Israel – Page 5 – The Real Jerusalem Streets

Finding safety in shelters in time of war

June 22, 2025June 22, 2025Sharon A

The news cycle is changing so fast that it is hard to keep up today.

In Jerusalem and most of Israel, we woke to a warning notice followed by a siren to take shelter.

The US had bombed Fordow, the Iranian underground nuclear center.
Severe damage and injuries are reported as Iran’s regime aims powerful ballistic and cluster bombs at Israeli cities and civilians daily.

Underground of Gandel Rehabilitation Hospital

Israel has been preparing for attacks by building shelters in new buildings. Here the underground hospital section of Hadassah Hospital Gandel Rehabilitation Center was ready for a Hanukkah celebration.

Today it is full and operating efficiently.

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Shelters have been placed along southern roads and bus stops for safety.

Sderot-bomb-shelter-decorated-near-school

In Sderot, shelters near schools are decorated to be welcoming to young children.

Hundreds of new shelters are being delivered to various vulnerable locations.

Following the Homefront Command updates is important, they change with the situation.

On Thursday, the Tower of David Jerusalem Museum reopened to the public in full coordination with the Home Front Command and the Ministry of Culture and Sport.

The Museum operated during its regular opening hours. All gallery spaces throughout the site serve as reinforced, secure areas, in full compliance with the latest security guidelines.

The Museum was the first cultural institution to reopen on October 9th in 2023.

Soon after, I was honored to be the first to take photos of a bat mitzvah girl who was evacuated from the south. Again, the Tower of David was a first to be reopened for the general public.

Tower of David sign for shelter in the courtyard

The new Tower of David Jerusalem Museum brings the rich history of Jerusalem to life in one of the city’s most iconic landmarks. Located at the Jaffa Gate just across from the Mamilla Mall, it offers new immersive exhibitions in beautifully restored spaces, and a unique blend of archaeology, innovation, and storytelling. The newly accessible Museum works for children, adults, and senior citizens.

Tower of David Jerusalem Museum entrance

With the allowed 30 in a room at any one time, they followed the regulations.

Today, businesses and museums are again closed due to an increased threat

So sharing here a video with some of the new technology displayed on the stone wall.

Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a lifelong Jerusalemite, the Tower of David Jerusalem Museum offers a meaningful and inspiring gateway to the city’s past, present, and future.

A video of David’s wars has more views. But with plenty of war around us, it seemed a more tranquil section of the Tower of David Night Show would be appreciated.

The National Library of Israel in Jerusalem has been closed since October 13, 2025.

National Library of Israel main area from above

The main reading room is open with lots of light and glass.

National Library of Israel automated stacks

However, the stacks are well below ground and designed to be protected.

National Library of Israel new technology for ancient volumes

Once again, the most valuable items were stored way for safety.

Following the IDF Homefront Command’s country-wide siren announcing the IDF strikes on Iranian targets at 3:30 am on Friday, June 13, the Library’s security, conservation, and logistics teams, together with CEO Oren Weinberg and Board Chair Sallai Meridor, arrived at the Library to dismantle the treasures housed in the William Davidson Permanent Exhibition Gallery, the Helen Diller Family Rotating Exhibition Gallery, and the David Berg Foundation Rotunda Gallery.

Carefully, manuscripts, rare books, musical scores, archives, and were moved underground into climate-controlled vaults.

As in previous serious attacks, April 13 and October 1, 2024, and mainly on October 7, 2023, when staff rushed to the building despite unknown unfolding danger — the Library demonstrated its steadfast commitment to safeguarding the treasures of Jewish, Israeli, and world heritage, preserving and protecting these invaluable resources for generations to come.

UPDATED to clarify:

With schools closed due to the war, the NLI building is closed, and content and activities for all ages are available online. English-language content is available at www.nli.org.il/en

So there you have it, a brief review from the real Jerusalem streets.

Before we too have to go again to a shelter for safety.

Hoping for better news next time.

Amy Yisrael Chai!

Leaving Jerusalem for a wedding, and waking to war

June 16, 2025June 16, 2025Sharon A

In Jerusalem, Israel, in the best of times, it is hard to keep up with what’s happening.

Who can remember last week?

It was only last week that we heard the motorcade of Argentine President Javier Milei pass by as he went to the Kotel, Western Wall, when he arrived in Jerusalem, Israel, for an official visit.

Milei met with the President and Prime Minister at their offices, then was welcomed to the Knesset plenary on Wednesday evening, where he got a standing ovation when he was called to the podium to speak. The two leaders, hugging each other and their sore throats the next day, were lost in the news cycle of war.

There was a warm welcome and praise for Milei, even from the opposition, as he was called to speak after the Prime Minister. Yair Lapid began by mentioning the hostages and also spoke in Spanish. Am Yisrael chai.

June 12th was a chance for the public to enter without charge to celebrate 60 years at the Israel Museum.

What timing – a day later, it would have been canceled like so many other long-time planned events.

Remembering the Israel Museum Big Birthday Bash at fifty years. It was quite a celebration.

Jerusalem continues to grow with construction seemingly everywhere. This main road was not busy during the rush hour because of the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha last week.

And now the streets are quiet as construction work has stopped, and people are staying close to home.

The closing of light rail lines and the narrowing of streets as construction proceeds made it a close call for all. A few bus lines are now running, but not with the usual schedules.

The Eldan Jerusalem Spinning Marathon 2025 took place June 11-12, adjacent to Alrov Mamilla Boulevard, next to the walls of the Old City of Jerusalem.

On Thursday, June 12, 2025, we left from Jerusalem for a special family event on the Kinneret.

Taking Route 90, we passed the live camel waiting for tourists near the “sea level” sign along the road.

It’s not exactly a major highway passing through an Arab village,

or the thousands of date trees that line the road.

New for this trip were the yellow flags along the way

and the construction of new neighborhoods.

We were headed for a destination wedding on Thursday night on the Kinneret.

As the sun set, all went well for a beautiful ceremony for the new couple.

The picture-perfect scene was enjoyed by all who had made the journey.

However, the mood shifted as Iran showered ballistic missiles on Israeli cities.

We could see interceptions on Friday night as we went back and forth from the dining hall to the shelter.

Finally, children slept in the big shelter as we all tried to get some rest.

It was not quite the family weekend that was planned. But the location was beautiful as always.

On Sunday morning, we safely returned to Jerusalem.

This time, by Route 6, not through the Jordan Valley.

It was good to see the Israeli flag banner on a building.

Together, we will get through this. I just wish we could get through the night without sirens and missiles.

#AmYisraelChai.

A Week in Jerusalem: One City, Many Stories

June 8, 2025June 8, 2025Sharon A

From joyful graduations to passionate protests, high-level conferences to returning tourists, the Jerusalem streets were anything but quiet this week. Every corner pulsed with energy and sometimes a volatile rhythm. Here’s a glimpse of what is happening on the Jerusalem streets.

Remember when the Holyland was the talk of the town, towering over the Jerusalem streets?

Now it seems that towers over the Jerusalem streets are becoming the norm.

Too often lately, it seems these ‘cats’ are taking over the Jerusalem streets.

As more and more take over the skyline, the traffic can become a gridlock nightmare. Sunday morning was a pleasant surprise, with some streets not backed up.

Today is part of the Muslim celebration Eid al-Adha. Begun on Friday night, and there are fewer buses, taxis, and cars, and very little construction. Jerusalem sounds quieter today.

The Israel Conference on Transportation, Traffic, and Parking is at the Vert Hotel on June 16-17. It will be interesting to see what they come up with other than a lot of speeches.

The annual Eli Hurvitz Economic Conference, sponsored by the Israel Democratic Institute, was held again at the Orient Isrotel Hotel.

Each year, over two days, the conference presents a long list of speakers.

One presenter this year was Dr Eyal Hulata, Israel’s National Security Advisor and Head of the country’s National Security Council from 2021-2023

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The panels and speakers elaborate on the Israeli economy with words and graphs.

The head of the Bank of Israel is Professor Amir Yaron speaking at IDI conference at Orient Hotel

The head of the Bank of Israel is Professor Amir Yaron, who was a featured speaker again.

Eli Hurvitz Conference 2023 protesting Bezalel Smotrich

Two years ago, when the new Finance Minister Betzalel Smotrich tried to present his prepared speech, the room erupted in a protest. He was not on the program this year.

This year was an interesting contrast. Mansour Abbas, a current member of the Knesset, representing the United Arab List, was received with respect by the attentive audience.

Protests have become the norm on the Jerusalem streets. Most evenings, a few women stand across from Beit Hanasi, the Israeli President’s Residence, in a quiet protest.

Over 610 days, is there anyone who does not want the remaining 55 hostages home – and now?

Stickers of fallen soldiers are pasted onto elevators and along the Jerusalem streets. The loss of eight more young IDF soldiers announced killed over the weekend in Gaza brings the number close to 870.

As the days go on, signs are up in Jerusalem thanking and loving the families of reserve soldiers.

And in June, it’s time for Hebrew Book Week, June 10 – 21, 2025.

This year, with much of First Station under construction, the annual popular event has been moved to Kikar Safra, Safra Square.

On the Jerusalem streets, this week, adding to the usual traffic and closures for protests, the President of the Argentine Republice Javier Milei is to be in Jerusalem, Israel. He is to speak at a special session in the Knesset on Wednesday.

The third Pulse of Israel Conference at the Menachem Begin Center is on June 17th and also online.

As usual, much is happening on the Jerusalem streets.