Jerusalem photos

Jerusalem Day 2025: Photos mainstream media did not share

Sharon A

Why did The Real Jerusalem Streets start 15 years ago?

Because what I saw walking on the Jerusalem streets seldom matched what the media shared.

Now, there are close to 15,000 photos published on The Real Jerusalem Streets’ old photo essays.

At first, I avoided the annual Flag Parade/March on Yom Yerushalayim, Jerusalem Day, because of negative stories in the media. Then, year after year, I walked the parade route.

Yes, there was a crowded scene outside Damascus Gate.

There is also a known spot inside Damascus Gate where international media stand ready for a troublemaker’s winning photo and headline story.

Further along the Via Dolorosa route, closer to the exit to the Western Wall Plaza, it narrows to a crush.

So, what was the Yom Yerushalayim march really like this year?

This incredible view started my day on Monday of Yom Yerushalayim 2025. You see the tower of the YMCA, and in the distance is the King David Hotel. Jerusalem, beyond that in the distance, including the Old City, was occupied by Jordan from 1948-1967.

Going into that No Man’s Land on the other side of the hotel meant Jordanian sniper bullets.

Israeli Ethiopian memorial in cemetery on Mount Herzl

Yom Yerushalayim has also been hallmarked as a memorial day to the thousands of Ethiopians who died making the arduous trek from Sudan on their way to Zion. The memorial is in Har Herzl military cemetery, where an official ceremony is held in the morning.

Also, this year, in the morning, the Prime Minister and Jerusalem Mayor announced a plan to restore the Mamilla Pool, though the sign has been up for months.

Mamilla Pool with water after heavy spring rain

It does look a bit better after heavy spring rain, as published here in March 2022.

I wondered if the thousands of people on their way to the Kotel knew they had walked by it.

On Yom Yerushalayim, flags line many of the Jerusalem streets.

The walls of the Old City were illuminated with flags for the 58th year of the reunification of Jerusalem.

A giant flag was unfurled as the sky turned dark on Sunday night at the Kotel, Western Wall Plaza.

Smaller flags of Jerusalem and Israel were waved by the crowd of people of all ages.

Thousands filled the Kotel to pray with the special musical service live-streamed on YouTube.

Special visitor US National Security Secretary Kristine Noem made the Western Wall the first stop on her brief trip to Jerusalem. She was accompanied by security and US Ambassador Mike Huckabee. Janet Huckabee, wearing the bright jacket in a sea of black and white, hugged Noem on their way out.

This Jerusalem cat was out and on guard on Sunday night as people filled the Rova, Jewish Quarter.

After multiple morning prayer services, the main event on Yom Yerushalayim begins in the afternoon.

Blue and white is the preferred attire, and this woman agreed to show off her holiday dress.

Politicians appeared briefly on the Jerusalem streets along the parade route.

Not everyone wore blue and white, and for sure, not everyone was a teenage rowdy male.

While security was on high alert, this police officer shared his motorcycle with young admirers.

Thousands and thousands came out on the Jerusalem streets despite the high temperature this year.

With white shirts and T-shirts of all kinds, they marched through in groups from the starting point.

While an occasional politician made his way slowly through the crowd by car.

One smoke bomb, I did not understand, but another opportunity for groups to stop and sing together.

Media reports did not share the young families that participated.

This year, security had marching groups more regulated to reduce crowding.

You could find a bit of everything if you looked for it. Chabad with flags. Third Temple flags, and more.

How many photos did you see of the girls and young women on King George Street?

With flags, singing, and marching in such a crowd of thousands, I had to stop and wait to pass by.

One officer found a new way to make his way through the crowd.

This was the main live music stand this year on King George Street across from the Great Synagogue.

I made my way across the street to the stage to show the size of the crowd.

Despite the weather and high temperatures, people came in large numbers.

The thousands of girls gathered near Bezalel Street seemed to go on and on as they came by.

The thousands of marchers ended at the Kotel as Yom Yerushalayim at nightfall..

However, those peacefully praying, no matter how many more, are not considered newsworthy.

Signs line the Jerusalem streets, not only those celebrating Yom Yerushalayim, but also Jerusalem saying thank you to the reservists’ families during this difficult time of prolonged war.

Even with war, the skyline is changing. Jerusalem building goes up and up, as the roads back up with closures for light rail construction.

This year Yom Yerushalayim.

“Next year in Jerusalem” was in the ancient prayers in Ethiopia and is said until now.

Hope you can see the real Jerusalem streets yourself, soon.

Cheesecakes have been prepared for the holiday of Shavuot.

No downtime on the real Jerusalem streets.

Chag samech – happy holiday to all.

Favorites of the Popular 14th Jerusalem Marathon

Favorites of the Popular 14th Jerusalem Marathon

Sharon A

Jerusalem streets were lined with security and closed to cars and pedestrian traffic for the 14th International Jerusalem “Winner” Marathon held on Friday, April 4, 2025.

The event attracted 40,000 people from 50 countries arriving in Jerusalem from around the world.

This year’s races were opened by Karina Ariev, freed on Jan. 25 after 477 days in Hamas captivity in Gaza.

Then most of the media attention went to the full marathon and its finish line in Sacher Park.

One favorite was Yoel Levy from Manchester, UK, who ran the marathon in a Batman costume in memory of the murdered Bibas boys and for Shalva, supporting children with disabilities and their families.

Mayor Moshe Lion participated in the 5k this year. He strolled in the park with his wife and security.

All ages could be found in Gan Sacher, supporting 27 organizations with teams running.

A friend who ran to raise money for ADI posed as she neared the finish line in the 10k.

Another favorite was seeing Oma in the blue T-shirt for the Ari Fuld Project. I remember her from 15 years ago in the last half marathon, a year before the first international Jerusalem Marathon, running for Shalva.

Shalva had runners on its large team dressed in purple, as in the past.

I passed the full marathon runners near their start as I walked 1.5 km to get to Sacher Park.

And, as usual, pass the slower full marathon runners when I head home each year.

There were over 1000 full marathon runners, including those from Australia, Kenya, Morocco, and more.

And more than one Batman was running the full marathon this year.

In the park are tents for some of the organizations, in this one Ari Fuld h”yd looks over his family.

Sharsheret ran in the past, and is now in Israel. The organization originated in the US to help people facing breast and ovarian cancer, and an increased genetic risk for cancer.

The Michael Levin Base was another favorite. Many tents had food and snacks for runners.

I went back here to get a much-needed coffee after a few hours walking in the park.

The crowd was large enough to make it hard to find family and friends.

Security included the magnificent horses.

Thousands of soldiers and security personnel participated, but this was the only gun I spotted.

With 3 finish lines and 6 races of various lengths, it was impossible to be everywhere.

However, here are the 3 winners of the men’s half marathon receiving their trophies.

And I spotted Beatie Deutsch after she was awarded a trophy for the half marathon second place.

The first-place runner came in earlier than I expected this year, so I missed the ribbon breaking.

But the medical attention was right there for those who needed help.

All in all, it was a great day, with great weather, to celebrate life, freedom, and hope for the future.

But a little too close to Pesach, Passover, for some regulars to be able to participate only a week before.

Signs are up over the Jerusalem streets for new exhibits and holiday events. Museums are planning for families with special rates and activities on the intermediate days.

The Jerusalem Marathon launch with “Batman” Levy was at the Tower of David, where they will be having a long list of educational events for families.

The notes were cleaned from the Kotel, Western Wall, ready for two days of Birkat Cohanim this year.

The elevator for visitors will not be ready any time soon, but at least there are new signs.

The new large Israeli flags are going up before the spring holiday season.

While war is raging on too many fronts, the Jerusalem streets are preparing for holidays and guests.

This year in Jerusalem – Am Yisrael Chai.

Chag sameach

Nothing Keeps the Conference of Presidents from Jerusalem Streets

Sharon A

There is a common adage that despite missiles, blasts, and attacks the Jerusalem streets keep going.

But the threat of snow in Jerusalem, Israel, shuts them down.

On the morning of October 7, 2023, my son was to be honored in a synagogue a mile from where I live. During the loud siren warnings along the way, I stopped and waited.

I got there only to be told, services were canceled – “We are at war.”

During the “stabbing intifada,” I was out and about without pepper spray.

However, last week in the cold rain and today with the threat of snow, I am at home.

Of course, the weather in Jerusalem would be considered spring-like compared to some places we lived, but those grey clouds are enough to curb my enthusiasm for walking on the streets that are always under construction.

This past week was the 50th mission of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations which has been going for 70 years as the united voice for American Jewry.

These missions have come to Israel during wartimes and COVID-19 during the third week of February.

Stephanie L. Hallett serves as the Chargé d’Affaires again at the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem. A career member of the Senior Foreign Service with the rank of Minister-Counselor, she has filled in over the past few years as the US Ambassador to Israel has changed. She spoke to the opening dinner.

Security was at a new high level for the Prime Minister to arrive and speak to the delegation.

Ofir Akunis the Israeli Consul General in New York since May 2024 was in Jerusalem, Israel, for the dinner. He posed with two of my friends who have been attending this event for many years.

The session I feel is important was open to media this year. Did you see it covered anywhere?

This year the startups and innovation session was under the “Resilience Panel” led by AMIT staff.

From virtual reality group therapy sessions

to an innovative system for sleep apnea,

the new ideas to help those with PTSD after these long days were fascinating.

The mission spent little time in the Inbal Hotel with private visits to the Knesset and trips north and south.

Reuven Rivlin at 50th mission of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish

However, former President Ruvi Rivlin was a special guest on Tuesday night.

One noticeable difference, the number of female US leaders was much larger than in the past.

Parents of Avera Mengistu at dinner CoP to raise awareness of their son held captive 3 years by Hamas

Remembering the family of Avera Mengistu who came in 2018 to appeal for their son’s release from Hamas in Gaza. They finally got their prayers answered, after not 505 days, but over 10 years.

With new signs posted on the Jerusalem streets for March events and the new month of Adar and Purim, hope it’s a good time to get out again to share what’s new and happening on the Jerusalem streets.