Israel

Tisha B’Av in Jerusalem 5785

Sharon A

Tisha B’Av.

Tisha B’Av in Jerusalem, Israel, is like nowhere else in the world.

At night, as the sky grows dark, the Jerusalem streets near the Old City swell with people walking towards the Kotel, Western Wall. Tens of thousands went last night, but I wasn’t able to walk this year as usual.

Model of Jewish Temple on Aish roof top with view to Dome of the Rock in the distance

A model of the Temple was lit one night from the Aish World Center rooftop. The Golden Dome of the Rock, which was built over the site of its destruction, can be seen at the top of this image.

For those who have not been to Jerusalem and toured the areas being rediscovered, here is a 2-minute video to give you an idea of what it was before the Roman destruction.

Stones fallen from Temple Mount at base of Old City Western wall

These stones were left where they fell so many centuries ago along the base of the Western Wall.

View of Absalom's Tomb from above at night

I missed walking around the walls last night and the views on the eastern side of the Old City Walls.

Mercy Gate on the eastern wall of Jerusalem Old City walls

Last year, I got a photo of Mercy Gate as we walked by on the way to Lion’s Gate and back to the Kotel.



Ten years ago, on the night of Tisha B’Av, as every year, tens of thousands came and sang slow songs.

The Western Wall Heritage Foundation shared photos from last night of the annual scene.

Bible Lands Museum Jerusalem video from a favorite exhibit on Babylon.

And there on the rivers of Babylon told their story,

for generation after generation.

Many Jews returned to Zion with the prophets Ezra and Nehemiah,

But many wealthy families remained.

Now 2500 years later,

Many have returned to Jerusalem, Israel, and others have not.

This has been an especially hard Tisha B’Av on a personal and national level.

The situation in Gaza, with 50 hostages, and world support growing for the terrorists, is hard to see.

Next year in Jerusalem!

Who’s here in July on the hot Jerusalem streets?

Sharon A

It’s too hot today to be out on the Jerusalem streets during this heat wave.

There are fewer tourists on the Jerusalem streets this summer,

not due to the sun blazing down, but to the rain of ballistic missiles last month.

photo raising Israeli flag

In July 2013, the Maccabiah opening was held in Teddy Stadium.

What a night it was!

Before July 2017, the Jerusalem streets were ready for the 20th Maccabiah.

Long-planned and Covid-postponed, the 21st Maccabiah opening event was held at Teddy Stadium in the Malha neighborhood of Jerusalem, Israel, in July 2022.

For the 2022 opening event, 30,000 people attended. What a light show and fireworks display.

What proud smiles as the Maccabiah teams marched in. In all the chaos, finding a familiar face – priceless.

Officially, Maccabiah 2022 had 74 delegations with 10,274 participants, and thousands of supporters.

Joe Biden and Yair Lapid

In addition to the Israeli President and Prime Minister making an appearance, US President Joe Biden was there in 2022, waving his USA Maccabiah hat to the crowd and TV audience.

But this year, Maccabiah had to postpone its July international mega sports events in Israel until 2026.

The Jerusalem streets are quiet this July, as many tourists and groups have changed their plans due to canceled flights and fear. What is in the headlines is too often not really what’s happening here.

However, last week, the theme was “Better together – Stronger than ever,” 180 educators, principals, and Jewish community leaders from 22 countries arrived in Israel to participate in Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael – Jewish National Fund’s (KKL-JNF) annual educational seminar.

“The presence of these educators in Israel at such a time is a powerful declaration of commitment and moral courage,” said Sar-Shalom Jerbi, head of KKL-JNF’s Education and Community Division. 

There was music and food served on the patio of the Menachem Begin Heritage Center for the closing.

Ifat Ovadia-Luski, Chair of the KKL-JNF Board of Directors, posed and smiled, surrounded by participants.

“Better Together, Stronger” than ever as the World Education Conference concluded with the walls of the Old City across the way in the distance on the pleasant Monday evening.

For some attendees, the seminar marked their first visit to Israel; for others, it had been many years since they last visited. It was certainly important for them to hear from residents from the north and south who are still displaced. to better understand what was really happening in Israel.

Zohar Vloski, Global Executive Director of Zionist Education at Jewish National Fund-USA, has led these missions for over a decade. He noted that the U.S. delegation was composed of senior educators, principals, cantors, and Jewish communal leaders, now with a greater understanding and appreciation, to bring back messages of strength and unity to their respective communities.

The Maccabiah Jerusalem night run was in 2022, and the night run was also canceled this summer.

The young Maccabiah athletes and their supporters from around the world were not able to come,

but everyone is looking forward to “Next year in Jerusalem.”

Israelis and Druze coming together in good times and bad

Sharon A

Summer and the Jerusalem streets are hot during the day.

On weekdays, the Municipality tempts tourists with price cuts and deals. Residents try their best to get away from the city. Now, with the skies opening, Cyprus and Azerbaijan are two popular destinations this summer. However, because of recent news, the Druze and their relationship to Israel have become important to share.

It was quite a beautiful sight. Druze women from the north came by the hundreds in October 2010. Wearing their white head coverings to participate in the Komen Race for the Cure. Walking from Gan Sacher, Sacher Park, toward the Old City walls under white umbrellas to rest in the shade. That was the day I started a Facebook page because I had so many photos.

Israel President, Head of Labor Court, Supreme Court and Minister of Justice pose with Druze female judge

This photo is from last year on July 20th, the Israeli President, the Head of the Labor Court, the Supreme Court, and the Minister of Justice posed with Israel’s first Druze female judge.

Israel President, Head of Labor Court, Supreme Court and Minister of Justice pose with Druze female judge speaks

She spoke as family and friends with phone cameras recorded the historic message.

Today, President Isaac Herzog announced the second group of 15 recipients of the new annual “Presidential Medal for Civil Valor.”  Included was Milhem Asaad, a Druze citizen from Maccasra-Samie, a Maccabi Tel Aviv fan who flew to a game in Amsterdam. When the pogrom began on the streets of Amsterdam at a Maccabi Tel Aviv game, he took advantage of the fact that he spoke Arabic to mislead the rioters, thus saving many fans and warning other fans of the danger.

Yom Haatzmaut Druze leaders at Har Herzl

On Yom Haatzmaut, Israel Independence Day, these Druze leaders were honored guests at the televised Har Herzl ceremony with front row seats.

Jerusalem Marathon Druze families with OneFamily group

At the Jerusalem Marathon, Druze women participated with the OneFamily Together Organization.

Israel Memorl at entrance to Norfeish

Israelis and Druze come together in good times and mourning. The Israeli and Druze flags were flying together on July 19, 2017.

Men mourning Kamil Shnaan in Horfeish who was murdered by terrorist near Temple Mount

At the time, we traveled far north to pay a condolence call to the two Druze families whose sons were the policemen killed in Jerusalem near Lions Gate on July 14.

Druze female mourners dressed in black with white scarves

The women sat together outside, across the street.

A bereaved mother with a photo of their son supported by his sisters.

Mourners of Kamil Shnaan policeman who was shot by terrorists

Mourning another Druze policeman who fell in the line of duty.

Another stop for this bereaved father – the women asked that their photos not be taken.

Picture of Haiel Sitawe from women's mourning room, one of several located behind where they sat

However, they had this photo of Haiel Sitawe smiling down above where the women sat.

More of that day was posted from Maalot to Hamamish – Jews and Druze bound together in mourning

It was last July when a rocket hit a football pitch in Majdal Shams, killing 12 Druze children.

I remember my first time at the Knesset sitting across from a Druze Member of Knesset in the dairy lunch room. He spoke of the long and sometimes difficult tradition of Druze support of Israel.

Israel is coming to the aid of Druze being attacked and murdered nearby in Syria while the world watches.

Here were only a few examples of Israel and Druze coming together in good times and bad.