Jerusalem

Seen in Jerusalem positive to balance too many lows

Sharon A

This week in Jerusalem, Israel, had too many lows.

However, here are a few positive stories to balance life on the real Jerusalem streets.

An invitation to the Tower of David Museum is one I always try to accept, not just for the photos at sunset.

Going thru the new entrance is still a novelty, an amazing blend of old and new.

I hope to go back soon to explore the new areas that were visible at night.

As I walked up this well-lit staircase I remembered when it was still a dangerous construction site.

A sign of our times, a sign with directions to one of the protected areas.

There was an evening program, an Israeli sing-along with live music with the words on the screen. Israelis sing sad songs on Tisha B’Av. They sing on Yom Kippur Night. They sing as the day shifts from Yom HaZikaron to Yom Haatzamaut. This night the list of songs included Adon Olam.

The appreciative audience included young children and adults of all ages.

There were lights on the flags on the side of the Jerusalem Theater.

Across the street, the lights were on at the new Theatron Hotel. Instead of the expected international tourists, this hotel, like most in Jerusalem, is hosting citizens from north and south who had to evacuate.

Praying for soldiers, hostages, evacuees, and the injured was first on the agenda for an evening program organized by three Jerusalem synagogues.

With children, grandchildren, sons and daughters, and close friends involved in the war in Gaza and along the northern border hostilities – everyone knows someone in harm’s way. Rabbi Dr. Alex Mondrow discussed coping during the crisis and trauma.

Baking. Yes, one extremely active group has been baking for soldiers. The Baking Battalion should have enough stories and videos to fill a book. Part of my contribution last week were vegan oatmeal cookies.

It is hard to ignore the profound sorrow of families of fallen soldiers, especially lone soldier parents. The family of Rose Lubin came from Atlanta, GA to sit shiva, and thousands came and stood quietly in line waiting to offer a few words of comfort.

It is hard to calculate how many hugs from “strangers” Rose’s mother received.

The tragic deaths are growing and getting closer to home. Yosef Chaim Hershkowitz’s parents live nearby in Jerusalem, and the family sat shiva for one day in Jerusalem.

Again, there was a crowd and a line of people waiting to have a few seconds to mumble a few words of comfort and move along. They barely had time to say the traditional greeting:

המקום ינחם אתכם בתוך שאר אבלי ציון וירושלים

“May God comfort you among the other mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.”

As we left, more and more people were arriving. And sadly, this will not be the last shiva visit this week.

Signs are up. However, the new Jerusalem pool opening is hardly news now.

There were jugglers on the Jerusalem streets on Friday near the Pillbox. Only when I got home did I notice the poster in the photograph and decided not to edit it out.

People are out eating in Jerusalem street cafes again when the weather is warm. Hostage posters ended up in this image too; they are plastered all around and I have yet to see one taken down.

New long Israeli flags are displayed on buildings.

At first, I was impressed by the flag on the Museum for Islamic Art.

But, wow, the ad space on the side of the building is filled with the #BringThemHomeNow poster.

The red strollers with hostage posters are sad to see.

These children have been held hostage in Gaza for over 6 weeks, and now the weather is turning cold.

The way to Gaza is the name of a small Jerusalem side street.

It is off of Gaza Street, across from the current Prime Minister’s home. I decided though the security was low when I passed by, that it was better to refrain from taking photos of the new security being constructed.

But I also decided to save the best for last to end on a positive note!

The gates for the Hansen House were open on Thursday afternoon.

A new exhibit has opened upstairs “A Smart Home in a Dumb Body” by Guy Goldstein.

And downstairs is the Toldot Printing exhibit.

In the always fascinating space on the lower part of Hansen House.

But where were all the people?

Hundreds of people were outside on the Hansen House grounds.

Piles of produce were brought from southern farmers (most of it picked by volunteers since many foreign workers were killed or captured on October 7 or went home) for sale in Jerusalem.

This is one of the locations where people in Jerusalem are trying to help by supporting southern agriculture.

Even the paper cups are going blue and white, “Together we will prevail.”

Hope to see you soon the the Jerusalem streets.

Hatikvah

The contrast of the tragic and good fills Jerusalem’s streets

Sharon A

One day at a time. One step at a time.

The Real Jerusalem Streets was initiated years ago to convey the reality of life in Jerusalem, Israel, with photographs because the negative media was not sharing with the world what was really happening.

Finally, 30 days after the October 7 massacre when Hamas invaded southern Israel from Gaza, it was time to venture out again at night and see what was really happening on the Jerusalem streets

Near Jaffa Gate, at night the Tower of David was lit up and a large Israel flag was unfurled.

The over 200 faces of those kidnapped and held in Gaza were projected on the wall of the Old City.

Over 30 days, no visit by the International Red Cross, and the UN agencies still do not care about Israeli civilians held hostage, a war crime and humanitarian crisis they ignore.

There were not many people out, but the night was quiet, perhaps too quiet.

Jerusalem was slowly coming back to life, good to see a long-time souvenir shop was open.

People were out strolling on Jaffa Road again at night.

New Israel flags were visible, these were electronic and appeared with movement as in a video.

The sounds of music were not heard in the popular Music Square.

However, a new kosher dairy restaurant was preparing to open,

and so good again people were back to eating in outdoor cafes.

Amazing, Mamilla Mall was quiet at night, but still there was a line waiting to enter Cafe Rimon.

A few minutes away another meat restaurant served their customers.

Walking along Jaffa Road near Safra Square more blue and white, and a few girls sitting on a bench.

Bright colorful butterfly lights over Jerusalem streets

in contrast to the sad memorial lights being lit on the Jerusalem streets near Safra Square.

During the day, the Israel Museum was not open for visitors, only for a few scheduled classes.

But across the road, the Bible Lands Museum was open and displayed a big yellow ribbon.

While at Cinema City the lion was tied with a much smaller yellow ribbons.

Israeli blue and white flags lined the perimeter of the new National Library of Israel.

The grand public opening street parties have been put on hold for now.

However, it is open and people have been coming to sit and do work and research.

Israel at 75 now is certainly not how anyone would have imagined it during the Sukkot holiday.

But in Jerusalem, Muslim women still can walk freely on the Jerusalem streets.

Construction on the new government center is proceeding.

After years, the building can be seen at street level with workers doing complicated infrastructure.

Volunteers of all types and efforts have come out to support the soldiers. Here at The Base students are baking brownies for lone soldiers. The list grows of supporters for Hamal HaMatok. The Jerusalem Baking Battalion is part of the effort that sent home-baked challah and cakes to 3,800 soldiers last week.

This Jerusalem bake shop is open again with a “Bring Them Home Now” sign in the window.

The world ignores the plight of those kidnapped on October 7, of many nationalities, held in Gaza.

Meanwhile, life moves on in Jerusalem, however, slower and sadder.

We do not forget those hostages. The light projection on the Jewish Agency Building on King George Street ‘Bring them home’ is highlighted with their faces at night.

The terrible tragedy has brought good in the most unbelievable positive ways, as the names of new fallen soldiers are acknowledged. The Jerusalem streets are full of contrast. Will conclude this week, as in the short video projection –

Am Yisrael Chai.

Time for Good News from the Jerusalem Streets

Sharon A

Where to begin and what is most important to share?

In these difficult days, people are grasping for good news to balance daily updates of deaths, funerals, and condolence calls.

In Jerusalem, more and larger Israeli flags are unfurling each day. This one is near Jaffa Gate.

After hearing the booms and seeing the Iron Dome interceptions in the sky over Jerusalem, it took a few days to venture out to see what was happening on the Jerusalem streets.

Workers were putting up more flags and flag poles to line main roads.

At Mishkanot Shaananim, I have never before seen a shelter notice posted at the auditorium door. The gruesome ZAKA press conference was held there for international journalists.

Did you see anything about ZAKA reported in your local media?

Outside was a MDA emergency motorcycle ready, but not needed.

And very close to the Montefiore Windmill, there were people preparing for a wedding. The stories of weddings during this time could fill a book. Each day news of more engagements keeps us smiling too.

People have come through with volunteering, donating, and sharing just about everything you could imagine in Jerusalem, and throughout Israel.

One Family Fund has been working overtime, the pile of donations so large it had to be moved outside.

International media crews have parachuted in by the hundreds and are looking for stories.

Will they include young Arab families walking freely on the Jerusalem streets?

The popular Mamilla Mall was almost deserted though a few shops were open and food was available.

Friday, I felt like Noah leaving the safety of my little neighborhood and went to the Tower of David.

For years I have been watching and waiting to see the new entrance in use. The Tower of David Museum is closed.

However, I was invited to take photos of a bat mitzvah girl from the south and her family, and it was an offer too hard to resist. It was a great volunteer project, much more fun than packing sandwiches for sure.

The security was strictly enforced to enter but once I got inside the view was as impressive as ever.

From the top of the Tower of David, there is one of the best views of the Temple Mount. It was good to see it very quiet on Friday after midday prayer time.

In this upside-down world of the Jerusalem, Israel streets, I smiled all the way home from the Tower of David after meeting bat mitzvah girl Rotem and her family.

Seeing young fathers dressed in army uniforms walking with children,

and others walking with weapons slung over their shoulders has become a comforting norm.

Then I saw these two women and had to ask if they knew each other before. They did not. A woman in Jerusalem was giving a woman from the south food and games and more for Shabbat.

Two strangers coming together in time of need.

Yes, Hamas is constantly firing rockets and missiles at Israeli cities. Hezbollah on the northern border is jealous of the attention and shooting at Israeli cities now also. Red alerts come in batches – anytime.

But for the moment at least, Jerusalem is quiet, some children are back in school, at least part-time.

More signs reading “One Nation as One” and “Am Yisrael Chai!” are being posted on Jerusalem streets.

Hopefully, there will be more good news to share next time from the Jerusalem!