Jerusalem Theater

In Jerusalem, more is happening than elections

Sharon A

For the Israeli elections, the campaigning is over. Phone calls have stopped.

The President will meet with the official parties to try to put together a coalition government.

However, other things were happening on the Jerusalem streets besides politics.

On a sunny, quiet afternoon, I walked to the Jerusalem Theater.

The vast lobbies were empty, and it was easy to view the art in the various galleries.

Large pieces were on display here,

and on the other side of the main lobby were Helmets 4 Chayalim.

I had missed the opening of this exhibit in September, but got there just in time before it was removed.

The galleries are rotated regularly, and this one was already being prepared for a November opening.

There is no fee to enter and wander around to see the art. A perfect location for a quiet day.

What a contrast to the loud events on the night before the October 27 elections.

No, not campaigning on the Jerusalem streets

But rather two Torah dedications in the same location.

One Hachnasat Sefer Torah was in memory of fallen soldiers Ben Zussman, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Aner Shapira, Yitzhar Hoffman, Michael Gal-David, Elyashiv Eitan Wieder, Eitan Oster, Yuval Shoham, and Hagai Lev HYD.

 The Children’s Flag Parade went from the corner of Tchernichovsky and Rav Chen Streets to Luria School in Katamon, Jerusalem.

Family members and friends carried the Torah under the talit canopy, walking to music and a drum.

Young families and supporters proceeded up the stairs to the school where the newly dedicated Torah would be read in their Shabbat services. Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion arrived near the end of the celebration to speak.

And right across the street, the doors of Chabad were wide open for their new Torah dedication.

The scribe carefully finished off the last letters.

The sponsoring family gathered around the table where the silver crown and new mantle (cover) were waiting.

For this one, the celebration van was lit up and led the Torah procession.

Carrying the Torah under the canopy to the Chabad synagogue.

Not alone, the two Torahs came out to greet the new one.

Shofars joined the procession as it proceeded inside.

Here’s a short video that photos could not capture.

Torah dedications often take place on the streets of Jerusalem.

However, two in the same location, at the same time, was a first.

The new signs are up for the November events.

From a Jerusalem International Animation Festival to a pop-up on Shushan Street.

You never know what will happen next on the Jerusalem streets.

Jerusalem moving on with life but remembers the past

Sharon A

IRAN.

As I write this, the situation in Iran is tumultuous after nearly two weeks.

Will the people rising against the regime succeed in their protests this time?

Is there a comparison to the Soviet Refusniks?

In recent years, the Menachem Begin Heritage Center has hosted a diverse range of programs for English speakers, including book launches.

As most were also available on Zoom, I did not attend them all in person. You can find them on YouTube.

However, a special book launch in Jerusalem, Israel, on January 5, 2026, was for “Be a Refusnik” by Izabella Tabarovsky.

Here are the four panelists sitting together before the program, with David Hazony holding the book.

“Be a Refusenik: A Jewish Student’s Survival Guide” explores how Cold War-era Jewish resistance offers a roadmap for confronting modern anti-Zionism.

Tabarovsky traced the ideological lineage between Soviet anti-Zionism and the rhetoric now commonplace on Western campuses with young leaders.

After 1967, Soviet Jews refused to accept the idea that they had to live without a connection to the Jewish people. “It became a source of inspiration far beyond the Soviet Union, galvanizing Jews worldwide to campaign for their freedom,” she stated.

If you have not heard of Izabella or Rawan Osman, who was in the audience and joined the panelists after for a photo. Look up who they are and what they are doing now to support Israel with truth against the propaganda and lies.

Jerusalem-Theater-lobby-photos-grey-clouds

The Jerusalem Theater has featured many Israeli artists’ work on the walls of its multiple lobbies, which RJS has shared over the years.

This week, a new exhibit opened with vivid pieces made by enlarging high-resolution small images.

This opening event offered wine and a lecture along with the food. Visitors wanting to escape the stormy winter weather should know that the art exhibitons on the Jerusalem Theater walls are free to view. The wine is not.

One day, the sun was shining, and I walked into town. Each time is a wonder to see the construction and building changing in Jerusalem.

Jerusalem Mamilla Pool

Remember this old photo of Solomon’s Pool?

It’s across from Gan Haatzmaut, Independence Park, next to Mamilla Cemetery. The winter rain has turned it green.

Last week, the pool had some water and wooden scaffolding.

I could not get as close as in the past, but a few workers were on site.

The stones on the walls of the pool must be secured before the area is opened to the public.

It will be interesting to see how they restore Solomon’s Pool.

Yoel Solomon Street is one area that was renovated as a tourist attraction. The tourists are slowly returning. Hopefully, the threats from Iran will not see new barrages of ballistic missiles to keep them away.

We move on to launch books, produce art, and look into schools for children for next year. However, the war is not over. The threats and losses are real and still felt daily. A rocket was launched from Gaza last week, but fell short near a Gaza hospital. New signs and initiatives emerge in memory of fallen soldiers. The wounded still endure therapies. Reserve soldier families, soldier on.

Winter plants are filling the Jerusalem street flower beds.

I continue to wonder who benefits from the repeated plantings year after year?

January 11, 2026, is the World Cancer Walk – www.worldcancerwalk.com.

Participants from over 250 cities were given a one-hour time slot to go on a walk. The combination of the hours around the world will equal one full 24-hour day. Jerusalem, Israel, was from 11:00 to noon. I missed seeing this in time. However, we know cancer has no borders.

Wishing a healthy and good year in 2026.

Not next year, but time now to say “this year in Jerusalem!”

In Jerusalem, Silver, Bronze, and Gold under Grey Sky

Sharon A

On the first day of school in Jerusalem, Israel, usually the photos of politicians and proud parents fill the news feed. Not so this morning, with the news of the return of six Israelis murdered in Gaza.

President Isaac Herzog went as planned to Yad Mordechai, where a large percentage of the students wore yellow shirts, instead of the traditional white ones.

The art on the wall in the Jerusalem Theater reflects the mood and the sky over Jerusalem today.

The photos of Israelis forced from their homes for months as rockets are constantly fired from Lebanon onto their northern communities are in the lobby as you enter, along with the red sign for the protected area in the theater.

Nevertheless, the end-of-summer concerts were held outside to hundreds of theater patrons last week.

During these dark days, there was a source of light, pride, and hope that was overshadowed.

Olympics and Paralympics Pride!

🇮🇱Ami Dadaon won a gold medal in swimming, setting a new Paralympic record. The Israeli clinched the gold in the 100m freestyle final. This is the second gold for Team Israel! He adds this gold medal to the two golds and one silver he won at the 2020 Paralympics in Tokyo!

The returning Olympic athletes were hosted at Beit Hanasi, the Israeli President’s Residence last week.

The medal winners were given honored seats near the President.

The Judo medal winners,

all had bright smiles for the cameras.

Artem Dolgopyat won gold last time, and now silver, but was only present in a video.

The Herzogs entered and greeted their guests.

Two of the medalists spoke for them all, every athlete a source of pride.

Many athletes got a turn to speak also, pride for all of them was the theme of the day.

The official posed photo with the medalists was taken inside Beit Hanasi.

The large group photo was taken outside. It was a feel-good positive event.

However, the news of the IDF rescuing Qaid Farhad Alkadi took all the international headlines that day. Interesting, how even that rescue could be spun into a negative press story by the media.

The end of August is the time when all hands, friends, and relatives are called on to help out with young children on the last days before the start of school. We made pizza, challah, and a big mess, but no meltdowns, blood, or broken bones. So a huge success?

One of the athletes at Beit Hanasi had two young children with him. As he took the microphone to speak holding one child, the older one left the building and put herself in the stroller outside. The look of relief when he realized she was found – priceless. Now hopefully all are safely back in school.

With the month of Elul, the nightly selihot and selihot tours are to begin. Many more nights this year at the Kotel, Western Wall, from the Tower of David, and Selihot for women and girls in Jerusalem private homes.

I was going to end with an upbeat video from the past…but this new one seems more appropriate today, it’s September but we are still experiencing October Rain.

Shulem – October Rain.

Before I could publish, this news- ‘Mazal Tov’ to Israeli rowers Shahar Milfelder and Saleh Shahin for winning the bronze medal at the Paris 2024 Paralympics.

May the good news rain over the bad.