Jerusalem

In Jerusalem, echoes of the past, steps in the present

Sharon A

It’s that time of year again on the Jerusalem streets.

When the blazing sun and heat of summer arrive as a surprise.

The night before was cold enough to wear a warm jacket.

The green grasses of Jerusalem’s nature spots have turned dry to golden hues.

Last week, before the heat wave, a few noteworthy events were held.

The National Library of Israel (NLI) hosted an international conference on 20 years of Jewish History in journalism, beginning on Monday night in the large theater auditorium.

The National Library is usually a very busy place with people working and doing research. To get a photo like this was special because the library closed to the public at midday on Tuesday.

The chairs and posters of kidnapped Israelis were lined up neatly near the lower entrance.

President Herzog escorted German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier on a tour of the new library, part of Germany and Israel celebrating 60 years of diplomatic relations.

The tour started with a view from above the main reading research area.

A stop by the wall in the entrance lobby of the faces of the October 7 victims is projected on the wall.

Then the Presidents and their wives stopped to see various items on display. This Bünting cloverleaf map, also known as The World in a Cloverleaf, with Jerusalem in the center, was published in 1581 and has been reproduced many times over the millennia.

I was able to take multiple photos of various empty locations from new angles.

The tour was on the other side, receiving information from the NLI Director General, Oren Weinberg.

Up and then down the circular staircase of the library we went.

With a stop by the chairs, on the way out of the building.

Steinmeier was one of the first world leaders to arrive in Israel in October 2023.

Then the tour continued outside.

Finally, an explanation of the stones arranged in the garden by the artist. I have yet to be there when the sun casts good shadows for the letter shapes.

I hope they noticed the Knesset and flags in the background across the street from the NLI.

On the right side, the dark blue screen is a temporary security barrier. Security goes up and up over the years.

For previous German leaders’ visits to Jerusalem, it was possible to get into Beit Hanasi.

Not only into the President’s Residence, but also outside in the garden to see the Presidential tree.

This time, Steinmeier got a Presidential medal, but the event was closed to the press.

The international visitors for the digital journalism and other attendees were able to follow through on their 3-day conference at the NLI on Tuesday.

It concluded on Wednesday with the only session in English with international speakers.

May 14, 1948, was the date of the Israeli Declaration of Independence. Three years ago, Elana Heideman of IsraelForever Foundation began promoting Declaration Day to reaffirm Israel’s independence.

Each year has gotten bigger and better; it was held this past week at the David Citadel in Jerusalem, Israel.

A full reproduction of the New York Times from May 15, 1948, was on the table. Notice the headline –

“ZIONISTS PROCLAIM NEW STATE OF ISRAEL; TRUMAN RECOGNIZES IT AND HOPES FOR PEACE;

TEL AVIV IS BOMBED, EGYPT ORDERS INVASION” – still hoping for peace.

The next day was Lag B’Omer, with major Jerusalem bonfire spots ready for all-night fires with friends.

Jerusalem is not the main focus for this holiday, but Meron is, where the Boyaner Rebbe lit the fire.

This year, I was happy to watch online and not go out searching for new fires.

Good news – there were no reports of major fire damage this year.

The posters of lost young faces line the streets – one calling for victory as flags blow in the wind above.

Flags on cars and hanging off balconies, Yom Yerushalayim, Jerusalem Day, is on May 26, 2025.

Flag and more flags… This year in Jerusalem!

Watch as Jerusalem Streets fill with flags, festivals and flowers

Sharon A

May in Jerusalem, Israel, is when the weather goes from winter to summer, seemingly overnight.

One day you need boots and the next sandals and a hat to protect you from the sun.

The universities announce their honorees as their boards arrive for meetings.

Even with the war for over a year and a half, these annual events seem to be happening.

It’s “back to normal.”

For the arrival of US Ambassador Mike Huckabee, many mega-welcome events have taken place.

One was at the Friends of Zion Museum on Tuesday night, with Israeli flags lining the way for guests.

The FoZ Media Center was packed as Ambassador Huckabee received the Friend of Zion award menorah.

He ended his remarks – “After being in Israel so many times and going home, this time I am home.”

He also complimented his US Embassy staff, who have kept things going with multiple ambassadors, especially Deputy Head of Mission Stephanie Hallett, who was in the audience with her husband.

Omer Shem Tov and his family were also smiling. Omer, kidnapped on October 7, shared his ordeal: “I was 505 days in Gaza in captivity. When I was there, my belief in G-D came so strong, every day I woke up and thanked G-D that I have air in my lungs, a little food on my plate, and that my family is safe in Israel.”

However, also speaking at the event was Ilan Dalal, the father of Guy Gilboa Dalal, who was kidnapped from the Nova festival. He is still being held captive by Hamas, and his parents fight on for his release.

“Free the hostages now,” is hard to ignore on many Jerusalem streets.

But at the same time, signs are up for Education Week in Jerusalem, May 18-22, 2025.

The Jerusalem International Writers Festival and Book Forum is set for May 19-22.

Outside the new National Library of Israel

And first, this week is the National Library of Israel’s Conference: Marking 20 Years of the Historical Jewish Press Project, held over three days at the new campus.

Declaration Day - May 15 at the David Citadel Hotel

On May 14, Israel Forever Foundation is to host a ‘Declaration Day’ celebration in Jerusalem.

Large flags are still flying from private buildings as Jerusalem Day is to be celebrated on May 26th.

Some flags this year have a yellow ribbon in the blue star.

In Jerusalem, one has to move mountains of stone to build roads and the light rail.

It is good to see the May flowers along the Jerusalem streets to brighten the days.

But beware, with Lag B’Omer this week, the risk for fires from uncontrolled bonfires is huge.

Next year in Jerusalem.

Am Yisrael Chai!

In Jerusalem new Conference, Annual Memorial and Independence Day

Sharon A

‘Tis the season of the Yoms.

After Yom HaShoah, before you know it, comes Yom HaZikaron and Yom Haatmaut.

From the mourning for those lost in the Holocaust and the fallen soldiers and victims of terror,

we turn to the celebrations of Israel’s Independence Day.

Israel at 77

began with fires out of control and missile attacks from Yemen.

The decorative lights over the Jerusalem streets were changed to blue for the season.

This week began with a new conference meeting in Jerusalem, Israel.

The Jewish News Syndicate JNS had its first International Policy Summit at the Waldorf Hotel.

There were panels of experts,

many panels, with dozens of names and faces you should recognize.

JNS has a new studio, but also used this set in the hotel to interview politicians during the conference.

There was a powerful musical performance of “October Rain” on the first day.

The Ambassadors to Israel attended, along with hundreds of participants.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Gideon Saar was one of many interviewees.

Barrister Natasha Hausdorff was as impressive a speaker in person as she is when interviewed on TV.

The keynote speaker for Day One was Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

On Day 2, the panels were not as large, but again, they had politicians and CEO leaders.

‘The Quad’ is a popular video segment on JNS, with Shoshanna Keats Jaskol, Fleur Hassan Nahoum, and Emily Schrader, with a guest panelist.

The second night keynote was US Ambassador Mike Huckabee.

He had a full house, even as the program was running late.

This being the ‘real’ streets, outside the hotel was a small but loud protest against Ron Dermer, who was the next speaker that night before the conference closed.

Wednesday at 8 pm, the siren sounded to begin Yom HaZikaron, Memorial Day for fallen soldiers and victims of terror. There were multiple ceremonies in English this year. I attended the one organized by The Michael Levin Base at Ammunition Hill.

Ammunition Hill is the site of one of the most important battles for Jerusalem in 1967, during the Six-Day War, and the way the Israeli soldiers broke through the Jordanian forces to get to the Old City.

In the middle of this photo is Sid Rosenberg, his first time in Israel for Yom HaZikaron. The Host of “New York’s #1 morning talk show @sidandfriends77 on WABC radio and “Unapologetic Warrior for Truth!” He spoke at the JNS conference and made news by his recent nomination for the US Holocaust Museum board.

Israel’s former Ambassador to the US, Michael Oren, was a lone soldier, and as always, spoke well.

The mothers of Yotam Haim and Yosef Guedalia also spoke. Their sons both fell. Yosef was fighting at Kfar Aza on October 7, and Yotam was kidnapped from Kfar Aza. He escaped captivity before he was tragically killed.

Following the mourning of Yom Hazikaron, despite wildfires and the cancellation of the live ceremony at Har Herzl, on Thursday, the annual Yom Haatzmaut events went on as scheduled.

First, the President honored 120 outstanding soldiers at Beit Hanasi in the morning.

Then, the annual International Bible Quiz for Youth filled the auditorium at the Jerusalem Theater.

The second-place winner was from the US this year. It was good to see the camaraderie of the contestants. The event is broadcast live and viewed by many Israelis each year.

From the Jerusalem Theater, I walked around the corner to Beit Hanasi for the annual Independence Day Diplomatic reception.

Unique this year were the lines of yellow chairs the dignitaries had to walk through to get to the reception in the back garden.

The garden setting was casual this year, not the usual lines of chairs.

There was wine,

cheese and food, from businesses affected by the war.

Diplomats walked and talked,

and mingled as usual.

The hats on the table were piled up, almost as usual. I was not sure about the upside-down striped one.

US Ambassador Mike Huckabee posed with the new Canadian Ambassador and the Herzogs.

As the dignitaries sat and stood around the garden, the President and Minister of Foreign Affairs spoke.

Rachel Goldberg-Polin gave the closing, powerful address, calling those in the audience to act, to do something to release the remaining hostages.

The official photos went on as usual, with the heads of missions

and military attachés.

Yom Haatzmaut started with fires out of control, not in a way anyone planned or wanted.

It ended with a fiery colored sunset as we enjoyed a family dinner. One with a newly engaged couple.

There is no way to change the past, but many weddings are being planned – and that is the future.

The hope for the future is the way to proceed – Next year in Jerusalem!