Each week the goal of The Real Jerusalem Streets is to share real things you may not hear about in the mainstream media. There are many such events and usually hundreds of photos to select from.
This week even more so than usual, it was hard to get started – oh what a week it was.
As I sat down at the computer after grabbing a quick photo out the window of impressive clouds at sunset, my phone on the desk blasted a Homefront Alert to seek shelter. This was the first-ever mass warning of incoming ballistic missiles from Iran.
I may be the only person who does not have a dramatic story or a selfie to share from Tuesday night.
Much of Israel was affected, and it was a miracle that the only people killed were a Gazan in Jericho, 5 Iranians on a backfire mishap in Iran, and possibly one person in Jordan.
It was sad to see the Kotel, Western Wall empty on a night it should have been filled for prayers before Rosh Hashana. A small service was held inside Wilson’s Arch instead.
However, after Shabbat which followed the two-day Rosh Hashana holiday, the crowds were back.
A simple photo from before the holiday, with the 72-hour candle, will have to do.
It was both a long holiday and a short week.
But, how can we complain about too much holiday, when those held hostage in Gaza for a year have had so little food and no freedom?
Cleaning my desk last night I found this 1982 cartoon.
Except for Castro, it is the same as today. “I move to condemn Israel!”
Today this warning from the Homefront command for northern communities flashed on the computer screen. There have been hundreds of missiles in the past week, and over 10,000 in the past year. Over 63,000 people have been forced from their homes – Shlomi is the last on this list.
Look at those “houses” on the Israeli border in Lebanon – some of the thousands of above-ground shelters for missiles.
The sounds of shofars for Rosh Hashana filled the Jerusalem streets, and planes flew overhead day and night. However, our friends and families in the north were under the constant stream of rocket fire interrupting their holiday and trying to take their lives.
“Falling in open spaces” means more miracles, when under persistent attack.
Tomorrow is October 7, 2024, with a list of commemorative events for the murdered and hostages.
Before I could publish, a terrorist stabbing in the Beer Sheva bus station with casualties.
These messages are no longer seen on buses, but the message has become more significant – Hatima Tova, “May you be sealed for good!”
Another week in Jerusalem, Israel filled with contrasts.
This photo essay will focus on culture and color in Jerusalem, not crises.
The white autumn clouds drift in the blue skies over the Jerusalem streets.
Construction continues blocking the streets as buildings rise higher and higher.
A special movie screening was held at Jerusalem Cinema City on Monday night.
Tragic Awakening premiered in Israel with a private screening. Rabbi Raphel Shore, the director, was in the US promoting the film and his new book. However, others involved with the documentary exploring antisemitism were on hand to participate and share their ideas.
Rabbi Shalom Schwartz, one of the producers, and Rawan Osman, the star, spoke with Fleur Hassan Nahoum after the screening. Rawan’s journey from antisemite to finding Judaism is a fascinating story.
Tourism is down. This large souvenir store inside Jaffa Gate has closed.
But Mamilla Mall is often as busy as ever with no vacant stores.
The Tower of David’s new cafeteria was open and busy. But a tour of the newest exhibit was the reason to come back again to see what was new in the Tower of David Museum. Please notice the new trees.
A tour of “On the Other Side” led by Zadok Ben-David was a highlight of the week.
His two-minute video in the temporary gallery features bright flowers.
This Is – Same Place Other Times was created in January 2023.
It goes to blackened fields, but circles back around to the new growth. Almost prophetic?
In the same darkened gallery, is this astounding work, where he explores acute transitions in the natural world with butterflies. Did you notice the human form as the center of each colorful creature?
On the reverse side of this large circular piece under blue UV light – roaches. Zadok discussed the beauty of the butterfly in contrast to the creepy caterpillar.
Exploring transitions in the natural world, there is a site-specific piece of a male form in 15 poses outside.
The exhibit ends bright, colorful, and hopeful with three flowers at the new exit onto the street inside Jaffa Gate (where the old entrance was located).
When I first arrived at the Tower of David entrance, with the sun shining. I thought these figures were newly planted cypress trees. How wrong I was!
With Zadok Ben-David’s work, you have to take time and look at the details. Those were not leaves. They were human shapes. Each of the seven trees shows growth from the first sparse tree to a full one at the other end.
The exhibit goes until April.
Design Week also opened at Hansen House this year titled “The Ark.”
Hundreds of visitors filled the spaces outside for the opening event where the Mayor came to speak.
The inner courtyard had pieces of art and displays filled the buildings and campus.
In one room Bezalel students made colorful videos.
Fascinating fashions filled another room.
Entering “The Factory” felt like a scene from Willy Wonka. So much fun, I should go back. Design Week runs until September 26, 2024. Something for everyone, so much to see, this is barely a taste.
Hmm, these guys were arriving at Hansen House as we were leaving.
So fascinating is Rawan Osman, for the second time this week, I went to hear her speaking with Paul Gross at the Menachem Begin Heritage Center.
This is one protest site across from Cinema City.
And yellow ribbons are found on many of the Jerusalem streets.
Does anyone over kindergarten age on September 11, 2001, not remember where they were?
I was taking a walk in the Washington, DC, area that morning.
The sky was so blue.
The weather was unusually perfect.
Each year since 2009, a commemoration is held in Jerusalem, Israel, to remember those murdered on 9/11. It is the only memorial outside the US with the names of all those who lost their lives to terror.
In the monument, there is a piece from the Twin Towers that were destroyed that horrible morning.
The commemoration is sponsored by the Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael-Jewish National Fund (KKL-JNF), Jewish National Fund-USA (JNF-USA), and the Embassy of the United States of America in Israel. It is held at the site of the 30-foot-high bronze sculpture created by Israeli artist Eliezer Weishoff.
This year it was held on the evening of September 11, 2024.
The flame design of the US flag looked different than in past years (see Remembering September 11, 2018) when the program began at midday with a tent-like covering to protect participants from the sun.
This year had yellow ribbons and references to October 7 and the continuing war and hostages in Gaza.
International fire fighters, police and military came in uniform.
The ceremony began with standing the presentation of flags by the Marine honor guard and the singing of the Star-Spangled Banner.
US Ambassador Jack Lew spoke with David Borowich Yaari and Hillel Fuld before the program began.
Hillel Fuld took a selfie with an IDF lone soldier whose father was killed on 9/11 before she was born.
Her father’s name is one of the almost 3,000 listed along the memorial wall.
Each year the program ends with memorial wreaths placed by honored guests.
To begin the week, the Israel Defence and Security Forum (IDSF) and the Danube Institute of Budapest sponsored a conference, “The October Effect- Strategic Implications for Israel and Europe in the Middle East War” at the Menachem Begin Heritage Center in Jerusalem, Israel.
The morning panel moderated by Jamie Geller discussed the tidal wave of antisemitism engulfing the West. Fleur Hassan Nahoum, Israel Special Envoy for Trade and Innovation, Laszlo Bernat Vespremy, Historian Jeff Ballabon, Senior Counsel for International and Government Affairs at the American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ), and MP Michael Freilich, Belgium Chamber of Representatives participated.
“We knew we had problems since Durban in 2001” when the delegitimization of Israel began, was the opening of the remarks of Brig. General (Res) Yossi Kuperwasser the Director of Research at IDSF.
It was a long day with information and international speakers.
The closing panel discussed the Russia-China-Iran Axis and the US. Kristof Verese, International Director of the Danube Institute moderated a fascinating but not encouraging discussion with Or Yissachar, Vice-President IDSF, Monika Palotai, Religious Freedom Institute, and Robert C, Castel, Hungarian Israeli Security Policy expert. The lack of leadership from the US has led to a shift in world alliances.
However, the last two speakers offered some optimism to close out the day.
Janos Lastofka, Head of the Department for Middle East and North Africa and former Deputy Head of Mission of the Embassy of Hungary spoke of Hungarian citizen support as Israel was attacked brutally.
Also, MEP Tomas Zdechovsky, a Czech politician with 5 years in the EU Parliament, stated that his country was pro-Israel. His warning was to beware of cyber attacks from Iran.
For those who want more, here is a site to check.
Not to be forgotten -A War on Two Fronts? The Hezbollah Menace. Lieutenant Colonel (Res) Sarit Zehavi, Chair of the ALMA Center for Research in the north contributed. She is the expert who lives in the north.
The Michael Levin Base held its annual gala fund raiser at the Kahn Theater to a sold-out crowd.
It’s a Jewish function, so there was food after speeches and awards in support of lone soldiers.
Around Israel, as at Ohel Nechama Synagogue in Jerusalem, fairs have been set up to support businesses adversely affected by the October 7 War.
But, also in Jerusalem, while remembering the war and hostages –
New signs for the 2024 Israel Festival and Design Week are posted along Jerusalem streets.
A new program for young adults “Keeping on Track” has the first session focused on gleaning insight and learning from our past on September 18. The second session looks forward, to “helping you plan your future with tools that are both tangible and meaningful” the next night at “HaMiffal” Center.
The workshop, which will be in English, is intended for young adults aged 18-40.
Road work on Jerusalem streets continues in many locations with more foreign workers arriving.
New buildings are rising as this one on the Givat Ram Campus.
The Jerusalem Roof Top Festival is expanding to many new locations, too many to include now.
Meanwhile, sadly the military cemeteries are expanding in too many locations.
The IDF has many units and branches. One special program supports soldiers with diverse issues. At the 9/11 commemoration, a special choir performed “Wind Beneath my Wings.”
The lighting on the monument as the program came to a close.
May good and light overcome the darkness for a brighter future for all.
