National Library of Israel

In Jerusalem, the National Library of Israel and the Paris Olympics offer Relief to the War News

Sharon A

Summertime on the Jerusalem streets, though too warm for comfort, is usually filled with tourists. Not so this year, as most visitors were arriving to “volunteer” or to support family and friends.

No one was playing on the piano in the plaza by the Central Bus Station under the watchful eye of the Hamsa on Sunday, often a busy day in Jerusalem, Israel.

The daytime temperatures kept me inside with the air conditioning going, but after dark, despite the humidity, it was crucial to get out and walk for at least a short distance.

The National Library of Israel has a special summer exhibit for children, featuring nine oversized pillows.

Children’s books are on display along the new corridor.

The idea is storytelling, text, and tactile stimulation to engage young readers with oversized themed floor pillows.

These two children jumped right into one colorful “Poof Sipur” pillow.

Keeping children busy and safe under the threat of war adds a layer to the usual summer plans. Entertainment was set up outside the library for the early evening as the sun was going down.

More photos of the pillows on Facebook HERE

Summertime and the living is easy…

Nope. Not in our house, no lounging around – it was time to bake again for HaHamal HaMatok. For over 39 weeks, thousands of Israelis wanting “to do something” have baked challot and cakes and cookies to send to soldiers on the northern and southern borders.

Many Israelis are looking for news, good news, anything other than war news and terror attacks.

They have turned to Paris for the Olympic reports of Israeli success.

The Israeli Olympic team send-off was held at Beit Hanasi in June. Since October 7 the athletes have trained and performed under additional pressures.

Medal winner Raz Hershko said: “Thank you. This is our goal, to come and represent the country in the most correct, clean, and best way possible and to show everyone how strong we are and what an amazing people we are and nothing can bring us down. This medal is mine but in effect, it belongs to us all. I really love our country and there is nobody like us, and thank you for calling to offer congratulations.”

On August 16, 2021, medal winners from the Tokyo Olympics posed with President Herzog in the garden.

Artem Dolgopyat won a gold last time and now silver. He was popular for selfies then, and more so now, as he is the first Israeli to win back-to-back Olympics medals, and plans to go again next time.

Everyone wanted a photo with the gold medals even the President’s photographer. Makes me the only one there that day who missed out on getting a selfie.

Looking through the photos from the last Olympics in 2021, I had forgotten COVID-19 and the masks.

Now the war and hostages held for over 300 days are hard to forget.

In the National Library, the chairs and books for the remaining hostages are still on display.

August 5, 2024, is Ariel Bibas’ 5th birthday.

Hard to believe that despite the video showing the family’s abduction there are still those who deny the October 7 atrocities happened.

And the fallen soldiers and their families, the list grows, as Israel tries to carefully get rid of threats north and south.

The seasons change and hopefully, we can all walk safely on the Jerusalem streets again.

See What’s Happening in Jerusalem – 6 months since October 7

Sharon A

April 7, 2024, in Jerusalem, Israel.

Over the Jerusalem streets, the sun is shining. The weather is a bit cool.

Six months after the brutal murders of over 1,200 people in Israel by invaders from Gaza on the holiday Shabbat is still hard to comprehend.

However, while remembering that there are still 134 hostages captive in Gaza, we try to move forward. Under the constant shadow of war, with tens of thousands of people from the south and north unable to return home for the Passover holidays, with an uncertain future, struggling to be joyous in some fashion.

The new National Library of Israel (NLI) has become a popular site, especially impressive at night.

Included in the new video presentation for visitors with information is the quote, “If you have gone to the library a dozen times to look at the books, go once to look at the people.” – Martin Buber

I have not gone a dozen times yet, but even before it opened. and each time there is something new to see.

On Thursday night, I caught NLI Rector Shai Nitzan and CEO Oren Weinberg seated near the video having a conversation.

The Batim M’befnim, Open Houses Jerusalem, is an annual event, previously held at the end of October. As Mayor Moshe Lion welcomed guests at the NLI to the opening event, he mentioned the decision to move forward in the spring opening hundreds of locations to the public.

Open Houses Jerusalem used to be called Houses From Within.

I vividly remember one of my first experiences years ago when they opened the gates at Hansen House for the first time and had a tour inside. Oh, how Hansen House has changed!

The Mayor spoke briefly in Hebrew and English, for the benefit of leading Israeli architects and visiting international tourism professionals in the crowd.

The dairy food was presented inside in the lobby before the Mayor arrived,

and the dessert display outside was also photo-worthy and tasted as good as it looked.

An NLI tour was offered to various groups. I was in the white group, which was in English, and included international visitors from India, the US, and Italy.

The modern automated stacks of over 4 million books are impressive even when not in operation.

Across the small viewing room stands this relic, with a warning not to get close, a reminder of the library of days past, for my librarian and researcher friends.

Going out to the Jerusalem streets this week were lovely sights and signs of spring.

But the closed-off street near the Prime Minister’s home is making the headlines.

Closed hours before protesters, at least we could walk by Azza Street.

New large posters were calling for Unity Now.

And the better slogan, #LetThemGoNOW was on display over a major Jerusalem street.

This week I went on a press visit to Shefayim, in the hotel dining room where survivors of Kfar Aza are presently living, a table is set for their kidnapped members.

After months, some of the young families have been moved out of hotel rooms into small buildings made for them to have a little more space, as it will be a long time until they can return to Kfar Aza.

As we walked away from meeting the distraught family members of the kidnapped hostages, the fog was settling in, time for one more photo before heading back to Jerusalem.

I

n the National Library’s main reading room, the display for the Bibas family children draws attention.

But, after hearing Doron Steinbrecher’s mother’s anguished appeal to international media

and Gali and Ziv Berman’s brother speaking, I decided to share their photos displayed in the library again.

The world concern for Israelis held captive in Gaza must constantly be raised. It’s been 6 months too long.

April it’s spring!

The Jerusalem streets look to nature with music and workshops planned in parks.

Passover the holiday celebrating freedom is in two weeks.

Wondering how many visitors will fill the Jerusalem streets this year?

A week with more than the International Jerusalem Winner Marathon

Sharon A

It was a real marathon week again in Jerusalem, Israel!

Jerusalem was busy preparing for the 13th International Winner Marathon.

But other international events were happening that received less media coverage.

The new National Library of Israel has become a popular tourist stop for locals as well as visitors.

The view from near the main entrance has become a favorite photo op for almost everyone.

Taken from the conference room, the birds have found spots to get the best views.

Bird’s eye view of the Knesset building across Kaplan Street.

USC Shoah Foundation Executive Director Robert J. Williams and NLI Chairman Sallai Meridor signed an exclusive partnership on March 4 to include testimonies from more than 52,000 Holocaust survivors and hundreds of survivors of the October 7 terrorist attacks in an ongoing “Bearing Witness” historical documentation project to be archived at NLI.

Images of the murdered are projected on the screen in a room off the main entrance.

Photos of the hostages are on chairs in the main reading room positioned by the other entrance.

As I was leaving a large group of Arab high school students were arriving at the National Library of Israel where Arabic is used in all the sections.

The Southern Californians were not the only international visitors to sign official documents.

To conclude the Israel Allies Foundation Annual Chairman’s Conference, 20 global parliamentarians met with Israel’s Intelligence Minister Gila Gamliel. The coalition of global leaders presented a signed resolution denouncing Iran-sponsored terrorism and war crimes against Israel.

Another delegation was not political and did not sign documents, they sponsored a special Bat Mitzvah celebration for 22 bat mitzvah girls who lost a close relative to terror.

United Mashadi Jewish Community of America (UMJCA) women’s solidarity mission participants from Great Neck, New York, brought gifts and joy to the families who have known so little since October 7.

OneFamily once again brought smiles to the faces of all attending the Jerusalem event.

Much more on that story another time.

The International Life Science & Health-Tech Week in Israel 2024 was held at the Jerusalem Convention Center. It felt like the good old days before COVID-19 again in Jerusalem with a live conference.

The report by Omer Gavish of Israel Advanced Technology Industries was mostly positive.

One participant was on screen from Dubai, along with close to 2,000 people over two days in Jerusalem.

The usual booths, interactions, and great food added to the upbeat atmosphere. One startup for every fallen on October 7 is the goal for the future.

The main event of the International Jerusalem Winner Marathon began with an Expo at Cinema City.

After registering online, runners arrived to get their shirts and numbers for the Friday morning races.

Ok, not all the signs worked in English,

and some of those without words were unclear as well.

But the full marathon finish line in Gan Sacher, Sacher Park was ready ahead of schedule.

With so many shorter races, it is impossible to be everywhere, or even at most places on Friday morning.

But Mayor Moshe Lion was at the finish line to give the medal to the first-place full marathon winner.

With 40,000 people and 500 photos to select from, I decided to do a separate post for the Jerusalem Marathon. However, some photos were posted on Facebook on Friday.

Was wonderful to see so many people on the Jerusalem streets this past week.