
The one on the left says, “Disengage and hope it turns out ok for you.”
The one on the right says, “Fight for what’s right.”
RJS plans to keep engaging for 2025, as it has over the past years.
There were lovely days and nights over Hanukkah, with warm sunny days and cool nights.
So many lights lit up the Jerusalem streets for eight nights.
Crowds filled Mamilla Mall for live music, dancing, and donuts almost every night.
Programs for children were held in small venues and
Jerusalem Cinema City had special activities in addition to the regular holiday movies.
However, on the sixth night, it rained.
Rain poured down most of the day. Jerusalem managed ballistic missile attacks in the middle of the night better than the flooded roads and gridlocked traffic with cars and buses full of Hanukkah partygoers.
We finally got through the traffic congestion and arrived at Hadassah Hospital Mount Scopus –
but oops, we found the wrong Hanukkah celebration, in the wrong building.
Instead, our party was in the new Gandel Rehabilitation Center, for wounded soldiers and their families and the OneFamily volunteers who come each week to help from their war injuries.
Only in Israel? The basements of hospitals are ready for attack with underground emergency units.
Activities, good food, and music filled part of the lower level for the special Hanukkah celebration.
Nefesh Be’Nefesh held a special family celebration for Hanukkah.
When I saw this man at the party I thought he was an actor. When I saw him leaving, I decided to snap a photo of the best Hanukkah costume of the year.
There are still no nature photo walks at the still-shuttered Wohl Rose Garden near the Knesset.
“Bring them home now” signs line the Rose Garden and many Jerusalem streets.
Celebrations private and public, the war on many fronts, and the 100 hostages are always in mind.
The fallen Israeli heroes, over 825, include 85 since Sinwar was eliminated in Gaza.
Sitting home, reading the news, or scrolling on social media, the UN agencies’ lies and obsession against Israel are appalling. For over a year, the Red Cross has not helped Israeli hostages including children.
The clear weather is not good for farmers, but great to get out and walk and see what’s new.
Gan Sacher, Sacher Park has new information signs.
Jerusalem Old City walls were illuminated with projections the same as two years ago.
“Hanukkah of gold and of light” was Jerusalem’s new Hanukkah message this year.
The Outline Festival 2024 is continuing into 2025. “Unknown” is what is ahead for the new year.
However, new buildings have risen above the Jerusalem streets.
Too many Jerusalem streets are dug up for construction and the future light rail tracks.
New bus stops are going up in new locations to add to the construction confusion.
The Real Jerusalem Streets aims to keep sharing what’s real, what’s happening in Jerusalem, Israel.
Not all is good, but with the sun shining and days getting longer, there is hope for better days.
If you want only good news, go to my friend Michael’s Only Good News Israel
However, to end with one good thing – the views and positive comments on this simple video from Sukkot Birkat Cohanim, keep coming.
May 2025 and 5785 bring blessings for all.