Israel – Page 3 – The Real Jerusalem Streets

See this week in Jerusalem: faith, memory, and celebrations

May 25, 2025May 25, 2025Sharon A

The Jerusalem streets are getting more crowded and busier as the days grow warmer.

Conferences and meetings, and tourists are arriving daily, despite the negatives you see in the news.

The Museum of Tolerance laid out a big blue carpet for the World Jewish Congress delegates from 72 countries who met in Jerusalem, Israel, for the first time in nineteen years.

The gala opening evening began with Eden Golan singing “October Rain.”

How was she in so many places this week in such a short time?

During the program, Sylvan Adams, the new head of WJC Israel, announced he wants another 1,000,000 people to immigrate to Israel in the coming year.

I was trying to get a good shot of the front row with US Ambassador Mike Huckabee. I noticed women dressed in white, but now I also notice the cool colors of those socks.

Between the speeches of unity, action, and impact, the Israeli singer David D’Or was one of the singers.

He had most of the audience up on their feet, and some dancing to his lively musical arrangements.

In contrast, the Award of Resilience was presented to hostage survivor Tal Shalem by Ronald Lauder, the WJC President. Shalem spoke movingly about his experiences.

US Ambassador Mike Huckabee seems to be everywhere. Each time he speaks with encouraging words. His description of Iran as the kitchen from which all the terror comes, and as a tree that needs not to be trimmed but its trunk cut down, seems too good to be true.

Do his words reach Washington?

A unique event was held at the National Library of Israel on Thursday night, The Codices of Damascus.

Twelve of the ancient illuminated Bibles retrieved from Damascus synagogues in the 1990s were on display in the special exhibition space for a limited time only.

These volumes from the 13th century were considered good luck and stored away in Damascus synagogues before finding their way to Israel and the National Library for safekeeping.

The program was for the yahrzeit of Rabbi Avraham Hamra, the last Chief Rabbi of Syria, who died four years ago. It began with a memorial prayer by his son, Rabbi Benjamin Hamra.

Followed by an interview with Mossad’s Efraim Halevy, who, much to my disappointment, revealed none of the intrigue involved in rescuing the books. All he divulged was that he met the Rabbi in New York.

Besides the valuable Bibles, they helped hundreds of Syrian Jews escape from Syria to the US.

Besides the memorial for Rabbi Hamra, the evening was appropriate before Shavuot, the holiday of the giving of the Torah, the chain from generation to generation.

Also on Thursday night, the Tower of David was lit up for a special award ceremony.

Twelve veteran members of the Jerusalem community were honored for their varied accomplishments as builders of Jerusalem. Jerusalem Mayor Lion presented awards. A video interview was shown of each one.

The outdoor spaces were filled with families and friends of the distinguished twelve men and women.

Entertainment filled out the program, with the lights and sound resonating onto the Jerusalem streets.

Six of the honorees sat on each side of the stage area.

Former Deputy Supreme Court President Eliaykim Rubenstein spoke on behalf of the award winners.

More music filled out the program before the singing of “HaTikva.”

People honored as a Yakir Yerushalayim are all seniors who have helped Jerusalem in various ways.

The building goes on and on. First going down and down, before going up and up.

The programs for children keep going and growing in Jerusalem, too.

Jerusalem was divided before 1967, for 19 years, when Jews were not allowed in the Old City.

It is important to remember.

Jerusalem on Yom Yerushalayim – the night of May 25- May 26, 2025 – is a reason to celebrate.

Chag sameach!

While the war rages, antisemitic attacks are worldwide, news headlines are bleak.

I will leave you with a bit of the music of David D’Or for the World Jewish Congress.

This week in Jerusalem – Am Yisrael Chai.

In Jerusalem, echoes of the past, steps in the present

May 18, 2025May 18, 2025Sharon A

It’s that time of year again on the Jerusalem streets.

When the blazing sun and heat of summer arrive as a surprise.

The night before was cold enough to wear a warm jacket.

The green grasses of Jerusalem’s nature spots have turned dry to golden hues.

Last week, before the heat wave, a few noteworthy events were held.

The National Library of Israel (NLI) hosted an international conference on 20 years of Jewish History in journalism, beginning on Monday night in the large theater auditorium.

The National Library is usually a very busy place with people working and doing research. To get a photo like this was special because the library closed to the public at midday on Tuesday.

The chairs and posters of kidnapped Israelis were lined up neatly near the lower entrance.

President Herzog escorted German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier on a tour of the new library, part of Germany and Israel celebrating 60 years of diplomatic relations.

The tour started with a view from above the main reading research area.

A stop by the wall in the entrance lobby of the faces of the October 7 victims is projected on the wall.

Then the Presidents and their wives stopped to see various items on display. This Bünting cloverleaf map, also known as The World in a Cloverleaf, with Jerusalem in the center, was published in 1581 and has been reproduced many times over the millennia.

I was able to take multiple photos of various empty locations from new angles.

The tour was on the other side, receiving information from the NLI Director General, Oren Weinberg.

Up and then down the circular staircase of the library we went.

With a stop by the chairs, on the way out of the building.

Steinmeier was one of the first world leaders to arrive in Israel in October 2023.

Then the tour continued outside.

Finally, an explanation of the stones arranged in the garden by the artist. I have yet to be there when the sun casts good shadows for the letter shapes.

I hope they noticed the Knesset and flags in the background across the street from the NLI.

On the right side, the dark blue screen is a temporary security barrier. Security goes up and up over the years.

For previous German leaders’ visits to Jerusalem, it was possible to get into Beit Hanasi.

Not only into the President’s Residence, but also outside in the garden to see the Presidential tree.

This time, Steinmeier got a Presidential medal, but the event was closed to the press.

The international visitors for the digital journalism and other attendees were able to follow through on their 3-day conference at the NLI on Tuesday.

It concluded on Wednesday with the only session in English with international speakers.

May 14, 1948, was the date of the Israeli Declaration of Independence. Three years ago, Elana Heideman of IsraelForever Foundation began promoting Declaration Day to reaffirm Israel’s independence.

Each year has gotten bigger and better; it was held this past week at the David Citadel in Jerusalem, Israel.

A full reproduction of the New York Times from May 15, 1948, was on the table. Notice the headline –

“ZIONISTS PROCLAIM NEW STATE OF ISRAEL; TRUMAN RECOGNIZES IT AND HOPES FOR PEACE;

TEL AVIV IS BOMBED, EGYPT ORDERS INVASION” – still hoping for peace.

The next day was Lag B’Omer, with major Jerusalem bonfire spots ready for all-night fires with friends.

Jerusalem is not the main focus for this holiday, but Meron is, where the Boyaner Rebbe lit the fire.

This year, I was happy to watch online and not go out searching for new fires.

Good news – there were no reports of major fire damage this year.

The posters of lost young faces line the streets – one calling for victory as flags blow in the wind above.

Flags on cars and hanging off balconies, Yom Yerushalayim, Jerusalem Day, is on May 26, 2025.

Flag and more flags… This year in Jerusalem!

Watch as Jerusalem Streets fill with flags, festivals and flowers

May 11, 2025May 11, 2025Sharon 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.