#jerusalem street photos

Seven New Ambassadors to Israel before Holocaust Remembrance Day

Sharon A

What a strange week this was!

Passover ended.

However, it seems like a long time ago with so much happening on the Jerusalem streets.

With Passover over, the flags are flying for the annual, emotional days of Yom Hazikaron, Memorial Day, and Yom Ha’atzmaut, Independence Day.

Flags are for sale in stores, at street corners, and popping out of car windows – as usual.

This week, 7 new Ambassadors to Israel presented their credentials at Beit Hanasi, the Israeli President’s residence, where these ceremonies are held. Such a large number at once was unusual.

I arrived as the new Ambassador from India was leaving.

The Ambassador from the Philippines wore a handmade, elegant dress, standing on the red carpet as her anthem was played and the flag from the Philippines was raised in her honor.

The Ambassador for the Dominican Republic was next to present his credentials.

I should go and check old photos, but I think President Herzog was standing on a new carpet.

Then the Ambassadors went into the official diplomatic room to exchange short remarks. Canada’s new Ambassador’s exchange was more casual, and Michal Herzog joined in.

The official handshake photo is an important step in the process, as with the Ambassador from Angola.

Keeping the red carpet clean is another important step.

The last Ambassador of the day was from the US, Michael Huckabee, with his wife Jane in the blue dress.

Look closely at her necklace, it’s a Star of David.

President Herzog’s staff lines up along the red carpet to greet each of the new Ambassadors as they arrive in the main hall. President Rivlin had his staff stand behind him. For the US ceremony, guests were on both sides of the room.

If you look closely at the back of Miriam Adelson’s dress, you will see the Hebrew writing down the back, “If I forget thee, Jerusalem .”

Of course, the media comes out more for the US Ambassadors.

The two men gave media statements after a short private meeting in the diplomatic room.

Of all the past ceremonies I attended, I do not remember an Israeli President hugging the new Ambassador after his credentials were put in his hand.

Ambassador Huckabee signs the official guest book as all the others had done.

However, Mrs. Huckabee’s small handbag got my attention while her husband wrote in the book–an Israeli flag is on one side and a US flag on the other.

And the yellow chair, not forgetting the hostages at Beit Hanasi.

If you counted and noticed there were six. The seventh was from Belarus, who was first in the morning before I arrived. At the King David Hotel, after the ceremonies, he was given a chance to speak.

That was how the week began on a high.

The house was clean. Things are back in order. And I got a ride to the King David in one of the official limos behind the four motorcycles leading the motorcade. Amazing how fast the trip was when you do not have to stop for red lights. So fast, I did not think to take a photo.

For Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day, I went to the home of Rena Quint for Zikaron BaSalon.

Her story of survival during the Holocaust is documented in “A Daughter of Many Mothers” with the help of Barbara Sofer. Each survivor’s story is shocking and unique. Rena has told her hundreds of times at home and at Yad Vashem. She even had a U.S. president bend down to her. Read the book or find a video.

Sadly, no more Dry Bones, Yaakov Kirshen passed away. I so admired his wit and wisdom.

Sadly, the signs with fallen soldiers line too many Jerusalem streets. The number since October 7 rose to 849. Together we will win. But is there unity?

New signs are up: “Until we win.”

Notice the yellow ribbon on the special poster made for Steve Linde’s 65th birthday party. Steve was an editor at Jerusalem Post and Jerusalem Report, and is now Feature Editor at JNS.

Too many ceremonies and events for Yom HaZikaron to mention. It’s hard to decide where to go.

Then the next day, starting Wednesday night, is Yom Haatzmaut! Again too many, it’s hard to decide!

The Yoms, the roller coaster emotional time of year.

Am Yisrael Chai!

See the Faces of the Ambassadors of Truth

Sharon A

When moving to Jerusalem, Israel, almost 19 years ago, many things were new and different.

On a spring-like day, a favorite sign that winter is over is the colors of the flowers blooming in the Jerusalem Botanical Gardens, surrounded by the green new growth.

Also, seeing the white roses blooming in winter rather than the white snow is a Jerusalem favorite.

But this week I was not out every day enjoying the weather when it was warm.

Thursday at the Jerusalem International Conference Center was a conference “Ambassadors of Truth.”

You may have heard of this almost annual Jerusalem Conference Combatting Antisemitism this year.

I have gone in the past. This one was different, besides the calls to boycott it from a few Europeans and US “leaders,” which gave it more media attention.

There was the yellow chair empty – a symbol of remembering hostages and wanting their return.

Amichai Chikli, the Minister of Diaspora Affairs, was criticized for not consulting Diaspora leaders about who should be invited to the conference in Jerusalem.

The media paid close attention to who was invited to the conference, including Jordan Bardella, president of the French National Rally party, who came to Jerusalem and spoke.

 

He blamed rising antisemitism in Europe on migration and Islamism and stated support for Israel.

The panels included leading defenders of Israel on multiple international stages and media. If you do not know these names, please look them up and learn about their important work sharing the truth.

One national leader was the former President of the Republic of Paraguay, Horacio Cartes.

He was pleased to stop and let me take his photo after he finished his address, translated from Spanish.

Perhaps at these events, what happens in the halls is more important than the main stage.

For example, Lizzy Savetsky has spent countless hours defending Israel since October 7 and stayed around after the morning session with social media influencers to speak to attendees.

Several Ambassadors to Israel attended, notably the South Americans, Guatemala, Panama, and Paraguay.

My friend tells me I take it for granted that others know things when they do not. I have known Shawn Eni for a long time, before he became a media star with his fake Mossad posts on Twitter. On the right, I met “I’m That Jew” Eitan Chitayat for the first time after following his work for years.

The leaders of the Government Press Office were there, however, I only saw a few Knesset Members.

The US Ambassador’s residence is empty, waiting for the newest appointment to arrive.

But former Ambassador David Friedman was on stage for a one-on-one interview.

I am dropping all these names to share some of the people who came, like me, despite calls for a boycott.

The room, which was used in the past for this conference with tables as at a fancy dinner, was packed with chairs and people.

David Collier did important work to expose BBC failures in journalism and reporting. Sadly, they gave him an honored spot, but spelled his name wrong.

Sylvan Adams also spoke strongly about the importance of attending and not boycotting.

The security had been at a high level for the attendance of the Prime Minister, who came to speak.

Crowds and cameras came for Netanyahu and the list of foreign speakers.

My problem was keeping my phone charged to record it all.

I wanted to stay for the evening program, and that is what I feel is most important to share with you.

Before the program began, this was the message projected on the background screen: “If you receive an alert during an event, stay seated, bend over as much as possible, and protect your head with your hands for 10 MInutes. it is important to stay where you are to avoid injury.”

My going to the conference earlier in the day was delayed by an alert siren as I was leaving the house. I was very happy to be home and not outside on the street. The Houtis make sure we don’t forget there is a war raging around us. Again today, there was a ballistic missile aimed at Israel from Yemen and an alert.

A beautiful version of “October Rain” was part of the entertainment with dancers.

The main reason I wanted to come was to hear Ayaan Hirsi Ali. I first heard her speak at a Peres Tomorrow Conference years ago and have been a fan since. It was concerning when, over 10 years ago, Brandeis University withdrew her honorary degree.

Australian journalist Erin Molan received a special award, Beacon of Truth, from Minister Chikli.

What a world where a special award is given for speaking the truth.

There were protests against this conference by old voices in the US and Europe.

However, what I found the most impressive part of a very long day was the US university students who came. Their articulate voices are encouraging and the hope for the future.

The audience had dwindled from hundreds to dozens by the end of the program.

However, I will leave you with two more names to know: Shabbos Kestenbaum and Ami Kozak.

The voices of the IDF choir closed the conference with Hatikvah.

More photos from the day can be found HERE

Back on the real Jerusalem streets, one finds Passover cleaning supplies on display.

Oh, those Jerusalem streets under repair with Eid al Fitr today, they worked last week well past midnight.

The Jerusalem Marathon is on Friday, April 4, 2025, and the streets have to be ready. The Jerusalem streets will be filled with thousands of runners

It’s marathon time and preparing for Passover when everyone concludes –

Next year in Jerusalem

See Jerusalem a Week of Highs and Lows

Sharon A

Where should I start when it’s too hot during the day to be outside in the sun?

July is nearly over. We have entered the period of the Three Weeks before Tisha B’Av.

This year the heaviness of mourning has been much longer than the usual three weeks.

Take a walk along the Jerusalem streets and one can marvel at the old and new.

The new buildings at the entrance of Jerusalem have risen to new heights.

While the amount of construction on new projects has gone down to new lows.

Students at Jerusalem College of Technology had another successful annual Hackathon.

Activities for children in the park have begun–a wonderful sight to see in the summer.

These talented ladies performed an entertaining show in Hebrew about the deep waters of the mikvah.

The Olympics 2024 began in Paris on the waters of the Seine – in the rain.

A new low in journalism, with reports of chaos and casualties in Khan Younis. Only I watched the live feed from Nasser Hospital all day and they certainly didn’t arrive at Nasser Hospital. I was annoyed enough to write this post on the Elder of Ziyon.

Remembering the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans on the 17th of Tammuz fast day.

New signs with faces of fallen and urging victory over Hamas are posted all over.

Arab buildings are going up quickly surrounding the Jerusalem streets.

This is an amazing sight of the new roads and trees with the train viaduct off on the right.

Remember the old Route #1? Complain about traffic – but the new tunnels have moved mountains.

The signs not only have traffic warnings, but all Together we will be victorious!

The unity of the past few months has splintered even as more soldiers have fallen.

And not only Jewish ones. The death of all Israeli soldiers brings sadness and mourning.

Hezbollah hit a new low–the murder of 12 Druze children on a football (soccer) field with a rocket from Lebanon on Saturday.

But the families of fallen soldiers still hang flags and Am Yisrael Chai in front of their homes.

It has been a week with extreme lows,

the future–who knows,

but until next time – Am Yisrael Chai.