selihot – The Real Jerusalem Streets

Jerusalem streets fill with people and music before Yom Kippur

September 20, 2026September 22, 2026Sharon A

The Jerusalem streets have been crowded each night, with tens of thousands heading to the Kotel, the Western Wall, for selihot. These middle-of-the-night prayers before Yom Kippur have become a “thing.”

People, especially young people from all over, secular and religious, at the Kotel and flowing into the surrounding area after 1 a.m. have become the new norm.

Buses, light rail trains, and Jerusalem streets were packed with people on Thursday night.

One special event was held in the old Shaare Zedek Hospital building on Jaffa Street.

Organizations supporting lone soldiers and B’not Sherut national service volunteers came together under the leadership of ImpactIL®, founded by Lesley Kaplan, partnering with The Michael Levin Base. Booths, business owners, and mentors offered support and guidance for soldiers at this event, especially the lone soldiers and lone B’not Sherut participants, either after service or as their service neared its end.

Yeshiva University was one of many educational options to explore.

Inside, mentors were available for young people to meet and connect.

Inside and outside, people at stations were available to help.

Most of the 150 soldiers were not in uniform, and only a few had weapons.

It was an opportunity for those who finished their service to become financially smarter.

Soft music was played throughout the evening event.

It was wonderful to see so many worthwhile organizations working together.

Another less publicized event was held at Beit Hanasi, the Israeli President’s Residence.

President Herzog hosted a selihot music program organized by Rabbi Benny Lau’s 929 bible study organization.

This year the theme was “Gates”; opening the gates was on the program and on these magnets.

For this musical-based event, photos did not suffice, so please enjoy these short videos:

A beautiful rendition of “Who By Fire ” by the Yagel Haroush Ensemble.

More music from the Yagel Haroush Ensemble for Selihot 5787.

Yagel Haroush Ensemble posed with President Isaac and Michal Herzog after the performance.

The young people invited each year are treated to a unique experience initiated by President Reuven Rivlin.

One memory from when President Rivlin got involved with Selihot is still a favorite.

Not sure how to spell it in English, but David D’Or’s version was a highlight at musical selihot events this year, so I’m sharing one from almost a decade ago.

May you hear the music yourself: “Next year in Jerusalem!”

Even before Yom Kippur, signs were up for the Sukkot Jerusalem Parade on September 28, 2026, with family events planned for Gan Sacher, Sacher Park.

Always something happening on the Real Jerusalem Streets.

This time of year, it’s hard to keep up and impossible to be everywhere.

Shana tova, gmar hatima tova

From Rosh Hashanah to Yom Kippur on the Jerusalem streets

September 28, 2025September 28, 2025Sharon A

Just before Rosh Hashanah, Jerusalem turned into a whirlwind of activity.

It seemed as though every postponed lecture, concert, and ceremony came rushing back at once. I found myself choosing between events, racing from one to another, while noticing the first hints of autumn in the cooler air as the seasons changed and visitors arrived for the holidays.

Construction in Jerusalem, near the city entrance, is ongoing and increasing.

Actually, those construction cranes can be seen almost everywhere along the Jerusalem streets.

Buildings towering over the streets are a surprise to those who have not been around for a while.

The contrast of old and new, a constant theme in Jerusalem, is seen here on Jaffa Road.

This is a special time of year in Jerusalem, Israel, before the High Holidays.

‘Jerusalem City of Selihot’ signs are seen along Jerusalem streets. Tours wandered through the Old City night after night to the Kotel, Western Wall, for the after-midnight prayers.

However, during the day, people were out and about, no matter how late the hours the night before.

The Living Financially Smarter in Israel annual conference was held again with Nefesh BeNefesh in the Jerusalem Campus. Cinema City was not busy on the Sunday of the conference when I arrived.

Rifka Leibowitz concluded the full day of speakers with a summary of the key elements of a financially smarter life. Live within your means, plan and grow your money, and prepare for that broken appliance or unwanted but necessary expense.

At the end of the day, the participants were still around to fill the large room to hear her presentation.

The Jerusalem Post Diplomatic Conference was held in the Friends of Zion Media Center.

Not the usual hotel venue for that conference, and attendance varied for each speaker or awardee.
Among the morning highlights was the interview of Mike Huckabee, United States Ambassador to Israel, by Zvika Klein.

One of the Jerusalem Post’s 50 influential people was Sam Grundwerg, World Chairman, Keren Hayesod, who spoke and posed with editor-in-chief Zvika Klein.

Another of the 50, Amir Avivi, Founder & Chairman, Israel’s Defense and Security Forum, was interviewed by Anna Ahronheim, Editor Defense & Tech, The Jerusalem Post

Politicians included Amichai Chikli, Minister of Diaspora Affairs & Combating Antisemitism, who was interviewed by Zvika Klein.

Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion arrived and smiled before he spoke briefly.

And always everywhere and smiling was Fleur Hassan Nahoum.

One of the few diplomats this year was the Ambassador from India, J. P. Singh.

The IDF spokesperson Nadav Shoshani was another of the 50 who attended, as was Yoel Zilberman, CEO and Co-founder, Hashomer Hachadash.

An all-female panel was moderated by the new Jerusalem Report editor, Ruth Eglash.

But the program ran late, and I left before Mosab Hassan Yousef, “The Green Prince,” and Dr. Dan Diker, President and Fellow, Jerusalem Center for Security and Foreign Affairs, were on the stage.

It was more important to me to be at the Jerusalem Theater for The Michael Levin Base gala event.

Friends Carol and Mark Goldberg were being honored as The Base Volunteers of the Year.

And yes, there was Fleur again – smiling.

The Rise of Global Antisemitism Panel was moderated by Michael Dickson, StandWithUs CEO, and included former Deputy Mayor Fleur Hassan Nahoum, current Deputy Mayor Adir Schwartz, and journalist Matti Friedman.

US Ambassador Mike Huckabee was the opening keynote speaker. His patience and attention to those who stopped him on his way in the auditorium were impressive.

The Ambassador received a standing ovation as he reached the stage, and before he could say a word, affirming that the United States and Israel are more than allies – “we are partners.”

Of course, there was food and more awards that night.

Driving to Modiin on Route 443, one sees the new Arab buildings spread over the hilltops.

We went on Friday morning for a family event and service.

For a simhat bat – a celebration for a new baby girl in the family.

Celebrations continue – light and good, along with the darkness and bad of the past year.

The crowds have been large at the Kotel each night. I did not go this year, but even President Herzog went last night to support the hostages and their families.

However, the prayers at the Kotel are the same every year.

And the sounds of selihot resonate each year…differently for the Ashkenazi and Sephardi traditions. But at least in Jerusalem, the tunes and customs are beginning to merge.

Also, in Kikar Safra, the Jerusalem municipal square, there is a large gathering to celebrate the New Year.

There are traditional foods,

as that fiddler on the roof, “Tradition.”

Gmar Hatima Tova is the traditional greeting of the season.

And as Yom Kippur ends, “Next year in Jerusalem” is said around the world – a tradition.

And the sounds of Sukkot will fill the Jerusalem streets.

Jerusalem New Signs for Rosh Hashana

September 13, 2020Sharon A

It was hard not to get whiplash in Jerusalem, Israel, this past week.

The extremes of the good news and bad were so sharp it was hard to keep up.

While the 4.5 million Israelis who usually go overseas for their summer holidays had to stay home because of the pandemic situation, Israel’s nature spots were fully booked. Now a holiday lockdown is predicted as the number of COVID-19 infections rises.

Schools opened. Schools closed. Classes were on Zoom. Students were home.

Oh, and there was a heatwave, making going outside unpleasant!

The humidity rose in the evening making the nights unusually uncomfortable. But over the Jerusalem streets, clouds produced lovely and colorful sunsets like this one over the Israel Museum, partially illuminated in the center of the photo.

The demand for electricity caused random power outages. However, these Jerusalem street lights did not go off in the morning light and needed professional attention.

An unusual sports excitement, Dean Kremer, the first Israeli ever drafted by a US Major League Baseball team made his major league debut for the Baltimore Orioles. He pitched a great game, and even though they beat the Yankees, Israeli Yankee fans were impressed enough to take to social media.

Trying to get back to some sort of normal with coronavirus has been difficult for theaters, cultural festivals and events. The Film & Conversation group in Baka/Katamon is planning to move outside Beit Yehudit at night on 13 September.

Signs were up for performances in theater courtyards.

The ‘Stars Outside’ signs were up again, trying to get audience to attend.

The Hansen House announced a designer’s event.

And a new sign for new Jerusalem local elections in November.

Rosh Hashana begins on Friday night.

After Shabbat, the Ashkenazim joined the Sefardim in Selichot, who have already been saying them for a month. Due to COVID-19 regulations, this year there was a special prayer service with special seating in Kikar Safra, the Jerusalem Municipal plaza.

The late-night musical Selihot were led by Yizhak Meir and broadcast on YouTube and Facebook. An announcement was made at the end that people should not crowd, but leave in ‘capsules’ and small groups.

Meanwhile, not far away, at the same time, the anti-Bibi protesters were back for the 12th week.

The new Jerusalem street signs for a successful New Year,

and a year of happiness.

Pomegranates are another sign of Rosh Hashana.

Apples and honey and success are yet another New Year sign.

Reports that Egyptians are now trying to get Hamas to release the bodies of Hadar Goldin, and Oron Shaul. Avera Mengistu has been held captive in Gaza for six years.

It’s time to bring the boys home.

Selihot last year, over 1,000 people attended the Jerusalem Great Synagogue.

It has been closed since the spring and will remain closed for the High Holy Days this year.

The Kotel, Western Wall, usually crowded with tens of thousands for Selihot, had a limited crowd, divided into ‘capsules,’ and only filled up well after midnight.

What a year 5780 has been!

So there you have some of the ups and downs, good and bad, certainly different, of the past week

Coming in so strongly, the Hebrew year 5780 Jerusalem hit record numbers in tourism. It was then hit with a pandemic and closed borders to overseas tourists.

Now with prospects of normalization with Gulf neighbors, there should be euphoria. But new closures dampen holiday planning. No one really knows what will be for the next day, next week, next month, certainly not next year.

But as we begin 5781, wishing all a year of good health!

Hope to see you all again soon on the Jerusalem streets.