Pesach – The Real Jerusalem Streets

Passover 2026 under missile fire, remembering years in bomb shelters

April 5, 2026April 5, 2026Sharon A

How was this Pesach, Passover, different than all other years?

This year in Jerusalem, we organized for the holiday between alerts, sirens, and seeking shelter from Iranian and Hezbollah missiles. The cluster fragments spread far and wide, causing damage; not all of them were reported. Thankfully, most people followed instructions and were not killed. However, many were injured running to shelters.

As of after Shabbat, according to MDA, 1,226 people were injured on their way to shelters, and 3 were killed; 26 of those injured were involved in road accidents after stopping on the side of the road during the siren.

We were able to host some of the family for lunch without having to go to the shelter.

Though later in the day, there was a siren loud enough that we did go, and left only after the booms stopped.

It reminded me of a visit to southern Israel in 2012 to photogragh a solidarity mission.

As the US rabbis spoke with the rabbi of a small Israeli moshav under rocket fire from Gaza, a red alert was sounded.

We all crowded into the family safe room. It was the bedroom of the youngest children, so they would not have to be moved when the alerts were sounded in the middle of the night. The twin girls were used to the sounds and sights, but not so many people crowded into their room. The mother announced where the rocket landed after hearing the boom. We exited the safe room and continued with the meeting and tour back to Jerusalem.

As we sit in our shelter, hearing the booms, we are becoming used to the sounds and guessing the proximity. One should question that this has become a new “normal” of life.

Jerusalem has been “lucky”?

The number of missiles launched from Iran and Hezbollah in Lebanon to northern Israel, including Tel Aviv, has not stopped, day and night.

We got through the seder without interruption and walked home safely.

The Passover table was ready for the Pesach seder, with “Vehi Sheamda” (והיא שעמדה), the song from the Passover Haggadah, sung during the Seder to represent Jewish survival and faith. It states that not just one, but many enemies in every generation have tried to destroy the Jewish people, yet God rescues.

This year, with cluster missiles and ballistic missiles from the regime in Iran, gatherings have been limited to 50 people and must be near a shelter. The annual large Birkat Cohanim, Priestly Blessing, was limited to the covered space of Wilson’s Arch, next to the Kotel, Western Wall plaza, which was empty as it has been for over a month during this current war.

It was broadcast live and is on YouTube.

A limited number of men were downstairs; the women’s section is the balcony above.

The blessings were recited.

The chief rabbis and their families arrived.

While the blessing from the Western Wall did take place this year,

it did not compare to the Birkat Cohanim of past years.

The seder ends with “Next Year in Jerusalem!”

The message felt more relevant than in past years.

Next year in Jerusalem for all who were not able to be here this year.

See Photos of Passover, Blue & White, and Spring Colors in Jerusalem

April 21, 2025April 21, 2025Sharon A

Thousands of visitors arrived in Israel for the holidays.

Many families had long-awaited, anticipated reunions.

With school out for more than a week, it was a time to look for new and different activities.

Downtown Jerusalem went with a Crusader theme, remember the previous ones?

I remember this is the fifth Knight-themed night event in the past 15 years.

The nights were more colorful for a photo than in the daytime.

Jerusalem of Freedom was the theme this year. Happy Passover from Jerusalem.

Those families that did not travel north for activities in nature could use the suspension bridge and, on this clear day, see the mountains of Jordan in the distance.

The water and music were on at the fountain in Teddy Park for half an hour, much to the delight of families when there was finally a warm day.

The first days were so cold, and it rained in some locations, but the last days were warm.

Near the Teddy Park is the Artists’ Colony, and new art was on display at Kol HaOt. Arriving late in the day, I missed the activities for children, but could see the works based on the current war and hostage theme. Celebrations for the second Passover since October 7 were held, but muted.

As in the past, Bank Hapoalim provided free admission to dozens of museums. We took advantage by going to Jerusalem’s L.A. Mayer Museum for Islamic Art.

The story of the stolen watches and their return is worthy of a visit. This fan alone is a timepiece with gold, diamonds, and pearls, worth a small fortune.

But the rest of the pieces are equally amazing as their story. It is a very secure place if the Houthis’ ballistic missile interceptions set off another alarm. The room is an extremely secure vault to prevent another theft from occurring.

Upstairs is the art and the history of the development of Islam from the early days of Muhammad.

I did not remember the Harari Hoard from previous visits. Ralph Harari collected Islamic metalware. These 20 silver pieces on display are from the 11th to 12th centuries.

In another room, the gold jewelry from the Harari collection is also impressive.

The new temporary exhibit is called “Fluid Concrete.”

Seeing the photos in black and white of buildings from around the world, I now understand the sign posted on the wall outside that I shared two weeks ago.

A sign of Passover on the Jerusalem streets, shops with limited food options to purchase.

Ah, but this year, sushi was for sale on Passover. Here in Rechavia for take-out only.

Days of cooking and eating, but the only photos were from before Shabbat.

The only regret is that I have no photos of the food on Shabbat served for lunch.

Even the last pickle was gone from the jar when they all went home.

On Tuesday and Thursday morning of Passover, as on Sukkot, tens of thousands were again at the Kotel, Western Wall, for Birkat Cohanim, the Priestly Blessing.

In the afternoon, First Station, despite a construction project that had the path closed,

and a large section blocked for renovation, for a light rail station to be built at the old train station,

saw families enjoying the activities along with the Passover food and ice cream for sale.

First Station was the place to be on at least two days of Passover, for a bicycle festival held there.

It was already dressed in blue and white for the upcoming holiday season.

One could even find a small blue and white cellphone bag for sale.

Spring has come, not only at the Tower of David, but along the Jerusalem streets.

In Yemin Moshe, there were spring flowers and blue and white flags.

On the balcony at the Theatron Residences was an Israeli flag.

Israeli flags were on display at private homes,

and a large Jerusalem flag was outside the entrance to a nursery school.

From one day to the next, the flags were flying over the Jerusalem streets.

But as the memorial flame over the door at the Menachem Begin Heritage Center reminds us, along with the celebrations come the memorial days, beginning with Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day, starting on Wednesday night, April 23, 2025.

So it was – this year in Jerusalem.

Just home from Beit Hanasi, the Israeli President’s residence, where seven new Ambassadors presented their credentials. Jane Huckabee stood as her husband, US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, signed the official guest book, holding her handbag – the newest blue & white, with the US flag on the other side.

How is this Passover Different than all others?

April 28, 2024April 28, 2024Sharon A

Passover, Pesach how is this Passover holiday 5784/2024 different from all others?

The new National Library of Israel was open and offered organized tours. This room is filled with unique volumes and ancient works in a modern technological setting.

There is an old colorful illuminated Haggadah used for Passover in the past.

This is the only surviving copy of the first Haggadah printed, in Spain in 1482.

There are also on display two printed in 1952 for the IDF. After 10,000 copies were printed, this secular version which removed Divine deliverance was suppressed at the last minute. Prime Minister Ben Gurion had them collected and destroyed, with only 20 copies surviving.

The National Library was not the only busy place over the holiday time, Mamilla Mall had new art pieces.

Extra security was visible in Mamilla Mall and at other popular tourist locations.

The sign near Jaffa Gate welcomed all with greetings for a Happy Passover.

Once again dozens of museums throughout Israel were open, including the Tower of David Jerusalem.

The Burnt House Museum in the Old City was also one open without an entrance fee.

It was good to be inside on the extremely hot intermediate days of Passover this year.

Despite the intense heat and security concerns, tens of thousands of people arrived Thursday morning for the Birkat Cohanim, Priestly Blessing at the Kotel, Western Wall.

The Kessim, Ethiopian religious leaders were easily spotted standing under their colorful umbrellas with a crowd of followers around them near the live cameramen and the stand for emergency medical care.

The women’s section was especially crowded in the few shaded areas.

However, people were standing in the sun on the rooftops all around the Western Wall plaza for the view.

One man found a quiet spot from the Aish building for a few minutes of private introspection and prayer.

The Chief Rabbis and dignitaries had their vantage point above the crowd.

This year at the end of the morning service with the Birkat Cohanim, special prayers were added for the safe return of the hostages and security in all of Israel.

The family of hostage Eliya Cohen had attended the service at the Kotel and were leaving as more people arrived by way of Jaffa Gate.

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Thousands of people kept coming and going all day and most of the night to the Old City of Jerusalem.

What was different this year was that the crowds were somewhat smaller. Some families who usually come did not. However, other families were in Israel many times, but their first time for Pesach!

This year a cloud hung over the festivities, wanting the hostages to be returned to their families so they too could enjoy the holiday of Pesach, of freedom from bondage.

Everyone is concerned for the safety of soldiers and civilians both north and south and civilians, under constant rocket fire.