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

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.

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

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.

Jerusalem Back to Normal: But what will happen next?

This past year has shown no one can predict what will happen next.

After well over a year with so little happening due to corona restrictions, last week was one very busy, “back to normal” week.

Finally, too many good things happened hard to decide what to share first.

The view in the distance from the footbridge over Hebron Road appeared the same as for centuries the sun reflected off the Old City walls.

But as the week began, down below in the Sultan’s Pool, the huge stage was lit for a major Chabad event at night for men and boys.

At the same time across the way on the Begin Center main stage, the final performance of Rebecca: Mother of Two Dynasties was being performed by women for women.

The Begin Heritage Center was also the site for special weekly Bible sessions.

Of course, the Jerusalem buildings keep going up and up.

The old entrance of the President’s Hotel was been cemented shut.

Goodness, even those famous steps from the Montefiore Windmill down by Yemin Moshe are gone.

Some of the street work is hard to explain, with pavement recently done – being redone and landscaped.

And those new blue historical signs becoming more common than the regular road closures.

But this week there was more happening in Jerusalem!

Postponed for a year, the Tokyo 2020 Olympics are to be held this summer.

The Israeli Olympic and Paralympic teams were invited to Beit Hanasi, the Israeli President’s Residence for a traditional sendoff and official photograph.

Large black & white photos of participating athletes were posted outside the main entrance.

The Japanese Ambassador to Israel attended and was interviewed by Walter Bingham, the world’s oldest active journalist at the young age of 97.

The Ambassador also posed with leaders from the Israeli Baseball team, playing for the first time in the Olympic competition.

The team photo was taking at Machane Yehuda Market, and two of the baseball players were at Beit Hanasi for the send off event.

Inside, the veteran Paralympic athletes had seats near the front.

For the first time in a very, very long time, the main hall was filled, over filled to capacity.

Ready to present a gift to President Rivlin was European gold medal winning rhythmic gymnast Linoy Ashram.

The traditional posed photographs were taken afterward outside, more HERE.

But how long has it been – two big events hosted at Beit Hanasi in one day?

And with full buffet tables!?

The same evening a business leaders conference included live entertainers.

Rows of invited guests, seated with the Israeli President, used to happen regularly, but not this last year of President Rivlin’s seven year term.

The round of farewells the past few weeks has been continuous.

The Israeli Business Roundtable had a cute image in their presentation.

President of Israel Reuven Rivlin spoke to full houses on Wednesday.

Then after Shabbat, he departed on a farewell visit to the United States at the invitation of President Joe Biden.

But he is to be back on Thursday morning, to hold a state reception ceremony for President Dr. Frank-Walter Steinmeier of Germany and his wife, on a state visit to Israel.

President Steinmeier of Germany will plant a tree in the Avenue of Presidents in the gardens of Beit Hanasi and will then sign the Beit Hanasi visitors’ book and President Rivlin will host a state banquet in their honor.

Jerusalem Israeli President House reception for Andrea Merkel and delegates

Three years ago, Beit Hanasi held a state dinner for Andrea Merkel.

A full schedule before July 7, 2021, when Israel is to get a new president.

Getting used to new Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and his emails. Since the airport has been a source of new corona variants, Bennett has appointed Maj.-Gen. (ret.) Ronni Numa: “who has been doing exceptional work in Bnei Brak and with the ultra-orthodox public. He will receive the responsibility to integrate and manage dealing with the coronavirus at the crossings.”

No certainty to when borders will be open and tourists will return.

And finally, I am slow today! How could I forget? This week also we had a reunion of former Virginians in Ramot Mall, as two couples were able to get into Israel from the US to see their children and grandchildren. So it’s happening, slowly.

Who knows what next will happen on the Jerusalem streets?

Hope we can see you here soon. Meanwhile, virtual tours are available.