Israel Museum – The Real Jerusalem Streets

See Jerusalem before the Iranian missiles of Operation Roaring Lion

March 1, 2026March 1, 2026Sharon A

What a week this was!

The warnings and sirens of Operation Roaring Lion/Epic Fury rang out on Shabbat morning.

It’s almost hard to remember what happened in Jerusalem, Israel, before the alarms sounded, sending us to the shelter in our building multiple times.

But always, things were happening on and off the Jerusalem streets you should know about.

Before the cold weather and skies raining ballistic missiles from Iran, there were important events.

President Herzog hosted the annual Iftar meal at Beit Hanasi, the President’s official residence.

Important to note that the Abraham Accords Ambassadors to Israel attended, along with Arab leaders.

The Knesset was preparing all day for the afternoon arrival of the Prime Minister of India.

Flags and banners were outside the building

and inside the Knesset building, too.

I remember when the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, was in Israel from July 4- 7, 2017.

He received lots of warm hugs from President Rivlin and media attention.

This time, besides the warm welcome, Modi also spoke at the Knesset Plenary.

I went to attend the session where US Ambassador Mike Huckabee was speaking at the Knesset Caucus for Israel–U.S. Relations, initiated by the Ruderman Family Foundation. Chaired by Knesset Member Ohad Tal, it marked the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States.

“For a $7 trillion-a-year budget, the support that goes to Israel is a tiny blip,” he said.

He mentioned that Americans don’t think about it because Iran is 8,000 miles away. Emphasizing that for over 47 years, Iran has killed thousands of Americans and is working to build a global nuclear threat.

For the distinguished guests, there was a display of Israeli antiquities along a main hall.

The Israel Museum is closed today. Important works were moved to secure locations.

I was there on Thursday to see the new exhibits to celebrate its 60th anniversary.

It was very different than the 50th big birthday bash.

The iconic Shrine of the Book is where the Dead Sea Scrolls are safeguarded.

The Israel Museum preserves and displays invaluable antiquities.

For the first time, a behind-the-scenes preservation lab is visible, enabling museum visitors to watch the work being done.

The crown jewel of the celebration is “A Voice from the Desert: The Great Isaiah Scroll,” curated by Hagit Maoz.

The story began in 1947 when a young Bedouin shepherd entered a cave near Qumran.

He found a parchment in one of the clay pots.

The exhibit shares a video of the journey of the Isaiah Scroll from the desert to Jerusalem and its current home.

For the first time since 1968, the Great Isaiah Scroll has been unrolled to its full 24-foot length.

The public can book to see it for ten minutes in groups of 25.

Hopefully, the Israel Museum will be able to open again soon.

Because of preservation precautions, this exhibition was to be for only 4 months.

Leaving the room with the real deal, a copy is on the wall. Highlighted are quotes along the text.

“Comfort, Oh comfort My people” is one.

Oh, how timely, beating “their swords into plowshares” and “The wolf shall dwell with the lamb” are two others.

Cinema City is preparing for the Jerusalem Marathon on March 27, 2026.

Shops are preparing for Purim.

What will the celebrations be this year?

No one knows for sure.

The big signs and plans are for a Shushan Purim mega event near the National Library and Museums.

“Shout for joy, you who dwell in Zion!” is another quote from Isaiah – as we take shelter from Iranian ballistic missiles – again.

Back on the Jerusalem Streets

December 4, 2022December 4, 2022Sharon A

Eight years?

It has been eight years since I left Israel to go overseas. I, too, was one of the millions who decided it was time to travel again. It was good to go to the US for a happy occasion and see so many relatives and friends again.

However, I was even happier arriving safely back at Ben Gurion Airport.

Back on the Jerusalem streets in time to see President Herzog depart to the Kingdom of Bahrain, to be the first Israeli head of state to visit Bahrain, on a State Visit at the invitation of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa.

Oh, the things I saw in America during the shopping sale days

before Thanksgiving and Black Friday crowds.

Glitter and glitz and gifts galore, “Let it glow” next to “Mint to be” caught my eye in one of the bigger stores with endless merchandise.

While back on the Jerusalem streets, the new orange recycling bins are out.

Though with the World Cup Mondiale going on in Qatar – football or soccer – was much more important in many homes and on the Jerusalem streets.

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Plenty of Israeli flags and late-night youth events as “Chodesh Irgun” came to a close, a month of intense youth group activities kept families busy.

On a walk in the midday sunshine after a long flight and being away, I stopped to read all the new posters for some of the upcoming events.

Hanukkah is in two weeks and the preparations are underway.

In celebration of India’s 75th anniversary as an independent state, the Israel Museum is holding a new display, Body of Faith: Sculpture from the National Museum of India.

There is a ride available, but I like the long walk to enter the Museum.

There was Indian music at the opening night reception.

Kosher wine was served, with the kosher Indian food, which went too fast for me to get a photograph, but I was able to grab a few items to taste.

Celebrating India’s art and independence, President Isaac Herzog spoke to

the assembled guests in the museum’s theater auditorium.

The Ambassador of India, Mr. Sanjeev Singla, also spoke at the opening of the new display at the Israel Museum.

The Indian dancers who performed during the program posed near the exhibition upstairs as the exhibit was officially opened.

Going up the stairs quickly, I was able to get a photograph of the main room before it became crowded with visitors.

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Entitled, Body of Faith, Sculpture from the National Museum in India, these rare pieces exemplify ancient religious art.

“Shiva as the Lord of Dance” Tamil Nadu, Southern India, Chola dynasty, (ca.300 BCE-1279) 12th-century bronze piece is on loan from the National Museum in New Delhi.

Fourteen of these historic pieces are seen in Israel for the first time in this important diplomatic and cultural exchange.

India is celebrating 75 years as an established state. Israel’s 75th is coming up soon. There are many important partnerships.

Walking away from the upper floor of the Israel Museum on such a beautiful night I had to stop and take some photos.

As I walked outside down the stairs, marveling how others were missing the spectacular sights, but happy not to have them in my photos.

The Israel Museum any night is lovely and it was good to be home.

Then I noticed the dome of the Shrine of Book was lit purple, one of the Israeli sites marking International Day of Disabled People (IDDP), a global event to promote inclusion and advocate for the rights of disabled people.

Good to be back on the Jerusalem streets. But hoping to see the Jerusalem streets more inclusive. While the Old City is now wheelchair accessible, the elevator is still in the future. We still have a long way to go. I hope you can see for yourself soon.

Jerusalem in Autumn Colors

November 13, 2022November 13, 2022Sharon A

While I miss the colorful autumn leaves from the North Eastern United States, it was a very colorful week in Jerusalem.

Different colors, such as the colorful wedding we attended to start the week.

Occasionally an interesting leaf appears on a Jerusalem street.

But it was the bright yellow of the blooming flowers

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and newly planted Jerusalem flower beds that really got my attention.

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Under a bright blue sky with white clouds, Jerusalem was full of color.

The Israeli Presidential Medal of Honor was awarded to President Nicos Anastasiades of the Republic of Cyprus at Beit Hanasi by President Herzog.

During the ceremony, the colorful flowers outside the window distracted me and caught my attention.

But I put together a short video if you want to see more of the event.

Not only are there new colors in the smaller receiving room,

but new colorful Jerusalem artwork is displayed on the walls.

A few hours after the Medal of Honor ceremony the furniture was rearranged in order to receive the representatives of the political parties to recommend a candidate to form the new government.

As in the recent past, the President’s discussions were broadcast live.

The procedure began with Likud, the party with the most votes.

The media has the same view on screens from a reception space off the main room, however, I decided to go to see what was happening.

Here a TV news person reported in Arabic as the Noam party finished their turn with a recommendation to the President.

I waited to see the United Arab List (Ra’am) delegation comprising Mansour Abbas MK, Yasser Hajirat MK-elect, and Iman Khatib-Yasin MK arrive on the red carpet to tell the President they would not make a recommendation.

I did not stay around to see if they made a comment after or were followed out by journalists for comment as I saw for the Noam members.

The media was out in full when President Isaac Herzog assigned the task of forming a government to Benjamin Netanyahu MK at the President’s Residence today. So glad I got a front-row seat and was not standing on a chair in the back of the crowded room.

But more was happening this week than election news.

How appropriate that a book launch for “A Banker’s Journey: How Edmond J. Safra built a global financial empire” was held at the Israel Museum.

The Museum Theater where author Daniel Gross spoke with journalist Matti Friedman was next to the Edmond and Lily Safra Art Wing.

Colorful posters line some Jerusalem streets announcing events and festivals, like the Tower of David’s ZEROline II 1/2 on November 11-13.

Then there is the Israel Music Showcase Festival on November 22-27 and more, such as The Train Theater conference to begin on International Children’s Day on November 20, entitled, “How a child writes.”