Jerusalem street photos – The Real Jerusalem Streets

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.

Jerusalem Day and Night – See What’s New

March 23, 2025March 23, 2025Sharon A

Another week flew by on the Jerusalem streets.

And as usual, with highs and lows, and unexpected encounters and happenings.

Today sharing photos you probably did not see, or at least I never saw reported.

The week began with perfect spring-like weather.

The YMCA Jerusalem stone tower against the blue sky with wisps of clouds and blossoms on the trees – the beautiful Jerusalem colors that inspired The Real Jerusalem Streets and logo.

At the YMCA at night, Ramadan is celebrated. The month-long Muslim holiday ends March 30th with Eid el Fitr.

I met across the street from the YMCA at the King David Hotel with Wanda Peretz to hear about her new book “The Ceiling.”

The Jerusalem Theater was lit with special lights on Tuesday night for the Mayor’s Volunteer Awards.

I went as a long-time volunteer helping lone soldiers and supporter of The Michael Levin Base.

Pleased to see that another non-profit I did volunteer work for was also recognized. Tenufa Bakehila, helps low-income families improve their homes and lives.

I remember one woman who exclaimed, “I feel like a bride!” seeing her new “after” kitchen.

As at every program, the murdered and hostages since October 7 were remembered.

By the security entrance of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, MFA, are more of those faces and a “Bring them home” banner.

Inside, the briefing in English by the MFA spokesperson became timely as new missile attacks and fighting started again, with sirens in Jerusalem, as well as huge sections of Israel.

What I really wanted to know was – who were the government limousines lined up waiting to transport?

It has been a while since I was inside the MFA and do not remember the fish pond. It was a good spot to stop and talk with a group of US Mayors touring Israel before they went inside.

The real streets include prolonged protest sites which I usually avoid and leave for others. However, this one has been set up near the Knesset against the government from before the war.

Walking from the MFA calming fish pond it was on my way home. Everyone I know wants the war to end and all the hostages returned. The question is how to accomplish it.

The week ended with cold wet weather. But even with the grey sky, there was bright color if you look.

The finish line for the International Jerusalem Marathon, to be held on April 4, 2025, was up over this Jerusalem street. Tens of thousands are expected to run in the various races.

And the spring flowers are again popping up from the old stones.

Jerusalem, day and night, cold and hot, even under missile fire – Israel is rated the 8th happiest country.

Am Yisrael Chai – See you Next Year in Jerusalem!

In Jerusalem, the year ends with colors and candles

December 29, 2024December 29, 2024Sharon A

It’s the end of December, the end of the Hebrew month of Kislev, and the end of 2024.

It’s been a difficult year with war raging against Israel on so many fronts.

I lived in the northeastern United States, and after the amazing autumn colors disappeared with the falling leaves, December was not only cold but dark and dreary.

See what’s on the Jerusalem streets – more than the yellow ribbons and protests.

Winter in Jerusalem, Israel, though some tree branches are bare, it’s easy to find bursts of color.

I love that you can still find white roses blooming in late December.

These orange aloe flowers are another favorite sight along the Jerusalem streets.

The bright colors contrast against the blue sky during the day, an annual winter delight.

The blue and white flags with colored army unit flags are new, a sad reminder of this year’s events.

But for Hanukkah, the lights are out to brighten up the Jerusalem streets at night.

Candles and colors started inside homes on Wednesday, the first night of Hanukkah.

An oil Hanukkah menorah was in a restaurant window in a Jerusalem mall on the first night.

On the second night, we had the annual family Hanukkah get-together.

My holiday-themed Hanukia menorah-shaped cookie and dreidel-shaped cake were not as colorful.

This is the potato latke kugel – at least I got a before photo. The chaotic commotion, with most of the family together, ended up with no posed photo of the table before or the people after.

Coming from the Ashkenazi culture in the US, potato latkes, those greasy fried potato pancakes, were the traditional holiday food for Chanukkah.

In Israel, we have adapted and adopted the sufganiyot, jelly-filled donuts as a holiday treat.

This year decorating the plain versions with piles of cream and colored candies was popular.

On Friday, I went to walk off some of the calories and check out the InPrint Festival at Hansen House.

InPrint Holiday Edition was much smaller than the Hansen House In Print ART Book Fair in January 2023.

However, a few people were still taking advantage of an activity near the closing on Friday afternoon.

The candles I had admired in many locations as decorations inside – had fake flames.

After Shabbat, the sufganiyot traditional donuts covered in white sugar with red jelly in the center,

and donuts with various frostings and fillings were real and served by the box.

Chabad Talbiya was back at Mamilla Mall after Shabbat on the fourth night for the 14th year.

The Solomon Brothers provided live music, while the family of fallen soldier Yosef Malachi Guedalia hy”d said the blessings and lit the large menorah.

A fourth night with flames and music and donuts in Jerusalem.

The crowd was packed in the mall and walking through was a challenge, so I stopped trying.

On the way home at Paris Square, the Chabad Rechavia lighting of the hanukiah and program had ended.

But a few steps away, the protesters were out near the Prime Minister’s official residence and the sign for 449 days with all the yellow flags and ribbons, a reminder of those denied freedom on this holiday–the celebration of freedom.