Every year, for the September 11 ceremony, the names of the victims are remembered, some with flowers.
I did not go this year, but watched the live broadcast at home.
The week started with much excitement about a red moon event on Sunday night.
Knowing I would not be up and outside at 8:30 pm, I did get a photo of the pink sky at sunrise.
Not too bad an image through the dirty hospital room window. A bit of advice, do not try and call hospital staff during a lunar phenomenon when all are outside watching the moon.
I was glad to be out the next day and able to walk a bit in the neighborhood near the new bike paths.
They are not finished. The areas of work are often blocked, and traffic backs up. Honking is the norm.
I did see one person actually use the bike path and not ride on the sidewalk.
Being out on the local street, I liked this message for young children to hold a hand and not cross alone.
No forgetting the hostages, these yellow signs have been posted in many areas – “until the last hostage.”
I could include the protests and other low events of the week.
However, I decided to share the colors of the fall flowers I saw along Jerusalem streets.
White blossoms abound,
along with cacti full of fruit,
and multicolored flowers line Jerusalem streets this time of year.
As usual, Muslim young women were out sitting in a Jerusalem cafe.
And of course, those Jerusalem cats were out as the day cools off.
Being home for Shabbat was very good news.
As we go to the end of September and the year 5785, new “Jerusalem is the capital of Selihot” signs are lining the Jerusalem streets.
The prayers every year before Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur have become increasingly popular, accompanied by music, and are held in hundreds of venues.
I did not go this year, but I remember a highlight from 10 years ago.
Walking towards the Kotel, the Western Wall, I went out of my way to follow the sounds coming from the Old City.
Going along a small lane to discover Chizki Sofer leading a musical selihot service. I had no idea who he was at the time, but I found out quickly through social media. It can be good when it’s helpful.
May the New Year bring good news and good health for all.
Does anyone over kindergarten age on September 11, 2001, not remember where they were?
I was taking a walk in the Washington, DC, area that morning.
The sky was so blue.
The weather was unusually perfect.
Each year since 2009, a commemoration is held in Jerusalem, Israel, to remember those murdered on 9/11. It is the only memorial outside the US with the names of all those who lost their lives to terror.
In the monument, there is a piece from the Twin Towers that were destroyed that horrible morning.
The commemoration is sponsored by the Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael-Jewish National Fund (KKL-JNF), Jewish National Fund-USA (JNF-USA), and the Embassy of the United States of America in Israel. It is held at the site of the 30-foot-high bronze sculpture created by Israeli artist Eliezer Weishoff.
This year it was held on the evening of September 11, 2024.
The flame design of the US flag looked different than in past years (see Remembering September 11, 2018) when the program began at midday with a tent-like covering to protect participants from the sun.
This year had yellow ribbons and references to October 7 and the continuing war and hostages in Gaza.
International fire fighters, police and military came in uniform.
The ceremony began with standing the presentation of flags by the Marine honor guard and the singing of the Star-Spangled Banner.
US Ambassador Jack Lew spoke with David Borowich Yaari and Hillel Fuld before the program began.
Hillel Fuld took a selfie with an IDF lone soldier whose father was killed on 9/11 before she was born.
Her father’s name is one of the almost 3,000 listed along the memorial wall.
Each year the program ends with memorial wreaths placed by honored guests.
To begin the week, the Israel Defence and Security Forum (IDSF) and the Danube Institute of Budapest sponsored a conference, “The October Effect- Strategic Implications for Israel and Europe in the Middle East War” at the Menachem Begin Heritage Center in Jerusalem, Israel.
The morning panel moderated by Jamie Geller discussed the tidal wave of antisemitism engulfing the West. Fleur Hassan Nahoum, Israel Special Envoy for Trade and Innovation, Laszlo Bernat Vespremy, Historian Jeff Ballabon, Senior Counsel for International and Government Affairs at the American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ), and MP Michael Freilich, Belgium Chamber of Representatives participated.
“We knew we had problems since Durban in 2001” when the delegitimization of Israel began, was the opening of the remarks of Brig. General (Res) Yossi Kuperwasser the Director of Research at IDSF.
It was a long day with information and international speakers.
The closing panel discussed the Russia-China-Iran Axis and the US. Kristof Verese, International Director of the Danube Institute moderated a fascinating but not encouraging discussion with Or Yissachar, Vice-President IDSF, Monika Palotai, Religious Freedom Institute, and Robert C, Castel, Hungarian Israeli Security Policy expert. The lack of leadership from the US has led to a shift in world alliances.
However, the last two speakers offered some optimism to close out the day.
Janos Lastofka, Head of the Department for Middle East and North Africa and former Deputy Head of Mission of the Embassy of Hungary spoke of Hungarian citizen support as Israel was attacked brutally.
Also, MEP Tomas Zdechovsky, a Czech politician with 5 years in the EU Parliament, stated that his country was pro-Israel. His warning was to beware of cyber attacks from Iran.
For those who want more, here is a site to check.
Not to be forgotten -A War on Two Fronts? The Hezbollah Menace. Lieutenant Colonel (Res) Sarit Zehavi, Chair of the ALMA Center for Research in the north contributed. She is the expert who lives in the north.
The Michael Levin Base held its annual gala fund raiser at the Kahn Theater to a sold-out crowd.
It’s a Jewish function, so there was food after speeches and awards in support of lone soldiers.
Around Israel, as at Ohel Nechama Synagogue in Jerusalem, fairs have been set up to support businesses adversely affected by the October 7 War.
But, also in Jerusalem, while remembering the war and hostages –
New signs for the 2024 Israel Festival and Design Week are posted along Jerusalem streets.
A new program for young adults “Keeping on Track” has the first session focused on gleaning insight and learning from our past on September 18. The second session looks forward, to “helping you plan your future with tools that are both tangible and meaningful” the next night at “HaMiffal” Center.
The workshop, which will be in English, is intended for young adults aged 18-40.
Road work on Jerusalem streets continues in many locations with more foreign workers arriving.
New buildings are rising as this one on the Givat Ram Campus.
The Jerusalem Roof Top Festival is expanding to many new locations, too many to include now.
Meanwhile, sadly the military cemeteries are expanding in too many locations.
The IDF has many units and branches. One special program supports soldiers with diverse issues. At the 9/11 commemoration, a special choir performed “Wind Beneath my Wings.”
The lighting on the monument as the program came to a close.
May good and light overcome the darkness for a brighter future for all.
In Jerusalem, Israel, where to begin RJS this week is a problem.
Today is September 11th.
The day we remember 9/11 – September 2001 when terrorists hijacked jetliners, and crashed into the financial World Trade Center in New York City and the Pentagon, the heart of the US military, murdering thousands of innocents.
On September 11, 2018 – we had a different US Ambassador in Israel, but the Israeli 9/11 Memorial off the main road to Jerusalem, with all the names of the victims of terror, is there 24/7.
Jerusalem is changing. Buildings are to come down and go up higher.
The traffic back-ups. Near the entrance of Jerusalem, the road changes and heavy equipment, always something new to confuse drivers.
But this week outside, and inside the Jerusalem International Convention Center, one could find earth-moving equipment.
Israeli agriculture displays included watermelon of course!
Solar technology was also on display in the large hall.
One area featured the use of sabra cactus as food. The Ambassadors and Embassy representatives heard about various ways to use the fruit on their guided tour of the exhibits.
Angola was not the only African country in Jerusalem for the exhibition. I met a man who came from Nigeria that day who flew in specially for the conference.
I did not hear who won the cherry tomato competition.
But can tell you that 10% alcohol sabra cream was way too strong for me.
With the end of summer, school is back in session, a new bicycle tunnel opened, and Jerusalem festivals have returned to fill the days, nights, and streets.
For the first time, the Hansen House hosted a contemporary dance festival with solo works by choreographers from Israel and overseas. The new Jerusalem International Dance Festival included master classes and discussion panels.
The Takhana Rishona, First Station, is busy with food and entertainment.
At First Station, one can always find something new. I have no idea what this young woman was recording one night near the carousel.
At Teddy Park, the moon was full over the Old City walls and the fountain was on, but people were only passing by, headed to the Sultan’s Pool.
Thousands of concertgoers were headed to their seats at the Sultan’s Pool for the Shlomo Artzi concert.
The mega concerts and Jerusalem festivals have returned to the Jerusalem streets, and after two years, people are happy to be out again.
The Manofim Jerusalem Contemporary Art Festival joins the September Israel Festival in Jerusalem with unusual cultural options.
The postponed Woodstock Fest at Silo, near First Station, off the large parking lot, is set for September 15, 2022.
Plus, Emunah Jerusalem’s first Ethiopian Israeli Cultural Festival Featuring traditional Cuisine; Art; Theater; Drum Workshop and circle; Basket Weaving; Dance; Film, and more, is also at the Silo Cafe, on September 29th, from 4:30 – 8:30 pm.
A Green Inside and Out Festival will be held on the grounds of the Bloomfield Science Museum from September 14-16.
It’s hard to know what to do first!
End of summer clouds covered the Jerusalem streets this week,
and the setting sun setting added impressive colors to the Jerusalem streets, a reminder that the holidays are approaching.
Rosh Hashana, the New Year Selihot crowds have started to gather at the Kotel, Western Wall after midnight. Culminating, October 3, 2022, before Yom Kippur with what should be a huge attendance.
